The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-31
roREraN NEWS,
Received By the .4sia, ichieh sailed from Liner
pool on the 18th inst.

Rupture between England and France and
Russia.
Fyom Wilmer & Smiths European Tunes, 1Iay Is.
London yesterday in state Of the most fe-
verish excitement. II was known on Thursday
that the French ambassador, nj. Drouyn de PHuys,
had left the British metropolis for Paris, on day
Of all others when the courteses of diplomacy were
most strictly Overwhelmingly, the anniversary
OF the queens birthday; and 1t was also known by
the papers of the following morning, that the Rus
sian ambassador was absent from the dinner party
which Lord Palmerston gave to the ambassadors in
honor of the event. These two circumstances, com
bined, produced in political circles some uneasi-
ness in consequence of the turn which il was feared
the Greek dispute had taken. Explanations in
both houses Of Parliament were accordingly sought
for, and given by Lord Lansdowne in the Lords,
and Lord Palmerston in the Commons. The for
mer described the recall of the French ambassador
as an "event Of Importance" but he subsequently
denied that il was of "graveimportance," and init
mated that the French government required his
presence in the National Assembly, to give such
explanation as the case required. Lord Palmer
ston, judging from the few sentences which fell
from him, seems to have treated the affair less
riously. al trust" said the noble viscount, "that
nothing arise out Of these circumstances likely
to disturb the friendly relations between England
and France"
The Times, of yesterday, which cvinces the same
fondness for the foreign secretary that nameless
parsonage is said to do for holy water, showed in
leading article that matters were far more alarm
ingly entangled than the explanations" Of the
previous night would induce the public to suppose
II is needless TO inquire from whom the Times de-
rives its information but evident that the foreign
office is infested with traitors; and it seems to US
most discreditable that paper which wears the
ministerial livery, and is literally, in all other re-
spects, the organ of the ministry, should, in its
anxiety to stab member of that ministry. who is
obnoxious in its eyes, carry its personal vindictive
ness to an extent which is really calculated to
barrass the relations between the two countries.
The funds, which are always the test Of public feel
ing ON these occasions, experienced decided
ahp napa uybic affo tI,a VInnae flpr
at 96a, Immediately declined per cent, but they
subsequently rallied, and closed at SO to 95t.
The explanation which Lord John Russell gave
last night in the House of Commons, does not throw
much light the matter, but, as far as ii goes, 1t
exhibits the soreness which the French government
feels at what is evidently regarded our cavalier
treatment Of its representative the Baron de Gros,
at Athens. Lord John stated that this would have
been fully and satisfactorily cleared up if the Baron
had remained at Athens three days longer. 1t is
also clear, from the admission, somewhat reluct-
antly wrung from the prime minister, that if Lord
Pamerson had not in his possession, at the time he
gave his explanation the previous evening, the letter
from the French Secretary for Foreign Affairs re-
calling M Drouyn de Hugs from London TO Paris,
and assigning a reason the insult put upon the
French government arising out of the Greek dis
pute that the letter of recall had been nevertheless
read to him.
1t would be too much to say that the explanation
of Lord Palmerston the previous night was dsin-
genuous for official explanations Of the kind
often very enigmatcal; but, certainly, the cool
and composed manner in which he treated the sub
ect showed either that he thought the affair would
s'blow over,'' that his nerves were not east
ly shaken An accomplished diplomatist requires
the boldness of the lion and the cunning of the fox
Has Lord Palmerson both, only one of these
qualities?
The worst feature of this ugly business relates to
the proceedings in the National Assembly
Thursday, where the announcement by the Foreign
Secretary that he had recalled M. Drouyn de Hugs,
bee of the insult England had put upon France,
produced the greatest possible excitement and de-
light, followed by cries of bravo !" and the clap
ping of hands, and other demonstrations which
showed how palatable the act was to the National
Assembly. In this unseemly manifestation, the
leading men of all parties in the assembly are said
have joined. 1t is difficult to say, in the present
position Of Louis Napoleon, what part his necessi
ties may compel him to act. The question will be
speedily and amicably settled if the vindication Of
French honor be his object But if Interior ends
arctic be attempted, a quarrel, arising out OF cir
cumstances in themselves trivial may lead TO
suits which fearful TO contemplate. We await
the issue with hope, and without fear.