Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-05-23
ST.. ROW, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
CLEARFIELD, PA, MAY %, 1866.
UNION REPUBLICAN STATE TICKET.
PoR GOVERNOR:
Nal. Gen. JOHN W. GEARY, of Dumb. Go.
The European Promblem.

Ihe true C0nUltl0u Oi auaiTS UetWecn
Austria and Italy is placed somewhat in
doubt by the declaration of NJ. Rouher,
Minister of State, in the French Legislatif,
on the Sd inst He explained that France
did not intend to interfere, except to express
her regret if hostilities should break out.
She had warned Italy that she must not ex-
pect French assistance in case of war, and
that she must enter upon the hostilities at
her own risk and peril This communica-
ton, which may be considered official, was
followed up, at later hour during the de-
bate, by statement that telegram had
been received, stating that Italy engaged
not to attack Austria Two days after
wards, the Memorial Diplomatique publish
ed an article stating that Austria had de-
clared that she only intended to act on the
defensive, adding that, if Italy attacked We
netia independently of France, Austria
would not secure for herself advantages
g Of victory, without the diplomatic inter
vention of France In other words, if
there is war and Italy loses, Louis Napo-
leon shall remain master of the situation,
and be entitled to say whether Austria shall
be entitled to hold the Territory won back
from Italy. Per contra, if Austria is bea-
ten, and elected from Venetia, France is to
have no right of intervention against Aus
tria in favor of Italy. This would secure to
Austria the neutrality of France, which will
lose none of the advantages gained to Italy
by her intervention in the last war. Now,
as Italy declares that she will not attack Aus
tria, and Austria says she will act on the de-
fensive and not attack Italy, it would seem
that all pretext for war were done away with
and all the nations are satisfied that peace
will be maintained And yet it is apparent
that each power is actively preparing foi
war. Italy is enthusiastic over the pros
peet, and Austria is sending its troops into
Venetia, with all the expedition that mod
srn transportation will allow of.
1t is very plain that neither Power viii
trust the other, and although both ought tt
disarm, neither will do SO. Prussia may
after all, solve the problem by commencing
the war, for although there is lull in the
controversy between her and Austria, it i
by no means settled, and may break ou
more furiously than before, at any moment
Prussia is not satisfied with the declaration
of Austria that she is only arming to be
ready for Italy. Prussia says in that case
We will be ready too. So the work Of con-
centration goes on, and the armies of Prus
sia are getting ready for work on the Saxon
frontier. 1t is evident that Prussia has no
confidence in the representations of Austria
and hence We have the strange sight o
three nations getting ready for war, march
ing their troops, fortifying their weak places
preparing their fleets and looking daggers a
each other, each one at the same time pro
testing that she does not intend to begir
hostilities, and each one doing all that she
can to irritate the other and precipitate q
contest which may be brought on at any
time, without orders, by the eagerness and
animosity of small parties of soldiers upon
the outposts.