New-York daily tribune., 1862-05-19
FRRNCu INTERVENTION.
Correspondence Of The y. y. Tribune

a
WARRINGTON, Msy II, loc2.
The question Of French intervention in American
affairs is still favorite topic with the diplomatic
coJs 1T Washington and with several members Of
Congress. Conectures Of ell kinds are constantly
afoai, and imaginative minds rack themselves to
know the nature and magnitude of the impending
danger. believe the whole Of thesc labor.ous
efforts to be premature, If not eauseess. l know
from good authority that the French Government
has nor yet sSriyed at any decisive resolution con-
cernine our domestic troubles; and although should
no. like, as many Of the New-York papers have
done, TO assert that France will not interfere know
that for the present, at least, she enter'ains no
thoughts Of the kind. The danger with that country
is rather prospective than actual II rests upon The
decision the French Emperor will take after he has
read the official report Of Mr. Merciefs visit to
Richmond, and has heard Mr. Geofroy's relation in
regard to Il. Mr. Geofroy, as you know, was the
inst Secretary of tie French Legation at Washing
ton. He was with Nj. Mercier at Richmond, and
went TO Europe aboGt two weeks ago. by the Persia,
believe. Yo1 may res; assured that no resolution
in regard 70 the matter will be taken Till after his
interview with the Emperor Of the French
And even after that, and on the supposihon that
Mr. GeoIloy's report is that the South never will
submit to tie North and that the civil in which
the United States are involved is endless war
even then doubts may be reasonably entertained as
70 Louis Nspoleon's decision. At all events that
decision will be subordinate TO that Of the Euglsh
Government, without which he will not act. 1t is
weIl.known fact in the diplomatic circles Of Europe
that when the war broke out in this country, pr
waite note WAS sert 70 Lord John Russell containing
the following eeneuce: " You hare he greatest
amount IF interests 0t stake an AD4ertcda GDd"sj
ourS are G1t Sec2Hd0ry; hence take tie had and 'oe
viA foHoio y0u' believe tlis sentence contains
an exact statement Of the potition Of the French
Cabinet at the present moment; and unless changed
bv the course Of events or modified by Mcesrs.
Merciers and GeoIroys reports it is not hkely 70 be
essentially changed. Whatever the English papers
may say about it, and notwithstanding their efforts
10 cover their own desires under French cloak 1t Is
not likely that France will move at all III The matter
without the cooperation of England
AS 10 the mystery concealed in Mr. Mercier's mis-
sion 10 Richmond, the most probable Interpretation
of it is this:
After the taking Of Fort Donelson, and the occn-
patton Of Nashville by the Union army, Mr. Day
ton. upon orders received from Washington, had IN
interview VIII Louis NhpOltOHj III WHiVHj atoi nav
irg announced the successes achieved by the North,
he asked from bis Majesty to recall the title OF Bel
leerens 10 hid granted 10 the CoDfederatea. Louis
Napoleon warmly complimented Mr.. Dayton upon
tie victories won by the North, but declined to com
ply with bis request upon the ground that the re-
calling Of that designation would oblige him TO treat
the Rebes as pirates and outlaws, and use his own
ships against them. Mr.. Dayton then withdrew the
demand, but insisted upon the fact that the opening oi
the Southern ports would Immediately re-establsh
inland relations, and that back Of thcse ports was
an oppressed population anxious to ily from their
opprcmorg, The Rebels, and ready to unite with the
Union men in their efforts to crush the rebellion
The Emperor replied that if this should prove trnc
there could then be no motive for continuing the
title Of beligercnts to the Confederates any longer
and 10 proye thu. he was willing to enter into the
views Of the Federal Government, us far as
these views were justified by positive testimony,
he gave orders TO DIR. MERCER to proceed to
Richmond and TO ascertain for himself tho true
state of aifars, aud the true spirit oil the
Southern people. j do not mean to say here, that
the Emperor WIS not already well-informed on that
point, for since the beginning OF the war, he has
been eoDs!autIy receiving reports ION the stale o'