§ THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE rose to move for copies of the reports and correspondence of Her Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Agents in Italy relating to the occupation of the territory and the assumption of the executive Government of the Duchy of Parma by Austrian authorities; and for copies of any communications thereupon between Her Majesty's Government and the Cabinet of Vienna. In asking for these papers, it was not his intention to express any opinion with regard to the affairs of Italy, and still less to ask their Lordships to come to any judgment on that question; for though he thought that the judgment of the British Parliament would not be improperly asked on such a question, yet it might be premature to ask such an opinion, while the House was uninformed on the subject. All that he asked now was information from the Government, and he hoped that it would be in the power of the Government to give some information with regard to facts and events which had occurred, and which he believed 1391 to be of so grave a character that it would be necessary that they should be considered not only by the servants of the Crown, but by the Parliament of this country. The House was aware that the state of northern Italy, and especially of the Duchy of Parma, had been for some time of so evil a character, that it showed the existence of very deep-rooted discontent and disaffection among the people of that country; and, more than that, there had arisen among them such a contempt of all law and authority as was likely to lead to lamentable consequences, and might lead to very grievous results. It was on these pretences, and in some degree it might be said for these reasons, that the troops of Austria had occupied the territory of Parma. There were, however, reports and rumours that Austria intended not only the occupation of the territories or duchy, but that she contemplated the seizure of the reins of government. If the Austrian Government had sent a force merely to save and protect the family of the reigning Sovereign from the personal dangers which might surround them, such a step would not be inconsistent with precedents, and was one which had been adopted by this country itself. But if the accounts that were current were true, Austria had taken political as well as military possession of Parma—had dismissed the Ministers of Finance and Police; the Post Office department was placed under Austrian authority, and, moreover, the Austrian troops extended over the whole territory, from Pontremoli to Piacenza. It was not, therefore, the protection of the reigning family that was intended, but the occupation of the whole country, and the assumption of the government. He did not ask the House to discuss the question of the character of such an occupation or the consequences to which it might lead, or whether the balance of power in Europe had or had not been disturbed by such an act on the part of one of the great Powers; nor did he propose to enter into the question of the state of Italy, north or south; but all he wanted was information as to what had really taken place, and what was the attitude taken by the Government of this country, and those of the other European Powers, on this point. The noble and learned Lord opposite (Lord Lyndhurst) had that evening given notice of a Motion which would bring on the discussion of this subject, and not only would he call on the House to discuss the subject, 1392 but he proposed to call on them to pronounce a strong judgment on the question. That circumstance strengthened him (the Marquess of Clanricarde) in the opinion he had formed of the necessity for the House having early information on the subject; for it would be contrary to usage as well as to convenience for the House to be called on to give an opinion on a matter on which they were imperfectly informed. It ought to be known if it was true that the Austrian troops occupied the country only in order to repress any casual insurrection that might occur, for of such insurrection there was no account, and the Austrian forces were disposed in a mode which looked very much as if further aggression was intended against Parma. If danger were apprehended to the reigning family, the Piedmontese troops might have been called on to interfere rather than those of Austria. But the position of the Austrian army forbade the supposition that the purpose intended was merely to put an end to insurrection, or rebellion, or any disturbances which might threaten the safety of the reigning family. He thought it better to make no further remarks at present, but he thought he had said enough to justify his asking for information from the Government. If his noble Friend (the Earl of Clarendon) refused to give that information now, perhaps he would be able to give an assurance that he would, at an early day, take into consideration the propriety of giving to the House such information on this subject as they ought to possess; for it would be a very lamentable thing that this country, having just ended a war by a peace which they thought would be satisfactory, should enter upon another much more sanguinary and costly.
§ THE EARL OF CLARENDONI am sure my noble Friend will not expect me to enter into any general explanation on the subject which he has brought before your Lordships, because the noble and learned Lord opposite has given notice of a Motion which I understand is of such a comprehensive nature as will bring the whole subject under consideration, and I hope shortly to be able to show the House that the question of Italy has not been disregarded by Her Majesty's Government. I am at present unable to lay before your Lordships any correspondence calculated to throw light on the events which have taken place in Italy; but I am prepared, in answer to my noble Friend, to give him such information 1393 as we possess. It appears that ever since the assassination of the late Duke, Parma has been in a most unsettled state. For this I do not believe that the Duchess Regent is to blame. Her Government has been wise and moderate, and I believe she has displayed great forbearance and good sense. But the Government is weak in Parma, which has been the resort of persons desirous of promoting political troubles; and it is said that the agents of secret societies have been particularly active there. This unsettled state of affairs continued to prevail, and the persons who conducted the investigation into the assassination of the late Duke and others employed in the judicial investigation of political offences in the duchy, appeared destined to the same fate. Two political murders having been committed, and a dangerous spirit having been manifested, and considerable public alarm having been the consequence of these acts, the Duchess Regent declared Parma in a state of siege, and the Austrian general, Crenneville, as senior officer there, took the supreme command of all the troops. But, as I gather from my noble Friend, he appears to think that Austrian interference took place in pursuance of a convention entered into in consequence of recent events. Such has not been the case. A treaty was agreed to between Austria and the late Duke of Parma and Modena, in the year 1847 or 1848, by which these Sovereigns were entitled to call upon Austria, and Austria was bound to send a sufficient force to maintain order, if public tranquility were likely to be disturbed. This was done in 1849, and there has been since that time an Austrian battalion in Parma or the neighbourhood. When the state of siege was declared, General Crenneville wrote to Vienna to say that he should not require to have another man sent to him. There was, therefore, no special intervention, and no increased number of forces beyond that which Austria had already in the duchy. I am not able to give my noble Friend any account of the other events to which he alluded—of certain official persons being turned out of office; but I believe I am correct in saying that which I am assured of from Vienna, that there has been great exaggeration in the newspapers as to the account of Austrian force in the territory bordering upon Sardinia—that no fresh troops have been sent into the duchy, and no change made in their position.
§ House adjourned till To-morrow.