The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-07
NapOleOn's New Project "A Counter
Check to Bismarck.

NapOleOn's New Project "A Counter
Check to Bismarck.
From the Herald.
The removal of the Marquis de Montholon to
the French legation at Lisbon is fact full of
significance. 1t is the first move of a game by
which Napoleon proposes to retrieve the morti-
flying check which he has received in Germany.
1t is so perfectly within his control and promises
such important results, that it is not surprising
he should be willing to sacrifice everything else
to it, In comparison with the solid advantages
which 1t offers, the fullest benefits which might
have been realized from the success of his
schemes i'll Mexico sink into insigni6cance. 1t
Is not therefore to be wondered at that in view
OF the failure OF the latter, he should make all
the haste possible to anticipate the period
which he had fixed for the evacuation of that
country,
The Mexican expedition was avowedy under
taken TO strengthen Napoleon's position at
home. Instead or eftecting that object, it tended
materially to weaken it. The adroit manner in
which he was outmanGuvred by Bismark still
further impaired his influence. A continued
series OF such defeats, we need not say, would,
with people like the French, have eliminated
in his ruin. Hence the necessity OF his cutting
short his involvements on this side and of en-
ter1ng upon new course OF policy which would
enable him TO prove to the world that he is
still the master mind of Europe.
Again, the absorption by Prussia of the
MINOR German States so disturbed the balance
OF power on the European continent that, in
dependent OF other considerations, it enforced
reconsideration of the position of France. 1t
| was natural that Prussia, on her side, should
| seek to strengthen herself against the conse-
queDces OF the resentment which Napoleon felt
| at the manner in which he had been trided
| with and one OF Bsmarks first moves after
| the war was brought to a close was TO seek a
close alliance With Russia. The prospect for
| France offered by this union OF interests was
| pregnant with danger. On the assistance of
| England, occupied with so many sources of
| internal disquletude, the Emperor could place
no reliance. He had to seek for fresh ele-
ments of support to counterbaance the for
| mdable influences thus allied against him.
| Casting his eyes over the map of Europe, he
found III the unsettled condition of Spain and
the dynastlc connections of Portugal precisely
the combination that he needed.
Acting upon the precedents established by
| Bismark, he determined to make out of two
| weak Kingdoms one strong one, and by giving
the sovereignty OF it to the BraganZa family, SO
| powerful addition to the alliance which he is
seeking to establish between France, Austria
and Italy. The reigntng family OF Spain had
long lost the influence it possessed at the Court
Of the Tuilaries, as it had lost the respect anG
regard of its own people, so that a project which
has for its object the placing on the Spanish
throne the soE-n-law of Victor Emanuel is il
every way calculated to draw closer the bonds
of the proposed confederation, and to render il
equal to resist the dangers by which its members
are individually menaced. In order to work
it out to a satisfactory conclusion the Marqui
de Montholon, whose skill and tact made them
selves so conspicuous in the delicate manner il
which he handled the Mexican business, wa
ordered to Lisbon, and in the fresh crcula
which it is announced the Emperor is abou
to send round 10 his diplomatic agents, we shal
probably find such further developments as wal
satisfy our readers of the correctness of ou
conclusions.
There Is another feature in this scheme whicl
has, no doubt, recommended it TO the Emperor
He rarely il ever aoandons purpose that b
has once enunciated. One OF the motives whcl
he assigned for his Intervention in Mexico wa
hls desire to consolidate aud place himself q
the head of the Latin race. He has satsfe
himself that the population OF that country ar
not deserving OF such paternai consideration
but that is no reason why he should renounc
his pet idea. Should he succeed in accomplish
ing the purpose which he has in view in tn
consolidation OF Spain and Portugal, he will
have the satisfaction OF rejecting tuat he vii
have brought within the sphere OF his iHhuenc
the puIe-and not, as in the case OF the Mex
cans, the moner rel-descendants OF the race TO
which he processes such reverence.