The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-10-24
France and the Roman States.

1t is now said that Napoleon has final
ly determined to interfere in the affairs of
the Roman States. A council of minis
ters was held at st. Cloud on the 18th
inst, at which the Emperor presided
The result of that meeting was a resolu-
tlon that France should take immediate
steps for settlement of the Roman ones
ton, and that such steps should be taken
without the consent or cooperation of
Victor Emanuel OF the italian govern
ment The leading French journals ap-
prove the resolution of the government.
The -HOnite,n reproaches the Italians for
violating the laws of nations, endangering
the peace of Europe, disregardng the obli-
cations of solemn treaties, and fostering a
dangerous spirit of republicanism, and the
Patrie argues in bold and earnest man.
ner, that the Intervention of France is alb
solntely and Immediately necessary to save
Italy from revolution and anarchy. There
are other papers which have expressed
opinons and sentiments upon this subject.
They all applaud the course of the Empe-
| ror and the government, and some of them
! speak IN such manner as to induce the
suspicion that an outbreak with Victor
Emanuel would not be distastefuI or un-
popular in France at this time. He is
| charged with want of action, with secret
ly approving the movements of Garibaldi
and his revolutionists, ard with desiring
to acquire Rome and the Roman States in
such manner as to shield Italy from the
consequences that would arise from an
! nd nal 10 Wiz nff IL
cations.
The basis of the contemplated action of
Napoleon will be the treaty of September
l5, 1864. BY the express provisions of
that treaty Victor Emanuel is bound not
to attack the States of the Pope, but, on
the contrary, to defend the temporal pos
sessions of the Church in case they are at
! tackled or menaced from within or with
out. On the part of France the obligation
was equally explicit and emphatic Ma
poleon assumed a semi-protectorate over
the temporal affairs of the head of the
Catholic Church. In case the treaty of
September, 1864, was violated by bands
of organized and armed revolutionists
within that kingdom, and Victor Emanuel
refused to check such outbreak, or was
not competent to do so, then it was clear
ly understood that France would push an
army into such a position as to make good
the demands OF the treaty. That point
has now been reached. Garibaldi is head
ing revolution outside of Rome, and
Mazzini calling upon the people of that
city TO rise and declare in favor of a re-
public. The rcvolutionists have invaded
the Papal States, attacked and in some
cases defeated the troops of the Pope, and
are pressing on towards the City oc Rom |.
No steps have been taken by Victor
Emanuel to prevent this invasion of the
dominions of the Church He allowed
the insurgents to organize in Italy, to pre-
pare their plans within his kingdom, to
muster in force, to cross the frontier, and
attack the troops of the ruler, whom by
the treaty of September, 1864, he was
solemnly bound to protect.
AS Victor Emanuel has failed to fuI-
ill his obligations, Napoleon now stands
forth as the defender of those promises he
made when entering into the compact of
September, 1864. France will defend the
4 States of the Church from revolutionary
violence. IF in that defense Italy is
pressed backward from her present posi-
ton, the fault will not lie at the door of
France. Victor Emanuel voluntarily en-
tered into the treaty obligation which he
is now refusing or neglecting to enforce
Napoleon means to keep his promises
He cannot afford to see revolution sue
cessful at the present time. He remem-
bers it was an Italian that attempted to
take his own life in the streets of Paris,
and he knows that the radicals of Italy
bear him no good will They are opposed
to him and his dynasty. On the contra
ry, the Roman people look upon France
as their friend. Napoleon has been the
defender of the Latin race, and he now
takes the field to protect the Roman States
from the Revolutionary attempts Of Gar
ibaldi and his adherents. Will other ma
tions interfere in this question? 1t is not
probable that they will Russia has no
immediate interest in the controversy.
Austria, of course would not protect Italy
from blow which would humble her
pride, and Prussia is intent on issues near
er home. If Napoleon interferes, the
question will be limited to France, Italy
and Rome, and the result cannot be doubt.
tul -Philadeloliia Age.