The Express.
London, England, 1858-11-27 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

(FILOX OVA OWN commerommurr.)

PARIS, PaIDLT ETZWINCI.

The Debate, in terms betraying some alarm,
notices the recent rumours of a coming war in Italy.
That these ?amours have not been confined to the
sphere of newspaper correspondence, but have occa-
sioned anxiety in high diplomatic circles, is attested
by the fact first mentioned by the Nord, and not now
doubted, that Count Walewski, on returning from
Compiegne, a few days ago, called together all the
ambassadors in Paris, and took the trouble to assure
them that there was no sort of foundation for the
reports in circulation, and that the Emperor would
not deviate from the policy which he had heretofore
followed. The Debate does not seem thoroughly
reassured by this statement, for it argues against
the policy of a war with Austria, under present
circumstances, as seriously as if it were really to
be apprehended. It is astonished at the sans fame
with which some people (a recent article in the
PreSSI is alluded to) talk of declaring war upon a
power in alliance with France without any of those
grievances which, according to the habits of
civilised nations, warrant a resort to war to redress
them. It deprecates the notion that the reign of
" universal peace " which the Emperor's professes
to be is only to be definitively inaugurated atter
just a " little war " with Austria :
We fancy we are dreaming when we read each things,
which remind us of the worst times of oar history. Axe
wen about to sere revived these anzemonable and fatal
doctrines which would impose upon the French people the
title of general redresser of wrongs, or as it used to be said,
that of the general many of tyrants ? We do not believe
that Frame has retained the Mate for these sort of adven-
tures, nor that she °maiden herself at this time of day cot
mimioned to enfranchise all people, and to regenerate the
world. France knows that, however brilliant the part she
may play for such objects, ahe is likely to meet with a very
unsatisfactory return for her services. She has, moreover,
some .apples about the legitimacy of these generous
crusades, and is disposed to agree with the rest of
Europe, that respect for treaties is one of the first
duties of a civilised nation. . . . There is no pretext
for going to war with Austria, because she hag small teats
for progress, or because she continues to occupy territories
the possession of which is guaranteed to her by treaties. To
simply say to a neighbouring nation," NWII displicnit toes,"
and to fall upon her, is not the act of a just and sensible
nation. Such a reason affords no justitlioation for a war even
if the secret object of it be the regeneration of the world and
the revival of the golden age. Bat, notwithstanding the
language of certain journals, such a conduct is not to be
feared on the part of Francs. We know by experience that
those who threaten or defy Europe are far from knowing the
intentions of the French government.

The Petrie, in an article signed ," Ch. Schiller,'o
a name which has often been• appended to semi-
official inspiration', denies, in a very faint way, that
the rumour alluded to by the Debars can be a ground
for " any serious anxiety, either among diplomatists
or the public." It repeats that the Emperor's policy
is a policy of peace, and that he will not depart from
; but then it says " war would only be imminent
if it more necessary." This is a vague and rather
amino= way of setting the public mind at rest
'bout rumours of war ; and moreover the
article concludes by stating that the French
army is not at Rome only to protect
the independence of the Pope, but also to
prevent any attempt at foreign domination incom-
patible with " the actual conditions of her political
organisation, or a fortiori with her hopes of regene-
ration." France, although she will not avail herself
of her power for the purposes of domination,
will "les that treaties and the rights of nations are
everywhere respected. She will not permit others
to do what she will not do herself. Such is the
policy which the Anglo-French alliance has made to
prevail in the world, and which it will maintain for
the happiness of nations." I cannot bat think that
the Anglo-French alliance is lugged in here mal-
apropos, and I trust and fully believe the English
government will be very slow to entangle itself with
France in any scheme whatever for redressing Euro-
pean grievances.
The article in the Proem was, lam certain, a
feeler more or less authorised, or at least winked at
by the Emperor.

A deplorable accident took place yesterday at
Vincennes. General Ardent, of the engineers, whilst
inspecting the artillery practice, was struck on the
head by a projectile, and killed on the spot. A
group of general °Seers, incladiug Marshal Vail-
lent, the Minister at War, Generals Count de
Lahitte, Morin, Charin, Coffinieree, Breseelles,
80., were close to General Ardent when he
fell, and were profusely sprinkled with his blood.
It was thought that many of them were wounded,
but that was not the case. General Ardent was at
once carried to the Vincennes Military Hospital,
but he expired a few minute. after his arrival there.
He was a very scientific officer, and a member of
the committee of engineers. He was formerly a
deputy in the time of M. Gaisot's ministry.
The Bourse opened with some weakness, improved
a little, and closed with no decided tendency. The
Rents rose be. for cash and Itic. for account, closing
at 74fr. lbc. and 741 r. 26c. Mobilier rare 12fr. boc.
Railways were lfr. or 2fr. higher.
A Cadiz letter of Nov. 21 annoances that the
Spanish ►quadron, which has been so long getting
ready to chase the Riff pirates, has at last started.
The same news came in a positive form by telegraph
a long while ago, but turned out not to be true.
The people on the Morocco coast have long been
like the man in the Critic, unable to see the
Spanish fleet, " because 'twas not is sight."