Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-01
WHAT DOES FRANCE MEAN !

indeed, HAPPY NEW YEAR.
WHAT DOES FRANCE MEANl
In the course of debate in the house of rep.
resentative, OIL Monday Mr.. Stevens of Peun-
sylvania, alluding to the Trent affair, and es-
pecally to the French communication on the
subject, said 1.-THE conduct Of France was
impertinent, she was not invited to inter
vene in the affair but when we shall have set
tied our domestic troubles we must look into
the holy alliance OF these powers France and
England and see how far they shall be per-
mitted to control our conduct"
1t seems to us that Mr.. Stevens fails TO see
the real purpose of that communication from
the French minister. Every maritime nation
has direct interest in such questions, for it is
likely to feel the operation of whatever rule
or precedent may be established. But that
French document on the Trent affair was prob
ably intended quite as much for Great Britain
as for the United States. Ii is very clever
diplomatic maneuver. 1t announces to US, to
Great Britain, and to every other maritime
nation, that France will never submit to such
She takes this occasion to assert and hold up
prominently to the attention of Europe, the
old principle which England has more than
once violated, and in behalf Of which we un-
dertook the war of 1872 This French demon.
stration means that France viii not hereafter
passively consent to having it violated by
Great Britain or any other power, and she
will do all in her power to have it universally
recognized as a settled maxim Of international
law.
That the despatch from the French minister
of foreign affairs really has this meaning is
evident by the care with which the position
taken in it has been announced to every gov
eminent of Europe. We certainly have no
reason for calling this an impairment. interior
ence in our affairs. 1t was not SO intended.
1t is a mastery movement TO create in Europe
strong and active public opinion against such
seizures,-a public opinion that will etfectually
deter England from repeating her old outrages
and hold her to the rule she has adopted in
this Trent case. Such public opinion there
fifty years ago, would have saved US from
war. For more than twenty years, France
has been diligently at work to create power.
full navy, and she has succeeded. The old
fashonsl OF naval warfare have passed away.
Steam and improved cannon have introduced
new me.hods, and the next naval conflict be-
tween France and Great Britain will be very
likely to make it understood that "Brittania"
does not rule the ocean AT any rate, she will
hereafter find it necessary to restrain that
domineering insolence which has so long been
her habit at sea. This diplomatic action of the
French government is plain though very
delcately managed intimaiion that she must
hereafter submit to such restraint
Il is quite certain that every government in
Europe will agree with France on this ques-
ton, unless Great Britain should fail to do so
by her silence if not BIZ a direct expression Of
dissent 1t has been noticed as significant
circumstance that the English dispatches do
not discuss the question at all. They require
us 10 give up Mason and Slidell but do not
argue the point. Beyond this demand they
are non.committal, making it possible for the
British government, hereafter, to explain the
demand on whatever theory may be found
position that cuts him off from selling persons
Oh board neutral vessels provided he brings
in the vessel and passengers for adjudication
and Mr.. Seward seems to put forth claim
TO make such seizures. France, on the con-
trary, distinctly declares that such claim can
not be admitted She will not tolerate such
proceedings on the ocean. Now observe Mr.
Stewards reply 10 the French dispatch. He
says:-
"When the French government shall come
to see at large the views of this government
and those of the government OF Great Britain
on the subject now in question. and to com.
pare them with the views expressed by M.
Thouvena on the part Of France, it will prob
ably perceive that while it must be admitted
that those three powers are equally impressed
with the same desire for the establishment of
principles favorable to neutral rights, there is,
at the same time, not such entire agreement con.
cerning the application Of those principles is de-
srable 10 secure that important object. The
government of the United States will be happy
il the occasion which has elected this CORE
spondeuee can be improved SO as 10 secure a
more definite agreement upon the whoIe subject by
all maritime pOlCers."
When we get this "more definite agree
ment," the position now taken by France will
be universally recognized as the true position.
Can anybody suppose it would be honorable
for Us now to fight Great Britain against the
very principle in behalf Of which we fought
her fifty years ago? We think not. Our
government was right then, and to be right
now we must assume our old position. France
has assumed it with a strong determination to
maintain it, and if the negotiation suggested
by Mr.. Seward takes place, all maritime ma.
lions will formally accept it.
Cot DEvENs.--One OF our contemporaries
states that Col Devens is in a fair way TO be
made brgadier general. Such an appoint
L