New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-01-12
VOLUME XIV.
FOREIGN TOPICS.

The principal topic of discussion in Europe now
is the situation of Belgium with reference to
France Rumor, which is always busy with the
French Emperor, now accusing him Of colossal
schemes of aggression, aggrandizement, now Of
secret intrigue and conspiracy against his neigh
bors at this moment charges him with design of
annexing Belgium to the French Empire. Our
Paris correspondent alludes to the fact that in
1862 he had already prepared the decree annexing
Belgiurn-a degree which, had it been promulga-
ted, would have involved Europe in war. More
judicious counseis prevailed and warded Off the
catastrophe, at least for time. But the death of
Leopold is too good a chance to be overlooked.
Nothing will suit the political gossips now, but
that Louis Napoleon is going to swallow Belgium
without any sort Of compunction. 1t is even limited
that main object Of the recent visit TO Paris Of
Count Bisnark, the Prussian PREMIER was to make
| arrangements permitting France to gobble up Bel
/ gium, by way of re-establishing her natural
frontiers on condition that Prussia should be
allowed to swallow the little German States in
order to consolidate German nationality.
| All this may be so, or it may not.
/ No one can tell what plans may be in the mind
Of that astute politician who now rules in France.
But there does not seem to be any good reason to
think that he really entertans, at this time any
serious designs on the integrity of Belgium. That
country was born, as an independent kingdom, OF
the revolutionary convulsions originating in France
Its people, a majority of whom speak the French
language, certainly sympathize muchmore strongly
with their Gallo neighbors than with their ancient
transrhine adversaries. They owe their inde
| pendence of the detested domination of Holland
to French assistance and they have regarded
! 4Iai lty nd rtn
aggression. But they have strong instinct of
nationality; aud they show no disposition to give
up the separate autonomy for which hey struggled
so violently in 1881. Louis Napoleon has not
shadow of pretcxt now for taking possession of
Belgium; and his only pretext for any kind of
interference in the affairs of that country would
rest on the quasi protection given in Brussels to
/ the French political exes But this would be
just as good cause Of complaint against England.
Moreover, it no longer exists since the conserve
tive party came into power in Belgium, and forced
the French refugees to seek another asylum. 1t is
hard, too, to conceive how England could look
GIietly on the absorption Of Belgium by France,
/ seeing that she is one of the sponsors for the
Belgium Kingdom having assisted, withher fleet, in
expelling the Dutch garrisons, and having after
wards, in conjunction with Louis Philllppe's gov
ernment, guaranteed the independence of the
new nation.
! The notice given by France to England, of the
termination of the Extradition treaty between the
/ two countries, looks something like breach of
| the e3dente c0rdialc Louis Napoleon has long
4 been discontented with the workings Of that
treaty. and his displeasure led, on one occasion to
a crisis in English politics, consequent on a bill
| brought in by Palmerston, and on which sthat
minister was defeated. 1t was urged against Pal
merston, at the time, that he had framed the bill
at the nstigation, and under the influence of the
| French Emperor. Not even Pamerston's popu-
larity was proof against such an imputation as
that. Since then the English government has
! been very chary of running a similar risk: and
consequently Louis Napoleon has not been able
to get any concessions on point which he seems
| to deem of vital importance-the surrender OF
| political offenders. He attaches more conse-
4 quence to this class of offenders than to any
Others and they are just the ones whom he cannot
get hold Of. Itis on the refusal of the English
authorities to surrender them that the French
government rests its charge of neglect or wiful
delinquency on the part of England in the fulfil
ment of treaty stpplations. But it is very certain
that Russell will not risk his power by trying tc
do that in which even Pamcrston failed. Hence
if Louis Napoleon means anything more than 9
mere menace, by his recent notification, some
& thing serious may grow out of it.
1t appears that the new English administration
have agreed on a plan of reform. The principa
) features of the programme are G20 franchise il
the countless fl0 franchise in the boroughs, ant
household franchise in the cities. 1t is ver,
doubtful that this kind of reform will satisfy tn
country. 1t is in fact, only electoral reform, tina
is to say only partial extension of the electora
franchise, but it does not provide for any sort 0
: Representative reform. Those anomalies will stl
I continue to exist by which Harwich, with its Is
/ voters, will send as many representatives to Pal
lament rs Manchester with its tens of thousand
+ of voters. Earl Russell is too old and too sage
: cious a politician not to perceive this difficulty
e but lie probably hopes to satisfy popular clamor
least for time, and to maintain power for the fe
L years which still remain to him by means of tn
: partial concession.