Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-13
Origin Of the Expected War in Europe-Aus-
TRAN Rule in Italy.


ficts, the approaching collision between
France and Austria has double origin. 1t
has been brought about in the first place by
the operation of certain recognized causes OF
which iplomacy can take cognlzance. and
which will constitute the ostenslble ground
of war; and in the second place. by the logic
OF historical necessity, not the less real
that no Ministry will allude 10 it, and no
protocols discuss its bearings. In the near
imminence of the final crash, it Is desirable
that the people of this country should clear
ly understand both aspects of the case; for, al
though nothing can be more unlikely than
that the L. States, extended IL our commerce
is, should in any way become involved III the
progress of hostilities. il is extremely impor-
tant that the sympathy and the moral sup
port of so great and free nation should be
given to the side of nationality and ndepen-
dence, in a conflict from which 1t may he
well permitted us 10 hope for vast and per-
manent good to the liberty of mankind. 1t
has been common with large class of Eng
lish journalists. to speak of the disturbances
of the last few months as provoked by the
restless ambition of Napoleon Ill. Let us
see whether some more satisfactory cause
cannot be found for commissions which have
so deeply agitated the world. 1t is certain
ly far from probable that i'll the present aye
the mere pctulance and personal passion Of
any one monarch, however powerful, should
be found able 10 shake Europe to it's centre,
unless the question agitated by that monarch
were really and of itself inherent in the very
constitution of European affairs. Thus
much it would be safe for any dlsnterested
observer to assume at the outset.
The words addressed by Napoleon Ill to
the Austrian Envoy al Paris on New Year =
Day, were few and simple. They referred
to negotiations Of some standing, and expires
sed the regret of the French Sovereign that
these negotiations should continue to be in
so unfavorable state Why did these SEEM
ingly harmless phrases carry terror to every
Exchange on the Continent? Why are they
bearing fruit, it may be upon this very day,
of open and deadly war between the two
greatest Empires Of the Continent? Be
cause they were at cnce understood 10 mean
that Napoleon III. was dealing seriously
with the Italian question: because all Europe
knew, and for years has known, to borrow
the language of the London Times itself,
that there can be no stable peace in the world
while Austria can defer settlement Of her
pretensions in Italy, and because the French
Emperor has established character for resi-
luton and far-reachng policy which makes
his bittercst enemies feel that whenever he
calmly undertakes piece of political work,
he will infallibly accomplish it to the utter
most of his ability What then are these Aus
trian pretensions in Italy, and why is France
Il Iol tb,tt hay bn1
be summarily and decisiyely dealt with:
The Italian Peninsula, with all area about
equal to that of New York and New Eng
land combined, and a population Of nearly
twenty-five millions, occupies such position
in Europe that were it united under one au-
thority, or leagued in che interest it must
carry with it the command of the Meditel-
ranean, and balance in the South the power
Of Germany in the North. We're the TIA
liam States free and independent, no Power
could successfully undertake to arrogate to
itself the dominion of Southern Europe
Were the Italian States subject to any one
of the great Powers, that Power might un
dertake the accomplishment of the dream of
universal European dominion, ut least rs safe
| lv rs France in the time Of Napoleon l., nr
Spain in the days Of Charles '.
When exhausted Europe fell back in 1915
from its victory over Napoleon. upon the re
construction Of "prinripalities and powers"
it WAS felt to be imperati,cly necessary not
only that Italy should be put beyond the
reach of any Of tn" parties 10 the Holy Ali
ance. but also that she should be prevented
from aspiring to any unity Of her own. No
ruler could trust his brotlrrrnlrr with what
Rirheliru called the key OF the World.
and all the rulers were resolved that the lta-
liam people shruld not hold it. Italy was.
therefore, divided Is follows: To the rrstor
ed King of Naples was given his ole realm,
the Italian Inheritance Of the Spanish Bour-
bons. Upon an area near equal to that
of New York this sovereign was To rule over
ten millions of subjects. and the whole
Southern region of the Peninsula. To the
Pope was confidrd al area equal Ia that of
Mary land and Massachusetts with three mil
lions Of people, in the centre of Italy. and
stretching from sea To sca An Austrian
prince. of the Young branch OF the House OF
llapsburg, held Tuscany, with two millions
of people; and n fertile region on the west.
fully ~ large as Massachusetts, locked in
upon its northeastern borders by the smaller
iStilles Ol .lbutIl'i, dlN' iu"u ~
princes of Austrian extraction and alliance,
and with II combined population Of about
million souls. Northern Italy was finally
divided by the river Ticin" aud the Lago
Maggiore between the Houses of Savoy and
Hapsburg, the former ar Kings of Sardinia.
possessing dominion 10 the West about n
large as South Carolina with Il population
twice as large az that OF New York; the lat
tor IA Kings of Lombardo-N enetia, holding
region half "a large as Maine. with II pop.
ulation Of about five millions. In these ar
rangements it pleased the Congress of Wen
ma to see sure guarantee OF the impotenc"
Of Italy to menace th" peace Of the world.
But the House Of llapsbnrg had not for
gotten its ancient motto and was determined
not only to retain Lombardy, which had de
scended to it from the inheritance of Charles
v. and Venice, which had fallen into It's
hands in the chances of the last NapCleOnic
war but also to use Northern ltaly rs it,
lever for making all the Peninsula It's own.
1t lost no time in beginning operations. IL
has never ceased 10 prosecute them. The
most formidable engines Of Austrian intiu-
sncs have been the systematic attempts Of
the Italian sovereign to crush their people,
back into the recognition Of Divine Blight,
and to kill tie hydras Of liberty and law
throughout their States. The ink was hard
" dry on the Conventions of Paris, when in
july II, 1915, Austria signed secret trca-
~ with N,nlos binding the King of Ma