NEW ITALIAN MOVEMENT.

Otago Witness, Issue 374, 29 January 1859, Page 1

NEW ITALIAN MOVEMENT.

An Italian friend writes as follows from Piedmont, under date the 20th October : —

" The Piedmontese propagandism is extending throughout Italy, in consequence of the fusion that has recently been effected between the various political parties. This act is of the highest importance for all. The curse of Italy hitherto has been its disunion ; but now I am enabled to inform you that Moderates, Constitutionalists, Democrats, and dissenting Mazzinians, have all come to an understanding, and are united under one banner, namely, national independence, with the supreme direction of Piedmont. This mot <$ ordre has gone throughout the Peninsula, and it is received everywhere with enthusiasm. You will, therefore not be astonished to learn the great excitement of the public mind, but particularly in Central Italy. The affairs of the East also exercise a certain influence here; every one looks forward to the moment, not, perhaps, far distant, when the Adriatic, the Italian Peninsula, and the provinces of European Turkey will be the theatre of serious events. In Turkey, as you are aware, the fermentation rises every day. It is a cause of uneasiness to more than one Government ; it explains why Austria, instead of adopting the reforms which the Archduke Maximilian meant to introduce in the Lom-bardo-Venetian kingdom, appears now bent on re-establishing the military system in these provinces. It is said that the army of Italy is to be re-inforced, as also the garrisons of Bologna and Ancona, the two cities of the Roman States which are still occupied by the Austrians. It is known that France is to augment her garrison at Rome, to the great regret of the Pope, who hoped that the French would quit hi 9 capital. " As to the Papal army, it diminishes every day instead of increasing. Desertion is going on among the soldiers of the line, and even such of the Gendarmerie as have completed their term of service quit the military career altogether in spite of the offers made them to remain."