FRANCE AND ITALY.

West Coast Times, Issue 707, 30 December 1867, Page 4

FRANCE AND ITALY.

THE ITALIAN QUESTION. Lordon, Oct. 26. In_our last (Sept. 26), we mentioned that Garibaldi had been arrested, by order of the -Italian Government, at Sinalunga, whilst on his way to an invasion of the Papal territory, with the object of overthrowing the temporal authority of the - Pope, and making Rome the-capi"al of i- the kingdom of Ifaly. As this proceeding, was in dirS'ct violation of fhe Convention

of September under which the French

troops evacuated the city two years ago, ' ~ it followed that neither Italy nor France could permit the aggression. It was thought, however, that the arrest of Garibaldi, who was conducted to his home on the island of Caprera, would compose the - difficulty. But Garibaldi made his escape j to Leghorn, whence he was again taken j back, and a guard kept up -round [_ the 'i island by ships of war. In. the meantime I his arrest created a greatfermenfc in Italy. The Uatazzi ministry were denounced, and several bodies of volunteers, under the command of Menotti Garibaldi, invaded the Papal dominions, with the view of exciting insurrection in Borne icself. j Many isolated encounters took place with | the Papai zouaves, and a good deal of blood was spilt ; but no active progress was made, towards the Capture of the Eternal City. Whilst these events were passing, Garibaldi issued the following proclamations : — ' Italians! To-morrow we shall have completed our noble revolution by dealing the" last blow to the tabernacle of idolatry, imposture, and Italian disgrace. The pedestal of all tyrannies, the Papacy, has received the curses of -tHe whole world, and nations have their - eyes fixed on Italy as their saviour. And will 1 Italy stop in her glorious mission through the arrest of a single man ? Yielding to the desire of some friends, I came to my dwelling free and without conditions, and with the promise that a vessel should soon be sent me to take me to the Continent. Now ! the man whose name resounds with shame to Italy, resorting to the precautions of the sbirri, prevents my return. In this position I only ask my fellow-citizens to continue in the sacred ■wori they have begun with the calmnesss of a nation" conscious of its power. To the army, to Ihe people, I spoke of discipline, when the people and the army indignant with the cow-.-ardly servility which governs us asked to be led to Rome. To the soldiers I said that their bayonets should be kept for a more glorious mission, and that for the 'mercenaries of the Pope the butt ends of their muskets would suffice. Despite the evil genius, -which still weighs upon our land, there is one fact always before us— the imposing fraternity of all the robust elements of the nation, the army, the people, and the volunteers. Woe to him who would throw discord amongst his brethren .! . And when Italy Bees' all her children united in the work, the cowards who were stopped by foolish fears of foreign intervention will disappear. I repeat, then, you must achieve, by whatever means, the redemption of Rome, and if ever you think that my assistance is necessary, I rely upon it that you will consider how to deliver me. — Or. G-aeibai2>i.-Capeeba, Oct. 7. To the Itnh'ans. Fighting has begun on the Eoman territory ; there are men there for whom I would give a thousand lives. Listen to no cowardly words, hut march ! To-morrow Italy will receive congratulations from the entire world, 'which . will have . witnessed your heroism. — Q-. , G-AEtBAXDI. The Eoman National Committee also • reconstituted itself, and notified the fact in the following proclamation :— Romans— The National Junta being dis- I solved, and Italy released from the responsibility of generous initiatives, the problem of tho Roman question has resumed its basis. The National Committee, which has always preserved the great question in. its true character, finds itself now called upon again by tn"e chiefs of sections to take the direction of affairs — a serious charge, which patriotism and our boundless confidence in you have alone determined us to accept without hesitation. Romaus — as Italy has fulfilled tho ungrateful duty of stifling generous initiative, I it is for us to fulfil ours, and that completely. It has been snid that Rome is for the Romans, • and entire Europe has recognised in them the " right of satisfying their legitimate aspirations and wants. A convention we have not signed ', has imposed upon us a painful, trial. We have accepted it, and the trial -has been-de-

cisive. It has been established by evidence, !and the fact is patent, that theocratic «^power is incompatible with civilisation, /-.and incapable of governing. It must therefore resign itself to perish. Eomans, when we have laid bare the vices and great abuses of the sacerdotal government, the court of -Borne has replied by the doctrine of immobility, the application of which it has confided to the brute force of its mercenaries. If the right recognised in us is not a bitter mockery, if every attempt at ameliorating our fate has hitherto failed, shall we be guilty if we are -. lowed -to appeal to the last resort? THe triumph of civilisation and' of the true interests

of the Church -will justify the energy of our designs. Bomans, the provinces are already jf in£foy6lt^and thy insurrection will '%oon be lwiirs£Kl^ J We must associate ourselves with v .:'ih^ < ttip?eaneiit; we must second it with all our forcey because the victory of tho provinces •wili^feejiiiate victory in Rome. Be you, therefore, prepared, and let us all keep ready. The bipod of our brethren which the Pontifi- . cal Zouave is shedding in the provinces will ."'/jife-tt i;i -Bp.ark tfiat shall kindle our spirit.

Romans, theJiour is about to strike. In the name of the*ountry, let us «lose our ranks, and let every man only obey the orders that may come from the centre. Remember that unity and discipline constitute strength. Every partial, rash, inopportune movement may .be fatal. Have faith, O Romans, in the committee that has already given you proofs of its strerigh, its prudence, and its firm will. Now that the time for strong resolution has j arrived, this" committee will not fail in its duty. Let us close our ranks firmly, let us act with discipline, and the cause of civilisation shall triumph. The National Roman Committee. The excitement rapidly increased on both sides. Volunteers from France, Belgium, and Spain joined the Pontifical forces ; and on tlie other hand many volunteers joined Menotti Garibaldi, But no impression was made upon the Papal forces by tke'G-aribaldians ; and eventually they were defeated, after a spirited action at Nerola, on Sunday, October 20. Thereupon it was affirmed to be clear that if Garibaldi and the Pope had been left to fight out the quarrel without the interposition, open or secret, of the governments of France and Italy, the priest would have beaten the patriot, " A Papal army, sufficient to maintain the authority of the Holy Father, and tranquility as well in the interior as upon the frontiers of his States," was really organised, as the September Convention provided, before the French left Home ; and if the Italian government had fulfilled its obligations the invaders would have been destroyed or driven back across the frontiers in a few days.

.During the early part of these transactions the French Emperor was at Biarritz, and all Europe was in perplexity as to whether his majesty would insist on the maintenance of the Convention or connive at its violation. It was rather believed that the latter policy would prevail. The Jike perplexity prevailed after the arrival of the Emperor of Paris ; and there seems to be no doubt that the imperial mind went through a serious conflict. The question reduced itself to this — the Italian Government were unable to put down the revolution, that is the Garibaldians, without risking the monarchy ; yet if the French Emperor called upon them to fulfill their engagements they would be obliged to incur the risk. As to the French Emperor, the alternative was this, either to insist on the observance of the Convention at the risk of war, and so imperilling the Italy that he had created, or to assenl to the occupation of Rome by the forces of the King of Italy, in which event there would have been an end to the temporal power. After many days' perplexity the Emperor determined upon compelling Italy to fulfill its engagement. "If Italy," it was said, "is unable to stay the invaders, and does not appeal to France, France must go and defend her signature. • If Italy, unable to resist the invaders, should Become their accomplice, France would have to march against revo-! lution protected and against Italy the' abettor.'.' A division of the French army! was, .therefore, collected at Toulon, and 1 steamers and transports provided to move 10,000 men to Civita Vecchia. The " Moniteur" of October 20, said :—: — Despatches from Rome, dated the.l9fh, announce that on the previous day the G-aribal-dians, "without awaiting the attack of the Pontifical troops, evacuated Monte Libretti and the entrenched camp which they had fortified near that town. They Jiad concentrated at .Nerola, where they were assaulted by the Roman troops" on' the evening of' that, day. Aftev-'H' fierce cotftest'tlie Graribaldian bands were driven out of Merpla and completely, routed, abandoning many of their dead and wounded, and leaving many prisoners. Details are yet wanting of this brilliant feat of arms of the Pontifical troops. At Rome, and in all parts of the Holy See which have not had to endure the presence of the invaders, tranquility continues to prevail. This was the battle of Nerola, referred to above, and it seems to have finally determined the emperor's course. The troops, or a part of them, had actually embarked, and steam Vas up for them to leave Toulon on the evening of Oct. 21. The Italian Government then seems to have suddenly giyen way. Ratazzi resigned, and there--upon' the- troops were disembarked and the expedition countermanded. All Europe was immensely agitated by the perils of the situation. Well might it be agitated, for the expedition to Eome was to consist of a force of 30,Q00 combatants, which in the event.of the intervention leading to an open outbreak of hostilities with Italy a larger force was to assemble at Grenoble, with a view to make its way into Italy "across the Mont Genevre. But the storm blew over. The departure of the expedition was countermanded, and something like an understanding appeared to be reestablished between the French and the Italian Governments.. Cialdini succeeded ' Kattazzi as minister, and as he is a man who would not hesitate to put down the Garibaldian movement with a strong hand, he was thought to be acceptable to France. The "Moniteur" of October 22 thus explained these events : — In presence of the aggression of which the Pontifical States have been tho object, on the part of the revolution avy bands who have crossed the Papal frontier, tho French' go-, vernmeut had formed the resolution to send an expeditionary corps to Civitia Vecchia. The measure was in process of accomplishment ; for, with a dira regard for its duty, its dignity, and its honor, the government could not expose itself to seeing the signature of France, which is affixed to the Convention of the 15th September, 1864, violated or misapprehended. The Italian Cabinet, however, categorically declared to the government of the emperor, that all necessary measures have been adopted to prevent the invasion of the Pontifical States, and to render the Convention entirely efficacious. In consequence of those communications, tho emperor has given orders to stop the embarkation of the troops. On October 22 the "Official Gazette" of Florence published the following : — The Ministry tendered its- resignation on Saturday, and the king then charged General ' Cialdini to form a now Cabinet.' Tho general, after vainly seeking a solution which might permit the present ministers to preservo their portfolios, will promptly proceed to constitute a now administration. The serious difficulties of the moment will be speedily dispelled if mutual confidence does not decrease. The threat of French intervention has disappeared. The Italian Government will remain faithful to the traditions of Italian policy, and no real and important interest of the country will suffer injury. Let the nation become collected, calm, and prudent; let it have confidence in the institutions by which we are ruled, in the spirit which animates the Government, in the , well-known loyalty of the king, who has bound up bis fortunes with the fortunes of Italy. The, fact of having safely suvmounted so many past dangers secures aud guarantees' tho Italian people against the fear that 'any of the elements of her resttrreotion may now suffer any injury./,. So ends this history up the evening of October 23; but we very much fear that difficulties will yet arise, both to France and Italy, from the way in which, for the present, it is ended, especiallyas Garibaldi is said to have arrived in ItaLy. . . .