, 1866-05-18

regiments. Great confusion and anxiety
prevailed, the letter adds, and quickly
succeeding alternate reports of peace and
war.
In Florence a private telegram has
been made public this morning to the
effect that Austria has informed Prussia
she cannot disarm, as promised, by rca-
son Of the threatening aspect of affairs
on the side Of Italy. Matters are getting
too serious for testing, otherwise one
would be inclined o laugh at the Devil
derment to-day to be read on the ~counte-
nances even Of those most Injured to po-
litical vicissitudes and catastrophes. 1t
is so very inconceiyabIe that Austria,
lately so DESTROYS to avoid war, should
now suddenly court it. Many are dis
posed to explain this strange enlargement
d'rue by a coup De ttte Of Francis Joseph.
A letter from Vienna, published in the
'slatest news of to-day's Malone, con-
firms this view, but itself requires con-
firmation.
You will probably expect to hear
from me that some valid reason exists,
that some material provocation has been
given for this sudden warlike outburst on
the part of Austria. | shall presently
telegraph to you the contrary. In my
letter of the 22d all the preparations
made by Italy were very fully stated.
The purchase of some 900 horses livery
much fewer than will be required if Italy
does find herself involved in wary a few
movements of troops from south 10
north, a considerable transit of military
materials, activity in naval preparations,
&c. were mentioned. But there has
been no concentration Of troops, not a
man of the reserves has been called out;
the only thing done in the way of
STRENGTHENING the army has been the
CONSUMPTION, which In regular course
should have taken place last January,
and the calling out of the contingent, or
second category, Of last years conscripts
rather earlier than usual, and to exercise
for a somewhat longer time. 1t may be
uroed. not without truth, that when the
Italian Government declares itself to
have been, since 1859, only in a state OF
armed truce with Austria, tins latter
Power has a perfect right to d%enouncc
the truce and put an end to a permanent
menace. Aud the recent friendly inter
our and negotiations Of Italy with
Prussia, ana LllC VIII -
Italy to strike in if wal broke out be-
tween the W German Powers, may be
taken as a provocation to Austria; but
there has been no material threat such as
is implied by an increase OF the army or
a massing of troops near the frontier
There can be no doubt that the Italian
Government desires war, as the only
means of extrication from an exceedingly
false and difficult situation. Equally GER
tain is it that the conflict was believed to
have been STAYED off by diplomacy and TO
be adjourned for weeks and even tor
months. The Ministers have been quite
as much taken by surprise as the public
in general, and in fact Italy is not ready.
She soon will be. 1t is supposed that
Government will soon publish some kind
of note or manifesto, commenting on the
unexpectedly aggressive attitude of Aus
tria. Such is at least an idea current,
but hitherto it is perhaps u%nfounded on
any Ministerial decision. The reserves
are also expected to be called out within
a very few days, and although the Gov
eminent has not yet decided on so strong
a measure, it is difficult to think that it
can long defer it. The calling out of the