, 1866-07-10

Russia to address at the same time words
of Cancellation to the parties interested.
"The accord established between the
neutral Powers will Of itself be q pledge
of security for Europe. They showed
their impartiaIity in resolving to limit
the discussion of the Conference 10 the
p pending questions. In order to resolve
them I think it was necessary to address
ourselves to them frankly, TO disengage
them from the diplomatic veil which
covered them, and 10 take into serious
consideration the legitimate wishes of
Soyereigns and Of nations.
"The conflict which has arisen has
three cause.-the geographical situation
Of Prussia imperfectly limited !; the wish
of Germany demanding a political recon
stitution more c%onformable to lis general
wants and the necessity Of Italy to
secure her national independence,
"The neutral Powers could not inter
pose in the internal affairs Of foreign
countries. Nevertheless, the Courts
that participated in the constitutional
acts of the Gcrmanic Confederation had
the right to examine whether the changes
demanded were notofa kind to e~ndanger
the order established in Europe. We
should have desired, in what concerns
ourselves, for the secondary States of the
Confederation Il closer union, a stronger
organization, a more important position
for Prussia, more hom0gcneOuSncss IN
the north !; for Austria, the maintenance
Of her great position in Germany.
1--WE should have desired, moreover,
that for an eqHitahlc compensation, Aus
tria should cedc VcActia to Italy, for if, in
concert with Prussia, and without regard
to the Treaty of 1852, she made war in
Denmark on behalf Of German rationale
ty, it seemed to me just that she should
recognize the same principle for Italy by
completing the independence Of The Pen
InSu.a.
"Such are the ideas which, for the re-
pose OF Europe, we should have tried 10
carry out. To-day there is reason to
fear that they can be decided only by
arms. In such an emergency what is the
attitude it becomes France to assume
"Ought we to manifest our dispIeasure
because Germany finds the treaties OF
1915 insufficient to satisfy her national
tendencies, and preserve her tranquility Z?
In the war which is about to break out
we have but two interests-the mainte-
nance Of the European equilibrium and
the maintenance Of that which VIC have
contributed to constitute in Italy.
"But to save these two interests does
not the moral force Of France suffice Z? Tn
order that her voice should be listened
to will she be obliged to draw The sword =?
[ do not think so.
eff, in spite of our efforts, the hopes of
peace are not realized, we are neverthc-
less reassured by the declarations of the
Courts engaged in the conflict, that what
ever be the results of the war, none of
the questions which touch us shall be
resolved without The assent of France.
"Let us, then, continue In a vigilant
neutrality and, strong in our disinterest-
edness, animated by a sincere desire TO
see the nations of Europe forget their
quarrels, and unite in the cause of civil
cation, liberty, and progress, let us still
remain confident in our right and calm in
our force. Whereupon, M. lie Ministre. T
pray God to keep you in His holy guard.
s'NAPOLEON."
The reading of this letter was inter-
ruDted by applause. Some of the donn