The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-17 00:00:00

FORRIGN AFFAIRS.

If the Times expresses a hope that France may
recede from an untenable position vith regard to Luxem-
burg, it is not because it holds that right preponderates
on the aide of Germany. Legally, the only rights in-
volved are those of the King of frolland and the Emperor
Napoleon, the former of whom is at liberty to sell, and
the latter to buy, the nominal sovereignty, with any pri-
vileges that may attach to it. The reason why a conces-
sion may honourably be made by France is, that the over-
tures for the transfer proceeded in the first instance from
the Hague, and that the opposition to it is notoriously
supported by the whole German people, who believe,
reasonably or unreasonably, that a cession of
Luxemburg would be the prelude to further "
reeti-
fications" of the north-eastern frontier of France.
Under such circumstances the French nation has no motive
for insisting upon a contract which promises them no solid
benefit, and which would excite a storm of patriotic indig-
nation in Germany which would greatly contribute to its
strength. By recognising the reluctance of the Luzern-
burgers themselves to change their existing lot, the Em-
peror Napoleon will gain a diplomatic advantage, and be
enabled to intervene hereafter with far greater effect if
any violent attempt should be made to unite Luxemburg
with Prussia.

So far has the verbal fight gone between France and
Germany that the Standard doubts whether even such a
compromise as the neutralisation of the Duchy of Luxem-
burg, involving, of course, the destruction of the fortress,
would now avert the conflict. England, Russia, and
Austria might appropriately propose that solution, but
the chances of its acceptance by either France or Prussia
would be but poor. True, it would save the honour of
both, and if there were a real desire to maintain peace,
it would be welcomed by both. But so much passion has
now been excited, so intense a conviction that there must
be a war, and in strong a desire for it has grown up in both
countries, that a compromise would, probably, be ac.
ceptable to neither.
The Daily News fears that the verdict of a naval court-
martial upon Admiral Persano would bave been consider-
ably more severe than that of the Senate, if the court-
martial had been composed of the divisional rear-admirels
and captains who served under him at Lissa, one moral
of this sad affair is clear enough to the most uninstructed
civilian mind, and that is the utter waste of the most
costly material, if the eserak, the spirit, the discipline of
officers and ships' companies, and the ectip-d'crif of the
commander-in-chief are found wanting when the hour of
trial has struck.

Discussing the chances of the new Italian cabinet, the
Tina observes that while liatani is promising to loyally
execute the September Convention, Garibaldi and the
Roman committee appear to be arranging for an insurrec-
tion. Evidently the new premier will lie on no bed of
roses. His friends are few but stanch ; foremost among
them is the King. In the same Cabinet with Ricasoli,
Ratarsi would have been a godsend to Italy in her present
straits. Alone, this will be the third time that he takes
the destinies of the country in his hands. Let us hope
that present success may efface all recollections of past
failures.

The Post thinks it would be folly to disguise the fact
that a ministry confirmedly existing on mere sufferance,
which the first assault of Signor Crispi can shake to its
foundation', which the first frown of Baron Ricasoli can
scatter to the winds, doe■ not present the guarantees for
the preservation of order at home and the maintenance of
an independent attitude abroad which, in the present
domestic and foreign relations of Italy, are imperatively
called for.

The Daily News describes the manner in which Mr.
Johnson's purchase of Russian America has been received
in the States. The New York Trilogne, which pre-eminently
represents the yeomen of the North, that class of citizens
which within these seven years has again and again shown
that it holds the real governing power of the republic, de-
nounces the suggestion that the purchase was in any sort a
menace to Great Britain, and regrets that the government
should place the country for a moment in an attitude of
seeking ostentatiously the friendship of a power not
friendly to England, and of contracting what is tantamount
to an alliance for the sake of an affront.