The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-23


OF Napoleon ON Mslueo.
From our European news by the Asia 1t ap-
pears that the French Senate and Corps Legis-
latif had been summoned to assemble OH the
22d January yesterday and that the Opposi-
ton deputies had held a meeting at which
"they had decided to direct their efforts chiefly
to the Mexican question" At the same time,
from Information received from Washington,
we infer that the Committee ON Foreign Affairs
of the House of Representatives will withhold
any report or recommendation in reference to
this Mexican controversy, until they shall have
learned what the Emperor Napoleon has had to
say to his Legislative Chambers upon this very
important subject. 1t is generally believed
that his speech will embrace the declaration
Of a purpose to abandon his imperial Mexican
enterprise, and an explanation to cover his re-
treat satisfactory to France. At all events,
we have reason to anticipate that the receipt of
the Emperor's speech will be promptly followed
by such action on the part Of Congress as the
occasion may seem to demand.
That the Emperor's speech will define line
Of policy on his part satisfactory to our gov
eminent we have reason to believe from late
significant leading article in the official Mont
tes.r, and from similar articles from other lead
ing French journals and periodicals. The pur-
pose of Napoleon thus suggested we find very
broadly expressed in the Paris correspondence
of the Independence Beige of December 81, in
which the writer says:-"We expect soon to see
in the journals which are the recipients of
governmental inspiration, note which may
permit us to see, In no very distant future,
the evacuation of Mexico" From the same
authority it further appears that "the highest
circles" in Paris care becoming enlightened as
to Mexico and very indignant as to Macmillan,
who is showing himself at the same time both
incapable and ungrateful to France, to whom he
owes everything" and that "it is even regret
ted that in the framing of his government
prccedents rendered all relations with Juarez
impossible" The French journals, it further
appears, are quite disguised with the indiffer-
ence and ingratitude of Austria, the Power
most directly interested in Maximilian's adven-
ture, but a Power which has given nothing
towards his support except an occasional
Journalistic paragraph"
All these are but straws and yet they are
sufficient to mark decided change in the wind,
and this change in reference to Mexico may
involve O change Of Louis Napoleon's policy
in reference to Italy, the Pope, the Papal
States, Venice and Austria. It is evident that
Austria regards with suspicion this Mexican
present to Macmillan, that Napoleon begins to
feel that it Is bad investment, and that Maxi
milan is doing ali that he can 10 turn the
tables upon his master, like the mock Prince of
Como, with his extravagant presents and OK
penditures. But, In addition to all these embar-
rassments, the Emperor of the French Is called
upon to determine how his experimental
empire in Mexico can be sustained when its
recognition in any shape or form at Washing
ton has been officially pronounced "impracti-
GABLE" We cannot therefore, resist the con-
Illusion that, a. Napoleon al Villa Franca made
peace when the Italian war began 10 assume
proportions beyond his original estimates, 80
now with his Mexican scheme, involving him In
unlocked for complications, he will gracefully
withdraw. We dare say, indeed, that the two
houses Of Congress, in waiting for his antici-
pated announcement Of this purpose, are doing
30 upon Omctat 1niOrmagaOn.
Meantime the liberals in Mexico, having re-
'duced their predatory warfare 10 something
like q regular system Of operations, continue
to give Macmillan abundant employment IF
he advances his troops 10 the extrcmites of
his empire the liberals are up in the interior,
aud playing the mischief even in the suburbs
of his capital; rs he withdraws his forces from
the borders into the interior again, the liberals
reoccupy the country behind him. In fact, his
authority in Mexico is limited to the places
and roads occupied and commanded by his
soldiers, and every exposed detachment is
liable at any moment to be cut off by the in
visible but omnipresent Juarists. The Mexi-
cans, through half dozen generations, have
been trained 10 this business. II is their nor
nal condition. They have never known any
thing else. Thus, against twenty or thirty
thousand French, Belgians, Turcos, and native
renegades, the liberals can keep Macmillan
busy for twenty years 10 come. The savage
alternative of their determination only makes
the matter worse for Macmillan. Two hun
dred Of his Belgians, taken prisoners, have
protested against this barbarous system of re-
vengc. They say that "they came to Mexico
solely in order to act as a guard to our
princess, but whom you (Maximilian) have
forced to fight against principles identical with
our own;' and that, had the liberals followed
the law Of retaliation, their lives would have
been sacrificed. "Breucr," In behalf of himself
and fellow Belgian prisoners, in remonstrance
"to the representatives OF the Belgian nation"
published in liberal paper in the central
State Of Michoacan, calls upon them TO inter-
vene, and says that the Belgian Legion desire
to return home, that they have had enough Of
"this iniquitous war;" and he calls "in the
ma Of Paloinun uhaae hanast canddanca has