The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-25

Italy has passed through ministerial crisis.
political phase which has become almost
chronic in the present history Of her states.
manship. As we informed our readers yester-
day by special telegram through tho Atlantic
cable, General Menabrea, the Premier, placed
his resignation in the hands Of the King. in
consequence Of the adverse opinion expressed
by the Parliament on his Roman policy. To-
day we are specially informed from Florence
that this action has induced reconstruction
Of the Cabinet, not dissolution of
the ministry. King Victor Emanuel appears
to have commissioned Menabrea to form new
Cabinet, the General retaining the position Of
chief adviser OF the Crown This will lead to a
partial change Of officials, but, as Is indicated
in our special despatch the. party prin-
ciple and policy Of the Premier are likely to
be maintained. The situation as thus expressed
by the Executive will be very pleasing to the
Pope, and much more in accord with the views
of Napoleon than If the great seal of State had
been con6ded to Ratazzi or any other Of the
more progressive Italian nationalists.
This ministerial crisis in Italy was evidently
During Its tendency France was much agitated
lest Cabinet hostile to the present ideas Of
Napoleon towards Rome would be formed in
Florence, the Paris Bourse was fat, and the
legislative opposition characterized the new
bill for the reorganization of the French army
as measure anticipatory Of an immediate
war. This grave aspect will scarcely be re-
Nv ~. I'm Ia ott IN foru
party coalition or naturalization Of the oppo-
sition in the Legislature. By reconstructing
the Cabinet under Menabrea the King is still in
antagonism to the national will with regard to
Rome, and if he affords full expression to this
will he again offends France.
The premiership of Italy involves an anxious
ly oppressive trust and it may be that the King
did not find many persons over ready to take
up government which-as our mail advices
published to-day shows being carried on
with treasury deficit amounting to over
nine hundred millions Of francs, and in face of
most troublesome and suspicious diplomacy
from Paris
No one who has taken pains to
make himself familiar with the present
condition of Italy but is fully convinced
that the Italian people are Of one mind
as to the necessity Of having Rome for the
national capital. The vote of 1861 has been
substantially reaffirmsd, and if the italian
Chambers at all represent the national will the
Italian people must again he e~nsidered to
have emphatically declared, "We must have
Rome for our capital" Ratazzl retired be-
cause such was his opinion, and because pres
sure from without compelled Victor Emanuel
to differ from him. Rstazzl will probably re-
turn to power in the end, because his senti-
ments remain unchanged, and because pressure
from within compels Victor Emanuel to agree
with him.
The return OF Ratazzi to power would place
Italy in direct antagonlsm to France; for
France is just as determined that Italy shall
not have Rome as Italy is determined that she
shall. What will follow then? France will
march her troops from Civita Vccchia to
Rome. The Roman territories will be guard
ed by French bayonets Collision between
the soldiers Of France and the soldiers of Italy
will be inevitable. In such o case 1t is not
difficult to foresee that Italy, II left alone and
unaided, must succumb to the superior strength
OF France. Much, however, depends on the
question whether Italy will be lett to fight the
battle alone. Among the European Powers
Italy is not without warm and sympathizing
friends. Some of them are already putting TO
themselves the question whether they have not
the same right to come to the assistance of
Italy that France has to come to the assistance
Of the Pope. Prussia, as we have often said,
will be glad of a favorable opportunity to
come 10 the assistance Of her former ally.
Russia is deeply incensed against France for
her recent policy in the East. Louis Napoleon
IL remains to be seen whether Louis Napoleon
is equal to the forces of Italy, Prussia and Rus
sia combined.
II is quite possible, however, that the other
Powers Of Europe may stand aloof and leave
Napoleon, Victor Emanuel and the Pope to
settle matters as best they can. In that case II
will not be difficult for Napoleon to dispose of
Italy and Rome entirely to his own satisfaction.
A material victory, however, Is sometimes
moral defeat. Napoleon may yet find II SO.
In re-establishing French garrison In Rome
and otherwise humiliating Italy he undoes
much of the work which he has done, lowers
bis reputation as q statesman and renders
necessary at no distant day another and more
humbling evacuation. Mexico seriously dam
aged his prestige; he has not, in fact, been the
same man in the eyes Of the world since; but
Rome may prove his ruin, at least the ruin Of
his dynasty.
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The Fresh and Grand Eruption Of ycsuvius.