, 1859-02-26
THE EUROPEAN WAR QUESTION.
Hosti1ities imminent in Italy Position Of Il
&Britsh Government and Press.

The news by the steamer Africa adds degree
Of probability to the threatened rupture in Eu
rope. The independence Bttge Of the latest dat,
Gays: War in Italy il near at hand, unless di
plomacy By supreme effort shall succeed i,
arresting the danger and rendering useless tn,
| preparations for campaign, which are goint
forward at once in Austria, Piedmont ant
France. The Independence proceeds to state
suthoritatlye1y, certain facts as to occurreucel
that have taken place in France, which it re
CARDS a. the symptoms Of speedy commence
ment OF hostilisics. Tbsse are the concentration
Of troops in the south of France; sailing ORDER
given to the squadron at Cherrboarg; the aceu.
mulstion Of vsst numbers Of military beds al
Marseilles; the activity forced upon ths furnish.
ers Of the French army; the preparation Of ex.
traordinary quantities Of cartridges; the recent
casting of $50 pieces Of artillery the purchase
Of unusual numbers Of horses: the sending Ia
Asrseilies Of 1bo, 900 congreye rockets, and the
approaching arrival in France of division ol
5000 Algerian troops, ready 10 take the asld at
once, who are to form the nucleus Of the uew
army Of Lyons.
Tie debate in both Houses of Parliament,
upon the Royal Address, brought the pacific
policy OF the Government prominently forward.
All parties appeared to untts in the opposition
~ lu6 WAIAtAo utuuQ6IlaaIu1a VI Lug emperor
Napoleon. Even Lord Pafmerston added bis
condemnation.
The Earl Of Derby admitted that Italy must
continue under the existing state Of affairs with
volcano ever ready 10 break forth IN IN eynp.
tion. lie condemned the conrse of Sardinia,
and said the Government had assurance from
Austria that there wns no intention to interfere.
concerning her neighbors. 1t vss impossb;e'
however, to believe that Sardinia could enter
upon struggle with Austria unless she thought
she might rely on external aid and to no coun.
TT could she look for external aid except TO
France. He could not bring himself to believe
that looking al the sagacis , and pruienes, md
erto characterized the ruler Of that great natiou,
that be would sanction on the part OF Sardinia,
even By bis moral support, and still less
bJ, his military meane an unjustitiable
4nd aggressive wsr: fHear snd- cheers
He had not abandoned the belief that the Eupe-
ror Of the French would still continue in she
courss which he had hitherto pursued. Her
Msjesty's Government had advised him 10 exer-
csse forbearanoe, add ADORE all from holding OUT
to Sardinia m expectation Of assistance il the
event Of war; and unless he had greatly nisun-
derstood the assurance which they had received,
confined herself within her own limits, Ssrdiu.
il must not expect assfstance from France.
[Cheers.] Notwithstanding these ASSURANCES, if
war should be the ultimate zesult, it would BE-
satisfaction, though melancholy satisfactiou,
to her Mejesty's Government, to feel that they
Ind dons I'll ia their power to avert 70 untof,Q.
nste calamity. In that case, they would con
rider themselves bound BY no engagements, but
fesi at perfect liberty TO take that course which
the duty, intaresta and honor Of England might
require.
Lord Palmersson said Undoubtedly the most
Important passages in the Royal Address were
those which had reference to the possibility Of
war in Italy. He felt thct the possession Of her
Italian provinces was grest drawback to Aus
triA herself, a. we'll Al the general interests of
Europe. At the same time, they must consider
hoR Auatsia had acquired her right TO those do
minions. They uaust consider the necessities Of
the times IN y hich this arrangement WAS nade
By the great powers. No one could sttampt to
deprive Austria Of them. Treaties must be re-
1peeted. {Cheers. War was Rot light thing;
ii WA essy to begin il. but = struggle between
Two great poxsfi,- .liks Auatris and France,
could hardly be confined to the plAins Of +om. |
bardY; andit 1as beyond The saRaeity OF nsn !
10 ssy where Or hox It would end.
Although Austria atood. upon the ground Of 4
right, inasmuch ~ her, tarTitories in Italy were
guaranteed by The great poHers, yas sis had |
gone beyond thoss rights tn occupying o4hef
places