Year: 1859




OF THE WAR ON THE BRITISH MINIS


TRY.


[ErOm the European Times Independently Aprl 23l


The step which Austria has taken with regard to
Piedmont throws all other contemporary events
into the shade, and we learn without surprise that
when the news transpired, the funds fell one per
cent, although it late in the afternoon of Thurs
day before the ominOus statement became known
and business, for the most part, had closed. Lord
Derby is certainl unfortunate in dissolving at a
period so critical, for while events Of the deepest
interest are occurring in central Europe the British
nation will be engaged in the fever heat of gene
raj election. 1t is easy to conceive the Premier
vexatiOn at the policy which Austria has pur
sued especially after the strong eulogy which
he pronounced in the House of Lords in the
beginning OF the week, on her fOrbearance and
magnaniinity. The quarrel, too, had Just arrived
at stage which rendered it susceptible of settle
ment Piedmont had consented to a general dis
armament, and France had agreed to a diplomatic
or military commission to settle the terms of the
disarmament, the Congress might determine
But all is thrown to the winds now and the furies
are let loose. The demand upon Piedmont to dis
arm and dismiss her volunteers within three
days or to accept war the alternative closes the
door apparently to all further negotiations and the
question arises-supposing Piedmont to refuse, as
she Is almost certain to do, considering the strong
language she has used throughout the war of words
which has preceded the final struggle-what time
must necessarily elapse before the Austrians can
reach Turin and the French meet them there?


The moral advantage is on the side of France
for, while this bold and decided step has placed
Austria IN the wrong, it places Louis Napoleon in
the right, and instead Of being the aggressor he
will appear before the world to be acting on the
detensive-torced into a struggle from which he
could not escape, albeit consideration of all the
facts would show that his whole policy from the lst
of January last has been to bring the quarrel to
the position in which find it. No wonder
then, that Lord Derby has telegraphed to Vienna,
imploring Austria to withdraw from the position
she has taken respecting the three days utimatum
M sfTIp hpSf l,-
promised herself to an extent which will compel
her to fulfil her threat if the conditions are refused
and thus will be lighted the flame which can only
be extinguished by rivers of human blood.


The course which Austria has pursued in this
business will make ST. ong impression throughout
Europe, and public opinion, in this country at
least, will be brought out powerfully in favor of
Piedmont. The manuuvre is clear, but it is likely
to bring retributive ustce in its train. Perhaps
under any circumstances, collision between the
Great Powers of the Seine and the Danube was
inevitable, but the circumstances under which it is
now almost certain to occur, must tell against Lord
Derby at the hustngs. His sympathies will be dis
advantageously construed, and he will be held up
as the abettor OF grinding despotism, whilst per-
haps his only object in the high ground which he
took was topreservc the peace of Europe. Fortune
seems to favor some men, while she frowns upon
others. Two years back, when Lord Palmerston
dissolved on the Chinese war, every arrival from
the East brought some scrap of information which
heightened the national Indignation against the





amazingly to the personal popularity of the then
premier, and contributed largely to swell his ma
jorty. The contrast is striking in the case of Lord
Derby.


1t is some satisfaction to know that the elections
for the boroughs and counties will be over in
much shorter time than is usually occupied with
such struggles. BY Saturday next, April 30, many
of the borough and city contests will have been de
cided, and early in the following week the whole of
them. By the beginning of May the composition of
the new Parliament will have been pretty accurately
guaged, and will then be seen whether we shall
have change of government, and what complexion
the domestic and foreign policy of the country will
assume 80 tar, the election prospects decidedly
against the Ministry, and the continental events of
the next fortnight will probably strengthen the ad
verse tendency.


From The London Times of AlrH22l


TIE STATE OF AFFAIRs.-I esterday this king
dom was alternately soothed and startled by
two successive telegraphc dispatches which
rived from Paris and from Turin. We were
compelled within the of the same morn
ing to hold out to the English public prospect of
almost certain peace, and to withdraw that promise
and to substitute for it the probability of almost in
stant Lord Derby, in his explanation on
Monday night intimated that in the interests of
peace Ministers had made one other and last sugges-
ton to the Powers at difference and that upon the
acceptance rejection of that suggestion their
present hope of peace rested. The MonteHr of
yesterday at informed US of the substance of
that proposal, and of its acceptance. The PROPOSE
tion was to effect general and simultaneous dis
armament under the supervision of six Commission
ers, of whom should be Sandman. 1t sug-
gested also that the Congress should assemble and
deliberate cOntemporaneously with the Commission,
and, following the example of the Congress of Law
BACH that the representatives of the Italian States
should have seats in the Congress.


To this suggestion, which appeared reasonable
and practical, France, Russia and Prussia, had Civ
en- their adhesion nor was there any ntimation in
the telegram conveying this information, which
constrained us to believe that the absence of the
name of Austria proceeded from anv other cause
than that she deliberate in her action
than the other Powers. Close, however, upon the
heels of this good news followed the telegram from
Turin, stating that the English proposal for a
gress had been refused, and that the Austrian Gen
eral commanding in Lombardy had been ordered to
present uitimdtum demanding immediate disarm-
ament with the alternative of war after the lapse
of three days from the delivery of this uitindtum.
The knowledge of less decisive but consistent,
temporary facts added. A reinforcement of
$1,000 men had been ordered to the Austrian army
now on the banks of the Ticno. Prussia has mob
ilized three corps darnee consisting of 70 900
men. Every act notified was a preparation for i'm
mediate war on the part of Austria; every move
ment directed either to aggressive operations
upon Sardinia or to the defence other own German
provinces.


Such is the state of affairs. Austria has 200 900
men either upon the Ticino, within such a dis
tance that they can be placed upon the banks of
that frontier river within the three DAYS of grace
fixed in the imperative demand of the Austrian
peHeldi. bcCupleS lHe oppOslle Dank Win
a force which could not, probably, delay for one
day its own destruction by that gigantic enemy. 1t
may be that Sardinia can show 10000 men in arms
including her free CORPS gathered from all parts of
Italy, and comprehending no small portion of the
dscontented spirits who have passed their lives in
making manifestations of hatred to the foreigner.
OF these 700 900 men, perhaps after garrisoning her
great fortresses, Alexandria and Genoa, she may be
able to range 10000 in line of battle. Three days
of respite are all7that is given. If, read the
telegraphic despatch, the demand has been already
made, next Sunday may see an Austrian army in
quick advance upon Turin, The position of Sardinia
is perilous, but it position she cannot escape by
a tame compliance Even if Victor Emmanuel could
accept the ignominy of succumbing to the first
pressure of force after putting forth such loud def
ances, the men he has called around him would
not suffer him to retreat


If Austria and Sardinia are left to themselves we
shall hear in few days of an invasion and bat
tie. Everything points this out a natural Sc
quence The sudden ultimatun and the short re-
preve are evidently part of well considered mill
tary policy formed by Austria. 1t is clearly her
interest if she is resolved war; if she feels she
will be compelled to it, to crush the Sandman army
before the French arrive to its assistance The
march from the banks of the Tcino to Turin is