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

IMPORIANT FRENCH CIRCULAR ON

71.1 E GREER Q UESTION.

In order to remove ail dcubt as to the policy
which France is resolved to pursue in reference to
Greece, M. Drouyn de Lhuys has just sent round a
circular to each of the representatives of the French
Government in foreign countries. 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 circumstances arising out 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
I which France was a party ; on the other the una-
-1 nimous movement of a people desirous of modifying
its Government. Between these two opposite facts
France had but one line to follow—to leave the
Greek people free to elect the assembly represent-
ing 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
I faithfully followed.
The note adds, that requested to point out a can•
didate for the throne of Greece, the Government of
his Majesty the Emperor of the French did not fee.
itself at liberty to comply, convinced that in acting
thus it would cause a moral pressure, restricting
the full liberty of the Greeks, and violating treaties.
The crown of Greece could not, in fact, be consi-
dered vacant by France any more than by England
or Russia, until the Hellenic nation had 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. Drouyn de Lhuys then goes on to state with
regret that whilst the Government of his Imperial
Majesty followed in perfect good faith the line it
had 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,
and 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 coun-
try. Would not Europe accept with reluctance the
increase of influence-which would result therefrom
to England ? Would not the two other 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 com-
plications ?
M. Drouyn de Lhuys thinks that, under these
circumstances, the government of Great Britain has
perhaps occupied itself too much with a candidature
which it believed it had reason to fear, and has been
desirous of obtaining guarantees which were not
necessary. He trusts that the uneasiness to which
these circumstances have given rise will soon be
terminated.
Relying on the wisdom of the British government,
and informed by its representative at Paris. that
England is ready to disavow the candidature of
Prince Alfred if Russia on her side will consent to
the exclusion of any Prince belonging to the Im-
perial family of Russia; convinced, moreover, that
the latter power is ready to make this declaration,
the French Minister sees no further obstacle to an
understanding between the three powers, and con-
cludes with the expression of a hope that the three
powers will agree to point out for the choice of
Greece a Prince who will be able to ensure her
,rosperity without compromising that of Europe.