19 MARCH 1831, Page 9

The Austrians are said, when the last accounts came away,

to have been preparing for the immediate passing of the Po; and if their resolution held, they must ere now be at Modena. If so, the question of French intervention, and of a general war, will soon be solved. Our Government, in the event of a general war, are strongly called on by two of our contemporaries, to employ large steam-boats [qy. taxed ones ?]—for offence says the one, for defence says the other. Why for either ? Whom need we fear, having offended no one ? whom need we attack, having been by no one offended ?