The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-22

NapoIeOn's Declaration - Statement
of the French MinisteT-NeutTal
France Claims an Entire Freedom
OT ActiOn-FTee Italy must take
all the Risks and PeTiIs of War
Alone.
In the session of the French Legs
lature, May 3, the order of the day was
the discussion Of the bill calling out
one hundred thousand soldiers from
the class of 1866
NJ Rouher, Minister of State, rose
and read
Gentlemen, some members of this
Chamber have seemed to think that
| the discussion which is about to open
on the bill concerning the contingent
| for the army might very well serve as
| an occasion for a debate on the affairs
/ Of Germany. The Government is con-
WINGED that it cannot accept the pro
! posed course without grave and nu-
merOUs inconvenience.
"But in presence Of the rumors of
war which have had circulation through
out Europe, the Government considers
/ itself bound to make known to the
| Chamber the policy which it has fol-
] low GU lbb DiEbGAg p10AblOA WIN ANoBNOS
to the German Powers, and, above all,
! its situation relative to Italy That
/ duty | come here to fulfil by declars.
ton which, in brief, shall not be want
/ ing in precision Applause The policy
| of France with respect TO the Duchies
has always been pacific. From the
very outset, as well as in all the phases
which occurred afterward, at Co
pephagen, at the conference of Lon
don, at Vienna and Berlin, France has
never ceased to give counsels of pru-
dence and moderation. At present
| the French Cabinet continues its efforts
not less theoretically.
an fact, when it promotes with so
much perseverance the development of
prosperity at home, and encourages
that tendency by international solem-
mites, how could it remain Indifferent
abroad TO the shock Of rival passions?
| The efforts of the Government in favor
of peace will have but one limit
| namely, that it will not consent to en-
| ter into any engagement-it is deter
| mined to preserve its entire liberty of
action. Loud applause. In those
questions which do not after all, affect
either the dignity, or the honor, or the
direct interest of our country, was it
not the duty of the Emperor Govern
/ ment, after having proclaimed loudly
| its pacific wishes, to respect and to
practice the rules of an honorable and
sincere neutrality, and consequently to
| remain in face of complicated events
perfectly free in its determinations?
| Therefore it is fully resolved to employ
that liberty only for the accomplish
ment of task which will be easy
| that of protecting against all attalnt
the power, security and grandeur OF
France. Cheers.
Special duties we're imposed on US
with respect TO ltaly-a nation to
which we are attached by traditional
sympathies and by a recent cOnfrater-
nifty in arms Italy may imagine that
| her interest calls on her to enter active
w into the conflict which has arisen be-
tween Prussia and Austria. Every ma
ton is the Judge of its own affairs. We
do not pretend TO exercise over Italy
any guardians Italy Is free to act,
for she alone is responsible. Loud APP
probation But the interest which we
feel in her welfare Obliges US to enter
into the clearest explanations with re-
! spect to our intentions, and she knows
| bv our reiterated declarations that in
! the same way as we should disavow
any attack on the part of Austria
against Italy, so are we decided in the
most positive manner to leave to the
charge of Italy the risks and perils
"But the interest we feel towards her
obliged US to come to categorical I'M
derstanding with her; thus she is
aware, from our reiterated declara-
/ tons. that as we should highly disap-
prove any attack of Austria upon her,
so are we perfectly decided to cast
upon her the risk and dangers of any
attack she MAY make upon Austria
! I Prolonged cheers. The declaration
! of the Government Is therefore summed
up in three Words pacific policy
| loyal neutrality; complete liberty of
action The Government feels conf
dent that this line of conduct, which
maintains our complete independence,
which determines and circumscribes
! our responsibilities abroad, is conform
able to truth and justice, and on these
grounds deserves the appreciation of
| the Chamber and Of the country"
! Prolonged applause