The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-17


show the foundations for the rumored invasion
of England by France, as well as the opinions
entertained on .4e subject.
Tie a. prehension was doubtless occasioned
by the ter of the Paris correspondent Of the
London Morning Chronicle dated on the eve
ming Of the 26th--he says:
"The impression is becoming daily stronger
that we are on the eve of war. Those who are
acquainted with the sentiments of Louis Napo-
leon on the subject, all admit that he will not
only do nothing to avoid war, but that he will
be glad of the opportunity OF waging it. His
firm and decided opinion is that martial success
is necessary to the consolidation of his power,
and that his surest means Of retaining hold of
the French people, and more especially OF the
French army, is to give employment to the
troops. The idea of war is not new to Louis
Napoleon. 1t was his first thought after his
election in l848 II was the first suggestion he
made to NJ. Theirs, when that statesman went
to the Elysee; and il, in Difference to the opin-
ions of his ministers, and in face Of the oppo-
si,ion of the assembly, he then postponed the
fulfment Of his idea, il must not be supposed
that he has abandoned it. It's well known that
it is one Of the peculiar characteristics of Louis
Napoleon, that he never abandons a wish or an
| idea which he thinks will contribute to his own
interests. Since his election as President, we
have had many instances of that fact; but the
latest and most notorious is the coniscaton of
! the Orleans possessions. There is hardly ira
/ dition connected with the empire that he does
| not wish to resuscitate--from the continental
4 blockade Of the Rhine frontier, to the Invasion
of England. lam credibly Informed that at the
4 present moment the Presidents whole idea is
| with respect TO the invasion Of England that
he has consulted generals, studied the plans of
the Boulogne expedition, received reports on the
feasibility of the passage of the channel, &c.
There is not man connected with the Ely
sec that does not affect to speak of the invasion
as an affair that is not only practicable, but
will be attempted. There are, unhsppily, too
many points on all OF which it would be easy
to rouse the feelings Of the French nation, and
any one Of which would be an excuse for war.
The friends of Louis Napoleon imagine--and
fear imagine truly--that the French people want
to have revenge for the defeat at Waterloo, and
for the imprisonment Of the Emperor at st. He.
lena. Such war they say would be popular
and in such circumstances why should they not
undertake. it! know nothing of the feelings
, of other countries, but here the belief is that
Russia would join in any attack which Francs
4
: tain il is that since the I'd Of December the re-
preventative Of Russia has been the most assid.
uous in his attendance at the Elysee, and the
most honored of the diplomatic corps; that Rus
sian mobiles are more plentiful in Paris at the
present moment than they have ever been since
1913; and that both amongst the French and
the Russians it is currently stated that an ar
rangement between France and Russia could
easily be managed, for that Russia would not
interfere with the extension of the French from
tier to the Rhine, if France would permit Russia
to seize on Constantinople. What now write
is the conversation which hear around me, and
have reason to think that the opinion of the
most clearsighted politician is that war is una
voidable. ! am therefore glad to see that the
question of our national defenees has been taken
up in England in u manner which promises to
lead to good results. 1t is to be hoped that the
government will not be dissuaded from taking
real and effective measures of defence, either by
misjudged notions Of economy, or by the sneers
Of the organs of The French government"
AS an offset to all this, the London STANDARD
says:
| "We have received the following from cor.
respondent whom we have hitherto found ex
tremely well informed: Far from entertaining
any Nafhhc intentiOus, tne fencu ffeslueut
intention is to reduce the army, by abolishinl
the system Of CONSUMPTION, and consequently
we understand, the 10. 900 conscrp.s who would
be liable TO be called ont this spring will be al
lowed to pursue their peaceful avocations'"
The London United Serrice Gazette has The
following: at is rumored in well Informed
quarters that in the budget to be presented 10
the French legislature upon its assembling, q
proposal will be made, emanating from the high
est authority in the republic, for the reduction Of
the French army. This, taken In connexion
with the pacific tone of the circular 10 the Eoro.
pean powers, ought to disarm apprehension"
The Moniteur publishes the following notice
The government cannot refute all the rumors
which malevolence does not cease 10 circulate
The rigorous measures which have been imposed
by necessity, have naturally made an impression
on public opinion, which every day supposes that
the government will be obliged TO take new and
more severe measures. The state of the eoun.
try is far from justifying such fears Without
in any way abandoning the necessary frmness
against the enemies Of order, the government
will have no occasion for the future for excep.
tional measures, and the normal action of the
political bodies, Of which the organization il
advancing rapidly, will suffice TO consolidate the
work Of the I'd Of December"
4