Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-12
The Attitude of France.

great increase of the French navy, the fact that Louis Napoleon, before his usurpation of the throne of France, wrote book concerning Gen. tral America, the movements of Mons. Belly and the disposition evinced to meddle with af- fairs on this continent. We believed then and still believe that the French Emperor intends making a demonstration in this quarter of the world and we give some extracts from late French papers that serve to corroborate this opinion In quoting from their papers we are supposed to get the views and sentiments ot their government, for there, the press Is so com pletelv muzzled that it dare not take position in opposition to the powers that be. In this coun trv, or even in England, the dcta of two, three, or even a dozen presses, might not emoody the views of the government, but the recent tral ot Montalembert in Paris, has demonstrated that the French papers may not express thelr vlewS' but solely the views of the Emperor. Monta- lembert simply commended the influence of tho middle classes in England and made favorable reference to the constitutional freedom ot the English people, and this was adjudsed to De an inferential reflection upon French rule, for which he was sentenced to fine and imprIson- ment.
 The selections from the French papers that follow, are then not only the expression of the views of the Emperor but some of them were, no doubt, dictated by him and show that he has determined on course of action that will, sooner or later, bring us into conflict. We call attention to these extracts as being significant, and perhaps the prelude to momentous events
 The Patrie after denouncng the covetous spirit of the United States, refers to the Clay ton Bulwer treaty, and adds
 "Suoh is the basis of the public right of Gen. tral America; such is the title by virtue of which England is obliged to interfere, in case of need, to save d nationality and protect the commerce of the world.
 The title, it may be said, has not hndered the bombardment of Greytown, the invasion of the fillibusters, the recognition of Walker by Mr. Pierce, the burning of Granada, and all the other crimes which have so audacouslv violated the morals. the humanity, the pledged faith, and the right of nations.
 Yet that is, undoubtedly, sadly true. But there are limits to al England seems to us to have comprehended that she could not tolerate any longer, pretensions which threaten the ma ritime liberty and the independence of nations France, on this point, as on all others where civilization Is ill question, will certainly main tain the principles of the alliance which have made everywhere justice and the rights of ma tions prevail But 1t may be useful to give some explanations on another treaty, of which there is often question in American correspond ence-the Cass- Yrisarr treaty.
 The Americans, iu view of giving to their invasion a legal color, have imagined that treaty, in which they attribute to themselves all the privileges of conquest, and particularly that of sending troops into the territory of Nicaragua when they judge 1t necessary for their security It IS evident that if that new treaty had been adopted by the government of General Marti neg, that of 1850 would be virtually abrogated But General Martjnez has seen the snare. IL Aas refuset to sign an act which betraYed his country, and, in consequence of that refusal and essential notifications which he has pro. posed, the Cass- Yrisarri is still a project, ana notwittstanding aH the ttreats sent from Wash ington ond transmiteR by General Lunar. it is doubtful ttat t U'H ever become anytbing more
 The Belly convention, signed on the lst ol May, 1858, by the two Presidents of the re- pubcs, of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, Is entire. ly independent of the Cass Yrisarri treaty. with which it Is, by the newspapers, too often con- founded The latter treaty is a political act. irreconcilable with the principles and rules con- secrated by the Clayton Buwer treaty The contract obtained by Mr Belly is but conner cial act, in which diplomacy has, doubtless, nothing to do But as it has been clearly sta ted by Lord Malmesbury, the Clayton. Bulwer treaty is directly applicable to it, as the fulfill meDt of that private contract will have for con- sequence guarantee of the neutrality of the nteroceanlc passages"
 We call the attention of our readers to the "by authority" air of the further extract from that pa' CT and to the declaration "that the support of the Emperor will not be wanting:''
 "There is project of a treaty between the Queen of Great Britain and the governments of Central America. The treaty, which is proba- ply to be soon ratified, stipulates an effective and direct protection for those governments We are coaUlnccd that Ffance aciW not renain e stranger to that cauSe a0hich IS hat of civiHza- ton and of tbe liberty of commerce in Me UoyAl and t4at the support cf he Emperor 1U not 6t Jatther a0anting tn Aneerica aS in China. It is a common cause. Let 1t be well understood that It will be sufficient to take au energetic attitude to have the rights of nations audaci. ously trampled upon respected, and to defeat the expeditions of tllibusters which are the dis grace oi the New World, as they will be the re- morse of the nation who has had the misfortune to tolerate them"
 The Eco is more fierce and bcgerrent. It warns and threatens as follows:
 CT hat restless and invading democracy which lays hold upon everything; which forces the passage of the Sound with its matches lighted which endeavors to hinder in China the acti Jn ot our negotlat0rs; which, in 1855, hoped for the triumph of the arms of Russia, lending her Its steamers and engineers; which brutaly in terieres m all our questions, aud almost always Tn opposition to the interests of civilization; that democracy, we say, has established a new principle, called the Monroe doctrine, in virtue of which it pretends to prohibit all intervention whatever in the waters and ou the coasts of America
 One seems to dream when hearing such prin-