The Express.
London, England, 1862-12-10 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

GREECE.

ACTION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
FRENCH CIRCULAR,
The Nerd of to-day gives the following as the
substance of a communication made on the 3rd
inst. by Lord Napier' the British Ambassador at
the court of St. Petersburg, to Prince Gortchakoff
The English government, in agreement with the two other
powers who signed the treaties relating to Greece, intends
to conform to the stipulations which forbid the Hellenic
throne to the members of the reigning families of the
three guaranteeing courts. However, it does not believe it
to be a right or a duty to maintain that clause which
imposes orthodoxy upon the sovereign of Greece in the
event of the Greek people wishing to rid themselves of it,
and deeming it tit to choose a king of another religion.
This claim the English government regards u binding
only upon the legitimate heirs of King Other Now as
there is a change of dynasty this clause is de facto annulled,
and Greece is perfectly free to modify the article of the
constitution which imposes it.

The Morning Herald (which, according to the
Indlretalanee of yesterday, has for some time acted
as the " officious " organ in England of the French
government) publishes exclusively this morning a
French circular ou the Greek question, which K
Drouyn de Lhuys has just sent to each of the re-
presentatives of the French government abroad.
The substance of the note is as follows :
After having acknowledged the moderation which the
Greek nation has exhibited in the presence of the grave air.
cumstances arising sot of recent events, the minister
declares that the government of his Imperial Majesty has
not remained an indifferent spectator of what has passed,
but did not think it right to offer any opposition.
Two considerations presented themselves : on the one side
the treaties that established Greece, to which France was
a party; on the other the unanimous movement of •
people desirous of modifying its government. Between
these two opposite facts France h►d but one line to follow
—to leave the Greek people free to elect the assembly
representing the nation, and to adhere, in accord with the
co-protecting powers, to the engagements jointly signed by
them. This is the line the Emperor has faithfully fol-
lowed.

The note adds, that, requested to point out a candidate
for the throne of Greece, the government of his Majesty
the Emperor of the French did not feel itself at liberty to
comply, convinced that in acting thus it would be causing
a moral pressure restricting the full liberty of the Greeks,
and violating treaties. The crown of Greece could not, in
fact, be considered vacant by France any moro than by Eng-
land or Russia, until the Hellenic nation bad designated a
new sovereign, and the three protecting powers had agreed
to recognise him. Up to that time the existing engagements
would preserve all their force.
M. Dronyn de Lbnys then goes on to slue with regret
that whilst the government of his Imperial Majesty fol-
lowed in perfect good faith the line it bad traced for

itself, the name of a prince belonging to one of the three
powers was brought forward, and that this candidature
was supported rather than discouraged in Greece.
Whilst rendering full justice to the eminent qualities
of Prince Alfred, sad appreciating the lively sympathies
of which he is the object in Greece, the French government
is not disposed to admit that his elevation to the throne
will assure the security and happiness of the country.
Would not Europe accopt with reluctance the increase of
influence which would result therefrom to England! Would
not the two lother powers see in it a violation of treaties!
Finally, would not the overthrow of the balance of power
in the East and in the Mediterranean bring about inevitable
complications!
M. Drouyu de Lhnys thinks that, under these circum-
stances, the government of Great Britain has perhaps occu-
pied itself too much with a candidature which it believed
it had reason to fear, and has been desirous of obtaining
guarantees which ware not necessary. He trusts that the
uneasiness to which these circumstances have given rise will
soon be terminated.

Relying on the "'Mom of the British government, and
informed by its representative at Paris that England is
ready to disavow the rantlidcaure of Prince Alfred if Kumla
on her side will consent to the exclusion of any prince be-
longing to the imperial family of Kuria convinced, more-
over, that the latter power is ready to make this declara-
tion, the French minister seee no further obstacle to an un-
derstanding between the three powers, and concludes with
the expression of • hope that the three powers will agree
to point out for the choice of Greece • prince who will be
able to ensure her prosperity without compromising that of
Europe.
The Morning Post believes that King Ferdinand
of Portugal will receive the joint support of the
three powers :
His Majesty (says our contemporary) is in the prime of
life, being only forty-six years of age. During the minority
of his eon he governed a constitutional kingdom as regent
for some years. He is a prince of much capacity, and, by
the excellent education ho gave his children, emulated the
great qualities of our own Prince Albert. The King is,
moreover, a cousin of the young priors who is forbidden to
avail himself of his Battering election. Thereis butone draw-
back to King Ferdinand. He is 'Roman catholic. The feeling'
of a Greek rival those of the strongest protestant in dislike
for that faith. But it is impossible to find a candidate who
is totally unimpeachable, and it is to be hoped the Greeks
will be content to accept a prints of such lofty connexions,
honourable reputation, and tried ability, as King Ferdinand.
We may not unreasonably expect that the Greeks, when
the excitement of the present moment has passed away,
will lend not an unwilling ear to this suggestion of the
great powers, whose countenance and aid must be of vital
consequence to them iu their present attempt at regeneration.