The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-21


Far more important than the report that on
Thursday, after fierce fight and heavy
Garibaldian loss, the Papal fnr~.s retook
veroli, and that the Italian troons on the
frontier had been reinforced, is the announce
ment by the Atlantic cable that call Italy is
excited by the threats of French Intervention"
coupled with the declaration Of the official
journals Of Paris that Italy must within
twenty-four hours from Saturday last, decide
whether she will march with the revolutionists
to Rome, or halt on the frontier and execute
the September Convention. The French
writers add that Napoleon's announcement OF
war or peace will follow this decision.
This hurries the Roman question at once from
the control of diplomacy to the impulses of
passion. The issue which was sooner or later
inevitable has thus been precipitated. Italy
can no longer await such contingencies as the
death Of Plus *, which might sound the knell
Of the Pope's temporal power. or the death of
Napoleon ILL.,, which might be followed by the
release Of the Italian government from the
obligations Of the September Convention. The
Italian heart, fred with the idea Of national
unity, now fully shares the enthusiasm Of
Garibaldi. Whether he sends forth his pro-
CARNATIONS from the prison at Caprera, or
whether he has escaped from 1t, Carl
baldi impersonates the national will.
His fellow countrymen are ready at his bid
ding to resist French interference and to dare
all risks in an attempt to acquire the ancient
capital Of Italy. Such condition of popular
excitement indicates less likelihood that the
rum0rs afoat in London Of an intention on
the part Of France and Italy to arrange for
joint occupation Of Roms are true, than
that collision between France and Italy is
almost certain. Were the war which would
then follow to be confined to these two
Powers, it would doubtless be short, sharp
and decisive. and it would probably result
in reoccupation Of Rome by the French
troops, the prolongation of the Pope's tenn
poral power, and the destruction. at least for
time, Of the dream Of "United Italy,"
Eight years of m:sgovernment, admins
tralive incapacity and corruption, heavy
taxation and local jealousies, have brought
the kingdom Of Italy to the verge Of bank
ruptcy, and it could not long maintain single
handed contest with so terrible and power
fnl foe as France. 1t is true that eight-tenths
Of the French would sympathize as little with
their Emperor in a war against Italy Us they
did with his Mexican projects. A war with
Italy alone would DO very unpopular in France.
None but the ultramontanists Of the clerical
10 in D,,f -, Z.
bity that the war would be waged with Italy
alone. 1t will not be expected to engage ina
combat with Napoleon. Victor
Emanuel may miss his splendid opportunity Of
to Rome and taking possession Of it
in the name Of United Italy before the French
arrive there. and, it need be, of resisning his
crown, on which he has never profcssed to set
nordinate value, and placing himself, with
at the head of republican,
movement which would immc-
iiately throw all Europe into commo-
lion. But Bismarck, who has thus far
been silently watching his opportunity, will
hardly fail to seize 1t by coming to the relief
Of the late ally of Prussia. The ill-concealei
between France and Prussia viii
find vent in the struggle that must ensue.
And although Frenchmen might naturally pre-
ter TO fight farther north, in the vicinity OF
what they deem the natural boundaries OF
France, the Italian question viii supply as
q pretext as any other Tor war
between France and Prussia. Nor 'over new
must then arise; for The
attempt that Napoleon would be likely 10
make TO bring Austria also into the ring
would fully arouse Russia. md general
European war would then bc inevitable.
Time alone will reveal the vast and moment
Gus changes which will be wrought by a gen.
eral European war. What shall become OF The
temporal power Of the Pope is a question
which sinks into comparative insigniflcance in
view of the possible consequences Of the inn
pending struggle between France aud Italy for
the possession Of Rome.