The New York herald., 1865-02-21

battle this rebellion may be brought TO an end.
Thus, in promptly strengthening the ranks Of
our noble armies, we are, in the broadest sense,
serving the cause Of humanity, in view of the
collapse Of the rebellion, from the mere pre-
sence Of our overwhelming numbers In the
field
French Schemes tn Mexico-A Deep DtPlo-
matte Game.
The affairs Of Mexico especially in their re-
lation to the United States--srs now, more than
ever, attracting the attention Of the world 20
that all reliable records Of the country's
progress to peace and prosperity or to
further revolution and anarchy become
matter Of paramount interest TO the
statesman and politician. Thus we find that
the alleged cession Of a number Of rich Mexican
provinces to the Emperor Of the French is q
general theme Of comment both In Europe and
this country. The Paris Momiteur has officially
stated that "all reports which have been circu-
lated in reference to cession made to France
by Mexico, Of Sonora and other provinces, are
absolute fabrications.n From other semi-oficial
sources we also have formal denials OF the re-
ported transfer. The rumor is also denied
direct nom Mexico, though not through any
official source; and it viii be remembered that
DR.. Gwin, on his arrival at Havana a few weeks
ago, on his way to Europe, took great pains to
contradict the whole statement as to the cession
of territory and his own elevation to q duke
dom by his imperial Majesty Of Mexico.
We have before said that the positive denial
which, DR.. Gwin gave to the rumor invested it
with an air of probability, If not Of truth.
The official contradiction of the transfer by
the French press, and especially by the EN-
peror's organ, strengthens us in our opinion.
The antecedents of Dr.. Gwin as scheming
politician are too well known and under
stood for any reliance 10 be placed
upon his protestatons of honor and disinter-
estedness as regards this Sonora scheme; and
whatever failure has attended his attempt to
obtain such rich slices Of territory from Mexico
has been due entirely to the firmness displayed
by Maximilian and his unwillingness to place
himself in hostile attitude towards the United
States ----
There is no doubt whatever that deep
diplomatic game is being'played by Napoleon in
reference to this Mexican question. The lead
ing organs Of public opinion in England have,
however, seen through the matter, as we saw
through it here. The London Times agrees
with us in refusing 10 disbelieve the rumor Of
cession Of territory altogether on the mere
faith Of an official contradiction by the Monitear.
"Indeed," it says, "it can be positively shown
to have had some foundation, whatever may be
the ultimate extent Of it's realization" The
reasons assigned by the Times for this statement
are precisely the same rs those which we
offered some days ago for refusing to accept
the denial Of DR.. Gwin without some measure
Of allowance. ain any CASE" adds the paper
from which we have already quoted, "the public,
remembering the number Of formal statements
and contradictions that preceded the
transfer Of Savoy to France, will for a
considerable time regard the matter
with reserve. According to some Impressions
the most probable arrangement is that France
will not immediately take an absolute cession,
but will guarantee = new loan to Mexico on the
security of the provinces named" This Is, in
oil probability, the true explanation of the
scheme. Napoleon will not take any direct
step to embroil himself in war with this coun-
try, which would certainly follow any open
seizure of Mexican territory; but he may safely
allow some private French company to work
the mines and develop the resources Of the
new provinces. The same company, as is
proposed, viii construct The Tehuantepec Rail-
road--a f,vorte scheme Of Napoeon's--and
buy up large proportion Of the Mexican
loan. With a private enterprise OF this kind,
sanctioned by the government of Mexico, the
United States would not have any direct right
to interfere. and by plea of this kind the
astute Emperor OF the French could always
preserve friendly relations with this country,
and yet gather into the Golfers Of France the
tecming wealth of those valuable regions.
Taking all these things together, everything
concerning Mexico becomes highly important,
and deserves due consideration while these
schemes are being worked out. Tn the
wish OF Macmillan, as our correspondent
states, to cultivate friendly relations with this
country and 10 obtain recognition of his en-
pire at our hands ii possible. To this end we
understand That ta gentleman OF high standing
and position in Mexico has already arrived
here direct from the court Of Maximilian to
the government of the United States. The
precise nature of his mission has not yet trans
pired; but as he will shortly proceed to Wash
ington, We shall not be kept very long in doubt.
What the President may do in the case cannot
now be foreseen. He certainly cannot recog-
nize the empire; but, though we cannot do this,
we can have no objections TO the numerous i'm
provemenis which we are told the Emperor is
striving to introduce. Let him 60 on with
these by all means; for when the time comes for
ms to occupy the country we shall have so mucl,
lace Al, do prt vsy1ilo A~ II;