Italy. 20 July 1848
Italy.
* Florence. In the sitting of the Tuscan Parliament on the 8th inst., Mr Malenchini put questions to the Minister of War, who declared that the Tuscan forces in the field consist of 6,789 men, with 11 pieces of cannon. This force will soon be increased and Charles Albert has promised to place a whole battery at the disposal of the Tuscan army. Steps have been taken towards the much-discussed alliance of the Italian states among themselves; but the rapid course of events has prevented its conclusion. The alliance, recognised by Charles Albert, exists in fact. The Grand Duke’s decree of 29 March furnishes proof of this. The Minister of Finance gave some explanations from which it appears that 4,101,488 lire have flowed into the war chest from January to 7 July. The impending armaments will still necessitate heavy expenditure.
At Piacenza, gatherings have taken place on account of the dearth of grain. The Civic Guard fired upon a very numerous crowd. Some persons have been wounded, others arrested.
The Milan newspaper demands resolute action by the government in face of the dangers threatening the country. “The towns,” it says, “that have again fallen into bondage, the fortresses which are capitulating, the dejection in the Venetian provinces which is spreading through the Lombard country by the laments of the unfortunate who have escaped ruin – all this must henceforth render odious the system of half-measures, of petty exertions, of petty sacrifices, which exhaust the nation without achieving a lasting result. Definite, energetic measures are needed to save the country. The government must at once