, 1859-12-13
FOREIGN NEW8,
Highly Important II True.

4 correspondent Of the N. 7. Gouitr end
Ia4xsr@, writing from Pari., November e4th,
says: i
have an ASSURANCE upon which I implicitly
rely, that Lord Cowley, tho British Ambassador
to tae French Court, and who, atser Spending I
week at Compiegne as guest Of the Emperor
Napoleon, left on Monday night last for London,
was tie bearer OF proposition from his Aajes~
ty for q sweeping (and geurral) disarmament.
The pacific disposition Of the British Cabinet
suggests little doubt that this mos. desired and
desirable proposition will ba mat by cordial &C.
quiescence, and thus the Italian Question, 80
fraughs with danger to the peace oi The world,
would become secondary one. There Is, how
ever, difficulty. Will the British public, now
IN state Of fereFish excitement, view with ap-
probation this most bene6cent measure, and a.
sent TO the suspension and abandonment Of all
the preparations for defence now in progress in
England on the emoststupendous .cale1 ii they
shall accept il frankir and graeious1y, {ns it Is
TO be hoped they wiu} peace N Europe may be
regarded a. assured for a very long time. II,
On the contrary, the slightest expression OF
want Of confidence in the Emperor's candor and
good faith be uttered, war to the knife must
Al m irreparab}e Insult.
This is, then, the most momentous crisis re
hare kno~n. for the present state Of the pnbic
mind 1n both countries, and which has ncser
been reciprocally more deplorahle. suggests i'm
peratirely the danger that would attend the nou-
tualES questionable nature Of the relations Of
the two Governments, the mutual complaints Of
the press and the public Of both, which are both
ioud aud deep, could hardly fail in such case to
| degenerate into open, positive hostility, from
| winch into state Of war, famcntatie, hurrible
| war, The descent would be perhaps immediate:
t The mind rerolts from the contemplation Of
that which would be the consequences.
| The present capabilities Of each country for
q life or death contest are on the most gigantic
scale These would, however, be eciipsed by
the muisi:udinona engines Of destruction now il,
process Of preparation by both, at inca!cuIable
cost Of course, but Of which. 10 this their excl
ted condition, the pnblic Of neither country com.
plain, II, however. pssee b assured, aud that
the bill come to be paid. we shall hear loud CON.
plants OF the taxpayers. Let Us hope, never.
sheiess. that to this Identical point the Empe.
roEs proposition will lead.
Spain is proceeding with her war against No
rocco. No action of real importance has yei
been fought between them, and it would not be
surprising if the latter (for the parties are une
lualsy matched,) "gire in, aud submit to such
terms IS the former may please to dictate. Still
as the spirit Of the Moors is excited, they nay
maka u stand, but must ultimately sue foi
peace
lue joint preparations Of England md Franc,
for vigorous onslaught On the Celestial and
most false and pert1dious Empire, will not b,
complete for.y ct month. Eogtaud il, however
creeping out supplies in immense quantities
lest lit IS said y anything should accrue to pre-
countries ask. .' VIII the United States renal,
quieseent after the rebuff which" it would mp
pear. they, too, have received Ut the hands Q
tbs Chinese Government, in consequence q
the spirited conduct Of their Representative i!
sefcssus to asquiesce in degrading conditions: I: