The New York herald., 1871-08-31

i tppcoAo tuos ehO hiSa CouIoCtiuk poIttco-
Germany and Austria-in their conferences at
Gastein on European affairs, have agreed
| upon some important principles of policy, the
details of which were written down on both
sides, In the nature of treaty, though not
| formal treaty, whereby the two imperial
Chancellors have effected that 'shappy accord"
| which secures the cooperation Of the two
Powers in view Of any European complications
threatening the peace of the Continent. The
understanding thus secured is regarded by the
contracting parties as satisfactory, looking to
the maintenance of peace, and as covering the
ultimatum of war against any Power ventur-
ing to disturb the general interests of peace
AS it appears, too, that Italy is party to this
agreement, we may consider it a sort OF
Holy Alliance Of the central Powers of Europe
against the uncertain caprices of revolutionary
France on one side and the grasping designs
of imperial Russia on the other.
In the despatch under consideration we are
Informed that Russia, apprised of this under
standing between Germany, Austria and Italy,
is making vast preparations for war. But we
are next told, in the same despatch, that the
Pope, in receiving the other day the homage
Of the Papal Guards, said -'We cannot name
the day of our deliverance, but the time is not
remote when we shall issue together from our
prison" And what possible connection can
this incident have with these Gastein confer
ences? Let us look into the subject, and it may
appear that the Pope is a party deeply inter-
ested in these negotiations between the two
German imperial Chancellors at Gastein.
Louis Napoleon, in turning adrift the senti-
mental French republic of 1S4S, and in re-
establishing in its place the empire and the
| imperial dynasty of the Bonapartes took upon
himself the maintenance of the Pope in his
temporal kingdom against the aggressive
Italian republicans. Indeed, it was as Pres-
dent of the French republic that Napoleon by
| force of arms put down the Roman republic
Of Garibaidi and reinstated the Pope in his
| capital but it was as Emperor Of the French
that Napoleon, as ''the eldest son of the
Church." took the Holy Father as temporal
sovereign, under his especial protection.
From the suppression of the Roman repub-
lie in 1S49 to his disastrous war with Prussia
of 1870, Notwithstanding the invaluable services
of Napoleon to the cause of the unity Of Italy
in the Franco-Italian war. of 1859 with Aus
| tria, the French Emperor, with his armed pro-
lection Of the Pope and his diplomacy with
King Victor Emmanuel, practically reduced
Italy to the condition of dependency Of
France But the worst of it is that the
French government of the present day, nomi-
nally that of republic, but in reality an ire
sponsible despotism, seems to adhere to the
fallacy tn at the proper condition of Italy is
that of dependent upon France, and that it
is also the duty of France to resume her
especial protection Of the Pope and to see him
reinstated in his temporal authority as soon as
practicable. President Theirs, in his apollo
gies to the Pope and the Church, has ad-
mitted, though indirectly, that France would
intervene in the recti6cation Of the Italian
usurpation of Rome if she could but that
she can't, and that 80 the Holy Father, for the
present, must ''accept the situation" and
await in patience the shaping of events. Nor
can we doubt that the real difficulty of Theirs,
between the Bourbons and the Bonapartes is
that of Macheath between his two sweethearts,
and that he can feelingly sing, with the senti-
mental vagabond -
| How happy could be with either,
| Were tOther dear charIner away.
The general impression u.s. however, that
Theirs is preparing the way for the restoration
of the BourboDs; and we know that it is as
| Bourbon that the conservative Theirs abides
| in the faith of the temporal rights of the Pope
and the duty of France to maintain them. In
| view, then, of restoration of the Bourbons,
Italy appreciates the Importance of saving
alliance with Germany against the possible
armed Intervention otherwise of France on the
Roman question. Furthermore, her new re-
lations with Spain, resulting from the late
Franco German war, have placed Italy in an
attitude of antagonism to France, which makes
it the policy of the Italian government to main
tain its absolute independence against Frenel
| pretensions, whatever the form which they
may assume And thus Italy has risen to thi:
position of independence through the victorious
arms OF the German nation. We can readily
understand the motives aud the advantages
| inviting the Italian government to this new
, alliance with Germany. Not the least thing
in the freedom gained by Italy is her freedom
from the impertinent pretensons Of France
and Italy, in this new alliance is simply re
solved to maintain her independence.
Next, in regard to Germany, it is eviden
| that Prince Bismarck expects anything but
heightened continuance of the existing peac
with France. He counts upon another wa
with the enraged warriors of Gaul as soon al
she imagines herself ready for the desperat
undertaking; and he doubtless believes tha
u France will consent even TO humiliatng ALI
: ance with Russia in order to retrieve her dec
bumiliations received from Germany. Henc
: | thn rnotiyes of Germany in this new allianc