The Van Buren press., 1859-11-11
The European Embroelio.

Vhe European EmbIogl10
Or the " Italian question - as the telegraph
operators term the present intricate Of DO
litical affairs, in that unfortunate and dis
tracted country, seem to be NOR, confused
and worse confoundcd. The disgrsced
Princes are still in exile; the Provisional
Governments are still in operation; Carl
baldi continues to gather his armed hosts :
and every thing indicates determination
on the part of the people to maintain their
independence. Sardinia coquets with the
people of the revolted States-does not ex-
actly accept their offers of annexation nor
discouragcs their hopes of ultimate inde-
pendence of Austrian rule. She is also
arming with ali her energies and resources,
for coming war. Naples cntertains the
Pope, who dare not return to Rome; and
she is placing her army upon a war footing.
The Tuscan and Parmesian Princes are at
the head Of troops borrowed from Austria,
and threaten a crushing onslaught upon
their revolted subjects. The Romagnas,
Tuscans, Parmesians and Modenians de-
mand Italian independence and are arming
for the conflict. Swiss mercenarics are de-
serting the Popes' banner, and are going
over to the Provisional Governments. If
outsiders would remain neutral the question
would soon be settled. The old state of af-
fairs would be wiped away and new epoch
inauguratcd.
But poor Italy will not be allowed to
settle her own affairs-to carve out her own
destiny. The "great powers " of Europe
claim the right to adjudicate the disputed
question. Austria is evidently determined
to sustain the Pope and the exilcd Princes
in their claims to hold arbitrarily the reins
of power over the Italians and she is
ready and anxious to enforce her views
with her armed legions, could she do SO
without encountcring Napoleon's troops
again on the plains of Lombardy.
Napoleon sympathises with Italy, or at
least it is Napoleonic idea, and family
pride urges him to carry it out; but dread
of the anathemies of the church, SO power
full at home; and the costs of a campaign
restraints his influences
English sentiment is unanimously in ia
vor of Italian Independence and the coun-
ellis of that government are, as well as the
voice of the people, divided on the question
of direct interference The interests of
commerce is too mighty in that realm to be
triaed with by hasty action; and her po-
litical alliances weigh too heavily upon
British shoulders to be imperreled without
due consideration
Prussia is tied up in her German con-
federation, and were her sentiments favora-
BILE to Italy, they could not be gratified
Her obligations to Austria ensures her neu-
trality, if not active cooperation with the
latter power. Russia wrapt up in her mys-
terious and secret policy, isolated in inter-
est and feeling from all the other parties,
cannot be counted upon, on any of the
ordinary grounds that govern the other
Powers. Hers is always and only Rus
sian policy. She will fight for Austrian
absolutism or Italian liberty, and for which
ever she thinks will aid her Russian policy.
The last foreign arrivals report that the
Zurich conference has adjourned without
any definite termination of the affair which
brought it together. Whether an European
Congress can arrange the questions left
open by the conference is vet to be seen.
The London Posi-, says that i" England can
and will take no part in any Congress, of
which the principle be not the recognition
of Italian independence ~; and adds that
" the first cannon shot fired to force on the
people of of<Romagna, Modena and Tuscany,
any other rulers than the italian Princes in
whom they SO fondly put their trust, will
be the signal of . conflict as deadly as the
one just brought to close.