Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-02-06
ENGLAND AND ITALY.


There is one particular of the recent new
from Europe which deserves more attention
than it has vet received. We allude to wha
is reported concerning Louis Napoleon's prop
osition, that England and France should com
bine to protect the Italians in settling their al
fairs in their own way. 1t is said that Grea
Britain has rejected such a proposition, ant
that, too. with Lord Palmerston and Lord
John Russell at the head of affairs England
they say, will favor the non.intervention poll
cy. Her diplomacy shall be on that side. But
she will not do anything to enforce this policy
or create the possibility of a hostile encounter
with any power that may choose to trample
Italy under foot Her government makes diff
iculties, doubts the extent of its power, and
suggests that Parliament must be consulted.
If the matter is laid before that body, we shall
hear of it. The prevalent feeling among En-
glish officials appears TO be that expressed by
the London Times, which says France is
powerful and can herself do all that needs to
be done. What is it we are wanted to do but
look on and applaud? 20
Heretofore, the government of Great Britain
has always talked on the side of popular rights,
whenever there was some desirable gain to be
reached by such talk. And she has always
omitted to do anything in wise, noble, and
generous way, to uphold the cause of the peo-
pie against despotism. The influence of Eng
land as against Louis Napoleon, and on the
side of Austria, until after the close of the late
war in Italy. The London Times misrepre-
sented and lbeled his aims without stint. But,
after the battle of Solferino, and when it was
known that the French would not march on to
Venice, there was change in England. Sud.
denly, the Italian cause was taken up there
with great zeal, and all sorts of beautiful things
were said in its behalf in order to show Louis
Napoleon in the blacklist colors, as traitor to
his pledges. Ever since the truce of Villa
franca, the London papers have been The loud
est friends of the Italian people. In every
form of words, they have demanded non-inter
vention for Italy,-such non-intervention as
would make impossible another invasion
despotsm, and leave the people free to estab
fish their own political institutions.
AT last Louis Napoleon takes them at their
word He proposes that England and France
shall make an agreement to dispense with the
diplomatic Congress, and establish for Italy
this policy of non-intervention. WillEngland
bind herself in such an agreement and stand
by it in good faith? But now there is hesita-
ton in England Lord Palmerston, Lord John
Russell, and others in power, become ''pru-
dent TO most circulating degree. They
must consult Parliament; and John Bulls
clustering mouth piece, the London Times,
replies to France do it yourself, and leave
US to look on" Ii is generally believed that
Great Britain has more jealousy of Louis Ma
poleon than friendship for Italy and this be-
lief seems well warranted. She was a princ-
pal party to the treaty Of 1916, by which Italy
was placed under the brutal feet of Austria,
and it will be long time before she will
be found doing any bold and downright
thing in behalf of the popular cause in any
part of Europe.
Louis Napoleon gains the credit of having
made that proposition; and, in many ways
he shows the world that he has not abandoned
the popular cause in Italy. Even the London
Times now finds it difficult to falsify his posi-
ton on the Italian question, while the Italian
people understand that, if France should fail
to be their friend, there would be no hope for
them anywhere else in Europe. if the peo-
pie ofthe Duchies and Central Italy secure in
dependence of foreign control, they will owe it
this Emperor of the French, who certainly
understands himself, his nation, and his epoch
We do not see how the British government
could afford to refuse such proposition to set
tie the affairs of Italy. The next arrivals may
bring more complete account of the matter
and place it in somewhat different light