The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-01
IMPORTANT FROM FRANCE.

Is There TO be a Change of Front on the
Mexican Question ?-An Extraordinary
Speech from Marshal FOrey, in the
SenRte-He Urges the Reinforcement, },
rather than the Recall, of the French
TE0Ops-HOw Tne Marshars Speech was
ReceiVed-ExpiaaatkOn by tne Minis
ter of State.
Paris Correspondence Feb 13) London Times.
If Marshal FOrey's speech in the Senate on
Mexican affairs was prepared with the cogni-
zance, II not the approval OF the Emperor as
some pretend to believe the return of the French
army may not take place as soon as expected.
Marshal Forey knows the subject well-no man
better; and bis statements bear the impress of
truth.
Nj. Rouher tried &c lessen the effect which his
words might produce out of doors by affirming
that the opinion OF the Government was not
affected by anything the late Commanderin-
Chief Of the French army in Mexico said: that
the sentiments expressed in the speech from the
throne were still the same; and that the Marshal
gave utterance to his own private views, and to
those ofno one else.
NJ Rouher is Minister of State and, in theory,
Prime Minister-but it is no more than theory
and M. Rouher knows it very well. The "opinion
of the Government" If by Government is meant
the members of the Cabinet only, is, no doubt
the same 1t always was; and it was from the out
set as much opposed to the expedition TO Mexico
as that of the public generally. BUTT sometimes
occurs that the views of the Emperor are dit.
ferent from those OF his Minister'S and they never
were more SO tnan on THIS question OF Mexico
Nothing shows more clearly the ignorance of
the semioticial writers who have been describ-
ing Mexico as now perfectly able to take care of
herself, than Marshal Forey's speech. The ac-
count he gives OF the country and the disas-
trous consequences of the immediate departure
of the French, must be correct and known to be
so by the Emperor. The Marshal complains
that the great idea" developed in his Maesty's
letter to the Commander of the Forces is not
rightly understood in France, and he declares it
as his deliberate opinion that it would be highly
dangerous to bring back the troops.
| To speak of national spirit existing in Mexico
| is absurd. There is no national spirit there and
| If such thing as national spirit ever existed
| long continued anarchy has annihilated it. The
| moment the army returned from Mexico, the
| whole OF the French residents would have to
return with it-and ifthey remained would be
| exposed to acts OF violence more iniouitous
| than any yet witnessed. But it is not French
| citizens and French interests only that have to
| be defended. France must have regard to the
| population who received her soldiers with open
arms, and who cannot be abandoned to their
| enemies.
When people say that those who cried "V5ua
| MaGia1tISGT" should now defend hlm, they do
| do not reflect that the Mexcans have not ac-
| Quired sufficient confidence in their own
| strength, for they have been utterly demoralzed
by those who oppressed and plundered them.
| They must be allowed time to grow into
| strength and courage; but France must continue
by their side ana help them to support the Gov
| ernment they have chosen for themselves.
| France surely would not incur the reproach of
| not having fully comprehended the great idea of
| the Emperor; but above all, she cannot deliver
| up these populations to the vengeance of their
| oppressors.
AT the very first intelligence of the retreat of
the French, the promoters of discord would re-
| appear on the scene. The brigands who are
| now scattered would once more rally round the
| flag of JuareZ. The Marshal gave as a proof OF
what he stated the fact that even at this day the
| towns evacuated by the French troops are nj
l abandoned nv the inhabitants 40 into
| is the dread OF reprisals from the partisans of
| JuareZ. Macmillan is doing his best to regene-
rate that unhappy country. He is organizing
the army, the finances, public institutions, the
He listens to the advice of those sent out to
| him by the Emperor Napoleon; and the Mexicans
have before their eyes as model the courage
and the discipline of the French army. With
| respect to the relations subsisting between
France and the United States, Marshal Ferey
| observed he was not competent to say any more
| than this-he had too much esteem for the great
| American Republic to think that it would
prefer republic OF plunderers and brigands in
| Mexico to a monarchy with honorable men,
based on the principles of civilization
He asked, What must now be done TO com
plete the moral work which France has under
| taken His deliberate opinion was that more
troops must be sent to Mexico, and, as this
statement called forth murmurs among the
Senators, he added that If not more troops al
least those that were there should remain, anc
more sacrifices in money must be made 1t was
once said that France was rich enough TO pay
for her glory, and would it be glorious to leave
imperfect the enterprise she has commenced II
o distant land2 lie admitted that money had it,
importance, but was it right that for mere
sum of money the realization of so great
design, conceived by the Emperor, should bC
endangered? He dId not think so
When the Marshal concluded his speech, few
Senators said, Very good, very good;n but ever
these few applauded him less because the,
agreed with him as to the necessity of fresl
sacrifices Of men and money, than out of com
pment to himself Still, however adverse thel
and others may be to longer occupation o
Mexico, Marshal Forey's description OF thos'
parts OF the country not held by the French Ii
most probably correct
No man considers himselfsafe when the Frencl
eagles are out of sght and the French drum
out OF hearing. il has been repeated over anC
over again that rhe hordes that so long oppressed
the unhappy Mexicans were scattered. demoral
ized completely discouraged, and utterly pow
erie's Tor evil. Marshal Forey, whose authorit
cannot be called in question, solemnly declares
that the moment the last French soldier quit
the country the same hordes win issue from thei
l hiding places ana DIN their former leaders, an