The Express.
London, England, 1866-05-04 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM PARIS.

M. ROUHER'S SPEECH.
(711031 Ova OWN 00111t1SPONDNNT.)
PARIS. TuresDAT EVININO.
The debate in the Corps Legislatif to-day on the
bill for the annual contingent of 100,000 men was
opened, not as was expected by M. Thiers or M.
Gsrnier-Paes, but by the Minister of State in
person. M. Rouher said :
The bill relative to the contingent has appeared to some
members of this assembly to furnish a natural opportunity
for discussion on the affairs of Germany. It is
the opinion of the government that it could not
accept this discussion to-day without exposing
itself to many and serious inconveniences. But at a mo-
ment when rumours of war prevail in Europe and cause
immense anxiety in the public mind, it is the duty of the
government to make known to the Corps Legislatif and to
the country the character of the policy which it has pur-
sued, what is its present attitude towards Germany, and,
more especially, what is its situation in regard to Italy.
This duty I am here to fulfil by a declaration, the brevity
of which will not exclude clearness and precision.
(Cheers.) The policy of the imperial government in
the question of the duchies has been invariably
pacific. While controlling any observations it might
think fit to make by considerations of its own per-
sonal dignity, and the susceptibilities of powers with
which it stands in friendly relations, it has from the first,
ea in the succeeding phases of the conflict at Copenhagen,
London, Vienna, and Berlin, always given prudent and
moderate counsels. It continues with as much energy as
ever to protect the peace of Europa against regrettable
conflicts. By what singular contradiction could it
be possible that the imperial government should
lay itself out to develop public prosperity at home, to
mark its progress by an international exhibition,
sad at the same time be indifferent to dangers which may
arise abroad from the conflict of rival passions ? (Cheers.)
Our efforts in favour of peace are therefore only limited by
our firm determination not to saddle France with any
obligation—(applause)—and to reserve our liberty of action
towards the hostile powers in conflict. In these questions
which neither affect the honour, the dignity, or the direct
interest of our country, was it not the duty of the Em-
peror's government to declare its pacific tendencies, to
respect and to practice the rules of a loyal and sincere
neutrality, and consequently to remain in the face of
complicated events, free to act? Accordingly it has resolved
to make no other use of this liberty than in order to
accomplish an easy mission to protect the grandeur and
security of France against all comers. Special duties were
imposed upon us in regard to a nation with which we have
traditional sympathies, reinforced by recent military
confraternity. Italy may think herself called upon
to intervene actively in the conflict threatened
between Austria and Pruasia. Every nation is
the judge of its own interests. We cannot pre-
tend to dictate to Italy, who is free to act as she
pleases, because she alone is re-ponsible. (Applause.)
But the interest which we all have forces us to
a categorical explanation with her. Now, Italy knows,
from our reiterated declarations, that as we deprecate any
attack upon her by Austria, we are fully resolved to leave
Italy at her own risk and peril in case of her making any
attack upon Austria. (Cheers.) The declaration of the
government is, therefore, summed up in three lines—a
pacific policy ; loyal neutrality ; an entire liberty of
action. The government is confident that this line of
conduct, which maintains our complete independence, and
which relieves us from responsibility, is conformable to
Judie* and truth, and that on these grounds it will de-
serve the approbation of the chamber and the country.
M. Thiers spoke after M. Rouher, and I am told
by a friend in the Chamber whom I happened to
meet at the moment of the breaking up of the
sitting, that he reproached the government with
having implicitly countenanced an aggrandisement
of Germany, contrary to all the traditions and all
the interests of France. It would have been easy,
he argued, for France to have remonstrated effec-
tually with Prussia, either strongly or politely.
The present government has taken neither one
course nor the other. The result of the debate so
much looked for is quite unimportant. The 100,000
men were voted with a barren expression of
opinion by the chamber that peace might be pre-
served ; but, and this is the observation
which I echo from a deputy, not a word was spoken
in the debate to give any hope that war would not
occur. As to M. Rouher's speech, it speaks for
itself. I can see in it not a word inconsistent with
the general belief that war is coming, and that
France, of course " reserving her liberty of action,"
will take a great part in it.
The Bourse has been better, owing, I rather
think, to false reports of the tenor of M. Rouher's
speech. Bente rose 40c. and 42ic., closing at
65fr. 15c. and 65fr. 2t/c. Italian rose 85c. Other
securities were rather lower than otherwise.