The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-22 00:00:00

tltri) itton

SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock.

FRANCE.

The Moniteur F üblishes the following " communi-
cated " article:—

" The protest of the Government inserted in the
journals, on the occasion of a recent article in the Patrie,
is likewise addressed to the article of the Constitutionnel
of the 20th November. The French Government can-
not, in any manner, accept the responsibility of attacks
directed against Governments the allies of the Republic."
The article of the Patrie was against Russia ; that
of the Constitutionnel against Prussia.
Tne Constitutionnel has the following on the affairs
of La Plata :—" Since the arrival of the Prony,
which, as we have already announced, brought the
GJvernment the new treaties concluded by Admiral
Le Predour with Generals Roles and Olive, several
journals have again discussed them. They are,
doubtless, like ourselves, ignorant of the precise
text of the treaties. Nevertheless, we do cot think
we are wrong in saying that if all the modifi-
cations demanded by the Government have not
been obtained, those which have been made
render the acceptance and the ratification of these
treaties perfectly posssible. In order to give more
for e to their attacks, in the default of official docu-
me its, some organs of the Orposition press have pub-
liseed an inexact text, taken from the journals of
Monte Video, and have grounded their remarks on
erronegus information. Public opinion should not
allow itself to be led away by a language dictated by
passion, particularly on a question which so nearly
concerns our commercial interests. The Govern-
ment
has already sufficiently shown how jealous
it is on the point of national honour, for every
one to be persuaded that on this as well as on
every other question it will know how to defend the
dignity and the interests of the country. Since the
day that fresh political complications arose on the
banks.of La Plata, the face of things has completely
changed; the French subjects who were established
in the Uruguay have crossed the river and removed
their establishments into the province of Buenos Ayres.
According to the most certain information the number
of those who are now in the Argentine Confederation
amounts to nearly 25,000 ; on all the territory con-
quered by Oribe, the French population has attained
the number of more than 2,000. There are, therefore,
from 25,000 to 27,000 French subjects living under
the laws of Roses and of Oribe. At Monte Video
the French population does not exceed 2,500. To
carry war into these countries would be to condemn
to certain destruction the numerous Frenchmen esta-
blished in the Argentine provinces or on the Oriental
territory subjected to Oribe. We are not of the
number of those who wish for peace at any price, but
when peace is compatible with national honour, and
its conclusio❑ has for its object to secure the existence
of important material interests, we shall always ad-
vise it.

The Constitutionnel says :—" We were right in
calling in doubt the exactitude of the intelligence,
given some weeks back by certain journals, relative
to the re-commencement of commercial relations be-
tween the island of Reunion and Madagascar. The
rumour was no', however, absolutely devoid of
foundation. It was founded on this fact, that
M. de Lastelle, long established as a merchant
in the coentry of the Ovas, had, for a certain sum
of money, obtained from the Queen authorisation
to sell, until December 31, the produce of his estab-
lishment. A certain number of traders and ship-
owners of our colony bad hastened to take advan-
tage of this authorisation, but the Governor of Re-
union M. Doret, put an end to their preparations, by
publishing a decree interdicting the introduction of
goods corning from the ports of Madagascar occu-
pied by the Ovas. This measure was founded on
this consideration—that such a market would be be-
neath the national dignity. The Governor's deci-
sion led to some dissatisfaction, but it is evident
that, for the sake of a short intercourse of business,
the future prospects of our relations with Madagas-
car ought not to be sacrificed. Since the last hosti-
lities, the French Government had not ceased to in-
vite the Queen of Madagascar to admit the incontes-
table right which we possess to carry on business
with that island. To profit by the caprice which
prompted tie Princess to accord to a simple indi-
vidual the position which was refused to the mass of
the nation, would be an improper course for French
commerce to pursue. France may consent not to
exercise for the time being the sovereignty which
she poesesses over Madagascar, but she is evidently
boaLd to reserve her liberty of action, and not allow
precedents to be established which may hercater
be appealed to against her. In other respects, the
letters which we receive from Relunion are satis-
factory."