The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-18 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

THE RUSSIAN REPLY.
(rzom oug ows oogasarogrozsr.)
PARIS, FRIDAY EVENING.

The Russian answer arrived in Paris at 8 o'clock
this morning. Baron de Budberg, the Russian
ambassador, to whom it was, in due diplomatic
course, addressed by Prince Cortthakoff, lost no
time in seeking an interview with M. Drouyn de
Lhuys, for the purpose of reading the despatch to
him, and leaving him a copy. M. Drouyn de
Lhuys was at st. Cloud, having been sent for by
the Empress, and consequently the interview did
not take place till half-past 3 this afternoon. Two
journals, the France and the Nation—both opposed
to war and inclined to put the most favourable con-
struction upon the Russian despatch—profess to
know the substance of its contents. Here is the
version of the France:

The Russian answer is strongly imbued with the spirit of
conciliation ; it adhere, in principle to the six points pro-
posed by the three powers. observing at the same time that
as to macy of them the sovereign initiative of the Emperor
Alexander has already anticipated the wishes of Europe.
We are also assured that Prince Goetchakoff accepts the
proposal of a conference, suggesting, however, that it is
desirable that the subjects to be discussed should not be
confined to Poland alone. There remains the question of
the armistice. U we are rightly informed, this is the sole
point upon which there is not a complete accord between the
cabinet of St. Petersburg and the three intervening powers ;
but inasmuch as the armistice might be effected under cir-
cumetances in no way contrary to the dignity of the Empe-
ror Alexander, and is imperatively called for in the inte-
rests of humanity as well as from political considerations,
we cannot believe that the cabinet of St. Petersburg will
oppose to it a systematic refuse'.

I have no doubt that the France has good
information as to the contents of the despatch, and,
assuming that to be so, it is, I think, already
obvious that Russia is laughing at the three
powers. She professes a readiness to negotiate
about the six points, but refuses the most essential
thing—the armistice. And I have reason to
believe that this refusal, whatever may be the
exact wording of it, is more categorical than the
France would have it supposed.
The Nation, which adds nothing substantially to
the analysis of the France, puts the matter thus
" Russia will not promise to take the initiative of
an armistice with the Poles, whom she cannot
recognise as belligerents." Another important
point in the answer, and one which offers an impe-
diment to the proposed conference in limine, is that
Russia desires to embrace other questions besides
that of Poland in the discussion. She makes this
condition, knowing that the three powers will not
consent to it. Austria will not, for many reasons ;
and France will not, if only because she knows
that Russia would bring forward the annexation of
Savoy and Nice as a breach of European law.
I do not find in any of the papers a confirmation
of the important news that the Emperor was coming
from Vichy to St. Cloud to-night. It may, how-
ever, be true ; it was stated very positively in
Bother's Correspondence.
The Nation says, in reference to the various
rumours about the reorganisation of Mexico, that
the Emperor has not yet come to "any sort of
decision" on the subject. This means naturally
that the question of appointing a civil governor of
the country, which it was said M. Hubert de
Lisle was to be, still remains open. General
Almonte's family, which has remained in Paris
since the outbreak of the war, is now preparing to
go out to him. This fact gives colour to the
rumour that he into be made a leading man under
the French protectorate.
The Bourse is weak, but exhibits no anxiety on
the subject of war. Rents only fell 10c., and
Credit Mobilier but 12fr. 50c.

A man has been arrested in Paris for forging the
winning number of a ticket for 100,000 f. in the
Montenegrin lottery which waa lately drawn. The