[War, Austria and Sardinia.]

hostilities. My patience was not exhausted wher the more extensive measures which recently I was forced to take, in consequence of the revolutionary agitation on the frontiers of my Italian Provinces, and within the same, were made an excuse for a higher degree of hostility. Willingly accepting the well-meant Mediation of friendly Powers for the maintenance of Peace, I consented to become a party to a Congress of the 5 great Powers. The 4 points proposed by the Royal Government of Great Britain as a basis for the deliberations of the Congress, were forwarded to my Government, and I accepted them, with the conditions which alone were calculated to bring about a true, sincere, and durable peace.* But in the consciousness that no step on the part of my Government could, even in the most remote degree, lead to a disturbance of the peace, I required at the same time that the Power which was the cause of the complication, and had brought about the danger of war, should, as a preliminary measure, disarm. Being pressed thereto by friendly Powers, I at length accepted the proposal for a general disarmament. The Mediation failed in consequence of the inadmissible nature of the conditions on which Sardinia made her consent dependent. Only one means of maintaining peace remained. I addressed myself directly to the Sardinian Government, and summoned it to place its army on a peace footing, and to disband the free corps. Sardinia did not accede to my demand: therefore, the moment for deciding the matter by an appeal to arms has arrived.

I have ordered my army to enter Sardinia.†

I am aware of the vast importance of the measure, and if ever my duties as a monarch weighed heavily on me it is at this moment. War is the scourge of mankind. I see with emotion that the lives and property of thousands of my subjects are imperilled, and deeply feel what a severe trial war is for my realm, which, being occupied with its internal development, greatly requires the continuance of peace. But the heart of the monarch must be silent at the command of honour and duty. On the frontiers the enemy stands in arms, in alliance with the revolutionary party, openly announcing his intention to seize upon the possessions of Austria in Italy. To support him, the Ruler over France, who, under futile pretexts, interferes in the legally established relations of the Italian Peninsula, has set his troops in See note, page 1411. + See note, page 1361.

[War. Austria and Sardinia.]

movement. Detachments of them have already crossed the frontiers of Sardinia. The Crown which I received without spot or blemish from my forefathers has already seen trying times. The glorious history of our country gives evidence that Providence, when the shadows of a revolution, menacing to the highest good of humanity, appear about to spread over this quarter of the world, has frequently used the sword of Austria in order to dispel those shadows with its lightning. We are again on the eve of a period when the world is threatened with an overthrow of everything subsisting, and that not by parties only, but from thrones downwards. If I draw the sword, that sword receives a consecration, as a defence for the honour and the good right of Austria, for the rights of all peoples and States, and for all that is held most dear by humanity.

To you, My People, whose devotion to the hereditary reigning family may serve as a model for all the nations of the earth, I now address myself. In the conflict which has commenced you will stand by me with your oft-proved fidelity, devotion, and self-sacrifice. To your sons, whom I have taken into the ranks of the army, I their commander, send my martial greeting. With pride you may regard them, for the eagle of Austria will, with their support, soar high in honour.

Our struggle is a just one, and we begin it with courage and confidence. We hope that we shall not stand alone in it. The soil on which we have to do battle was made fruitful by the blood lost by our German brethren when they won those bulwarks which they have maintained up to the present day. There the crafty enemies of Germany have generally begun their game when they have wished to break her internal power. The feeling that such a danger is now imminent prevails in all parts of Germany, from the hut to the throne, from one frontier to the other. I speak as a Sovereign member of the Germanic Confederation when I call attention to the common danger, and recall to memory the glorious times in which Europe had to thank the general and fervent enthusiasm for its liberation.

For GOD and Fatherland!

Given at my residence and metropolis of Vienna, on this 28th

day of April, 1859.

FRANCIS JOSEPH,

[War. Sardinia and Austria.]

No. 294.-SARDINIAN PROCLAMATION of War with Austria. Turin, 29th April, 1859.

(Translation as laid before Parliament.)

PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM!

AUSTRIA attacks us with a powerful army, which, while professing a love of peace, she has assembled to assault us in the unhappy provinces subject to her domination.

Unable to support the example of our civil order, and unwilling to submit to the judgment of an European Congress, on the evils and dangers of which she alone is the cause in Italy, Austria violates her promise to England, and makes a case of War out of a law of honour.

Austria dares to demand the diminution of our troops; that that brave youth, which from all parts of Italy has thronged to her standard of national independence, be disarmed, and handed over to her.

A jealous guardian of the ancestral common patrimony of honour and glory, I have handed over to my beloved cousin Prince Eugène the Government of the State, while I myself again draw the sword.

The brave soldiers of the Emperor Napoleon, my generous Ally, will fight the fight of liberty and justice with my soldiers.

People of Italy!

Austria attacks Piedmont because I have advocated the cause of our common country in the Councils of Europe, and because I have not been insensible to your cry of anguish. Thus she has violently broken those Treaties which she never respected; thus now all right is on the side of the nation, and I can conscientiously perform the vow made on the tomb of my illustrious parent. Taking up Arms in the defence of my Throne, of the liberty of my people, and of the honour of the Italian name, I fight for the rights of the whole nation.

[War. Sardinia and Austria.]

We trust in GOD and in our concord; in the valour of the soldiers of Italy, and in the alliance of the noble French nation,* and we trust in the justice of public opinion.

My only ambition is to be the first soldier of Italian Independence.

Turin, 29th April, 1859.

C. CAVOUR.

Viva l'Italia!

VICTOR EMANUEL.

* See French Proclamation of 3rd May, 1859.

[War. France and Austria.]

NICATION

No. 295.-COMMUNICATION made by the Emperor of the French to the Chambers, announcing War with Austria. 3rd May, 1859.

GENTLEMEN,

(Translation as laid before Parliament.*)

I HAVE had the honour to present to the Senate (to the Legislative Body) the statement of the negotiations followed by the Powers up to the moment when Austria, separating her course of action from that of the other Cabinets, decided to address to Sardinia an Ultimatum, proclaiming, if it was not complied with, her intention to have recourse to arms.

The Government of the Emperor did not wish to allow the Court of Austria to remain in ignorance of the light in which it viewed this eventuality, and the Chargé d'Affaires of His Majesty at Vienna, warned the Austrian Government, since the 26th of last month, that if its troops crossed the frontier of Piedmont, France would be obliged to consider this invasion of an allied country as a Declaration of War.

The Court of Austria, having persisted in employing force, and its troops having entered, on the 29th, the Sardinian territory, the Emperor has commanded me to bring this fact to the knowledge of the Legislative Corps, which constitutes Austria in a state of War with France.

* For French version, see "State Papers," vol. lvii, p. 237.