The Press.
London, England, 1856-10-25 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

people say what they will. He never was a Court
favorite in reality here at any time, and no man who
is not has a chance of power. If people would but
learn that everything goes as much by intrigue now
as in the days of the Duke of Lerma and Gil Blas,
it would save them a great deal of absurd conjecture
shout this or that able man, and such and such an
enlightened statesman. The more able and en-
lightened the less his chance for promotion.
L.

fortigit jnittligcnce.

FRANCE.
THE NEAPOLITAN QUESTION.

The expected French note upon the Neapolitan
question appeared in the Moniteur of Monday. The
following is a full translation of the article :
As soon as peace was concluded the first care of the
Paris Congress was to insure its duration. With that
object in view the plenipotentiaries examined into the
elements of discord which still existed in Europe, and es-
especially turned their attention to the condition of Italy,
of Greece, and of Belgium. The observations exchanged
on that occasion were everywhere received in a spirit of
cordial understanding, because they were inspired by a
sincere solicitude for the quiet of Europe, and at the same
time evinced the respect which was due to the indepen-
dence of all sovereign States.
Thus, in Belgium the Government, agreeing with the
opinion upon the excesses of certain organs of the press,
showed itself disposed to put • stop to them by every
means iu its power.
In Greece the plan of financial organisation submitted
to the appreciation of the protecting Courts proves the
readiness of the Greek Government to hearken to the
counsels of the Congress.
Iu Italy the Holy See and the other States admit the
expediency of clemency and of internal reforms.
The Court of Naples alone haughtily rejected the coun•
sels of France and of England, although given under the
most amicable form. _ _

The rigorous and compressive measures which for a
long time have been turned into means of administration
by the Government of the Two Sicilies keep Italy in a
state of agitation, and compromise the peace of Europe.
Convinced of the dancers arising from such a state of
things, France and England had hoped to avert them by
wise counsels given at an opportune moment; those coun•
sels have been discarded ; the Government of the Two
Sicilies, closing its eyes to evidence, has thought fit to per-
sevete in a fatal course.

The ungracious reception given to legitimate observa-
tions, an unjust suspicion cast up)n the purity of inten-
tions, an insulting language in leply to wholesome
advice, and, finally, an obstinate refusal, no longer per-
mitted the continuation of friendly relations.
Complying with the suggestions of a great power, the
Cabinet of Naples endeavoured to extenuate the effect pro-
duced by its first reply ; but this semblance of condescen-
sion was only an additional proof of its resolution to take
no heed of the solicitude of France and of England tor
the general interests of Europe. Hesitation was uo longer
warranted; it became necessary to break off diplomatic
intercourse with a Court which had itself so deeply altered
the character of that intercourse.

This suspension of official relations by no means con-
stitutes an intervention in the internal affairs of Naples,
still less an act of hostility.
As, however, the safety of the subjects of the two Go-
vernments might be endangered, to provide for such a
contingency they have assembled a combined squadron ;
but they have refrained from sending their ships to the
waters of Naples, to avoid giving rise to erroneous inter-
pretations. This simple measure of eventual protection,
which in no manner partakes of a menace, cannot either
be considered as a support or encouragement offered to
those who endeavour to upset the throne of the King of
the Two Sicilies.
If, moreover, the Neapolitan Government, returning to
a just appreciation of the sentiments which actuate the
Governments of France and of England, should finally
understand its real interests, the Iwo powers would hasten
to renew w.th it the relations which previously existed,
and will be happy by this reconciliation to give a new
guarantee for the peace of Europe.
The moderate tone of this note is generally thought
indicative of a peaceable, if not satisfactory, terniina
tion of the dispute. The Pays draws attention to
the Russian note, and insinuates that the interven-
tion of Russia, it is not improbable, may bring about
a solution cf the question. The Assemblhe Nationale
waits for the publication of the diplomatic documents
exchanged between the Western powers and Naples.
The Patric, while stating that it has no new informa-
tion on the affairs of Naples to give its readers, says
it is nevertheless asserted that despatches have been
received in Pails stating that the Neapolitan Cabinet
asks for a few days' time to consider the last official
propositions made by the French Government. The
Steele alone sees in the note the germs of a great
war. The Siècle observes :—u We have perused this
document with the attention it deserves. We cannot
do otherwise than approve the policy pursued by the
Western powers. We take into account, in examin-
ing this note, the reserve exacted by diplomatic
customs. Without wishing to anticipate events, we
recognise in the facts, which are confirmed by the
note in the Moniteur, most serious complications—
on the one hand, the liberal nations of the West;
on the other, the King of Naples and his avowed or

1013

concealed auxiliaries. In this new stage of the
European crisis, which commenced on the banks if
the Pruth, and appears destined to receive its solu-
tion in Italy, we shall remain, what we have ever
been—faithful and devoted to the permanent policy
of France—faithful and devoted to the policy of
Italian liberty and independence."
The Moniteur of Thursday contained a letter from
the Emperor to Marshal Vaillant, Minister of War,
eulogising him as "the able and indefatigable
Minister who laboured day and night" to supply the
army of France during the late war. The official
journal also contains the marshal's report on the
state of the army, its materiel, and means of transport
at successive stages of the war. The report shows
that France sent to the East 309,268, and received
back 227,135 men. The losses of the army were
69,229 men. The difference—namely, 12,904—is
accounted for in a technical manner. The number
of horses sent out was 41,974. About 9,000 were
brought back. The losses are not returned, but it is
said that most of the an►mals remaining at the
peace were made over to the Turks. The effective
strength of the French army of the East on the
day when the peace was signed is stated to have
been 146,240.
The Emperor with the Empress and Court left
Paris for Compeigne on Sunday last. The Court
remains at Compeigne for a fortnight in all. Councils
of Ministers are held every Wednesday and Satur-
day.
M. Kisselef, the Russian Ambassador at Paris,
is hourly expected at his post. M. de Kis-
selef is said to be the bearer of an autograph letter
from the Czar to the Emperor of the French.
M. Hubner arrived in Paris last Sunday.

The French Mediterranean squadron is still in
the roads of Toulon.

The Paris papers have renewed their attacks
upon Austria for the continued occupation of the
Principalities. The Dibats asserts that England
supports Austria.