The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-07
The Relations Between England and France
HOUSE OF COMMONS.


FRIDAY, Feb. Is, 1853.
Mr.. DIsRAELI rose, at a quarter to five o'clock,
pursuant to notice to put questions relative to
our relations with France 1t was strange, he said,
when there were SO many guarantees for peace, and
30 many pledges for security between the two coun
tries, that idea should have entered into almost
every mans brain, and be in every mans mouth,
that We were on the eve Of rupture. 1t was Of the
highest consequence that false opinions should not
take possession OF the public mind, for right under
standing of the real position Of the case was, he
conceived, the best for the maintenance of peace.
He entered his protest against the dogma that there
was a natural feeling Of hostility between France
and Great Britain There was not the slightest
foundation for the belief that the increase Of our
own armaments was owing to any incidents which
had or were taking place in France. The origin Of
that increase was due to the improvements which
had taken place in science, improvements which
had not spared art and instruments Of war. There
was nothing in the military or dynastic circum-
stances of France to give US cause for uneasiness;
but there were certainly causes in operation which
might produce misunderstanding There was preju.
diceaganst the Emperor because he had extnguished
parliamentary government, and suspended the
freedom Of the press but 30 long ~ the French pe0
pie were exact in their commercial transactions and
friendly in their political relations, 1t was just %
we'll if the English press did not make hostile re-
marks upon their management of their own affairs.
(Hear, her) He read most pacific speech to-
wards France from Lord ]. Russell on the first
night Of the session Of 1882 and said he anxious
to ascertain whether the same feelings animated the
nate but distinguished position. Lord Grey, in the
Upper House, on the same night, expressed similar
sentiments During the time of the late ministry, Of
which he (Mr. DisraelD was q member, nothing
whatever took place calculated to disturb the pacific
relations between the two countries. They formed
during that time cordial understanding with France
to promote the welfare of the world to peace
and to advance civilization. He mentioned several of
those cases. These circumstances showed a total
absence on the part of France of any intention to
seek opportunity Of embodiment with England. I'M
der oil these circumstances he asked the Foreign
Secretary what were the feelings, opinions and SEN
On this subject the First Lord OF the Admiralty,
a most experienced statesman, had described
the Emperor Of France as a despot who had
tramped upon the rights and liberties of forty mil
Ions OF Frenchmen. He (Mr DisraelD would not be
10 npertinent az to suppose this was an "ndiscre-
tom An indscretion from call the talents was i'm
possible. Another minister had also given his opin
lens uron foreign affairs in his speech at Halifax.
Of Belgium was gagged" What did he mean by
that2 Belgium was governed by one Of the wisest of
living princes. What then, was his state in the
opinion Of the President OF the Board Of Control? II
the press Of Belgium was gagged, the independence
OF Belgium was guaranteed by England; and, if its
press was gagged, what became Of its independence
The question he (Mr. d. said, assumed grave i'm
portance, after the language of cabinet minister Of
this country. The press had not been gagged in
Belgium but law had been passed constitutionaly,
stating only that papers should not be printed there
which recommended the assassination Of foreign po-
tentates Under these circumstances he feared there
was great doubt to the policy of the cabinet in its
foreign relations, and there were peculiar reasons
why the House should take this step at the present
time He asked Lord J. Russell whether the state
ment true that he intended to resign the Office Of
Foreign Secretary.
Lord j. Russell thought the statement made by
him the other night might have satisfied any homo
rable member Of the Intentions Of government with
regard to France. When Mr.. Disraeli tried TO mako
this question party question, or when he tried 70
SOW dscord between two powerful nations, that, In
assertion made by him the other night, that were
on terms of the most intimate friendship with France
he thought it most desirable TO act upon amcabls
terms. With the state Of Turkey also, he considered
and only read for the purpose Of irritation. Whatever
those speeches contained, he was sure nothing was
further from the minds Of the speaker than Of
causing breach Of the present good understanding