Italy.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume v, Issue 421, 15 August 1849, Page 4

Italy.

, The Sicilian Government published on the 21st of March a proclamation renouncing the armistice, stating that on the 29th hostilities would recommence, and calling the' Sicilians,. Ao arms. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Bodies of 5,000 and 10,000 men from the country had gone into Palermo with spades, jaickaxes, &c, to offer their services in making defences. The decree of parliament for a levy en masse had been responded to with the utmost alacrity. At Naples the arrest of the ex- deputies occasioned considerable excitement. Arrests of other parties to a considerable extent had also been made. Some reports carry their number to 12,000 in the capital and provinces. In the provinces 34 judges- had been displaced. The Neapolitan Army is said to be averse to the war with Sicily, and numerous desertions have taken place. The Calabrias are stated to be iv open revolt. Passports are said to be refused to .the deputies to return to their homes. It is said that Genoa has separated from Piedmont, and declared its independence. According to the details which have arrived concerning the the battle of Novara, it has been one of those victories of which two or three would annihilate the victor. The number of troops engaged in the conflict were nearly 100,000 ; viz., about 60,000 Austrians and 40,000 Italians ; each side lost about 3,000 men, and it seems that the victory was only gained late in the night, when Field Marshal Radetzki ordered six batteries to be brought to a distance of no more than 500 feet from the front of the enemy, and to be fired with cartridges. The Piedmontese artillery was not on the field and ofsuch small portions as were there some of the guns were unserviceable. The shots flew over the heads of the Austrians. — Bell's Life, April 8. The populace of Genoa have made a desperate effort to exclude the Sardinian General, La Marmora, and to establish an independence for their ancient city and republic : but the attempt has been vain, and La Marmora is now in possession of the forts, though the terms of capitulation for the city are not yet settled. At Brescia, the Austrians have crushed the revolt of the citizens, at a heavy sacrifice of life on both sides : and they have also blockaded Venice by sea as well as by land. Marshal Radetzky has consented to moderate his original conditions, so far as relates to the occupation of Alessandria ; and negotiations are opened at Verona between the Ministers of Austria and Sardinia to settle the terms of peace. From this conference all meditators are excluded ; and it may be supposed that the terms will be such as the Imperial Cabinet may dictate, under a prudent view of the feelings of France and England, and of the still somewhat precarious condition of Austria herself. — Britannia, April 14.