FOREIGN LETTER. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Paris, November 27.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2676, 13 February 1866, Page 5

FOREIGN LETTER. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Paris, November 27.

The events of the month are of very little importance ; every one is waiting for something, and nobody stirs. There is something singular and unassuring in this general attitude, and, although the general state of the finances seems to condemn the European governments to inactivity, it is very clear that no one wishes to give the example of peace in disarming the first. What is worse, that if a certain part of Europe disarmed, the other would, in all probability, profit by the circiimstance^o^work understand that' "none of the powers hint at this aloud, but it is my impression. There is a vague feeling as if all Europe had fallen into a cave of robbers who were only waiting a favourable opportunity to strike a heavy blow. It is principally the attitude of France and Prussia which makes one think involuntarily of a band of marauders, or, to use a more polite expression, of two sportsmen on the watch. For some time, as I have previously reported, there has been a rumour of important reform in the French budget M. Fould, the Minister of Finance, found himself, so it is said, in the face of a deficit of one hundred millions .for the coming year ; and he, although possessing that laudable and. rare quality under the second empire, of setting off his receipts with his expenses, began to think of nothing else than economics. He commenced by effecting considerable reduction in the staff employed in the Treasury. The three thousand five hundred customhouse officers were discharged out of those employed by his Ministry. He decided on suppressing the receivers-general j but as all these functionaries are either brothers, sons, nephews, or cousins of highly placed people, he was obliged to revoke his decision and look elsewhere for the way of economizing. But in vain did this poor Minister try to tussle, the word deficit always stood at the bottom of his account-books. However, as great evils require great remedies, he finally proposed to the Emperor to reduce the army considerably. The question was to economise fifty millions per annum on the budget of the army. He drew up a programme, submitted it to the Emperor, and the latter, in spite of the opposition of Rouher, of Lavalette, the Minister of the Interior, and of Marshall Randon, Miuister of War, declared himself convinced, and promised to sign the decree required. The report of these doings soon ran through the public and the army, amongst each of which the effect produced was naturally very different; the serious people were enchanted, the soldiers furious. On the 13th of this month the Pays, La France, and La Patrie, three of the chief semi-official newspapers, published at the same hour and in the same terms, a note in which they announced, with a number of details, the proposed reduction of the army. It was Fould who, not knowing how to triumph in silence, and wishing to hasten the Emperor's decision, had sent this information to the above-named journals. The news spread through France like wild-fire. The telegraph went to work, and five hours after the publication, it was known that almost tumultuous manifestations had been made in the different garrisons — principally at Verseilles. Immediately Lavalette, Eouher, and Eandon, without a< I vising Fould, started away to Compiegne, where the Emperor is now residing. According to them, the reduction was a terrible measure, which might lead to the most serious catastrophes in disaffecting the officers and soldiers. The Praetorians were getting roused. Napoleon 111., so runs the chronicle, was very much troubled, gave way to the reasoning of his three Ministers, and the next day a note, of which the following is an abstract, appeared in the Moniteur :—: — "The news put forth by certain badly informed and perhaps evil disposed journals, relative to modifications in the existing organisation of the army, is incorrrct. Certain economics in the budget of the army are under consideration, but nothing is decided yet." 1 leave you to imagine M. Fould's astonishment at this note, drawn up and printed without his knowledge. He immediately went post-haste to Coinpiggne, carrying his resignation to the Emperor. Now, in the present state of affairs, everything going on badly, confidence small, credit shaken, and on the eve of the opening of the Chambers, M. Fould's resignation , amounted to a general confusion. The Emperor, of course, opposed it ; but M. Fould was inflexible, " Either the Moniteur of to-morrow," said he, "will contain the decree relative to the army— or I go." "But what will the other Ministers say?" "Let them say what they please : I was not consulted on putting that frightful note in the Moniteur, and I shall not consult them in making use of the Moniteur, for the publication of the decree in question " In short, Napoleon 111. gave in, and the official journal of the morning of the 16th, appeared with the decree for reducing the army. Thus, under the empire of the constitution of 1812, are we permitted to see a personal government revoking its own decisions, in less than twenty-four hours, and publishing on the 16th a decree, whose very existence was denied, and whose creation was attributed to badly disposed newspapers only the day before ? It is hardly worth while holding despotic power, to v commit such stupidities. For the firstiime, perhaps, since 1851, the public opinion feel deeply humiliated. The power and grandeur of a despot can in a certain measure afford an excuse to the eyes of those who live under despotism ; but when one has to humble oneself before a power which gives unequivocal signs of mental alienation, the badly coated pill becomes difficult to swallow, and the heart rises with dis-

gusb. You can be sure, Mr. Editor, that the decree of the 16th November'will mark a date in the history of the second empire, which, in my opinion, ■will point out the declivity down which the manoeuvre of the 2nd December is now going. Every side of the question is, however, to be laid open, and over contradictory versions to be given. To believe those knowing and skilled in politics, the reduction is only futive, and designed to veil the eyes of Europe, and lull it into a dangerous feeling of security. The King of the Belgians has not many more days to pass ; as soon as they are finished, troops will cover the Rhine and Belgium, and carry all before them without pulling a trigger. This is the construction of those who do not wish to believe that Napoleon 111. has fallen into second childhood, and thus they account for the incoherent measures of the last few days. To say the least of this defence, it is pitiful. The situation is then very delicate, and the Orleanists, who have so many partisans in the army, must rest their hands ■with, that. For some time there have been spots in the sun of the Bonapartes ; scarcely has the cholera subsided, when a fresh cause of dismay lowers upon the horizon. At home, the army question ; abroad, the Belgians. The session of the Belgian Houses has just opened without a speech from the throne. The state of the King's healtn has been the sole cause of his silence : but nis malady is not so grave as to prevent his moving, for he was to have arrived the day after the opening at the castle of Lackiss. The new Minister of Justice, M. Barn, has been presented to the Senate and to the Duke of Brabant, the heir presumptive, who was present at the sitting ; this fact would seem to indicate that a pending catastrophe is feared at Brussels, or elsewhere. The news of King Leopold's alarming state appears to have produced a deep impression, especialy in England, and this can be easily understood, after the comments which Mr. Bismark's visit to France gave rise to, and after the current of annexation ideaa which has run through the articles of the Debate, the Opinion Nationale, and several other publications. In fact it is difficult to imagine that Napoleon 111. would let such a fine chance, as the death of King Leopold, go by without claiming the frontier* of the Rhine which he has coveted so long. I was going to forget to speak to you of a new publication from our Emperor's pen. The author of the Life of Caesar owed himself the duty of writing bhe impressions of his voyage in Algeria, and he has fulfilled, it. Ido not, however, believe that his "Impressions" will have so much success as those by Alexander Dumas of his travels in Switzerland. The pamphlet of the crowned author is dedicated to Marshall McMahon, governor of the colony; it passes the situation there in review, and proposes sending remedies for the existing miseries. Ido not intend entering into any details, as they would be iseless to you, for there is nothing whatever in these Lucubrations that is serious or efficacious ; what seems bo me the most striking is an over-preference for the Arabs, to whom the planters appear to be sacrificed, and bhe reason is self-evident. The planters do not go Ajgoria to return to Franoo as soldiers, whereas the Ajrabs make excellent Turcos. The Turco is the most essential produce of African's shores to the syes of our Government, and garrison in Paris ; it wall care little about the sorrows of the Europeans md the French, who are silly enough to emigrate to Airica, to put themselves under the thumb of the military authorities. J n Italy, the cholera is at the gates of Curine, in Mount Cenis, and appears at Naples with an illDineued peverity. In these provinces the people are 30 stupefied that they take as gospel the monstrous calumnies put into circulation by the Bourbon agents, which amount to this— that all the evil is owing to poisoners. Scenes of indescribable tumult and murder arise from this, and the events, such as were fortuuately an exception in Paris in 1832, have become a daily rule in Naples. But this does not prevent the public mind from being pre-occupied with political question's. The elections made from, bhe 22nd to the '29th October have resulted in a majority m favour of the liberal and moderate party ; nevertheless, the opposition of the left was supported by a number of votes. It is even asserted that a great many men belonging to the left have been returned to the Chamber by the elections. To this must be addeJ. the new elections which will t a ke place in January, to fill up the vacaucies of the double election.", belonging nearly entirely to the Opt »/ U .». UU} «.«•«. u6i.oiavi«% t>i a. cuusiueraoic number • and one, therefoie, has reason to predict a powerful influence from the left in the now OLomboi*.- -m — a — complications may follow this power, for it is no mystery that the King is personally disposed to arant concessions to the Pope, while the left party would like to profit by the departure of the French, troops to carry the situation and wind up the Roman question. In waiting for the opening of the Parliament fixed for the 18th November, there has been a great deal of talk of a dinuer speech made by M. Lilla, the Minister of Finance. He said th.it the desire was to execute the Convention of the 15ch September faithfully, and that the Government waited for time only to effect the unity of Italy. All impressed on the Government the duty of seeking to redress the grievances of the rate-payers by reducing the army budget Such a discourse appears official. In a recent council of Ministers, M. Leila proposed reducing the army by one third, but the King opposed the discussion of the proposal. The King's speech, at the opening of the new Parliament on the 18th November, left no doubt on the subject. Not only will the army and navy remain intact, but the King declares that he will not leave an unfinished woik to posterity, and that if it were necessary to make war he expected to fiud the Italian ranks range around him with ardour. He reminds the Government of the negotiations opened not long ago between themselves and the Pope, and he declares that they were contrary to the honour and interest of the nation. He announces that the Chambeis will have to deliberate on the separation of the Church and State, and on the transformation of the ecclesiastical property. All these passages in his speech were received with nearly unanimous applause. '1 he tribunes were overflowing with people, and the crowd did not cease to acclaim the popular King, who has augmented his popularity, if possible, by Lis voyage to Naples -while the cholera was raging there. All the rumours of abdication were silenced. People now speak of a new Ministry, whose mission will be to bring into the Italian politics a little more strength, and iv which, it is even said, certain men o£ the left are to be included. It is certain that the programme coming from the Crown agrees on^ more than one point with that of the liberal opposition ; and you know that the latter gained a great number of votes and a powerful prestige at the last elections. More than a hundred re-elections are reckoned on, amongst which a good many would return to the Opposition. This situation becomes all the more difficult to consider, as the French troopsare already beginning to leave Rome, and the Holy Father will soon find himself face to face with his flock— which is not precisely what he desires. Three thousand out of the fifteen, thousand French troops have already embarked, and the rest are to follow shortly. The Pontifical Government does not appear to be over-enchanted by the perspective of such close quaiters with the people, and it would he very glad to fiml means r of drawing itself towards Italy and satisfying Rome, without appearing to recoil too much. M. de Merode's departure seems to confirm the affair. The mettlesome Minister of War, a simple and foolish ujau, has allowed himself to be duped by every f-peeies of intriguer. It is enough to bean ardent Ca'holic to merit his confidence, and he has consequently raanv men of this category ino*t willing to undertake the keeping of the ministerial coffers, and turn the Peter's pence to their profit. A scene of reckless wa'-te was going on bef ->re bis eyes, and he never Biispectedit; his kind friends, the Cardinals suspected it for him. Tbe w'aole pack of scarlet hounds scented a scandal, and with the charity for which Monsignori are so remarkable, thry all began barking sullenly around him. He won, however, for it appears bbat no one has a worse tongue than he. He used to pass his life in backbitiug and abusing his neighbours. Hated in Italy and in France, and more detested in the Papal states, it was impossible for him to keep his position long. His fall is a good thing for every one. and more especially for the Pope, who will have shaken off one of his most dangerous friends. It is probable that he will hasten his departure at the same time as that of the French soldiers, which will make the Holy Father reflect on the expediency of prolonging the non possumus. It is very well to be stubborn — it becomes an old Roman— but it is very disagree- ' able to be exposed to the obligation of travelling at his age. Nevertheless, we inusfc not be too hasty in concluding that the leaders of the movement are as undecided for action as they are unfit to remain unoccup"ed, and it would not be surprising if" the nation, although speaking much more openly, continu d in the state of temporisation to which it serins condemned. It is an inconvenient part to play, ivnd it is rather difficult to foresee Jiow she will manage to unravel it, unless some good war betweenber neighbours gives her au opportunity for action. England i 3 also in a singular position, from which we cannot see well how she can extricate herself. Lord John B u^S" 11 seems incapable of ever ' making a serious Minister : at least" up to the present ' moment he ha* given no signs of it, and Mr. Gladstone, although the most remarkable personage in the Cabinet, is not a suffi-

wwoodmlot to steer the Government bark, ciently gooa /pu»j^ to be the touchstone ySHSS&Sf Siigh Mr. Gkcfctone, at a &«goV andLordKussel), on another ™S avoided carefully any explanation on this SeT Tvs intended that Lord^ussell wishes to Snt a plan of parliamentary reform, but till it is KSed.no one can know whajfc its bearing is, for E?hS not communicated it ta the council of minister as yet. The3for W mflr^ar,in»vingthisnews, *™ar/totry anl engage the Cabinet indirectly ??EnSeasavy for public demonstrations to push LoS3ftra/up the plan ma Überal spirit » This S how the Manchester organ should have »»^ i*f«plf It has given out a sagacious order r^tr-a ¥->%• chief **• ■""■* c* wh.m« the supposed chief, has just been JrtSrfSr « KSSSe the e&tence of English UwhTlXd, anJXpiseaay sentence that can be Pr Kevcr;Sw captivity has not J-fced long for aSavrngbeen inprisonfourdays he hasfoimd Enelish vessels are cruising on the coast. This disX of force is easily understood, for it is said that Sected TmaU craft have been observed in the Fenians, the American question. The Enstish are more than «v.r occupied m unraveling the nteatioM of the A-icrioaa Government ; but it L once more impossible to find anything out of such '^rnts^afe rvom America which bu itroci"e» It was at Erst pretended that the msing wm part of a formidable conspiracy which was to We broken out at CbrUtmas ; and which would but it now appears that it is nothing of the kind. |o mo S«h%pers accuse the whites of hvriog fermented the' negroes by unnecessary -eventjes The Governor's official report states at any rate that S,e rebSn was suppressed by an excels ye energy, to be justified. Pubic opinion runs ,cry high on the subject and d* mandlan inquiry to bring the facts to light. Ihe Sost prudent manner, however, would be to absta, from any appreciation, until the causes of the rebel lion are known. The honour of England is interest* in knowing whether she can or not be accused o: bavin- shot down two or three hundred person* withont cause There is, however, no reason to b< Se«y on that score: with the liberty of the pres<, aTXdsts in England, the light canno delay fc display itself, and if the Governor has really abuser hi. authority! it is certain that English justice wil "aucKt" qnestion has just arisen for England. Admiral Pafeja, after the exploits in Pern, «™f« te gather fresh laurels in Chili. The difference better the latter state and Spain which seemed on the pom of settlement by the good sense of M Salvador d( Ravire, and by the sensible moderation of the Mini* tTivvaez, has sprang up hotter than ever by th< arrival of O'Donnell into affairs, he having as Svery one knows, personal reasons /or makmj himself the knight of the lady insulted bj the San Martinio. These two gentlemen, O'Donnel and Pareja, do not forget by any by-ways to carrj out their intentions. The latter, without a word o warning, appeals before the town of Valparaiso, am there he says that he will enter into explanations when the Chilians have saluted the Spanish flag bj a round of 21 cannons. An explanation profferec with the match in hand was not to the taste of th. Chilians, who repliedthattheywoiddbeglad to comet< some understanding j but before firing the salute Th« admiral then answers, that if they do not accede a1 once he will fire upon the stores in the town. Th( mpiomatic body protest, but obtain nothing General <W^S%?tiiSStf^*S^ afe s! u^L V S?S.^SJb of Chili in a stete of blockade with his five vessels. This is not much for a country which has several hundred bays of maritime coast This news has had a considerable effect on Americai and European commerce, and most especially in Eng land. Two meetings of merchants have been held n Liverpool and London, and the Government, taking their cause in hand, has sent a severe note to the Couri of Madrid, which, perhaps, will make it reflect ; and i 1 is said that the United States have determined t( oppose the Spanish admiral even by force As t< the French Government, it is to be supposed that ii condemns the enterprise as much as the other governmmts, but it has not got the habit of lowering itself so much as to make its intentions known, and give an account of its actions. The Washington Government seems lesa than ever inclined to yield to Lord Russell's arguments. We can hardly wonder at it, for though it appears that the British Minister has the law on his side, no doubt can be entertained but that an open partiality was shown to the Confederates in allowing them free access to the ports of Great Britain. The reception given to the Fenian deputation by President Johnson has been the subject of much comment, especially as it was followed by the setting at liberty of John Mitchell who was undergoing incarceration for the part he had taken in the southern rebellion. When we hear that the Fenians avow their intention to invade Canada, we cannot wonder at this fact being looked upon with suspicion. Orders have been sent to Fort Monroe to continue the building of iron-clad vessels. Fears are entertained in England that this is a fresh menace on the part of the United States ; it is, however, more likely that President Johnson wishes to be prepared to interfere in the Chilian question, in case the Court of Madrid should wish to carry out its rediculous menaces. The United States, already jealous of the presence of the French in Mexico, are not disposed to tolerate any further interference of European powers on American territory. Nor will they allow Spain to tyrannise over the colonies that have thrown off her odious yoke. This is, no doubt, the reason which has caused the Cabinet of Washington to send a second note to the French Government, with the intimation that any fresh sending of troops to Mexico will be looked upon with much displeasure.