New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-06-13
NAPoLEoN AND THE EUROPEAN WAR.

NAPOLEON AND THE EUROPEAN WAR.
The clouds of war which overhang the European
continent appear to be assuming a still more por
tentous blackness. The latest arrivals from
Europe, it is true. announce an early con
ference at Paris at which the powers now 50
actively arming will meet the representatives @
France, England and Russia. 1t is the wish
these latter powers, aud the interest o. Europe
that the difficulties which now threaten to eonyulst
the continent in desolating war shall be peace
ably adjusted. We could wish that the kind Offices
Of the mediating powers should be attended will
success, but apprehend that the conferences a
Paris will only postpone for brief period thu
commencement of hostilities, and be the means Q
deferriDg the final adjustment of the question
which are the occasion of the existing excitement
1t will be remembered that prior to the com
menoement of hostilities by the combined armie
of Austria and Prussia against Denmark, in behalf
as it was claimed of Holstein, the Emperor of thu
French invited the great powers to meet in con
gress at Paris, with view to adjust peaceably the
| differences which had arisen, and to prevent the
complications likely to arise if the allied German
| powers were permitted to wrest Holstein from
Denmark. This effort at pacific result was de-
feated chiefly by the refusal of England to meet in
| the conference. The Danish war followed As a
necessary result of the disparity in strength Den
mark was compelled to relinquish her claims upon
Holstein, which was then held by the joint oecu-
patton of Prussia and Austria.
But the complications which Napoleon had fore.
seen have now arisen-haYing their ncipiency in
the dispute between Austria and Prussia as to
whether the jointly acquired province should be
made a constituent part Of Prussia or be attached
TO the Germanie Confederation. This, as we un.
derstand, is essentially the quarrel between the
two great German powers.
But, availing herself of the difficulties of Aus
trials position, the newly established kingdom of
Italy seems disposed to encourage to an outbreak
the chronic discomfort of Venetia against Austrian
rule, and by forming close alliance with Prussia
to seek to incorporate in the new italian kingdom
the remaining Italian provinces of Austria and thus
to elevate herself tothe rank of first class power
in carrying out the idea of the unity of Italy
It is at this period that Napoleon again inter
poses his diplomacy and for the moment the ar
mics Of Europe are brought to pause, awaiting
the result of the Paris conference.
There are those who do not believe in the sin
cerity Of the French Emperor. Many will insist
that his intrigues have inaugurated the existing
troubles, and that he is coyertly throwing obsta-
cles in the way of a peaceful adjustment while he
appears openly to urge policy of Cancellation.
These are surmises in regard to his action, which
are very naturally made in reference to one ocou-
plying so prominent position at the moment The
recent declaration uttered at Auxerre, announcing
his detestation of the treaties of 1916, give color
to these accusations. But it does not follow that
hpneuzn I l
treaties, are obnoxious to France, they are there
fore to be repudated by Napoleon, at the risk of
a continental war. The glory of France is doubt.
less dear to him as it was to the great Napoleon
But, like his uncle, he believes that glory init
mately associated with his own dynasty, and one
of his cool Judgment will be slow to provoke, at
his age, collision which will endanger the perpe-
tuity of the Empire.
tbs very natural that France should detest trea-
ties which reft her of SO much territory threw her
back from the Rhine, and established Prussian
forresses within the limits of her legitimate terri
tory. And France would not be true to her tradi.
lions and to her glory and interests, if she ne
elected any just occasion to obtain the restoration
of territory Of which she was wrongfully deprived
by the odious treaties of 1915. Should the present
difficulties, therefore, eliminate in continental
war, and should France by the force Of circum-
stances be drawn into the vortex it will doubtless
be the policy of the Emperor 10 wage the war in
such manner as to make the best possible terms
for France at the general pacification.
But we are compelled to conclude from his CON
sistent public course in reference to the Hostein
troubles, that he is earnestly attempting to quiet
the storm. He doubtless desires, in the interests
Of France, the establishment Of Italy as first