The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-14
was hecon ing known in Europe,

proposals was hecon ing known in Europe,
Louis Napoleon spontaneously hiated to our
Minister to T ris, Mr.. RiVes, th { whatever
the United St tes might do, England and
France had made up their minds to preserve
the stGtu ga in America He did not say
there " a treaty or ev protocol on the sub
ject; in fact it very likely tina. both Powers
were content with some such understanding
IS betwc n gentlemen-as Nicholas wanted TO
have with En- land on the Eastern qies-
ton. At IL CIV, nts, the French Emperors
communication was SO explicit that MI. Riyes,
Immediately on his return home, thought it his
duty to breach the sub,ec to Mr.. Marcy the
Secretary of State. Had Mr.. Webster or Mr.
Everett filed that Office atthe time steps would
probably have been taken at once upon Mr.
Rives' information; as it was, Marcy was busy
dividing the spoils and did not care to have his
attention diverted by mere questions of foreign
policy lie poih-poohed Mr.. Rives tale--said
that if England and France sent fleets to Cuba
we should send one there likewise and SO far
as we know, never thought of the matter since
Meanwhile, the intimate communication into
which their concordance of views on American
questions had brought the English and French
governments began to extend itself. The Turk
ish question arose, and England was offered the
choice OF all alliance with Russia OF with France
Her understanding with the latter on American
questions naturally led her to prefer Louis Napo
leon to Nicholas in the Eastern question as WELL
So the Anslo-Trench alliance grew out of the
understanding between the two countries with
respect 20 Cuba; was in reality posterior in
point Of time 10 that event, and was to GER
tain extent caused by it. These facts are album
dainty proved by mere reference to dates
The understanding on the subject of Cuba dates
as far back as the beginning of 1852; the al
lance isnot eight mouths old. The one was
in fact an obvious corollary from the other; and
it was quite natural for Lord Clarendon, look
ing back over the progress which the union be-
tween the two countries had made during two
years, tocongratulate Great Britain on being
of one mind with France on every question,
from the recent one which had arisen in refer
ence to Turkey, to the old one which had been
called iuto existence by the dangers of Cuba.
Events, however, modify the soundest plans.
When the war grew GU. of the Turkish quar-
rel, and it became of vital Importance to Great
Britain that the United States should suppress
privateering, and remain neutral if they could
not side with the Western Powers, the whole
aspect OF the understanding of 1852 was
changed The possession of Cuba and the in
terests of Spain were Of no account whatever
in comparison with the sympathy Of the United
States. Accordingly, Lord Clarendon was in
structed to retract his offensive words, which
he seems to have done very much to the salts
faction of the gentleman who always and
every where takes an interest in what concerns
his country" We are now told that La Plata
was referred to. We have been under the inn
preston that the rival claims of France and
England in reference to La Plata were adjusted
under Louis Philippe's reign, six or eight years
ago and that, ever since, both Powers have
been SO VIGOROUSLY Of one mind on this subject,
that it was rather superluous for Lord Claren-
don to proclaim the fact with such flourish of
trumpets.
In one word, Lord Clarendon's explanation
does not satisfy us England and France may
have abandoned their schemes with regard to
Cuba; or Lord Clarendon may be simply
stating, automatically, what is contrary to
the fact. Whichever be the case, we are per-
fectly assured that the Interpretation put by
Lord Clarendon on the language he used in |
the House some weeks ago is new one, very
different from the meaning with which it was
spoken. We are not aware that the fact Should
alter our feelings or position. All our inter-
ests imperiously require us to preserve strict
between the belligerents; neither
menace nor favor ought to make Us swerve one |
hairs breadth from that stand