The southern press., 1852-03-06
rrsuso ana ber Foreign aslatIonsi

Eranse aDa Der Foreign heiatfOnst
The tone of the French press, under it's
present rigid censorship, is worthy Of obseIva
ton, as it may be supposed to reflect the poll
cy and indicate the purposes of the President.
Whatever his secret intentions may be, his
declarations, and those of his organs, have been
pacific.
One ofthe government prints, the Pays, thus
notices the speculations of foreign journals on
the probability of war between France and her
neighbors:
"A certain portion of the foreign journals
have been for some time past speaking of pro-
iects of war and conquests, which, thank God !
have no foundation. We have already shown
that Prince Louis Napoleon is too seriously
occupied with the work of social re-organiza-
ton, commenced on Dec. 2 Is too much de-
voted to the protection which the great internal
interests of France demand, to think OF foreign
complication. When nation has so much to
effect on is own territory, in reestablishing
the finances consolidating credits, developing
manufactures, and aiding agriculture, who can
imagine its government would engage in 1t the
perils of a foreign war? No doubt, neither
France. nor the men who direct her destinies,
| would recoil from what the national interests
might REQUIRE but that they should become
the aggressive party; without some irresistible
motive, is an hypothesis which ought to fall to
the ground rs nothing less than ridiculous.
Every conflict ought TO have some casus beli;
| and because the elected of the French people
bears the name of Napoleon, it does not follow
that he is fatally delivered over to the spirit of
war and conquest Combats for the Emperor
were not the mere effect of his fiery tempera-
ment it was great political and economical
views which caused him to draw his sword
against all Europe, and carry abroad the life of
| that France which had scarcely escaped from
the commissions of anarchy Who can impute
to the nephew of Napoleon mere unrehecting
ardor to engage in sanguinary struggles, with
out there being some cause which it would be
impossible to escape from? And where is
such cause to be found, where has it mani
tested itself in international relations? For
the past month, the English press has been
1 sounding the trumpet OF alarm with malevo
lent feeling which is quite incomprehensible.
| Not day has passed without articles on the
possibility of a French invasion, and. the best
means OF meeting it, The consequence has
been that business between the two countries
became materially affected; in fact, to hear
what was said, one would imagine that England
was threatened by new William the Conquer.
or. Nothing less than the solemn declarations
OF Lord John Russell in the House of Com
mons, and the stong manner in which he spoke
against the conduct of the English press, could
suffice to put an end to these rumors of differ.
enees which, it was said existed between the
French and English governments. Then part
of the Belgium journals took W, though in
another tone, the theme of the English news
papers.
6 Ii was first, concert of attacks and insults
on the President of the republic; and next,
series of articles against the warike projects
which, they affirmed, he entertained. And here
| il was said that the means which were in con-
temptation were still more expeditions, being
nothing else than a decree, proclaiming the
union Of Belgium to France so that a nation
was 10 be thus struck off the map of Europe by
the dash of n pen. But the execution of such a
decree-had any one thought to what it amount
ed? Why,to nothing else than war and insur-
rection--Belgium up in arms, and Europe con-
vulsed by the rupture of the treaties which gov
ern her The Emancipation has reduced to
nothing these political clnards.
"The President of the repxblic expresses
strongly to the Belgian ministers his pacific in.
tentions, and asks only one thing from Belgium
not TO allow him to be traduced and insulted
| by her publications. At the same time that
L
was rumored about that an invasion of Switzer
land was meditated, and some facts being inter-
preted in an unfayorable sense, many persons
became apprehensive of what might occur in this
last named country. We have no intention to
examine the Swiss question, complicated as il is
with difficulties quite unconnected with France,
and relating solely 20 other European govern
ments The complications which exist between
Prussia and the Hevetic republic relative 10 the
principaity of Neufchatel, and the representa-.
tons, made at different times by Austria, are
well known but we have nothing TO do with
the manner in which the negotiations, now so
long pending, are 10 terminate. The question
for us consists altogether in the attitude Of
1 France towards Switzerland, and the possibility
of war on that point The whole interest Of
France is concentrated in the question Of the
refugees Our government has n right 10 de.
mand that there shall not be on our frontiers,
and close 10 Lyons, permanent hot bed Of
agitation, obliging rigorous Surveillance 10 be
kept up, alike annoying 10 individuals, and injuh
Gus 10 the general interests Of The country. But
in thai respect, we believe that the federal gov
ernmentquite agrees in the views OF the French
government, and considers itself directly inter
ested In their accomplishment IL is said that
General Dufour is about, before long, 10 come
to France, with the mission 10 settle, in concert
with the President Of The republic, the various
difficulties which may arise on Chat point That
consequently, is question which Is TO be de
\ cded by The pacific ems Of diplomacy and Of
international right sndJFh'ch public opinion has
no need TO trouble tself about When, besides,
all the public and private sympatbes and tradi-
tons which bind Switzerland 10 France are
borne in mind, the public may be completely
assured on the eventuaity Of hostile relations
between The two countries"