The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-05-28

The Row in Enrope---.signiGcnnt
Speech by NaPOIeOns
1.-THE; aspect of affairs in Europe has
often been called threatening in the last
half year, but never has it seemed so
ominous or momentus as now. The
causes that have induced the present
complications may be thus briefly
summed up: Prussia and Austria are
still quarreling over the spoils gained
when, as allies, they unjustly wrested
the Schleswig-Holstein duchies from
Denmark. Italy thinks the opportuni-
ty ripe to pounce upon Yenetia, and
Napoleon at this juncture makes a
speech which is accepted as virtual
declaration of war-a determination
that France, with Prussia, shall sus-
tain Italy, and reconstruct the map of
Europe, with an enlarged domain for
France. This speech, now ringing
through all Europe, is particularly sig
nifcant as being the imperial response
to recent great speech of NJ. Theirs,
ablest and most potent of the liberal
statesmen of the corps legislatif.
Theirs expressed, in strong terms, the
opinion that Napoleon had, and still
held, the power to prevent continental
war, by firm. distinct declaration,
made TO Prussia and Italy and these
powers, he contended, would not have
assumed their present threatening atti-
tude, if not certain of the countenance
of France. This declaration was re-
ceived with marked applause, and no
show of dissent in the chambers. Two
or three DAYS later Napoleon made n
visit by appointment to AuXerre, the
chief town in the department of the
Yonne, section which has always
been strongly Napoleonic. Ostensibly
in answer to the mayors speech of well
come, but really in reply to NJ. Theirs,
Napoleon said:
clam happy to see that the reminiscent
ces of the first empire have not been eff
faced from your memory. Be certain that
on my side, 1 have inherited the senti-
ments of the head of my family for the
energetic and patriotic populations who
supported the emperor i'll good as in
evil fortune. l have, moreover, debt
Ofgratitude to pay to the department
of the Yonne. 1t was one of the first to
give me its suffrages in 1915, because it
knew, like the majority of the French
nation, that its interests were mine and
that detested, like it, those treaties of
IT'S which some parties of this day
wish to make the sole basis of our for
eign policy. thank You for your sem
timents. In the midst of you I breathe
at case, for it is among the laborious
populations of the towns and rural
districts that find the true genius of
France"
The Vienna treaties of 1915 were
mainly designed to define the bounda-
ries of the great powers, and curb
France by preventing territorial ex-
pansion on her part. Napoleon's avow-
ed detestation of them is therefore TAX
en- everywhere as an enunciation of an
imperial policy, which will seize the
present opportunity to throw the conti-
mental powers into war, with determ-
ination to nggrandiZe territory for
France. This announcement was re-
ceived in Paris with mingled indigna-
ton and dismay. Government and
other stocks at the Bourse fell quickly
and heavily, and the financial crash in
England, which had been several days
impending, soon followed.
Nothing except miracle in diplo-
macy can now avert a war in Europe;
and all hope of Cancellation through
the mediation of England and Russia,
which alone have been able to effect it,
is lost. Russia, indeed. has been quietly
arming, to protect the interests on her
southern frontier. Prussia, Austria
and Italy, as well as the minor Ger
man States, are on a complete war
footing, and hot with the war fever.
In many sections all publicity of the
movement of troops is prohibited.
Specie payments are suspended, and
business is breathlessly awaiting the
first blow in the stupendous conflict.
1t cannot, at the best, be many weeks