New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-17
GERMANY AND ITALY.

It's singular Illustration Of the moral character
of modern diplomacy that each Of the three great
Powers which are now in Europe on the brink OF war
officially declares that she is arming only for defense
having no intention whatever to make an aggressive
movement and that nevertheless all Europe continues
to believe war certain and inevitable. In addition
to Austria and Prussia which had previously made
this declaration the Government Of Italy has now no.
tilted that Of France that she engages not to attack
Austria.
If the three Governments had that faith IN their
mutual assurances which three individuals OF sterling
integrity would generally be expected to have in SIM
liar relations there is reason why they should not
now hasten to end q disarmament which is extremely
expensive and threatens at least two OF them with q
national bankruptcy. But they not only do not DIS
arm but are pushing forward the mobilization OF oil
their available troops with the utmost possible speed
Prussia is said to have modified her entire army, with
the exception Of one army corps; Austria, likewise
has put her whole army upon war footing,
and Italy has under arms nearly 10000 men. This
of course does not encourage the hope of peace but
induces the organs of public opinion everywhere to
believe in the immediate opening Of hostilities The
belief in the mminence Of war has OF late been
steadily gaining strength and leading papers in every
European country expressed the opinion that the
beginning of hostilites no longer question OF
weeks but of days and hours.
The responsibility of applying the match to the
immense amount of combustble material which for
many years has been accumulated in Europe, must
deyolye upon Italy. Austria however much pro-
voked will shrink from being the first to draw the
sword for she knows how vast interests are at stake
and how fatal blow unsuccessful war might be
to her. The warlike ardor of Bisnark, however
eager to risk great war for carrying through the
supposed mission Of Prussia TO swallow up the small
States of northern and central Germany, has been
sufficiently cooled off by the manifestations OF public
opinion throughout Germany, and By the attitude OF
the other European powers, not to take at present
the decisive step and TO pass the Rubicon. II Aus
tra and Prussia alone were involved the difference
would at present be much more likely to give rise to
diplomatic than to real war.
1t is Italy, therefore which must decide the ques-
ton whether Europe shall have war peace. And
from Italy we only hear one voice and that voice is
for war. The Government. the Parliament the
people, all believe that the moment when Veneta can
be liberated and the union of Italy can be consum-
mated has at length come and that ii 1t Is allowed TO
pass now, many years will eapse before an equally
favorable junclure Of circumstances viii return. The
whole people have therefore been aroused. Garbaldi
reappears again upon the stage Of political life.
complete understanding is said to have been
arrived at between him and the italian
Government and the old hero again addresses him
sell TO the patriotism of his countrymen who, in l-o9
achieved great deeds under his leadership. The re-
Spouse to this appeal has been hearty and unanimous
No one can doubt the desire of the Italian Govern
ment to place itself at the head of this popular move
ment but il has been compelled to yield far to the
pressure which diplomatic influence has brought to
bear upon it, as engage with great hesitation and
reluctance, not to attack Austria This declaration
is likely to retard somewhat the opening of war, but
By no means to prevent it. The people press forward
and the Government may be unable to make to the
pressure determined resistance, if the circumstances
continue favorable
The French Government has, at length, been pre-
vailed upon to express somewhat more fully its pres
ent position relative to the threatened war. The
speech Of Minister Rouher is more emphatic in its
depreciation of war; it explicitly makes Italy
responsible for the consequences which war begun
BY her may involve; it assures Europe in stronger
terms than former declarations of the determination
Of France to remain neutral; but finally, it again
winds up with reserving for France liberty of ac
ton. which more than neutrazes all the other
promises