The Press. — 1857-05-09 (London, England)

FRANCE. THE NEUFCHATEL QUESTION.  The Aloniteur of Monday administered the following sharp rebuke to the Berne papers for the premature publication of what they stated to be the terms of the treaty agreed to by Switzerland and rrussia:—  The Berne newspapers have just published what pro fesses to be a statement of the articles of the treaty and protocol intended for the settlement of the Neufchatel question. This publication, which can only be the result of a most unjustifiable indiscretion, is moreover at variance in many respects with the trite text of the documents to which it relates ; and it should be borne in mind that the text itself had not as yet been definitively decided upon. This abuse of confidence in the case of a negotiation not as yet concluded is the more to be regretted as it may possibly compromise its success. Colonel Denzler, commanding the Republican troops, and a member of the Grand Council of Neufchatel, has published a letter addressed by him to the Cantonal Governmen', blaming the acceptance of the treaty without consulting the Grand Council. The colonel expresses a hope that the people and Grand Council of Neufchatel will declare themselves against the treaty, to which he considers the status quo preferable. The Bund of Berne publishes the text of the first instructions given to Dr. Kern. They simply show that they have since been modified by the acceptance of the draught of the treaty drawn up by the representatives of the powers at the Penis Conference. The instructions are dated the 21st of January last. Dr. Kern has returned to Paris. The Grand Duke Constantine of Russia has met with a most distinguished reception in Paris. His Imperial Highness was entertained on Wednesday afternoon with a grand review of 50,000 troops in the Champ de Mars; and in the evening the Corporation of Paris gave a brilliant fete at the Hotel de Ville, at which his Imperial Highness was present. Prince Napoleon left Paris on Thursday for Berlin. His Imperial Highness was accompanied by General tle Salles, Lieut.-Colonel Bertrand, Commandants Ferri Pisani, and Captain Weidner. The Prince is said to be charged with a mission from the Emperor to the King of Prussia. _  Baron Gros has been appointed to proceed on an extraordinary mission to China. His Excellency has been received by the Emperor at two lengthened private audiences. The Constitutionnel gives some details as to the precise object of Baron Gros' mission : This diplomatist will have to demand from the Chinese Gcvernment reparation for wrongs peculiar to France atone. Among others is the murder of M. Chappedelaine, the :missionary who was last year put to death under the most atrocious circumstances. lie is also to demand a fresh treaty of cotnncerce. The French squadron is so composed as to be able to ascend the rivers, and thus act so strongly on the Chinese Government as to compel it to satisfy the demands made.  The Moniteur observes, in announcing this appointment :  Lord Elgin has received from the Government of her Britannic Majesty an analogous mission, with the same title, and the two plenipotentiaries will lend each other mutual assistance in the negotiations which are confided to them, and the success of which would, without any doubt, open a new field to Christian civilisation and the commerce of all nations. M. le Baron Gros will almost immediately embark on board the frigate Audacieuse. He will be accompinied by M. Duchesne de Bellecourt, secretary of the first class, M. the Vicomte de Contades, secretary of the third class, M. the Marquis de Moges, and 141. the Comte de LatoutsMattbourg, attaches to this extraordinary mission.  Lord Elgin embarked for Malta on the Ist, from Marseilles.  The reorganisation of the Bank of France will be restricted to a modification, said to be simply an increase of 4,200,000/., wrich, instead of being lent directly to the Government, is to bo employed generally " in the service of commerce, industry, and public credit." It is still affirmed, however, that the Bank will open a credit of 2,000,0001., or 2,400,0001., in favour of the Treasury, upon three months' bills. The preliminaries for the marriage of Prince Napoleon with a Princess of Germany, it is confidently stated, are considerably advanced.