The New York herald., 1862-04-27
Tne Practicability and Probability Of u
French InvastOn OF England.


French Invasion OF England.
We recently presented to the reader our views
about the feasibility and the probability Of the
invasion of England by the Emperor of the
French. We did not expect so soon to see con-
irmation of our opinions in the journals of
France and England. To-day we publish some
extracts from some of the leading newspapers
of both countries, showing that England has
good reason for her fears The Opinion Nation
o1e in reference to the violent spasmodic efforts
of England to transform her navy from wooden
walls to iron sides, announces with exultation
that " the government and the nation desire at
any price to maintain their supremacy /; but
they will etdeavor in vain : it will be no longer
possible for them to secure their coast against
invasion This is the principal cause of our
neighbor's anxiety. They know that the part
of their territory situated opposite France pre-
sents in general a safe landing place of easy ac-
cess" Then the organ of Prince Napoleon goes
on significantly to observe, as regards "peace
between the two countries, the future is full of
uncertainty" Finally, the article winds up by
a reference to the Expressions of SORROW which
cannot be concealed by the proud declarations
Of the British press-"sighs rapidly suppressed,
which prove the confusion which prevails in
public opinion" The Gazette de Midi, COM
menting on the action in Hampton Roads,
declares that "the maritime power of nations
is, from this day forward, established on a foot
ing of perfect equality; for the entire material
afoat must be renewed, and the preponder-
ance Of nation will no longer consist in the
number of her ships, but in the invulnerability
of their cuirass." Thus British ascendancy on
the high seas is thing of tho past: new era
in maritime affairs is opened to the world. The
Paris correspondent of the London Times re-
cOgnizes the fact, and informs the readers of
that journal that ga ship-of-war of equal force
with the Monitor might be constructed in each
of the French naval arsenals in a month"
When we know what is the vast extent and
the perfection of these arsenals, we cannot
doubt the assertion of the correspondent of the
leading English journal; and if it be true, as it
undoubtedly is, it is no wonder that the British
aristOcracy should be startled with horrible
visions of the future. Time makes all things
even. Waterloo, and the ungenerous treatment
of Napoleon, after his fall, by the English go
vernment, in whose hospitality he confded, are
not forgotten in France, nor by the man of des-
tiny who guides her fortunes in peace or war.
France now possesses the means Of avenging
her former humiiiation-a mighty army, highly
disciplined. and armed with the most improved
weapons which modern art and science can pro-
duce; an iron-plated navy which it is not in
the power Of England to resist. Napoleon
III. is not the man to lose 60 ia
yorsbls aa opportunity of realizing the
highest objects of human ambition, and
at the same time of offering most acceptable
sacrifice to the names of his uncle. We may
therefore look out for war between France
and England at any moment, and suddenly as
q thunder clap in clear sky. Lord Palmerston
suggested the other day in Parliament that tie
iron plates of the new French ships-of-war were
not equal to the English metal. Let him not
lay this fattering JUNCTION to his soul. The iron
used for these vessels in France is superior to
anything England ever produced. 1t is Swedish
and Russian iron, subjected to a mechanical
process which is secret possessed only by the
French government, and which renders the tex
ture of the metal extremely tenacious With
his usual foresight, Napoleon was making these
preparations for mortal blow to the naval
supremacy of England while her degenerate
rulers were sleeping at their posts. OF all the
great nations in Europe, Britain is the most
vulnerable a. soon rs her navy is defeated. Her
oligarchy are conscious Of this, and hence their
knees tremble at the doom that awaits them.
as did Belshazzar of old when he read the mys-
terous handwriting on the wall traced by an
invisible finger.
There is one nation that has no reason to fear
the consequences of this revolution in
naval warfare, and that is the American
republic, whose conflict with rebellion
has developed the change. All Europe
will be affected by it, and thrones and dynasties
will be overthrown; but to young nation like
the United States, whose resources are fresh,
it will only prove the means Of her naval superb
ority The chief maritime nations of Europe
are already nearly broken down by their enor-
nous expenses in raising navies which are now
useless to them. Our navy has cost us little,
and therefore we can now afford large ex-
penditure upon an iron-armored feet which will
sweep the seas. Even without such a defence,
America would have no reason to fear invasion
from Europe. Short work would be made Of
all the armies which any of the great Powers
could send to our shores. But it Is important
to protect our seaboard and lake cities and
our commercial marine, as we'll as to keep open
our communication with the rest of the world.
The nation that has most to fear and most to
lose is the British empire, whose trident, now
broken, has ruled the waves for more than q
hundred years.
WHAT ENGLAND HAS LOST BY THE AMERI
olN wAR.-A remarkable statement has recent
ly been made by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer in the British House of Commons-an
ogs oor oorrasnondinu with our Secretarv of tho