, 1865-08-08
(From the Spectator, July 49,
THE RUMOURED CONGRESS-.

mOurs adOat as TO another proposal for a
European Congress. They look very
much like feelers. The Emperor of the
French is not likely to run the risk Of a
second rebuff by a premature official pro-
posal, but he never resigns a pet project,
aud is very likely indeed TO be asking
quietly whether some of the obstacles
before which he retreated in 1868 have
not disappeared in 1865, whether the
statesmen Of Europe have not learned
some wisdom from the DAno-German war,
whether the distrust of France so widely
diffused has not been replaced by a deep
er distrust of the consequences sure to
attend the continuance of the armed peace.
The situation of affairs is favourable to
such an inquiry. England, which took
the lead in repelling the original propo-
s%iti0n, is less alarmed about France, more
anxious for hearty agreement with Ma
leon, less disposed to do anything which
in the event of a rupture with the Ame-
rican Union would leave her alone OH the
seas. The Austrian Government is sem
sible that the armed peace cannot last
without involving at some not distant
date an issue Of paper currency, which
would destroy the credit Of the Empire,
and fling its most faithful sabjects into
the ranks of the malcontents, and still
better aware that a campaign if unsuc-
cessful would loose the last bond which
cements it's various natiOnaIities. Prus-
STA, to Judge from her non-official press,
receives the idea with pleasure, satisfied
that Faancc can never be the cordial
friend Of her rival, and Russia only de-
mands that the Polish question shall not
be among those stirred. All the Powers
except England are painting heavily un-
der the weight Of their ornaments, and
all would be ready TO make some sacri-
fees to secure a fair chance of financial
peace. 1t is more than probable that
should Napoleon renew his proposal,
and should England consent, the remain
ing great Powers, afraid of making the
Western alliance too real, would after
some hesitation postpone their fears CT
aggression 10 the more pressing dread OF
insolvency. Sixteen years OF arnl"i qules-
cence have in fact brought affairs to
such Il pitch that a mere chance of dis
armiug seems o heavy brlbe, an offer not
to be disregarded except for reasons Of
national safety or d~ynastic honour. On
the other. hand, the Emperor of the
French, if he perceiyes a fair, or indeed
any, chance Of success, is undcr HE
strongest incentives to revive his great
project. His one immediate difficulty
is finance, and he cannot remove it with
out reductions which will require in the
eyes of his subjects some political iusti-
fcntion. A Congress assembled in Paris
wolld wipe out at once the remembrance
of his only great diplomatic failure, while
success in its deliberations would do as
much for his reputation as a successful
campaign. 1t must, too, be remembered
that Napoleon, though always a despot,
and often a selfish despot, is a despot
with ideas-a man who really desires TO
see Europe restored TO order and peace,
and who believes that if some dozen in
dividuaIs can but be induced to see facts,
such order can be obtained withou! uni
versal war.
Should the proposal be made, a very
grave responsibility will be thrown on
the British Ministry, one indeed so heavy
that it will be we'll if they can previous
ly ascertain the direction of public opin-