New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-14
FRENCH POLICY IN ITALY AND TURKEY

FRENCH POLICY IN ITALY And TURKEY.
II is certainly remarkable fact that the very
Prince who was the first in Europe to advocate
the right Of nations to demand, and, if practi-
cable, to establish their National unity, should
now be the leading opponent of the National
aspirations in every important question of the
kind. Who would put obstacles in the way of
German unity, if Napoleon should withdraw his
oppositiOn7 Who would have stopped the vic
torious march Of Garibaldi, and saved the de-.
cayel chair of st. Peter if the French troops
had stayed at homeY and who would think of
drawing the sword for the effete power of the
Turks, if France should observe an absolute
neutrality
With regard to Germany, France has for
some months preserved an absolute silence.
But in both Italy and Turkey French dplo-
macy is just now most actively engaged to
thwart, if possible, the inevitable result Of
national aspirations.
In the Roman question, Napoleon urges with
great persstency the holding of European
Conference. He has invited to it even the
third-rate powers Of Europe, which, flattered
by the unusual honor of such an invitation,
are all expected to accept it. Napoleon main
tains the European character of the Roman
question, on the ground that every Govern
ment which has Roman Catholic subjects is
concerned in the maintenance of the independ-
ence of the Holy Father. Italy strongly OPP
poses the Congress, insisting that the settle
ment of the Roman question is wholly an Italian
affair, in which foreign nations have no right to
intervene. We do not know yet whether En-
gland and Russia, which were reported to be
against the holding Of the Congress, have with
drawn their opposition or not. The Pope will
feel anything but satisfaction at tho prospect
of such Congress, as he is fully aware that
most of the European Governments care little
about the continuance of the Estates of the
Church. France herself, if the majority of the
Conference should desire it, would be willing
to urge further reduction of the temporal
possessions of the Holy Father, notwithstand-
ing all the censures of the Church threatening
those consenting to such schemes. But, on the
other hand, France will make the utmost exer-
tons, not from any regard for the Catholic
Church, but in her own interest, to gain the
consent of the Conference to- the preservation
of some part of the Papal territory, and thus
act again as the leading opponent of Italian
unity. But there need not be much fear of any
important results being achieved by the new
plan of Napoleon. The Governments taking
part i'll the Congress will be willing to give
their opinion, but hardly single one will as
sumo the responsibility to aid in the enforce
ment of any kind of Intervention.
Weknow but little about the present intentions
of France with regard to the Eastern compl-
cation, and about the alliance which is said
70 have been concluded between her and En-
gland aud Austria. France, during the past
year, has several times joined Russia and her
allies in urging upon the Porte certain conces-
siOns When these were stubJouly declined