The national Republican., 1867-10-31
WILL THERE BE A GENERAL WAR
IN EUROPEf

We confess to the apparent probabilities o.
such an event. though We have all along main
tained that, notwithstanding the ominOus indi
cations of such n catastrophe, we nevertheless
have believed, and do still believe, that such OF
imbrogio as this now existing in Italy need mol
necessarily involve a general war. Just at thi,
moment, so far as the meagre dispatches Of the
cable have advised US, the star Of GARIBALDI Ii
evidently in tho ascendant and ere this his troops
may be in Rome So far as the Italian Gov.
ernment is concerned there appears to bc mas.
terly inactivity on its part.
VICTOR EMANUEL and his counsellors are doing
nothing. They are evidently hesitating and
halting between two opinions: whether 1t be best
to stick to the convention Of September, 1866, or
abandon it, assume the responsibility, and go iu
for n united Italy. Now is tho hour that makes
or breaks vIcroR EMASUEL. LOUIS NAroLEoS
will by force compel the King Of Italy to stand
by the convention or at least he will attempt ii.
Tho French force has sailed from Toulon for
Civita vecehia, and the very next cable dispatch
may inform US that the French troops have at.
tackled the forces of GARrBALDr, or they may be
laundering at the walls Of Rome, where Carl.
BALDIis peradventure already sntronchcd. When
this conflict commences, VIcTOR EMANUEL must
decide. He must annul the treaty Of ssptem-
Der, stand by GARIBALDT, and 60 for q united
Italy, with the city Of Rome as its national cap
ital or fall in with French dietation, crush Gan.
IBALDI If no can, and with LOUIS NAPOLEON
maintain tho temporal supremacy Of the Pope.
II this latter policy Of defending the Pope's
temporal power l. determined upon BY the King
of ITALY, and he and the French Emperor make
common cause in behalf Of the temporal reign Of
Pope Prus the IX, then comes the question how
arc the soldiers Of vIcroR EMANUEL affected by
this union? Can these Italian soldiers be
trusted, and will they fight against GARIpALDI?
Much speculation is rife upon this point but
the indications are that not only the soldiers Of
VIcToR EMANUEL, but all Italy, will soon DO In
blaze, and a vast majority Of its people. civil
and military will be on the side and In the in
forest Of GARIaALpI.
The watchword Of the entire peninsula will
soon be, GARIBALDT, Rome, and q united
hty" In such an event, what can the French
Governmsut do NIcTOR ENAsUEn himself
will be poverlsss. and France must contend
alone against united people fighting on their
own soil. 1t may be said that &c, 900, 900 Of
people, even If united are no match against
$4,000, 900, though they have the advantage OF
fghting on their own soil. 1t ia true that Italy,
as at present organised, Is young and poor. aud
under the circumstances, necessarily crippled
by a certain discomfort and want Of unity among
them; for, doubtless, there must be a eonsidsrs.
BILE party in synP.tby with the PerS IN mis-
rtuggles to maintain his temporal power. On
the other hand, the French power is organized,
L.. l.. ..It. II
and most powerful military Governments in the
world. How can GARIBALDI, sven with q tol.
erably well united Italy at his back, contend
successfully against such fearful odds And,
besides, Austria may come to the aid Of NAro-
LEON, We rather think not. But should she
do 20, will Prussia and Russia remain quiet 2
We think not When this hour comes, Bis.
WARCK will doubtless speak, and the Russian
Bear, who has his eye on Turkey, and is only
waiting the opportune moment, will annihilate
the Turkish power in Europe. In this work Of
spelling the Musselrnan, the Car will have the
sympathies Of the Christian world, as the blow
he strikes will relieve the Cretes and Christian
subjects the Sultan from dreadful oppression,
All this may occur, II Austria becomes cmbroiled
in the italian imbrOglio with NArOLEoa
As to BISMARCK, tho whole world Is interested
and is anxiously waiting to Gee what he will do.
Ills power to determine in favor Of peace or wal
in Europe at this juncturS is potential. II,
holds the destiHiss Of many people in his hands,
and may decide the isGues Of the hour fayOrably
or unfavorAbly to peace.
The elder NAPOLEON once said, Make me
Emperor Of Germany, and will maintain the
peace of Europe forever" BISMARCK is Ger
many, and Germany can preserve the peace Of
the Continent We wait the coming Of events. A
General war in Europe way Onsue, and with it
ONES Republican government and democratic
r7r EoS has preciPitatsd is his own downfall,
an4 ty it the Nspoleopic dynasty reaches its
elimination c: infany, and falls to rise no more
forever.