The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-04-15
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE.

| one Of the most disGng guished public men OF Eu
rope in his able eloquent and exhaustive analysis
of the foreign policy Of France, delivered in the
Corps Legislaty on the 14th ult., remarked that
his memory failed to supply parallel instance o
the seriousness of the present aspect of affairs in
Europe. Every State in Europe, he says, the
smallest and the largest Belgium and Switzer-
land, Russia, France and Austria, lis raising gi-
| gantic ornaments. Under the well-adjusted and
carefully guarded balance of power wisely arranged
more than three hundred years ago, such wide
| spread alarm and uneasy anticipations were I'M
possible, and such enormous ''peace establish
| ments" unnecessary. The people mightbe restlve,
| but the monarchs felt secure. There might be
| internal connections and even revolutions, but
| there was little dread from an attack ab extra.
Now all this is changed, NJ. TH1ERs says, and in
Prussia We must look to the cause of it. But
Prussia would not have been emboldened to enter
into war against Austria, had she not been sure
of Italy as an ally; and Italy could not have en-
tered into such alliance without the concurrence
been no Italy Tin it's present political meaning).
! NAPOLEON therefore, in M THEIRS opinion, is per-
sonally responsible for all the wars of Continental
Europe during the past ten years. for the great IN
crease of public indebtedness, for the immense
armies now every where levying, and the universal
dread, panic almost, now prevailing all over Eu-
rope, Of great and widespread war impending.
The box Of Pandora was opened, according to
M. THEIRS, when the Emperor committed the
fatal blunder Of recognizing public policy on tho
basis of ssnationaties, when he declared that the
treaties Of 1915 were no longer to be respected
The balance of power was a skilfuDy constructed
machine, which had kept the economy of Europe
in beautifully harmonius operation, when in an
evil hour, this neT engineer, (LoUIs NAPoLEoN)
with unparalleled rashness, not satisfied to let
well-enough alone, abolishes the system that had
hitherto worked 80 excellently, and launches out
on the untried and stormy sea Of senationaities"
and the 'agglomeration of States" We cannot
call that e system which, from it's very nature,
is ever shifting as the sands Of the ocean.
M. THEIRS, for three hours, until complete
physical exhaustion compelled him to stop, pro-
ceeded to unfold the foreign policy of the En-
peror's Government, severely animadvertlng upon
it at every step. He recommends an alliance with
England, now, he said, much more needed than
thirteen years ago, when the two governments made
war upon Russia. Austria and Italy, also, in his
opinion, could be gained to such an alliance, and
all the smaller States would then come in readily
in self defence. After giving his views in detail
on all the points, he concluded in the following
peroration:
IF an individual alone, without party, without
support in the Press, can follow such course, a
Government which concentrates in its hands all
the instruments of power eau adopt it far more
securely and conveniently for ITSELF In conclud-
iug, gentlemen, suppicate you, for your sakes
and for that Of the country, unreservediy to give
yourselves up to that policy, which may call tho
policy of common sense for will add but one
word-a single word-there is not one single
blunder left the Government to commit. "Ln'yG
ptus seae sele tame co'nnsettre."
This last mot was Parthian shaft, and went
home. M. DE RoUHER, sl.e Minister, and eloquent
spokesman Of the .Govornpent. in the Chamber,
arose next day and defantly took up the gauntlet,
by his opening sentence "Nota single blunder
has been committed. y s.A ny pas eu une seuIe
taute consmSse."l he even endeavored to show
that France had not lost prestige by the war in
Germany last summer |; that France forced Prussia
to halt, when her victorious legions were on the
very outskirts Of Vienna that the treaty Of
Nickolsburg was dictated by Napoleon; that the
French influence and particular stress was laid on
the French intrigue that had prevented union be-
tween the North and the South Of Germany. Unfor
tunately for the brilliant ninisterial orator, the
same wires that conveyed these Boosting words to
Berlin, brought in return piece Of news, which
went to prove either that the Emperor had been
oyerreached, OF else that the Government was try
ing to throw dust into the eyes Of the French peo
pie. This news was the announcement that in
August last, Immediately upon the close Of the
war, therefore, Prussia had entered into negotia-
tions with Bavaria, Baden, WI. Semberg and Hesse
Darmstadt, (Which four States compose South
Germany and that treaties had more recently
been concluded between all these parties, thus
virtually abolishilg that Rubicon on the Maine,
and giving Prussia absolute control Of all the Ger
man armies. This announcement would have
been great triumph Of the French opposition,
were it not for the serious consequences threat
ened to France, which for the moment hush all
minor differences.
Another cause Of difficulty that arose, or, more
correctly that was published on the heels of the
last named is the dispute about the future posses
sion or occupation Of the fortress of Luxembourg.
The possession of t''is stronghold now garrisoned
s5 PrusA ian troops,) would prove q decided ad
vantage to the French, and perpetual eye sore,
as veil as a thorn in the flesh to their eastern
neighbo-. The French insinuate that Prussia is
desirous of bringing Holland into the North Ger
man Bund, in order to have an enlarged field for
her marine, and that Holland relying upon France,
was determined to thwait all such efforts: It is
said that negotiations for the cession Of Luxem-
bourg by Holland to France were progressing IA
ground being the existence Of certain claims of
the late German Diet upon the Grand Duchy Of
Luxembourg for unpaid federal contributions, and
for different Notifications, the further hint
that Prussia the her-atlaw Of the late confedera-
ton, would consider any disposal Of Luxemb ourg
by Holland to third party as violation of these
claims. This protest, it is said, has prevented a
consummation OF the transfer of this territory.
The French press now charge the King Of Holland
with breach of faith. Officially, however, nothing
has as yet transpired on this Luxembourg question.
France is said to be arming and sending troops to
the eastern frontier. Prussia has demanded an
explanation, and ordered corresponding massing
Of troops on the right bank Of the Rhine Yet
some correspondents state that the French arna-
ments and warlike preparations on the frontier
fall far short Of those Of Prussia.
war with Prussia would be the most popular
measure the Emperor Of the French could engage
in at present. Only one year ago NAPOLEON was
the arbiter Of the dastinies Of Euro,'e En- his
hand, it was then said were peace and var. This
consideration fatterad the vanity OF tie French,
and they feel keeny the loss of sucil prestige The
disastrous failure Of the Mexican expedition; the
very impolite, not to say Insulting reply BISMARCK
gave to the demand of the Emperor for his share
Of the spoils with view of rectfying the French
frontier Of the Rhine" and now finally, the further
menace to French influence in the affairs of Eu-
rope, brought to light by tho treaties between
p,.aa;a and tha South Gar,nan Statas these sev.