St. Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1860-11-09
Italy, Austria and France.

From the London Times, Oct 18th.
The people Of the Austrian States, the
citizens Of Vienna, the ministry, the lead
ing pohticians-in fact, every one whose
opinion is worth having, is in favor of
peace but the court is no longer master
of its own temper, and may commit any
folly. Happily no step has yet been tax.
en-, and prudent counsels may prevail, but
it is, at any rate, our duty to call attention
to the danger which threatens Europe.
Movements of troops are continually tax
ing place in Venetia. According to the
last accounts, though we can hardly be.
lieve them, an Austrian army 40, 900 strong
had crossed to Po at Rergo Forte, below
Mantua, with no conceivable motive but to
be ready for an interference in the newly
annexed territory Of Sardinia. The Aus
trian coast has been for some time subject
ed to military precautions, the lights hay
ing been put out, ostensibly in order to
prevent any sudden attack from the Sardo-
Neapolitan feet. Preparations have been
hurried on throughout the empire for
another war on the largest scale. The
provinces, which are already discontented
almost to the point of rebellion, have been
still further alienated by a conscription Of
1000 men. With bankruptcy threaten
ing and the imperial paper sinking in val
ne daily, money has been extorted in vast
suns for warlike purposes. The Qsadril-
ateral has been still further strengthened
by elaborate works on the newest model.
The public arsenals have been employed
without cessation in turning out cannon,
rifles, arms, and munitions of war of ev-
ry kind. The Reichsrath, which few
months ago raised tho hopes of sensible
men throughout the empire, has concluded
is sittiRgs, but no reforms are expected,
or the empire resounds with the clang of
arms.
What does all this portend2 Does
Francis Joseph increase his army, burden
and enrage his people, meet his brother
AutOcrat at Warsaw, and excite the ex-
pectations Of all partisans of "order' for
nothing? We can scarcely hope that pru.
dent counsels will prevail with this obsti--
nate and infatuated prince. His whole life
has been reliance on the instincts of his
own arbitrary mind, OF on the narrow
teachings of his mother and her priests
Unhappily, in the present case military
pride comedies with the desire of repress-
ing national life in Italy, and repaying the
supposed insults of the Italians.
Supposing then, Austria to be met by
the whole force of France, the overthrow
of her armies and the loss Of her last re-
naming Italian province may be looked
upon as matter Of certainty. The Gar
Alexander cannot help her, he has enough
to do at home, and the Russians in spite of
Warsaw, will not consent to go 10 war for
q Government which they detest as much
as We do. Prussia will not help her, for
the regent knows that by 80 doing he
would ALLEVIATE this country, SOW dissen-
sion in Germany, and give the French an
easy conquest Of the Rhine. There would
be fine scientific seige of the Quadrlater-
al, and then Austrian rule in Italy would
pass away for ever.
All this, however is, on the supposition
that the French Emperor supports Victor
Emanuel in his enterprise for conauering
Italian unity. Should Napoleon Withdraw
the assurance of his protection from
Piedmont, in that hour would pass away
even the necessity for threat Of war on
the part of Austria. inasmuch as Court
Cavour and his master would at once per-
ceive that his game was over, and would re-
tire from their meditated conquest. We
cannot suppose that at this late period of
the question any such scheme is meditated
by the Emperor, or that he desires to limit
the possessions of the King Of Sardinia, by
keeping the Bourbons on the Neapolitan
throne or by transferring it to another
family than the House of Savoy.
But if no change in the imperial policy
is intended, then he article of the Cons t.
tutionel is without meaning. The precise
tendency Of Mr.. Boniface's composition we
have still to learn. 1t may be only con
tinuance Of the decent hypocricy which be-
gan with the withdrawal of the French
minister from Turin, or it may indicate
that Piedmont is to be allowed to pursue
its policy only under conditions which Ma
p0leon is to dictate.