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IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT Monday , April 18 ... EUROPE
THE STATE OF . In the House of Xoki > s the Earl of Malsiesbiht , in calling the attention of the House to the state oi affairs on the Continent , reviewed the position of the three principal Powers in regard to this country , and observed that , although connected with Austria by similarity of race and an ancient alliance , the people of this country were alienated from her by the policy which Austria had pursued in Italy . No statesmen in this country would for a minute deny the rights of Austria—rights which had been acquired by conquest , inheritance , and treaty , precisely in the same way as this country held many of its own possessions .
These rights were secured by treaties which we had signed , and which every'Government was bound to uphold . But a true cause of complaint against Austria arose from her interference with the other Italian States besides Lonibardy . In passing to Sardinia , he said that a strong feeling in her favour existed in this country by the assimilation of her institutions to our own , and he regretted that after her noble conduct in the late war , she should have so far forgotten that military glory ought not to be the sole object of a Government , for it was from , this cause that the present difficulties had arisen . It was difficult , he observed , to understand why France ,
should involve itself in this question , but France had thought fit to unite her cause with Sardinia , and to assert her right to look into the affairs of Italy in opposition to Austria . After describing the details relating to L . ord Cowley ' s mission to Vienna , the noble earl adverted to the proposal for holding a congress ,: which had emanated froia Russia , and ¦ ultimately accepted by all the great Powers . At that Congress four bases were laid down for the future negotiations . First , as to the means of preserving peace between A \ istria and Sardinia . Secondly , how to arrange the evacuation of the Roman States by the French and Austrian troops . Thirdly , what
reforms should be introduced in the administration by Austria of her Italian provinces ; and fourthly , whether a confederation among the minor States of Italy for their mutual protection might not be substituted for the treaties now subsisting between these States and Austria , by / which the Vienna Government assumed the character of protector over nearly the whole peninsula . Even after the proposal to hold u congress had been accepted , difficulties arose on questions of detail ; which had , he observed , been surmounted , even so far as to inc lude the principle of a general disarmament , but the mode of carrying out that process was still a subject of keen controversy
¦ with Austria and France , one wishing it to be completed before the Congress assembled , the other proposing to make it the subject of settlement during the first meetings of the different diplomatists . For llis own part , ho thought the question one tit rather for arrangement by military men , than by delegates entrusted with exclusively political duties . Thus ± he question re-. na ' nsd ; and in conclusion he observed : *• I may be ; permitted ., us the minister of a country as great as either of the I ' owers involved , to implore the ministers of those countries , to think once more , how serious is the responsibility of the question in which they are engaged , and how great may be the
calamities that may be caxised by any neglect , or hesitation on their part , to adopt tho . measures that may pi'event hostilities , The only _ consolation we havq , personally , is , that , as her Majesty ' s ministers , we have neglected no single step ( Iienr , hear ) or means of averting such' disasters ; and if they do occur , may Almighty God pardon those who are tho occasion of them . " ( Cheers . )—The Earl of Clarendon reviewed tho negotiations , as described by the Foreign Secretary , criticising them on some points , but intimating his hope that tho dispute might still bo adjusted without involving Europe in war . Ho considered Franco Avas responsible for tho defects ' of tho Papal Government , and he could not itnagino a great nation In a more umyorthy position . He did French and Austrian
not fear tho withdrawal of tho troops from tho Papal States , for ho believed that tUo party of order and constitutional Government was increasing in influenco jn those States . Tho liubblo of Italian unity had at length burst , and tho detestable party of Mazzini and his accomplices wore almost extinct . AVar could not sottlo the Italian question ; for , supposing that Austria was driven out , and Lombarcly was nnnoxocl to Piedmont , tlio people of Milan and Venice would never agree with those of Sardinia , but would bo more discontented than they oven wore now . There was ono principle ho hoped the Congross would establishthat of non-intervention—for tho . Italians were quite capable of conducting their own uQltirs
Trusting that Lord Malmesbury would carry to the Congress with him the whole moral support of this country , he assured him tha t no party spirit would prevent him from making every allowance , and that he should be only too glad to hear of his success . — The Earl of Derby acknowledged the temperate and unanimous spirit in which the question had been treated both in that , and , as he believed , in the other House of Parliament . The best chance of maintaining peace was that it should be well understood by Europe that no differences existed on that point in the English Parliament . The course taken by the ministry had been one calculated to prevent war in Europe but he could not help concurring that there
might have been a greater chance of success if the matter had been left in the . hands . of Lord Cowley , who had succeeded in laying down bases on which France and Austria were disposed to treat , I he proposal of liussia , from which it was impossible for the Government to have withheld their consent , had introduced all the subsequent difficulties . He quite agreed that it did seem hard to reconcile the expressed desire for a Congress . with the military preparations' on both sides . Much of these difficulties - was due to the King cf Sardinia ' s words , that " a cry of anguish came from Italy , and he could not endure it . " When such words were used it was not unnatural that Austria should make had
preparations on a large scale , although Piedmont nothing to fear from Austria as long as she kept within her own bounds . He agreed with Lord Clarendon as to the injurious results of the treaties which Austria had entered into with the Italian States , and thought , it would be wise for her to reconsider them . In regard ' to the Papal States , 'he thought , it would be bc ^ t to leave that matter to'France , and Austria during the Congress , allowing the Pope a voice in the question . The time was now nearly come , he said , when it was a question whether a Congress should be held at all , and when the terms on which such a Congress should be held ought to be known . The time , inflict , was nearly at hand when
England would have to say that the time for trifling had gone'by , and she would therefore withdraw from interfering in affairs where she could not do s . o _ effectually . If tliei-e were a war , which God forbid ! it would not be localised in Italy ; it would be impossible to confine if to that country . ; it would extend itself , and involve the world in universal conflagration . It . would , in accordance with treaties , bring the whole of Germany into the field , and it would be impossible for this country to look unmoved on the occupation of the Adriatic and the Mediterranean , and it would be as impossible to confine such a war within limits as to foresee who would be drawn into its vortex . " Eiioliind ( said he ) is deeply interested in the
maintenance-of peace . She is prepared to make almost any sacrifice for that object 5 but , in the interest of peace , she cannot assume a position which would plaee-herina helpless and defenceless condition ; and if war breaks out , whatever be the consequence , our neutrality , as long as it may last , must to a certain extent be an armed neutrality ( hear ) , enabling us to take our part on that side , whatever it may be , which the honour , the interests , and the dignity of the country may indicate as best deserving our support . ( Cheers . ) Such is tho course which I hope the Government will be supported in taking by the unanimous opinion of Parliament and the country ; for suchI oin certain , is the only sound and rational
, policy which we can pursue . God grant wo may be spared the necessity of entering upon so dangerous a path . God grant that in the councils of Europe there may yot prevail greater modei'ation , greater wisdom , greater temper I God grant that this storm may pass by without bursting forth in tho violent and terrific manner which wo have now too much reason to anticipate I But I am sure , as I said before , that , if tho chances of peace depend in great measure upon the unanimous assent of Parliament to the principles so ably and eloquently expressed by
my noble friend and the noble carl opiwsite , they will be materially strengthened if it be within the knowledge of Europe that England will not bo allowed to remain a helpless or feeble spectator of ovents which may compromieo her dignity and honour , but that a serious responsibility , with all its results , will bo laid upon tho head of the power , whatovor it may bo , which , without duo provocation and without tho most \ irgont necessity , seeks for its own ambitious purposes to involve Europe in tho calamities of a long and bloody war , " ( Loud cheer ' s . )—Their lordships adjourned at half-past seven .
In the Housm Common !* tho Chakcistxor of tho ExcinsQUKtt . made his statement ) respecting foreign affairs , and proceeded , in a subdued tono , to lay before tho Houso tho state of the negotiations respecting the affairs of , Italy . Her Majesty ' s Government , ho observed , had from the beginning , instructed tho Queen ' s Ministers ' o , t Paris and Vienna to tnko every practicable opportunity to remove tho misunderstanding between tho two Courts * and , taking advantage of tho favourable position of this country , tho Government had interposed their good
' ngagoffices directly to secure the continuance of the general peace . Several causes had contributed to the misunderstanding ; but the paramount cause was to be found in the unsatisfactory condition of Italy . The Government' instructed Lord Cowley to take all possible means of ascertaining the views of the Emperor of the French , and to make known the views of Her Majesty ' s Government , which were those which had always been stated in that and the other House of Parliament by the most eminent statesmen of all parties—namely , . that it would be unwise to'disturb existing treaties and the balan ce of power established in 1815 . Lord Cowley , having been requested to repair to London , was despatched to Vienna to ascertain . how far Austria would meet the views of the Emperor of the French , and that
mission was entirely successful as a mission of conciliation . But before Lord Cowley could return to Paris' the Court of St . Petersburg had proposed to that of France that ¦ the matters in dispute should be referred to a Congress . This proposal was accepted by the Emperor of the French , and h er Majesty ' s Government thought it would be Aviso to assent to this appeal to . a . Congress , and notified their willingness on tour conditions , and subject to a ' general condition , that the Congress should not interfere with the settlement of 1815 . The four conditions were accepted by Franco , llussia , and Prussia , and likewise by Austria ,-who added a ' fifth condition , — the disarmament of Sardinia . When this , proposition was communicated to her Majesty's Government they did not approve it ; they did not wish to sanction a course that' would humiliate or '
weaken Sardinia , and ultimately Austria consented to waive this invidious condition , and proposed a general disarmament . France accepted , this proposal of Austria , but Sardinia had not yet assented to the proposition to disarm , and , moreover , claimed admission to "the Congress , to which privilege , as not being a first-class power , she was no more entitled tliiin . Sweden or-Denmark . Thus . the question stood at present . The ' prospect of maintaining peace v ' , however , much improved by 1 he arrival in England u ft w hours ' previously , of the ISIarquis d'AzejcHo , from whose cnliirhtened and moderate character lie
antieipitatcd a beneficial influence 111 that direction . " . J cannot think , " said Mr . Dismeli , " there is' power in Europe which wantonly would promote war . There is a power ' which may not be present in this Congress , if it takes place , greater-than empires ¦ and parliaments— that is , t he power of public opinion . 1 do ' not think that in this day that is a power which can be wantonly outraged . Sir , 1 should , think it . a very great outrage on public opinion if , under the circumstances in which avc now . find ourselves in respect to the Italian question , no solution should lie found but that of the sword . On the contrary , it
appears to me that the means of settlement are in existence , and although 1 know it is disheartening in the conduct of negotiations to find you do not rapidly arrive at the result you desire , still , on the whole , 1 cannot but sec in all that has occurred a predominant wish that the solution should be one ot peace . Sir , I do not wish to conceal from tins country that the issue is no mean one . A wnr m Italy is not n war in a corner . An Italian wir may by possibility be an Kuropean war . The waters ot the Adriatic cannot be disturbed without ngiliitinpt the waters of the JKhine . The port of Trieste is not a mere Italian port ; it is a port which belong 0 H . n . fUmnm ! r . mitt . l'lnvn t i <> 11 . JU 1 U 11 U UttttCK Oil 4 . I ( CSlt , the Herman confederationand an attack 011 . ^ 1 1 ^
, is not an attack on Austria alone , but nlso on lurfmany . If war springs up beyond the I" ™"" » ot Italv , England has interests not merely Horn »> , c principles—those enlightened principles-ot emulation which make her look with ' nn adverse ejt . 0 aught which would disturb the peace ot the v , 1 t , but England may be . interested from cons » ei aj ions of the most urgent character , Sir , under t «»<*« "J : cumstanceH , 1 am quite sure that tite llouav w 11 »« it with all the consideration and vefloryu which 1 lit serves tho question which is now before 11 . J » c placed before the House the position , of these c , Uions ; and , Sir , I will express more an 1 JJ hope—I will express still my beliei- * " firmness ami conciliation the pc-acp of the v > U may yet bo preserved . " ( The W »' ' Il £ IC ? - man resumed his seat nmulst loud et 11 * . Lord Famikiwton promised to spoilk no woid v k '
could add to the difficulties of the m nation , f' Jt ing to past events , ho thought it mit 1 1 t « Russia snoulil prefer a conffross , as giving hoi , * <« Bho had not before , aplocohvtho c souss on . i ' also natural , though not admissible , t ! l f /* ¦ t 0 should require tho preliminary d' - ' j ^"'^^/^ Sardinian armaments , and he thoug h lur * WW * Government wore right in objootlntf to I . J \ ° J { \ 0 glad to hoar that franco and Austria » < l ' « . l •" the principle of a general disarmiuutit bi ' ^ appeared fo him that tho going into a l « i tf J ™ ousslon as to this point , instead of < H » eii « M » ' gross tho real questions nt issue , woul c « of ilmo . Why should not the Oonfifross uy ' o » t ami sottlo the material points in dinnuto , hwtiuuw
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Untitled Article
Rifi ' THE LEADER . [ No . 474 , April 23 , ia 59 . I
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), April 23, 1859, page 516, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2291/page/4/
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