The Press.
London, England, 1856-04-26 00:00:00

lortign anb 3nttlligente.

FRANCE.
The reduction of the French army to a peace foot-
ing has been decided on. A suggestive report from
Marshal Vaillant to the Emperor has been followed
by an Imperial decree suppressing the 4th batta-
lion of the 100th Regiment of the line, and dis-
banding the 101st and 102nd Regiments.
The Italian question still excites considerable
attention in Paris. The Petrie contends that the
greatest adversaries to Italian nationality are the
Italians themselves, and says .
The solution is difficult, but not impossible. The best
perhaps would be that which, while touching no existing
interest, should re-establish every right, and in default of a
material and absolute unity. should give to Italy a relative
and moral unity, such as we find example of on other
points of Europe.
On the origin of the question before the Congress
the Siècle of Wednesday contained the following re-
marks:—
We may express our belief that the memorandum of M.
de Cavour, after having been submitted to the Emperor,
was communicated to the Congress, and read in full in one
of the last sittings. We repeat that it was the president,
Count Walewski. who introduced the Italian question to
the Congress ; that it was actively, energetically, supported
by Lord Clarendon ; that, finally, M. de Cavour, placing
himself in a conservative point of view, demanded in the
name of his Government, and in the name cf the Italian
population, prompt reforms in the political and civil insti-
tutions, also large amnesties and urgent improvements, as
the only means of maintaining the tranquillity of Italy,
and perhaps that of Europe. We believe that Count
Orloff rather approved than repudiated the observations
presented on the situation of the Legations and the
Duchies. that he was only reserved in favour of the King
of Naples, whcse policy was severely condemned by the
plenipotentiaries. We maintain all we advanced respect-
ing the attitude of M. de Buol, who declined to accept the
reclamations of Sardinia, and refused to explain himself on
the Italian question. We likewise maintain, with the re-
serve we have alluded to, that the French and Russian
plenipotentiaries have displayed the most perfect union.
With respect to the treaty of peace, the Dhbats
states that as soon as the treaty is published the
discussions and acts of the Congress as well as the
protocols, if they exist, will be made public ; in fact,
every document which may recal what was said and
performed in the body of the Conference.

Spanish affairs have this week received a very
vigorous attack from the Constitutionnel, and the
electoral law at home has been subjected to a no less
searching exposition by M. de Montalembert. The
attack by the Constitutionnel on the Spanish Govern-
ment produced a profound sensation, as the Consti-
tutionnel passes as a Ministerial paper. The whole
gist of the article went to prove that every emeute in
Spain since July, '54, was connived at by F.spartero,
in the hope of the establishment of a Federative
Republic, with himself as chief, or at least as presi-
dent of a provincial government, until some dynastic
change be accomplished:—

What is matter for hope to some (concludes the arti-
cle) is for others, for the greatest number for the country
in general, a cause of dread and alarm. We see, indeed,
that monarehy is proclaimed in Spain, but we see also
that it is annihilated. It is a duty of honour for Marshal
Espartero and for Marshal O'Donnell to leave no doubt
resting on their intentions, and to deprive anarchical pas-
sion of all hope.
The intention of this remarkable article is sus-
pected in Paris to relate to a possible intervention by
France.

The Assemblee Nationale and the Dibats follow
over the same ground, pointing out that Espartero is
the nian of whose presence the Government must be
rid if it would be secure. The establishment of a
pure Progressista Government and a frightful revo-
lution is confidently predicted by the Dhbats, to be
followed by the ruin of Spain and the sacrifice of the
Royal Family.
Of the effect of the article the Paris correspondent
of Le Nord writes on Monday :

The article in the Conalitutionnet this day. being an im•
peschment in form of the Spanish Government, has caused
no little excitement at the Embassy. This morning the
Sp inish Minister waited on the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
with the view of complaining of this article, and making
explanations in justification of Espartero and his colleagues.
Count Walewski listened rather coldly to them The im-
perial Government, attacked sometimes with vivacity in
constitutional countries adjoining France, has no very
ardent sympathy with the sway of absolute liberty, and it
has often had occasion to express on this subject its ideas
and complaints in official notes and declarations. It will
repeat them.
M. Montalembert Jelivered, in the Corps Legis-
latif, last Friday, a most effective speech, with imme-
diate reference to the late judgment of the Court of
Cassation, against the present electoral law and in
favour of fieedom of election. He charaetrised the
present system of elections as a " deceitful system
of universal suffrage," and insisted on the right of
every elector to concert upon and discuss an elec-
tion. M. Baroche declared that the Government

393

would insist upon the right of regulating the distri-
bution of electoral bulletins. The discussion has
caused considerable sensation, as it is the first time
that any member of the Corps Legislatif has exer-
cised so decided an initiative upon so vital a point.
A decree promulgating the convention concluded
between France, Belgium, Spain, Sardinia, and
Switzerland, for regulating the transmission of tele-
graph despatches, has appeared in the Moniteur.
The convention will be in force for four years.