The present position of affairs is, of course, full of
danger, the Emperor and the King having now marched on Rome, at the risk of clashing en route, while Garibaldi and the Pope will obey neither. There are rumours afloat of a joint occupation, but no official statement of the kind has yet been made, and the rumours are not justified by the published papers. In Victor Emanuel's proclamation, issued on 27th October, he affirms that he sympa- thizes with the national desires, but calls war with France "fra- tricidal," and summons the Garibaldians to retire behind the line of his troops. But in the manifesto of the 30th, announcing the invasion, the Government declare that the Army "will not take part in civil conflicts," and only hope that General Garibaldi will aid in the settlement of the Roman question. M. de Mona- tier also, in a circular to the agents of France throughout Europe, denies any hostile idea towards Italy, and affirms that as soon as the Pontifical territory shall be " liberated " and security re- established, France will withdraw. But he adds that the Italian Government has not fulfilled its "clear obligation" of protecting the Papacy against invasion from without, and certainly hints at nothing like joint occupation. If any such resolution has been arrived at, it has been since the 26th of October, or Napoleon never would have sent so heavy a force to Civita Vecchia. One regiment would have been ample.
