The Press.
London, England, 1858-07-31 00:00:00

THE PRESS, JULY 31, 1858.

arrives from Sardinia. The visit has created an
immense sensation, and is universally regarded as a
proof that the Emperor is not only unfriendly to
Austria, but is anxious to show that he is so. Con-
sidering the antipathy with which Austria regards
Sardinia and her statesmen, and of all statesmen
Count de Cavour, the Emperor, it is remarked, could
hardly have acted more offensively towards her in
making that nobleman his guest, than he would
have done if he had created Mazzini himself a
Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. What took
place between the Emperor and Count de Cavour of
course is not known ; but it is known that they were
long closeted together, and that they afterwards
took a walk, in which, from their manner, and fr3rn
the Emperor stopping every now and then to trace
lines on the ground with his stick, their conversation
appeared to be both interesting and important.
A great deal of irritation has been caused to the
French Government by the receipt of telegraphic
despatches announcing that the Turks, in violation
of a formal armistice, or at least truce, attacked
on Saturday last, with a greatly superior force, a
body of Montenegrins, and, after killing five or eight
and wounding forty, routed them. The French
Government having been instrumental in bringing
about the suspension of hostilities between the
Turks and Montenegrins, and having to a certain
extent taken the latter under its protection, thinks
itself both wronged and insulted by this act. It is
certainly a most unfortunate thing for Turkey,
coming, as it does, close on the Jeddah massacre.
The Russian party here, which spares no opportu-
nity of exciting animosity against Turkey, is urging
the French Government.to take energetic measures for
showing the Sublime Porte that it is not to be trifled
with. It is to be hoped, however, that it will do
nothing rashly ; in the present temper of the Chris-
tion populations of Turkey on the one hand, and of
the Turkish populations on the other, any act of
hostility, or even of decided ill-will, on the part of
France to Turkey, might have tremendous conse-
quences. I have heard that the Porte has already
sent by telegraph to Paris an expression of profound
regret that the truce with the Montenegrins should
have been broken by its troops, and giving the asset•
ranee that the thing was done without its consent or
even knowledge.
The Emperor has returned to the Empress at St.
Cloud from his lengthened visit to Plombieres. Not
only did no conjugal tempest break on him, as dit.
on was the ease on his return from the same place
in a former year, but he was welcomed with smiles
and rejoicings ; and, like a good husband, he brought
back numerous little presents for wife and child.
The ladies and gentlemen of the Court and all the
interior domestics were glad to see him again, for,
in spite of his frequent migraines, which do not
enliven the temper, and his fits of silence, which are
boring to the French, who chatter incessantly, he is,
in his interieur, a kind and considerate master, and
is much liked. His health is improved by his stay
at Plomhieres, and he had the gratification of find-
ing the Empress and the Imperial Prince well also.
Early in the ensuing week the Emperor and Empress
set out for their visit to Cherbourg and Brittany.
On their way to Cherbourg their Majesties will stop
at Evreux, Caen, Bayeux, and perhaps some other
places.

fatty( anb doloaial

BELGIUM.

On Monday last a discussion commenced in the
Belgian Chamber of Representatives on the pro-
posed addition to the fortifications of Antwerp.
General Bertin, the Minister of War, explained
that the object of the project, which was only a
modified reproduction of that of 1856, was to cover
the city itself by an outside line of forts beyond the
faubourgs, consisting of an intrenched camp and of a
series of forts so built as to be able to support each
other, on a system to enable the place to hold out
successfully against a long siege. The extension
would involve an outlay of 45,000,000 f., and it could
not be done unless the population of Antwerp gave
pecuniary assistance. The Minister refuted the
idea of a wish to be able to concentrate the whole
army within the walls of Antwerp. The idea of the
Government was, that in case of invasion, which was
never absolutely unforeseen, the army should be
able to keep the field as long as it could hold its
ground successfully, and then fall back, in case of
need, upon Antwerp, which would then become the
central and sole point of the national defence of the
' country. The Minister then supported, in the name
of the Government, the project, which proposes :

. .
1. A partial enlargement of the existing enceinte, by
carrying it further north, so as to include the new docks and
building yards.
2. The suppression of two of the detached forts recently
built in a bad position, and replacing them by other forts
forming part of the double line of defence proposed beyond
the faubourgs.

737

M. Loos, the Burgobssater of Antwerp, endea-
voured to show that the defence of Antwerp could
only be made with a general enlargement. He
drew a disheartening picture of the fate reserved for
the town if the defenders of the intrenched camp
and of the forts should he defeated. The forte
would then serve the enemy to bombard the city,
and the enemy, elated with success, would pillage
the town.

M. de Renesse (Left) proposed an amendment to
this effect :

In cue the Government should receive advantageous
offers of money not coming from the Treasury for the
execution of the great enceinte, the Uovernment should be
authorized to negotiate, reserving the concurrence of the
city of Antwerp and the approval of the Chambers.

M. Thieffry (Left) admitted the possibility of
a sudden invasion. Italy and Spain were there
to show that when France thought it suitable to
invade a country she lost no time about it. The
country should therefore be prepared for defence.
He said the expenses which were made an objection
to the great enceinte might be reduced. He could
not admit an extension of the means of defence of
Antwerp, no matter on what scale, except on the
condition of the simultaneous demolition of the
other fortresses. Should the Government not de-
clare itself on this point he should vote against the
grant of any money for the object of the bill.
General Renard replied to him in a long speech
which occupied almost the whole sitting.
The debate was continued on the following day by
MM. De Boe, Vanderdouckt, and Vervoost against
the Government, and M. De Rogier in favour of it.
The debate was again adjourned.