FRANCE AND THE SARDINIAN FLEET.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1506, 19 March 1861, Page 4

FRANCE AND THE SARDINIAN FLEET.

[From the •' Times." J

We abstained from commenting on the singular occurrence which took place at the mouth of the Garigliano on the 30th of October, feeling sure that the facts were still imperfectly known, and thinking it likely that they might wear a very different complexion when fully brought out to the light. We are unable to say even now that the inference of Admiral Barbier de Tinan with the Sardinian fleet has been explained, or that we have any data for forming an opinion on its import. It remains an act of international assumption which demands inquiry, and which, if either the British or the Sardinian Parliament were sitting, could hardly fail to be the subject of a question to the Government. The proceedings of the French Court are so strange that it requires all our confidence in the ability of the Emperor to persuade us that his policy is not a series of vagaries, the offspring of momentary impulses, or the conflicting counsels of Ministers and allies. The occurrence on the Neapolitan coast has been the most inexplicable episode of the present campaign. Reasons have been given for it which we oonfess we have been totally unable to comprehend. Some who are advocates of the Italian cause, while they profess to know something of the counsels of the Tuilleries, have told us that the French Emperor was desirous to show his moderation by preventing Sardinia from pressing too forcibly on the uufortunate Bourbon King, and by giving him the meaus of escape, whenever he should be convinced that his orown was wholly lost. But how a violent and yet impotent interference can be a proof of moderation it is difficult to see. One would think that, if the Crown of Francis 11. is to be transferred to his rival, the sooner the change is made the better. It can do no good to keep 30,000 Neapolitans shut up in a little comer of territory while the master they defead has no more chance of regaining his dominions than a Charabord or a Montemolin.

No truth is plainer than that it is for the benefit of both parties that warlike struggles should be brought to a oouoliasiou. No evil that can afflict a country is more terrible than a lengthened campaign. Even philanthropists have found oause of rejoioiug in the present perfection of deadly weapous, inasniuoh as they say that a long period of fighting has now become impossible. But, indeed, it is a waste of words to argue that, as the Piedmontese and Neapolitans are clearly strong enough to ensure the victory to the new king, the best thing that oan happen is for them to remove the fallen sovereign from the territory as soon as possible. To this rosult the services of the Sardinian fleet would certainly contribute not a little. The works of Ancona were destroyed priuoipally by Admiral Persano's fire, and the same thing was likely to take place at Gaeta. Besides, the very fact that the Sardinian fleet was on the coast aud taking part in the operations would tend to make Francis, uneasy, and induce him to precipitate his flight. It follows that if Napoleon approves the designs of Viotor Emmanuel, if he is willing that ( taly should conquer unity aud independence, his proper ! oourse is to allow the Piedmontese to go to work both by land aud sea to compel the flight of the King. The moderation whioh. interferes to protract a struggle ofwhioh the issue is beyond, a doubt seems to us only mischievous and intol-

erable meddling. Nor will threatening Admiral Persano at the mouth ' of the Garigliano in any way aid the escape of Francis from Gaeta. The Continental Porters have generally refused' to recognise the blockade of Gaeta, and this resistauoe to the belligerent claims of Sardinia is quite enough to insure the escape of the late King. Any French, or Austrian, Russian, or Spanish frigate can enter the harbour of Gaeta, and carry off the Royal party, without the possibility of the Piedmontese fleet interfering, exoept at the cost of a struggle, and perhaps a war. And, as every one knows, there is not the smallest chance of their interfering. Victor Emmanuel is/in a position not very unlike that of tjjne Prince of Orange while James still lingered in England. He cannot with decency assume the crown of his relative while the latter is still on Neapolitan grouud, and nothing lies nearer his heart than to build a golden bridge over which the ruined but still inconveniently legitimate monarch may escape. We must, therefore, decline to. accept the excuses which have been made for the French Eriiperor, and must insist that if the interference with the Admiral took place by his orders it was a very violent or a very senseless act, one indicating either a determination to show that the powerful must be obeyed even in their capric3S, or else that the most resolute and astute Sovereign of Europe is capable of making an unmeaning display of useless sympathy.

We are now led to believe.' that the conduct of Admiral Barbier de Tinan was not authorised' by the IJmperor ; that, on the contrary, it has been viewed with disapprobatiou. The acoouut given by a Toulon paper is derived from the Des. cartes, the vessel which oarried on the ooininunioatioii between the two fleets, and which were sent by the French Admiral to Toulon with despatches. It is to the effect that, on the 27th of October, a squadron of six Sardinian vessels were about to make a landing at the mouth of the, .Garigliano, but were obliged to retire " before the energetic demonstrations " of Admiral de Tiuan. What these demonstrations were we have yet to learn, but they seem not to have prevented the Piedmontese Admiral from persevering in his scheme, for three days after, on the 30th, he returned with ten ships, and refused to withdraw, " in presence of the Frenoli squadron, which made preparations to compel him to do so." Against this unwarrantable proceeding Admiral Persano protested with vehemence, and t he course of action which he then folowed reflects the highest credit on his temper and judgment. The services of France to Italy have been so priceless, and her unfailing assistance is so necessary to the completion of the great work which has been begun, that no Piedmontese officer could, without the basest, ingratitude and the most consummate folly, think of firing a broadside into a Frenoh ship. In the Roman States the Piedraontese Generals have orders to respect even a corporal's guard of French, and, in spite of the noisiest welcome of the people, to retire whenever they see the French tricolor. So nothing remained for Admiral Persano but to give iif| the enterprise on which he was engaged, which would have been a dereliction of duty and a moral blow to Italy, or else to take such a positiou as would make any outrage on the part of the French a shame and scandal to Europe. He therefore declared to M. Barbier de Tinan that his instructions were to effect a landing at the mouth of the Garigliano, and that he was forced to obey. If attacked he would not resist, but he threw on the French Admiral the responsibility of any such intervention. We must presume that this oourse of conduct was success* ful, that the Sardinians continued their operations, and that Admiral de Tinau was obliged to acquiesce, for the Toulonnais says—" In presence of this protest and passive attitude, Admiral Barbier de Tinau, fearing that he might have outstepped his instructions, sent the Descartes in all haste 'to take the orders of the frenoh Government." The upshot appears to have been that, by order of the Emperor, the French Admiral returned to Gaeta, leaving the Sardinian fleet to take auactiye part, in the battle which was fought on. the 3rd instant, and which has probably decided the campaign.

No one can suppose that Napoleon is desirous to humiliate his officers by placing them in difficult and undignified positions, and so we cannot presume that Admiral de Tinan was directed to do a tyrannical aud foolish aot in order that his master might have the credit of disapproving it. Nor can we believe that a Frenoh Admiral would have ventured without instructions on a proceeding so unusual aud unwarranted. It is plain that M. de Titian held out the threat of

forcible intervention — in other words, of firing on the Sardinian vessels— and that he was only thwarted by the coolness of Persano, who told him to doit He had evidently" expected that the Sardinians would at once give up all thoughts? of operations on the coast as soon as they knew that they* were displeasiijg ;4q.the French. Is it impossible^ that Admiral de Titian's maater had 'the same notion, and that he has been disbonoerted by the passive resistance of the Italians? If so, he has made the best of his way out of the di§fioulty, though =at ; the; cost offfr, some manner disavowing bis subordinate. We congratulate :A4.miraV>:PeKian^.o& his suooess, whioh 4 tempers our fegret that in suoh a serious matter as the 'war ; in Italy a Sovereign so powerful "as Na^ poleon 111. should cause himself (^ b& suspeoted of vacillation an4 oajms; : v j K

'±-§P#

to-morrow. For the Country Districts, Mr. De Castro has withdrawn; the five Constitutional candidates are Messrs. Brandon, Johnston, Schultze. Woodward, and Wright. Lyceum Theatre.— The play of" The Iron Chest." selected by Mr. V. Webster for his Benefit last evening, afforded the play going public a treat they rarely get uow-a-days. The part of Sir Edward Mortimer, for the first time by the Beneflciare, was a splendid realisation of an amirable conception throughout. Nor did his fine acting lack support for any of the principal characters. Mr. Marriott who kindly proffered his valuable aid sustained the part of Captain Armstrong very truthfully singing the songs with great vivacity and satisfaction to the audience. Mr. J. Wilmot as Wilford was truly excellent, as this geutleman lis in every oharacter he undertakes. Mr. J. H. Williams, as Adam Winterton, (he baid to lepresent a warm hearted old man dropping into his dotage,) we need say no more en passanL We perceive by an advertisement in this day's issue that Miss Etta and Mr. J. H. Williams' farewell benefit takes place on Monday next. The anxiety and trouble attending theatrical representations, wanting remunerating patronage, we believe to be the reason ; for seven years has Mr. Williams striven to obtain and maintain amusements for the public, and we trust they will come forward on this occasion, and give him and his clever little girl a buroper. The remainder of the characters, (especially Blanche I by Miss Etta, which was greatly applauded) were well sustained. A dance by a little boy seemed to please very well. A song by a lady, and the Brothers Brough in their admirable groupings, ushered in the farce of Guy Goodluck, Esq., which sent the audience home in a right merry humour. Electro Biology. — We have much pleasure in directing attention to an advertisement in another column, announcing that Capt. Wilson Vkill give a series of experiments, discriptive and explanatory of this interesting science.to morrow evening, at the Odd Fellows Hall; and we have no doubt, from the great interest now taken in this subject that a large number of persons will avail themselves of the opportunity of beingpresent on the occasion. We understand, that instead of a Lecture, as on formea occasions, the Captain intends commencing with the experiments, explaining as he proceeds.