The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-20

sion" The fair peninsula was then subdl-
vided into three or four kingdoms and half
dozen petty duchies, with province or two
belonging to outside Powers. To-day she is
all united from the Alps to the end of the boot
in one government excepting the States which
still recognize the Sovereign Pontiff as their
sole supreme temporal ruler. Her population
now, even with that exception remembered, is
about 27,000,0 900 souls, and her superficial
area more than 100, 900 square miles. Her
army, which in 1848 amounted in Sardinia,
the only section Of her then subdivided terri
tory that seemed national, to only $4,000 men,
now consists of 425, 900 men in all, for field
operations, OF which the number ready for
immediate mobilization is 28O, OOO The new
organization Of 1869, when brought into full
effect, will limit the entire army, on war
footing, to 400. 900, with reserve of 220, 900,
thus giving an extreme total Of 100000 men.
But the military budget has been cut down to
lao, 600, 900 lire, or francs, and thus restricts
the army on a peace footing to $4,000 men,
be got together for immediate action would
therefore not greatly exceed two hundred
thousand. But this is quite sufficient TO guard
the passes Of mountainous frontier and hold
in check far superior force, with the advan-
tages of the railroad network in the defenders
favor on narrow territory. The artillery
force is in fine drill and discipline, and the cav
airy and chasseurs (c0cciotorS) are excellent.
The terrific struggle at San Martina, where the
Italians for hours. in only moderate force, sus-
| tanned the brunt Of nearly the whole Austrian
army, and prepared the way to the final vic
tory won by the French, proved the skill,
s!eadiness and tenacity Of her young bat
talions.
The Italian navy consisted in 1867, of l04
vessels, manned by 2O,627 men, and carrying
l,l97 guns. OF these "a were iron-clads Of
l2,4SO collective horse power and AIS guns;
20 were screw steamers, Of total force of
6,7SO horse power and GA guns, and 25 were
sidewheel steamers, of 6, $50 horse power and
1l8 guns. There were also IL screw trans
port steamers. During the last three years,
some of the finest vessels adoat have been
| added to this force, and, stung by the sinking
of the Re d'ltalia by the Austrians in the
Adriatic, the Italians have strained every
nerve in bringing their navy to the highest
point of proficiency, and they have succeeded
far enough to excite the wonder
of the French at the noble craft they
have built in the vicinity of Genoa,
and the destructive completeness Of their arma-
ments. American captains recently from the
Mediterranean affirm that some of the newest
Italian vessels quite equal, if they do not sur
pass, our world-famed Baltimore clippers in
strength and beauty of model. In manufac-
lures and the industrial arts, in scientific in
vention, in public education and improved
agriculture the Italians have made immense pro-
gress since 1866, and Genoa, Leghorn, Naples,
| Ancona and Venice have resumed much of
their ancient maritime activity. Were it not
for the political factions that still conspre to
| agitate and disorder her finances, Italy would
compare favorably, at this moment, with
countries where the continual boast is of
strength and progress. But her factions and
finances make her two weak points, and it is as
much as the government can do to keep them
from disastrous catastrophes.
Italy, therefore, desires peace. Her crops
are short, excepting in fruit and silk, which
she wishes to sell to the rest of the world and
she is completely taken up with new rail.
roads, canals, tunnels and lines of steamships
for Oriental and American trade. War to
her ut this juncture would be a calamity
and her statesmen will do their utmost
to keep out of it. But should the French
by the exigencies of the situation be con-
strained to call in all their available force,
and so withdraw their troops from Rome, the
occupation of that city by Victor Emanuel
and it's announcement as the temporal capital
of Italy would alone save the italian monarchy,
while, on the other hand, the expulsion Of the
Pope or his retention as prisoner, could
hardly fail to bring on fearful discussions and
commissions in all parts Of Christendom. Hence,
| in reference to a general war, it is self-evi-
dent that Italy really holds the key of the
| position, and that it is only by the calmest
! sagacity and the most quiet yet rigid and
determined neutrality that she can avoid the
| risk of anarchy at home, and the frightful
| spectacle of universal war that would again
trample down the new-blown bloom of her
lovely fields, and again make Golgotha of
her fairest provinces and her most venerable
cities. The classic Stalos or quiet OK from
| which the idea of her national name was
taken may have mighty strength and strong
| spreading horns to hurl back the unprovoked
4 ororasenr from his razjnp grounds but whon
the eagles and the lions with the lesser birds
and beasts Of prey are raging in combat
| together he would be wisest in leaving them
alone in their bloody and self-destructive mad
ness.
lutnlIiSi,ify and the situation at Rome.