ITALY.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 28, 30 March 1861, Page 3

ITALY.

[From the Home News, January 26.]

Events of considerable importance have occurred in Italy in the course of the past month. At the date of our last publication, December 26, rumours had begun to get afloat as to the probability of the French fleet leaving Gaeta. Our readers will recollect how injurious to the Italian cause had been the protection which that fleet had granted to Francis in preventing Sardinia from assailing his last stronghold by sea; and how anxiously the friends of Italian liberty awaited the return of the French Emperor to the "non-intervention principle." The course of events since then has been as follows : — In the first week of the new year it was announced that, on the mediation of the French Government, Sardinia and Francis had agreed to an armistice till the 19th of January ; and it was at the same time intimated, in a very positive manner, that if by that time Francis could not contrive to come to terms with the besiegers, the French squadron would be withdrawn from Gaeta. The siege works were suspended on both sides, and the armistice was duly observed till the 19th. We have heard nothing about any serious attempt to negotiate between the two contending parties ; but certain it is that Francis refuses to yield, and that he still maintains an attitude of obstinate defiance. The troops with which he is shut up in Gaeta must be considerably under 10,000; but, as our readers are aware, the place is an exceedingly strong one* On the 19th, tht

- armistice being concluded, the whole of i the French squadron left Gaeta; and - the Sardinian fleet, under Admiral Persano, - at once took up a position opposite the fortress and established a blockade. The siege has been resumed with the utmost vigour, and the preparations of the Sardinians for a terrific bombardment both by sea and land are nearly ready. Francis himself directs the defence from a casemated battery, the shells of the besiegers having rendered the palace untenable. In the meantime the intervention of France has been attended with the greatest evils both in Naples and Sicily. Riot, murder, and robbery have been committed on every side. From Gaeta the leaders of the Bourbon party have been encouraged to excite local insurrec- , tion in Sicily, in the Abruzzi, even in Naples itself. Neapolitan officers, filling some of the highest places in the army, have seen in the policy of the French Emperor an indication that the cause of the Bourbon King was not lost, and, either yielding to their own secret inclinations or wishing to be well with both sides, have been plotting the return of Francis to Naples. Sicily has been brought to anarchy ; insurrectionary bands are ravaging all the northern part of the kingdom, and cannot be dispersed without bloodshed ; the misery and terror of the people are intense, uncertain as they are whether their elected or theii legitimate King is to triumph, and which soldiery is to wreak the last vengeance on them. All this is very naturally traced to the intervention of France. Now, however, there is a prospect of an end being put to this state of things. Sardinia has been for a full week free to bombard the defences of Gaeta by sea, and the reign of King Francis may therefore be supposed to have come to an end. Garibaldi still remains on the solitary rock of Caprera. He has not retracted his promise to be again on the field of action next March, and there is no doubt that wherever he appoints a rendezvous thousands and tens of thousands of volunteers will flock to his standard. According to his custom, he keeps his plans to himself, but the general expectation still is that he meditates an expedition for the liberation of Venice. In this he will be concurrently aided, according to hopes freely expressed in many quarters, by an insurrection in Hungary. General Klapka and other noted Hungarians are now in the Principalities for the purpose, it is said, of urging forward a movemeut of this kind. Austria foresees the dangers that gather round her on every side, and bends all her energies upon preparations for the fearful encounter which seems inevitable. The embarrassment of the Sardinian Government is undeistood to be great. Cavour dreads the peril of Garibaldi's daring projects, and is even said to be doing all he can to prevent them from being undertaken ; but this is a policy which, by clashing with popular sympathies, may occasion to the Government ot King Victor Emmanuel no little trouble. We must not, however, overlook the fact that strong hopes are entertained, and not, as our readers will see, without some good ground, that Garibaldi may be induced to suspend action until the King can act with him. It would appear from the following extract of a letter from Turin, in the Times, that Garibaldi has yielded to the request of King Victor Emmanuel to postpone action until the whole nation, through its Parliament, gives its consent : — Turin, January 20. General Turr has come back from Caprera, and there is, of course, no end to the conjectures as to thn motives and results of his journey. His ostensible message was the presentation of some glittering trinkets, the gift of the "One Thousand" who landed at Marßala, to their leader, Garibaldi, and of King "Victor Emmanuel to the hero's daughter. A more honourable man could not have been chosen for so honourable a mission. The gallant Hungarian is equally trusted by all patriotic parties, and enjoys the confidence no less of the King than of the chiefs of the Opposition to the King's Government. If there was any subject on which Victor Emmanuel would be anxious to convey his mind to the late Dictator of the Two Sicilies, it was the one connected with the contemplated campaign of next spring. Turr was, it is said, charged with impressing Garibaldi with, the necessity of not acting without the full co-operation of the Italian nation and of the men guiding its destinies, and he brought back the answer that Garibaldi " would not act without the King's full consent" (no* agirebbe in disaccardo col Be). On the 19th January, at Caprera, General Turr in presenting Garibaldi with a star of diamonds as a tribute from the " Thousand " who formed the Marsala expedition, said "Those who survive the 'Thousand' whom you once called the remains of ten battles, will not be wanting at the next appeal which you make." Garibaldi, moved to tears, replied " Rest assured that no gift has ever been more dear to my heart than this which is offered to me by my brave companions in arms. Tell them I count again upon them when I shall carry to your beautiful country, O General, the aid of our arms, since I have sworn upon the grave of those gallant Hungarians who died for Italy that we, Italians, we would replace them, as it is our duty."

It was not till January 17 that it was placed beyond all doubt that the French fleet had received definitive orders to leave Gaeta. On that day the Moniteur published the following :—": — " The sending of the squadron of evolution before Gaeta had for its object to prevent King Francis II from finding himself suddenly invested by laud and by sea in the place in which he had taken refuge. The Emperor intended to give a proof of sympathy for a prince cruelly tried by fortune ; but his majesty, faithful to the principle of non-inter-vention, which has guided all his conduct with respect to Italy since the peace of Villafranca, did not assume to take an active part in a political struggle. But by outlasting the anticipations which were the motives of it, this demonstration necessarily changed its character. The presence of our flag, intended solely to cover the retreat of his Sicilian majesty under conditions adapted to preserve his dignity, passed for an encouragement to resistance, and became a material support. It soon brought about incidents which imposed on the Commander-in, Chief of the fleet the duty of recallingsometimes the Neapolitans, sometimes the Piedmontese, to the role of strict neutrality which was prescribed for them, and to which it wai almost impossible for tfiem to keep*

It was the more important for the Emperor's Government not to accept the responsibility of such a situation, because frank and repeated declarations did not, authorize any distrust as to the nature of his intentions. At the end of October, iv fact, M. le Vice-Admiral de Tinan was requested not to leave King Francis 11. in ignorance that our vessels could not remain indefinitely at Gaeta as passive witnesses of a struggle which could only end in still greater bloodshed. The same information was repeatedly given to his Sicilian Majesty, whose courage had so completely put considerations of honour out of the question. In the meanwhile, the circumstances which we have indicated had become aggravated, and wishing to reconcile the demands of a policy of neutrality with the intentions which at first induced it to provide King Francis 11. with the means of freely effecting his departure, the Emperor's Government made itself the medium of a proposition of an armistice, which has been accepted by the two belligerent parties. Practically discontinued since January 8, hostilities remain suspended till the 19th, at which date also Vice-Admiral de Tinau will withdraw from Gaeta."

The Official Gazette of Turin published, on December 25, four royal decrees, dated Naples, Deq6m,ber 17, declaring the provinces of Naples, Sicily, the Marches, and Umbria to constitute an integral part of the State of Italy. A royal decree was issued at Turin on December* 30, ordering the dissolution of the Chamber of Deputies. The voting for the election of the members of the s new Italian Parliament will take place on the 3rd of February, and the sittings of the Parliament are to commence on the 18th of February next. The electoral law for all Italy, as promulgated by royal decree, is a modification of the electoral law of Piedmont. The number of deputies for the whole kingdom is fixed at 443.

Count Cavour has recently had a severe attack of illness ; but he is now nearly recovered. Tbe Turin correspondent of the Times, in speaking of the minister's health, goes into some personal details. " Cavour's late complaint," he says, " was happily not of the apoplectic nature, which had somewhat alarmed his friends on former occasions. It was merely an inflammation of the digestive organs. There is no doubt, however, that his strong health threatens to give way before his intense incessant occupation, strong appetite, luxurious living, plethoric habits, and want of bodily exercise. He is always up and hard at work at five o'clock in the morning. From nine till half-past six in the afternoon he directs all the business of his own departments, and takes a general survey of those of his more helpless colleagues. Then follows dinner, his only meal, I believe, in the twenty-four hours, and, lam told, none of the lightest. He uses no carriage, but a walk from his private residence in the Via Cavour to the ministerial offices in the Piazza Castello is but poor relaxation. Sometimes I have met him walking outside the porticoes along the Via di Po, evidently for a breath of air, but he has accustomed the world td too constant a dependency on his master mind to allow himself the indulgence even of a quarter of an hour's ' constitutional.' The activity of the man's mind is immeasurable. He neglects nothing, forgets nothings no scheme of policy or diplomacy is too high, no mean detail or particular is too commonplace for him. He has an eye for everything ; he trusts few men, and these generally obscure but able individuals of his own choice and creation. He writes most of his letters with his own hand. He writes a plain and distinct round French hand, with lines wide apart ; a hand of which strength and decision would not, on a first inspection, seem to be the most obvious characteristics. A French photographic likeness, lately published by Maggi, conveys the very mind and soul of this greatest of living statesmen. A whole volume might be written about the expression lurking beneath every line of the half good-humouredly, half sarcastically smiling mouth. It is the simile of a man who has early found out ' how little wisdom it takes to govern the world,' and whose noble heart has prompted him to rule over it for its own greatest advantage. May his hand long continue firmly to wield the destinies of his country !" Commander Boncompagni a few daya ago assembled the most influential representatives of the various parties in the Chamber at his house, and the meeting agreed to sink all minor differences, and support the Government, while urging it to hasten the deliverance of Venetia. The Debate gives an analysis of a new programme which has been circulated by thousands in Italy, and which proceeds from what is called the " party of action." The writers again protest their devotion to the King, so long is he is the defender and representative of unity, and is firm in the design of giving Rome and Venice to Italy. They are for engaging volunteers for the next campaign of Garibaldi; for the preparation of addresses urging the departure of the French troops from Rome ; for the formation of a vast association and the recruiting of members, particularly amongst soldiers and workmen, each member paying a monthly contribution of a franc. King Victor Emmanuel returned to Turin from Naples on December 29, and was received, as usual, with demonstrations of enthusiasm by the people. He has since remained in his northern capital. The Espero of Turin states that King Victor Emmanuel, at the grand reception of the constituted bodies of the state, on New Year'sday, said : — I am extremely happy to find myself again in the midst of my old subjects. The progress of political events, especially regarding Italy, is satisfactory ; but the greatest prudence and concord are necessary in order to enable us to triumph over the obstacles which are still in our way. For this purpose it is of the utmost importance that we should maintain the best understanding with our real allies.

A proclamation of King Victor Emmanuel to the inhabitants of the Neapolitan provinces wat published at Naples on January 12. The Theaflairfofthe state compel me.to pepawte my* •elf from you. A domestic affliction hat mused the rtturraMat of Farini. Print* C»rigu»no will gomn

the Neapolitan provinces in my name. Show that you always fervently desire the unity of Italy. Prince Carignano has since arrived at Naples, where he was welcomed with a considerable amount of enthusiasm. He has issued a proclamation in which he says : — I have como among you to hasten the work of unifactiou, and to maintain public order. The Government will respect the Church and its ministers, provided the clergy obey the King, the statutes, and the laws. The prince promises administrative reforms, and concludes by expressing the hope that Gaeta will shortly fall, and that the Neapolitan provinces will be ready to make sacrifices for the unity of Italy. The nomination of Prince Carignano as governor appears to have produced good effects at Naples. A new Lieutenancy Council for Sicily has been organized, and tranquillity is now said to be re-established in the island.

Recruiting for the Papal army still continues, according to the Times' correspondent at Rome. "The Pope has now something like 10,000 men in his pay, and will have more. It is clearly the most extreme folly on the part of the Pontifical Government thus to squander its last resources. If it is to be sustained, it will be by force of political circumstances ; but the idea is ridiculous of relying for its support on 10,000 or even 15,000 men. While the French are here it is safe ; if the French go, the Pope's army cannot stand for an instant. It would have to retreat before the approach of the Sardinians ; or, if these did not instantly come (as they doubtless would), other forces would speedily be brought to bear upon it. Bands of volunteers, like those of Masi, would converge upon Rome, and the energetic and very decided population of the faubourgs, the Trasteverini, Regolanti, and Monticiani, the men who bravely defended Rome against the French, would speedily be in insurrection. In the present position of things in the Papal States, only the troops of a great Power can hold Rome for the Pope. 5,000 French troops could do it; even less would suffice, because the Romans know that they are backed by 50,000, or, if needs be, 100,000, at a distance of thirty-six hours' steam. But 1 5,000 Papalini would be swept away in no time. Monsignor de Merode, however, apparently does not think so, and recruiting continues. Many foreigners have come and been made welcome ; on the other hand, Italians are rejected (according to Lamoriciere's advice), and those who are already in the service are for the most part seeking their discharge, which is usually granted in the case 3of those who have nearly completed the term of their engagement." General de Lamoriciere will be relieved from the obligation of his parole in six or eight months, when it is decided that he will return and resume the command of the Papal army, in company with many officers who shared his toils in the late campaign. The Pope gave a state dinner on the 27th of December, to the two Dowager Queens of Spain and Naples, at present in Rome. Four Neapolitan cardinals and a number of distinguished persons were present. The banquet took place in the pavilion in the gardens of tbe Vatican.

According to late despatches from Rome, the Pope has again received large sums of money from abroad, which are dedicated to reforming the Neapolitan and foreign legions. His holiness's government is in correspondence with the cabinet at Vienna, anticipatory of hostilities commencing in the spring.

The BSbats publishes a long article on the necessity of French commercial men taking instant advantage of the great opening presented for business in the vast territory of China, now that peace has been concluded. Our contemporary points out that English manufacturers will be certain not to lose a moment in availing themselves of the market thus thrown open to the world. An emineut French manufacturer has just returned to Paris from visiting the manufacturing districts of Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. He expresses himself in terms of the warmest praise of the facility with which he gained access to the English manufactories, and of the friendly reception he met with from all classes of Englishmen. He considers the English manufacturer greatly superior to the French in the organisation of labour. In other respects he regards the French operatives as fully equal to the English. He expects that within two years the duties imposed on English produce imported into France will be further considerably reduced.

We hear that people are asking in Paris whether the Emperor, when he expressed the conviction that the friendly understanding of the Great Powers would maintain peace, had Syria as well as Italy and Austria in his mind. It is affirmed that the English Government has, within the last few days, communicated a note to the French government against any longer occupation of Syria by French troops than is warranted by the treaty with the Porte. That occupation was limited to six months, and will expire very soon. The note in question is also said to be couched in strong terms, so strong, indeed, that no answer has as yet been returned.

There is now much talk of friendship between Paris and St. Petersburg. The riband of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, sent to General Iguatieff, will, it is said, be the signal for several Russian decorations for high French functionaries, and it is even rumoured that, " if peace should continue, the Czar may come to Paris in May." With respect to foreign journals, it is given out in Paris that, in furtherance of the new and liberal phase of government into which France entered on November 24, M. de Persigny has given orders that all foreign newspapers, without exception, including even those Belgian and German journals which have shown themselves systematically hostile, are hereafter to be allowed to circulate freely in France. [Does this mean that we shall no longer hear of English papers being seized iv the French post-office ?]