New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-10-23
THE BETRAYAL or ITALY.


Rome will organize one in Italy: TO trample
out this fame is to scatter the sparks of war,
and kinde new fires throughout Europe. Es-
sentally the Roman question is local one
what the Government of Rome shall be con
Germs merely the people of the Papal States.
Tyranny from which they could not escape
made it a national question for Italy, and the
interference of France has now converted 1t
into a continental question in which all Europe
is involved. Such an issue as this Is not to he
determined by IN obsolete treaty between the
Governments of France and Italy. Other Gle
ments will settle it, Since the Convention of
1864 was formed, the people of Italy have de-
manded Rome as their right since then, Prussia
has won the battle Of Sadowa; since then.
France has ceased to bc the arbiter of Western
Europe The situation has been revolution
lied, and the Unity of Italy is necessary
result of the Unity of Germany.
The Emperor Napoleon will find Rome more
than Mexico 10 himself. and perhaps what
Moscow was To his uncle. II was easy for him
TO sustain the Papal rule when Italy was weak
and dependent on his friendship. few years
ago Austria ovcrhung Italy like a thunder
cloud. The. Austrian occupation of Nenetia
was perpetual threat and danger. But now
there is no nation in Europe from which Italy
has less to fear than from Austria. Not sol
itary soldier of the House of Hapsburg stands
on Italian soil, and any advance which Aus
tria may make toward the south will inevitably
be followed by n southwark advance of Prus-
STA. Napoleon cannot now proceed. IA in 1854
he could upon the assumption that Italy needs
his protection; there is no enemy that she has
- I,,t
France that has the least intention to
contest her right to Rome. The natu-
raj result Of French Intervention must be
to turn the friendship of Italy into resentment
Shylock may exact his pound of flesh, but had
better tear the bond to pieces. There are some
treaties upon which it is madness to insist, and
the September Convention is one of them. We
believe that in this recent step Louis Napoleon
has advanced to his own defeat. All that he
has done to strengthen his power by alliances,
is, so far as Italy is concerned, undone. 1t is
one thing to make compact with King and
n Cabinet, but no compact will endure that is
not made with the People also. This Roman
question might be settled in the interests of
despOtism, if it were possible to partition out
Italy as the great powers divided Poland, but
in no other way. The Emperor may send his
troops to Rome, but if he keeps them there he
must send them to Italy Also and to the Rhine
In the end, if he is resolved to oppose Italy,
he must be prepared to oppose Prussia also.
The Italian Government has shown itself
ptifully weak in yielding to the French de-
mand Italy has been betrayed by her King
and the King will find that his own people are
stronger than a French army. We foresee n
revolution in Italy, which may repeat on n
grander scale the recent instructions in the
great cities, OF may be merely moral, but which
in either shape, must accomplish its end FL
nally, and at no distant period, the Italian
Government must execute the national will,
and means will be found to compel its obedi-
ence. Garibaldi is master of the situation, and
the September treaty has been already cut in
half by his sword. 1t is lnot the treaty which
keeps Rome in slavery, but the cowardice Of
the Government. In the eyes Of Europe it is
but waste paper, which France chooses to hold
sacred though all other nations hold it in con-
tempt and repudiate its obligations.
There is but one honorable explanation OF
I the policy of the Italian Government, and that
deserves to be considered with respect. II is
impossible to believe that Victor Emmanuel
took any step in this matter without cOnsVlta-
ton with Prussia. The alliance of the two
countries is not formal but it is virtually the
strongest alliance of any two nations in Europe,
and is destined to have an important influence
in the approaching war; If Prussia is not ready
for war, her Government would naturally coun-
sci postponement of the Roman question, and
it is possible that Bismarck, who is as prudent
as he is bold, may have secret understanding
with the Italian Government The elements
of great war exist in Europe and there is no
nation now ready to hasten a struggle which
is drawing nearer month by month.
Ill., ,noort tbot tho Er.nch had