The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-13


elements than the confused ones about to NEE
at Charleston, to present q combustion tina
| will enable the country to pluck the flower
safety, out Of the nettle, danger.
The Difficulty Between France and Swift
zerlsnd.
The Savoy question, after being ostensibly
settled by the arrangements concluded between
France and Sardinia, is again threatening trou
BILE. The Swiss federal government dissatisfied
or pretending to be 90, with the assurances giver
ny Louis Napoleon to General Dufour, has is
sued orders for its troops to be in readiness t.
occupy the Deutralized districts of Chablais and
Fsucigny. This news which we obtained seve
raj days ago from our Paris correspondent, Ii
confirmed by the advices received by the Per
sia. In the last sitting Of the federal assembly
we learn that powers were given to the Presi
dent to take all necessary measures that the
stotA quo in regard to those districts should BE-
respected.
Now, it must be clear to every one that the
swiss government would not have decided pro
p'7o n,otu on go hazardous step as that OF
Drawing the power of France on question on
which its rights are merely constructive. 1t is
equally certain that the French Emperor hac
calculated beforehand all the objections that
would be raised to this seizure Of guaranteed
territory. In his declarations to General Du-
four, and ON the assurances otherwise given to
Switzerland, it has always been promised that
the neutrality Of the two districts would be re-
spected. The motives of the alteration that has
taken place 10 his views ia regard to them can
only be inferred from circumstances but it
seems to us that they admit of but very little
doubt. In the case of monarch so far-seeing
and practical, and who adopts expediency as
the fundamental principle of his actions, we
have to Judge rather by the general tenor of his
policy than by the Emergencies from bis public
declarations which 80 frequently mark his
course. The remarkable coincidence of the
stimulus impaired to public feeling in England
and France, on this question just at the
moment when everything appeared to be
settled, is also to be taken as an indication of
the direction in which events are tending.
From past experience we have learned that
whenever any fresh move in continental policy
is to be attempted, the spur is invariably ap-
piled to the traditional prejudices aud hostili-
ties Of the two countries. 1t is found easier to
reconcile English opinion to French acquisi-
tiveness by apprehensions of a rupture than by
he slow process of diplomatic explanations.
Hence, when we see Lord John Russell
uttering strong language in Parliament against
the restlessness of the Emperor, and the French
journals relieved from the interdict. placed
upon them against saying uncivil things to
England, we may rest assured that a fresh game
is arranged which requires new excitement
to aid it. No one, of course, believes that either
the English Foreign Secretary or the French
press are sincere in the denunciations that they
employ. The proof Of the general incredulous-
ness on the subject is to be found in the fact
that the funds in neither country have been in
the slightest degree affected by them.
As regards the Swiss government, there are
the best reasons for believing that it is no more
in earnest in this matter than the English Cabi-
net 1t is well known that Mr.. James Fay
the leading statesman of Switzerland, is one of
the greatest admirers and warmest partsans
that Louis Napoleon has. He has been lately
passing some time in Paris, and has been fire.
quently closeted with the Emperor. Seeing
the unbounded influence which this gentleman
possesses amongst his countrymen, it is to be
presumed that the whole of this matter has been
orronrod with b;a concrrronco Ton;s Nsua
leon cares but little about the small portion OF
territory in dispute but he cares great deal
about the mode in which the title to it is to be
settled. 1t would be easy for him to take and
hold it against the world if it 80 pleased him.
He would prefer, however, to lose it under the
condition that be is seeking.
la plain terms, his whole object in raising
this pretended issue with Switzerland is to
bring about Congress and fresh European
settlement. The Italian war was, it is well
known, mainly due to this all-engrossing idea
The rehabilitation Of the Napoleonic dynasty
10y formal reversal of the treaties of 1915
and the diplomatic confirmation of his OWL
position, have been with him the great ruling
motive since mis- accession to the throne. The
complications which led to the Crimeau war,
his eepoussl Of the Italian cause, his opposition
TO the annexation of Tuscany, and his recent
seizure of Cbablais aud Faucigny, have all their
origin in this settled purpose. That this is 80
is evidenced by the efforts which he made
10 have Congresses convened previous
to the outbreak Of the Eastern war,
before entering on the Italian cam
paign, and at various periods subsequent to
The signing of the treaty Of Zurich. That be
did not succeed in accomplishing the settle
men. Of Italy by this means was owing entirely
10 the obsiinscy Of Austria and the suicidal
iniatuasion of the Pope. The course that he
has taken in regard TO the neutralized territory
Of Savoy is perhaps the best means that be
could nave adopted to enforce the purpose
4 4 T.. T. -.