Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-11-03
Mr.. Stewards Reported UItImatum tS
France

france.
The New York correspondent of tn
London Times, writing on the 4th inst.
says:
MIR. Stewards last dispatch to the French
government relative to Mexico will prob
ably satisfy the Emperor that the time has
come when he must decide whether he
viii withdraw from that country, or con-
tinue to protect the new Empire, in disre-
gard of the risks and contingencies which
such policy will force upon him. There
Is no doubt that had Mr. Seward, imme-
dlately after the late war closed, demanded
the withdrawal of French troops from
Mexico, the people of this country would
have eheerfully supported him. The act
would have made him universally popular
at once. There is, perhaps, no question
OF the hour on which so much unanimitv
exists on this determination to adhere to
the Monroe doctrine. The most moderate
men reply to all questions about Mexico.
''The French will have to 60" But the
large majority say plainly, 1--WE mean to
drive the French out"
The President and his advisers must
have a juster sense of the condition of this
country, and the fearfil hazards it wonld
run in an European war, than the unre-
hecting and forgetful masses. But they
700, are resolved to insist ON the Monroe
Doctrine being respected, and Mr.. John
son nrmiy refuses to recognize the new
empire III any way. He and Mr.. Seward
have probably been in hopes that when
Napoleon saw the civil war was over and
the army free he would take the hint and
retire from Mexico of his own free will.
Instead of doing that, he was organizing
an Egyptian force, or as the United States
Consul at Alexandria Informs his Govern
ment, ''an army of negroes" TO send TO
Maximilian's aid. The Government has
felt that it could not temporize with the
difficulty any further. 1t has, therefore,
TO the Emperor that it will not
permit the troops in question to land, and
that any fufthef intervention on the part
Of the Emperor Napoleon may lead to
rupture between the two Governments. !
This, am informed, is the tendency of |
the dispatch. It's importance depends
very much on the way in which the En-
peror replies 10 it.
1t Is very manifest that Mr. johnson has |
provoked great crisis, and that the prob
ability is, he has done so ON the assumption
that the Emperor Napoleon will be the
irst TO evade it. The Emperor of the |
French can not have been unprepared for
Mr.. Stewards ultimatum. He must be well |
familiar with the views and intentions of
he United States Government, and he
must know that all America is utterly op-
posed to his presence in Mexico. Within
he past three months two separate com
have been made to the French
government, the nature and purpose of
which could not be mistaken. From the
of the new Empire down TO the
present moment, Mr.. Seward has instruct
d the American Minister in France to
,eep before the Emperor the fact that his
government could not assent to the inter
'ositiOn of France wi hout sacrificing the
lonroe doctrine, and this it could never
elinquish. For some time past the news
rom Mexico has all gone to prove that the
lexicans are satisfied with the new Gov
-Juarez's party is not extinct, of
curse, but it is very harmless. These cir
have not in the least degree
tfected the opinions of the American
government or people.
They believe that the Monroe doctrine |
) wise and necessary, that Napoleon has
iOlated it, and if he does not retire vol
ntarily he must "be made" to go. Wheth- ,
I, when it came to the point the people (
,ould be willing to enter into war with
rance, and where they could get money {
make war with, are questions 1 cannos !
tempt to answer. l only know that ,
eneral Grant naalros saaiaf nf his do
re that he will shortly be placed in COM
land of troops and ordered to drive the :
rench out of Mexico, that General Sher-
eoAstantly expresses the same hope,
lat Sheridan was with difficulty held back ,
a the Rio Grande, and that the people |
re resolute to-day whatever they may be {
Public opinion is subject to
Idden changes in America, but it does not
Dpear likely that it will ever change sub &
antially with regard to the favorite prin- {
pie that no European power can be per- $
lifted to introduce itself into this conti-
ent for the future. If the Emperor Ma 7
oleon persists in sending the troops, Gen. |
rant may realize his hopes sooner than
good for this country. ,