The New York herald., 1868-04-08
ROME
SPECIAL coaassponusncs sf the HERALD

Papaf ADpeals 70 the Sword ef 81. Peter-Con-
dillon Of the Pope's Arny-What Docs Plus
the Ninth Aim Att-BeurbOn Inerigues
Against italian Democracy-NapOIeon's
Policy Puzxlns tho Clersy-Royal Aid Fall
ing Od-England In Bad Odor-The Coming
Easter Festival. f.ag ~ @ .f
ROME, March 10, 1868.
The Roman pontifs in their constant struggles to
defend St. Peters patrimony against the encroach-
ments Of powerful neghbors and TO quell the revo-
utionary outbreaks Of their stubborn flock, nave
ever built great faith upon the holy text OF pike and
gun. Nor, even in spritual matters, have they at
any time hesitated to employ cold steel as lifting
substitute for the sword Of the spirit Plus TX Is not
surpassed by the most belligerent Of his predeces
sors in his for infabe artillery and since
Montana has been deeply impressed by the powerful
orthodoxy Of breech-loaders. 1t has been deter
Mined therefore the militia Of the vcegerent
Oh earth Of the Prince Of Peace with the latest I'm
proved form OF this destructive engine Nevertheless
the Chassepot which, to use General De Faillys
presson worked suck marvels at Mentana is not the
favored weapon. 1t was once suggested that the
addition Of Saint Chassepot to the Roman calendar
would only be just recognition Of the signal SER
vice rendered by the inventor to the Holy See in
being the means Of arrestng the dread flood of Carl
baldlansm in its course towards Rome. But Colonel
Chassepot neither obtains the need Of saintship
uOI tIic pFeseHI KiOry Ol 0rInOrer 10
Vatican. The Pontihcal War Department migrate
fully rejects the Chassepot, and the Remington
breechoader is the arm adopted for the warriors Of
the Cross. But the impoverished condition of the
treasury has prevented any large purchases up the
present, and very few Of the Papal troops have re-
ceived their new armament. The rest are armed in
q most miscellaneous fashion. Nothing came more
seasonably to the War Department than the supply
of muskets gathered by the victors on the field of
Montana Old and worthless as most of the arms
were, all were distributed among the Papal troops.
But Notwithstanding this windfa and the subse-
quent purchases OF the Roman government some
hundreds Of the men are still without muskets. In
other respects, also, the equipment of the Sacred
militia is very imperfect. Uniforms, Shoes and
shirts are sadly deficient among them, and the last
patches Of recruits have remained more than q
month before being supplied with their kits. In fact,
notwithstanding the nDerality OF the faithful, the
Ponti1cal exchequer Is greatly straitened by the
heavy expense Of the large and increasing military
force which Plus TX. now maintains, His Holiness
must soon be driven either to reduce the number of
his legionaries or have fresh recourse to credit.
AT present however, there Is no probability Of the
former course being adopted. The Papal army
already numbers $4,000 men, but it is proposed to
keep the recruiting system until the total strength
States does not exceed an army of rs men
would be in the proportion Of 2S soldiers to every
In Russia. The Pontifcal treasury has an annual
dencit OF 5000 O0of the revenue being 3e0O ,00of
ected increase Of the army to 25 COO would cause an
additional expenditure OF not less than TO- 00O, ,000,
thus augmenting the deficit to SO, OoOf annually.
This ls serious load Of debt considering it is
CURED by State the internal of which
utterly paralyzed by despotc and incapable admin
istration. Plus TX, however, has no concern on
this head. The contributions from the Catholic
world have hitherto sufced to keep the bark Of st.
Peter anoat and his Holiness believes that should
the necessity arise an extraordinary effort would be
made to relieve his financial embarrassments. No
economical considerations are allowed therefore to
slacken the ardor Of military preparation. Rome
has become huge barrack, and the drum and buge
are as frequent and familiar music as church bells.
Many conjectures have been made respecting the
motive Of the Pontihcal government in maintaining
30 large an army after being assured Of French pro-
| lection against Italian aggression. The key, how
ever, to the begerent policy Of the Roman court is
TO be found in the confident expectation that pre-
ment OF Italy. The Pope has never ceased to feel
the most bitter resentment at the loss OF Umbria the
Marches and the Romagna. the fairest portions of
| his ancient dominion. This Is the sore point that
prevents any good understanding between Rome
and Florence. Plus TX. win never acquesce in the
| dismemberment OF these provinces from the Holy
See, and, Indeed chershes supersttious faith that
the Church VIII one day have her own again 1t was
Pontiical government should augment its military
resources, but the warlike preparations that now
going on are Intended to render the Holy see pre-
pared to take advantage Of any opportunity that may
arise OF reclaimng at least portion Of its lost terri
ered they are confidently entertained by the Ultra
montane party In Rome. Great hope s placed In the
provinces and the financial difficulties of Italy Civil
war and national bankruptcy are the amiabe wishes
that the Vatican sends to united Italy and looks for
ward to realize through the ncessant efforts OF the
reactionary party to ferment conspiracy and place
every obstacle IN the way Of the Italian administra-
| ton
There IL much In this to justify the argument of the
Italian democrats that the Pontifcal government is
standing menace TO the peace and prosperity Of Italy,
Francis III. Is even much more hopeful. Just at
| present. than his reverend hosts. The Palace Far
nese has long been the centre of system of Bourbon
|
improbable that the recent considerable increase OF
brgandage in the Neapoitan provinces IL one of the
| expedients resorted TO for creating alarm in the
| country and embarrassing the Italian government
sChndestne deputatons are constantly arriving from
Naples and Sicily with addresses to Francis H. To
all OF them his fallen Majesty gives confident assur
| ance Of speedy restoration and bids them remain
unshaSen In their loyalty and allegiance to his dy
nasty. On some occasions he has distinctly alluded
/ ~ great movement which is TO pave the way
return. This Is doubtless connected with the plo, OF
1 which the Italian government have already discoy-
| cred some traces and have taken full precautions
! against There Is doubt that this infatuated
prince hugs the dension that his presence would be
the signal Tor general rising OF the Southern pro-
vnces In his favor. In the present dsorganized con-
dtion OF Naples and Sicily he mas have credit enough
10 excite partial movement headed by priests and
| fanatics-such movement as was sufrocaied in
| blood ut Palermo in September, 1865 when monks
| formed part OF the combatants against the royal
troops and nuns loaded muskets for the insurgents
In Naples and sicily as throughout Italy generally
the priests are the instruments OF the reactonary
party and the constant fomeners Of agitation.
Rome Is now perfectly fortified to resist siege in
paired oopholes for musketry and embrasurcs for
cannon have been pierced at favorable points and
the french have for some time past been forwarding
from Toulon heavy guns and otner artillery material
wherewith 10 furnish the works. Casel 81. Angelo
Is In complete state OF defence and IL besides pro-
visioned Tor several months so that the Pope and
Cardinals can take refuge within II at any moment.
The Pope, while ndulging hopes OF the dsmembcr
ment vi Italy, has not failed To consider the proba
bility OF strict alliance between France and italy,
one condition OF which would OF he the French
guarantee Of Italian unity In return for assistance
France against Prussia. This alliance would bode
Ill Tor the temporapower. To-day the Pope Is greatly
rrtated on account OF the receipt OF intelligence In
alliance under the form Of renewal of the Sepem-
ber convention. Under the conditions Of this new
treaty Rome would be guaranteed to the Holy See.
put the wishes or the Romans would be respected.
The latter IL very elastic expression. Any defer