Lord John Russell's remark that the annexation of Sardinia would
at once end the alliance between England and France, has given offence in Paris. The Temps calls it frank, but the rest of the Press condemn it as an offence to those "just susceptibilities" of which Frenchmen and Englishwomen are so proud. The speech is supposed to "imply distrust," but as that is exactly what it was intended to imply, the reproach conveyed in the phrase will not be keenly felt. We believe, as a matter of fact, that the Italian Government has delibe- rately considered the cession, and deliberately resolved to face Austria single-handed sooner than cede another inch of Italian ground. That resointion will not be weakened, nor will the French thirst for un- considered trifles of territory be increased, by the bold words of the Foreign Secretary. England cannot suffer Sardinia to pass from Italy, and it is as well to say so officially, and in time.
