The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-18 00:00:00

THE IMPERIAL CIRCULAR.

The following is the text of the circular despatch
addressed by the French Government to its repre-
sentatives in foreign countries :
" PARIS, Sept. 16.

" Sir,—The Emperor's Government cannot any
longer defer the expression of its views concerning
the events which have just been accomplished in
Germany. M. de Moustier being necessarily absent
for some time longer, his Majesty has directed me to
explain to his diplomatic agents the motives which
actuate his policy. The war which broke out in
Central and Southern Europe has destroyed the
Germanic Confederation, and has definitively esta-
blished Italian nationality. Prussia, whose limits
'have been extended by victory, is predominant on
the right bank of the Main. Austria has lost Venetia,
and she is separated from Germany. In presence of
these considerable changes all States must be alive
to a feeling of responsibility; they ask themselves
what is the effect of the recently concluded peace—
what will be its influence upon European order, and
upon the international position of each Power?

" Public opinion in France has been excited. It
wavers doubtfully between the joy of seeing the
Treaties of 1815 destroyed, and a fear lest the power
of Prussia should assume excessive proportions—
between a desire for the preservation of peace and
the hope of obtaining by war a territorial extension.
It rejoices at the complete enfranchisement of Italy,
but wishes to be reassured in respect of dangers
which might menace the Holy Father. The per-
plexities that disturb men's minds, and which also
have their effects abroad, impose upon the Govern-
ment the duty of stating clearly the light in which
it regards the subject.

" France ought never to have an equivocal policy.
If she be affected in her interests or in her strength
by the important changes which are taking place in
Germany, she ought to declare it frankly, and
should take the measures which may be necessary
for insuring her security. If she loses nothing by
the pending transformations, she ought to state the
fsai
oc sincerely,
nt
sand
ardent
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provokinge rated p p rienhnteer --
itcahinsthiees sahnoduldtopuersstaube.lishlnf
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national jealousies, might divert her from the course
n-
which
look at what has happened and what is likely to
happen in all their bearings. What do we find in
the past? After 1815 the Holy Alliance united
against France all the peoples from the Ural to the
Rhine. The Germanic Confederation comprised
with Prussia and Austria 80 millions of people ; it
extended from Luxemburg to Trieste, from the Baltic
to Trente, and surrounded us with an iron girdle
supported by five Federal fortresses ; our strategi-
cal position was restricted by the most skilful ter-
ritorial combinations. The slightest difficulty that
might Prussia on the Moselle, with Germany on the Rhine,
withAoucstcruira binetwtheeenTuysrolaonrd Holland or with
the Friuli, brought
against us the combined forces of the entire Con-
Adige, could advance at a fitting moment to the
Alps. Prussian
ru ssAiaunstGriearn Gmanyerimlaa , invincible on the
any
an advanced guard
upon the Rhine in the minor States, incessantly
agitated by desires for political transformations, and
as the enemy of their
."
If we except Spain, we had no possibility of
disposedex iten ee toand
r regard atheir
France
aspirations.
forming an alliance on the Continent. Italy was
parcelled out and impotent ; she was not to be
counted as a nation. Prussia was neither suffi-
ciently compact nor sufficiently independent to de-
tach herself from traditions. Austria was too much
engaged possessions in Italy to be
a
Doubtless the long prevalence of peace has caused
leto effectin
the dangers of these territorial organisations and
alliances to be forgotten, for they appear to be for-
midable only at the time when war is about to
preserving.ait
n,
aherte understanding with us.
break out ; but this precarious security France has
sometimes obtained at the price of foregoing her
position (role) in the world. It is incontestable that
during nearly 40 years she has found raised against
her the coalition of the three Northern Courts
united by the recollections of common defeats
and victories, by similar principles of government,
by solemn treaties, and by sentiments of distrust
towards our liberal and civilizing action. If now
we examine the future of transformed Europe, what
guarantees does it offer to France and to the peace
of the world? The coalition of the three Northern
Courts is broken up. The new principle that governs

" By what singular reaction of the past upon the
future should public opinion see, not the allies, but
the enemies of France in those nations enfranchised
from a past which was hostile to us summoned to a
new life, governed by principles which are our own,
and animated by those sentiments of progress which
are the peaceful bond of modern societies ?
" A Europe more strongly constituted, rendered
more homogeneous by more precise territorial divi-
sions, is a guarantee for the peace of the Continent,
and is neither a danger nor an injury" to our nation.
This nation with Algeria will shortly reckon more
than 40 millions of inhabitants ; Germany 37 mil-
lions, of which 29 millions are in the Northern Con-
federation and eight millions in the Southern Con-
federation ; Austria, 35 millions ; Italy, 26 millions ;
Spain, 18 millions. What is there in this distribu-
tion of European forces which can disquiet us?
" An irresistible power (can it be regretted ?) im-
pels peoples to unite themselves in great masses
by causing the disappearance of minor States.
This tendency arises from a desire to assure to the
general interests more efficacious securities. Per-
haps it may be inspired by a kind of providential
anticipation of the destinies of the world. While
the ancient populations of the Continent within
their restricted territories increase but slowly, Russia
and the United States of America may each before
another century has expired contain 100 millions of
inhabitants. Although the .progress of these two
great empires cannot be to us a source of uneasi-
ness, and while, ou the contrary, we applaud their
generous efforts on behalf of oppressed races, it is
proper that, with a wise foresight in respect of the
future, the nations of Central Europe should not re-
main parcelled out into so many different States,
withhout strength and without public spirit. Poli-
tical science should rise above the narrow and paltry
prejudices of a past age. The Emperor does not
believe that the greatness of one country depends
upon the weakening of neighbouring peoples, and
sees no real balance of power save in the satisfied
wishes of the nations of Europe. In that be fol-
lows his ancient convictions and the traditions of his
race. Napoleon I. foresaw the changes which are
now taking place upon the European Continent.
Ile planted the germs of new nationalities in the
Peninsula by creating the kingdom of Italy ; in
Germany by causing the disappearance of 253 inde-
pendent States.
"If these considerations are well-founded and
true, the Emperor was right in accepting the part
of mediator, which has not been devoid of glory, in
order to put an end to useless and lamentable
bloodshed, to moderate the victor by his friendly
intervention, to modify the consequences of re-
verses, to bring about, despite many obstacles, the
restoration of peace. He would, on the other hand,
have mistaken his great responsibility if, violating
a promised and proclaimed neutrality, he had rushed
suddenly into all the risks of a great war, one of
those wars which revive the hatreds of races, and
in which entire nations are engaged. What really
could have been the object of such a contest volun-
tarily entered upon with Prussia, and necessarily
with Italy ? A conquest—a territorial aggrandise-
ment. But the Imperial Government has long since
applied its principles in respect to an extension of
territory. It understands—it bas understood—
annexations dictated by an absolute necessity
uniting to the country populations having the same
customs, the same national spirit as ourselves, and
it sought for the free consent of Savoy and the
county of Nice to the re-establishment of our
national frontiers. France can only desire those
territorial aggrandisements which will not affect her
coherent power ; but she must always strive for
moral and political aggrandisement by employing
her influence for the great interests of civilisation.
"Her part is to cement the union between all the
Powers that desire at the same time to maintain
the principle of authority and to favour the cause
of progress. The alliance will take from revolution
the prestige which has been claimed for it of further-
ing the cause of freedom for the people, and will
preserve to great enlightened States the wise direc-
tion of the Democratic movement which manifests
itself throughout Europe.
" Nevertheless, there is in the emotion which has
been evoked in 'the country a legitimate sentiment
which it is right to acknowledge and to define. The
results of the last war contain a grave lesson, and one
which has cost nothing to the honour of our arms.
They point out to us the necessity, for the defence
of our territory, of perfecting without delay our
military organisation. The nation will not be want-
ing to this task, which can be a menace to no one ;
it has a just pride in the valour of its armies ; its
susceptibilities awakened by the recollections of its
military pomps, by the name and the acts of the
Sovereign who governs it, are but the expressions
of its energetic will to maintain against all attempts
its rank and its influence in the world.

" In short, from .the elevated point of view from
which the Imperial Government regards the destinies
of Europe, the horizon appears to be cleared of all
menacing eventualities; formidable problems which
ought to have been resolved because they could not
be evaded pressed upon the destinies of populations;
they might have been imposed at a more inoppor-
tune period; they have received their natural solu-
tion without too violent shocks, and without the
dangerous co-operation of revolutionary passions.
A peace which reposes upon such bases will be a
durable peace.
" As to France, in whatever direction she looks,
she can perceive nothing which can impede her pro-
gress or interrupt her prosperity. Preserving friendly
relations with all Powers, directed by a policy which
has generosity and moderation for its strength, re-
lying upon her imposing unity, with all her extended
genius, her treasures, and her credit, which fertilise
Europe ; with her developed military forces, sur-
rounded henceforth by independent nations, she
will appear not less great, she will remain not less
respected.
" Such is the language which you must hold in
your communications with the Government to which
you. are accredited. " Accept,. &c.,
4 LATALLETTE."