The New York herald., 1870-07-23

and most noisily broken by the sudden reveal
ment of the German candidature for the
Spanish throne; and it is matter OF much
curiosity to observe the tone Of the various
national journals, of every different shade OF
political opinion, as presented to MS by our
latest foreign mails. The English papers,
almost without exception, eprecated-some-
times in very pungent terms--what they
called the rashness and self-will Of the
French government, and praised the quiet
dignity of the Prussian King. The Times,
however, when Prince Leopold Of Hohenzol-
lern popped up from the diplomatic juggling
board like a jack-i' '-the-box, expressed the
hope that ''the good sense of the Prince and
of the Prussian reigning family would with
draw him from position that could only
lead to present confusion and ultimate
defeat" The Pal Mall Gazette sees anything
but promising prospect in the present attl-
tude of France. ''If Napoleon iii. deter
mines to fight Prussia this autumn" it says,
sit Will not be because he himself wishes il,
but because he dare not stand the risk OF
declining to do so. The prestige Of the
empire has already had more shocks than it
can well sustain, and it must not give such
q handle to its enemies as would be afforded
by the spectacle of Prussian prince
on the throne of Spain The Globe
speaks slightingy of the skill of
Prim in making this nomination, and
says that the Spanish nation must begin to see
how dangerous it is to have its destinies
placed in the hands Of a man who may be
brave and ardent, but who is not distinguished
for caution or common sense. The Telegraph
very distinctly recognizes the menace to
France involved in the German candidature,
and says: Immediate humiliation, future
peril-that is what Prince Leopold's success
will really signify to France"
The French press on the first intimation Of
Leopold's name burst into full cry, all seeming
to regard it as an omen Of disaster to French
pre-eminence 'What, then, can and ought
France to do ?" says the Steele Simply to
demand from Spain pledge of neutrality in
the eventual struggles of the Continent" The
Journal de Paris states that Baron Werther
reminded the French Minister of State that
when Prince Charles of Hohenzollern accepted
the crown of Roumania he did SO with
out the consent and almost without the
knowledge of King William, and that France
had more to do with the affair than Prussia.
The Constitutional prognosticates that the
European Powers will intervene to prevent
Prussia from disturbing the equilibrium of the
Continent, 'the security of France and the
peace of the world" England, it adds, had
for long time constituted itself the guardian
of the latter. Austria will not like to see her
rival strengthened by disguised aggrandze-
ments, and Russia is too much engaged in de-
veloping her social institutions and her almost
newborn commerce not to fear anything that
will shake public credit in Europe and impede
the course of business. Italy, it thinks, must
have the same feelings in still greater de-
gree.
The ,Joss77s0I des D660ts, referring to the
Hohenzollern negotiation, says, the moral of
this history is that in times like ours the most
secret diplomacy is of no avail if it has not the
instinct to respond to the wants and to receive
the assent of public opinion" The MemOriaI
Diplomatique clearly and broadly intimates
what French policy continues to be: France
has always been in the habit of not allowing
herself to be shut in by the neighboring
pursued since the days of Francis l., by Henry
w., Richelieu Louis XIV. and Napoleon |.
The independence Beige details converse
ton that took place between the French Minis
ter of Foreign Affairs and the Prussian repre-
sentative The former used the word ''catas-
trophe" when limiting the results that would
follow a persistence on the part Of Leopold in
the Spanish Crown. Baron Werther
then at once asked him if the true meaning of
that expression was u menace of war. The
near, broke in at once upon the collOquy,
remarking that it was, and that
he replied in the name of the Emperor and
his government.
The German press at home maniiests extreme
surprise at the suddenness Of the crisis. Judg-
ing by the language of the RoeInfsehe Zeitu7sg,
the AHgemeine Zeitung, the Neue Preussische
Zeitung the Neue Freie Presse, they at first
supposed the war threats Of France to be
directed against Spain, and We're one and all
favorable to the withdrawal of Leopold as a
means of allayiDg excitement The German
editorials are temperate and cOnciliatory in the
highest degree, and yet are firm and confident
in the wisdom of King William and the strength
ofFatherand. The Dutch, Belgian and Swiss
papers are pacific and neutral, but the Spanish
and Italian alike are very decidedly defiant of
France. The Italian comic journals carica-
tme Napoleon numerically, and hint without
hesitation at the impending downfall of his
empire. In fine, il the tone OF the Continental
papers in general be any fair criterion. the
French claims 10 control over the Spanish
situation have few defenders.