The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-11


Our Mayencc Correspondence.
MAYENcE, Jan. IL, 1868.
Critical Position Of The French Emperor Opinions
of a Prussian Officer on the French Army-An-
6aioss Designs-Pro6abilities Of War-SSpi-
c,oas Of America Important Remarks By l. Uai-
GERS de Preparations for War IN Gsrma-
ay-1M Shay of Despotism-Wam Of Anri-
can CONsNls- One ambassador only Rsqw1ed.
Every new day brings more evidences that the
reign Of the new French Emperor will be only
short one unless he do something to occupy per-
manently the minds Of his subjects. The dangerous
favor of the army had declared him deserving of
the purple, and they now expect their reward in
being afforded an opportunity to advance and
TO feed ON other peoples pockets, winch Louis
Napoleon being unable to comply with, has given
already rise to discomfort
A Prussian officer, sent by the Prussan Military
Gazette to Paris to report Oh the actual state and
feeling Of the French arny-and who, by his pro-
feesion, rank, and station, has undoubtedly the
means of obtaining correct information
in his report to the Military Gazette, the French
army rs by no means satisfied, but, on the contrary
very much discontented from the want OF active
employment he says that the leading officers have
created under the commissioned and non-commis
stoned officers, kind OF military free masonry, by
which the members bind themselves not to tolerate
again any revolution as their experience had shown
that the army had always been loser thereby, but
that they, being convinced that France could only
be saved and restored to its former rank by
strong military government, viii use every means OF
bringing it thereto; that only such bear arms
or who have belonged to tile army, shall hereafter
have vote on national affairs that only sue
cessful and brave general should be at the head of
the government with the other generals as his mn
tual advisers that only the brave and disciplined
had right to commando that therefore, all Offices OF
trust and responsibility ought to be filled from the
army in fact, that the tendency of the French
army was to introduce in France pretogian gov
eminent. Louis Napoleon, it Is said, is fully ac-
quaDed with this; but as the order comprises nearly
the whole army, aud whereas, before Ills election,
he bad favored the same, he is now, or yet,
obliged to tolerate it. Time win show il he ever
will be able to suppress this leagGe, or whether
he will not become the victim thereof should he feel
unable or unwilling TO comply with its demands.
This reminds one of the old orders Of the middle
ages and it is said that the founders OF this French
league have taken their ideas from those Of the old
Templars. The whole might be considered a mere
phantas, but the source which brought the account
is too respectable to allow OF doubt of its truth;
and it is sustained by several writings as instance
the " Limits of France" written by member OF
the imperial war department; and speech OF COL
an aide-decamp OF the Emperor--explained that
it was mistake that the empire was already
the emblem OF peace; that such would only be the
case after the French army had revenged her de.
feats of 1918 and 1885, and that he hoped that next
year they would water their horses in the vstula.
That these gentlemen are retained in their places
fully proves that the new Emperor partakes OF the
same sentiments, and that his disposition is by no
means pacific. That at no very distant time
great must take place, there is no doubt Of the
question is only about the time and between whom
If an European or an American one IL Unsrers
dc Paris, in one OF its late articles upon the
question of war or peace, eaid that the danger of
disturbing the peace lay not with the Emperor and
France. but the mad revolutionary propaganda of
Americans, who, overrating themselves, threw the
frebrand into the well governed monarchical States
and would set the world 10 blaze, unless the Euro
pean mouarehs brought them to their senses. In
I776 the revolution took its commencement in
America. and it ought to be likewise closed there
This would be the task of the Emperor-his destiny
was to restore to the civilized world order and peace
The Emperor, during his residence in the United
States had an opportunity OF convincing himself OF
the untenableness of lis fortresses and govern
ment-one being as weak as the other; all that would
be necessary was a decided declaration from the Eu-
ropean monarchs that they would no longer tolerate
their present system and that they coald not acknow
ledge any right OF the United States to exclude the
European governments from the American territory.
That the United States had their California, and that
there existed no reason why France should not seek
and have in Sonora, or any other part Of Mexico, like
wise, her Fl Dorado. Thas, TO restore the European
preponderancy over the American continent wolld
be the task of the Emperor this was by Ear OF greater
importance to France than the few hectares she
rnightregan on the Rhine. respectable paper like
the Unirers utterug such fanfaronades shows the
wretched condition the French press must be in; and
however foolish Louis Napoleon must appear to US,
still ne cannot be downright mad as TO believe in
these assertions. His uncle used the camp Of Bo-
logne and the pretended invasion OF England
TO misead Austria. Louis Napoleon, being in every
thing the ape Of his uncle, may, for the same pur
poee, send such trumperes 70 the world, but in the
results | think he win find himself very much mis-
taken. and people at home will receive them with
mere laughter, and with the European governments
they viii have no weight; they do not forget his
origin, or that he bears his authority merely by the
will OF the nation; and such an Emperor Will never
he received as friend by the absolute Princes who
rs they say reign solely by the grace OF God, and if
they have acknowledged him as one OF themselves
lie owes this solely TO their fears Off new revolution.
Without trumpetng il about, all the German govern
mens have put the armament Of their troops in order
and such is their military organization that within
week Germany can have half million Of men under
arms ready TO take the field, to be followed by as
many more in less than another fortnight. The Ger
man rulers feel therefore, secure--even too much
so as they continue ~ pursue their reactionary
The military chiefs and the police officers are
running this unfortunate country the latter 10 the an
noyance OF English and American travellers, IN each
of whom they affect to see an enemy OF their
try and subject them TO III treatment: and there is
no prospect that this win he altered. In the pre-
sent position OF affairs we require good and efficient
representatives to protect our citizen. III this quar-
ter. High rank is not necessary; minister too
often is prevented by his diplomatic and social rank
from rendering equal, prompt, and efficient assist
anee however wen he may be dispo-cd to do so,
while representative OF the rank OF Charge, or Of
Consul, acquainted with the language, laws, aud
customs Of this county, can much better protect
the interests OF our citizens The troubles into
which he generally gets ave always with the
notice. power wiueh, in Germany, stand beside
and above the law, but with which, notwithstand-
ing IT, great power, foreign minister cannot com
manicate. Whenever he has any complaints TO make,
he must do 80 10 Tic Minister Of Foreign Affairs, who
transmits them to the Minister OF the Interior, from
whom Il has to pass through several hands before it
reaches the authority who has to make the inquiries,
by all of which more time must eapse than what
our citizens can spare; whereas, while il is not be-
meath the rank OF the Consul to address himself d.
feotly to such police ocers he claim aud obtain
immediate redress
We have in Germany q. present two legations at