Lord Derby on the Dreaded War
LORD DERBY ON THE DREADED WAR.—In a recent speech on the Italian question, Lord Derby said: "My noble friend has already pointed out the lamentable consequences which must arise, if war does break out, to Italy herself, whatever be the ultimate result, or whoever be in the first instance successful. I think he underrates the magnitude of the danger, if he supposes that the war will be confined to Italy. It will be a war, in the first place, of the most sanguinary description, because a war of principle and of passion. It will not be a war between two great nations contending for some definite object, but a war exciting the most violent passion, and once begun in Italy it will extend far beyond the limits of that country. Other passions will be roused, other interests will be touched, other nations will be called upon to interfere, and war originating in Italy, will certainly, at no distant period, extend far and wide, wrapping the whole of Europe in one general conflagration."