FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Issue 98, 28 August 1866, Page 2

FRANCE.

In the Corps Legislatif, on June 12, M. Rouher*read a letter from the Emperor tp M. Drouyn de Lhuys, in which Ids Majesty after detailing- the efforts made in common with England and Russia to prevent an armed conflict, says that hadthe conference assembled, his Government would have repudiated all idea of territorial aggrandisement " so' long as the European equilibrium remained undisturbed." - France could only think of an extension of her frontiers in the event of the map of Europe being altered to the profit' of a great power, and of the bordering provinces expressing by a formal and Jfree vote their desire for annexation. 'In. the absence of these circumstances, the French Government prefers to any territorial acquisition a good understanding with its neighbors, resulting from its. respect for their independence and their- nationality. (Cheers;.) . We shoul<Thave.desired for the Germanic Confederation niore worthy of .its importance ; for Prussia bettergeograplucalbouhdaries; for Austria themaintainance of her" great, position in Europe, after .the cession -of Yenetia to Italy in exchange ipr territorial compensation.: The conference has failed. Will France be- led .to draw. the. sword ? The French Governments jthin'k not.' Whatever may be the result of tlie war which may break out, hoi. question affecting us will be resolved -without the assent .of France. France, therefore^ will continue to,pbserye an attentive neutrality, confident in her fight 'and calm, in her strength. (Cheers.)" This letter has been variously interpreted. The final impression- seeriis to be. that France is sagaciously waiting on events. - • • ' • M. Rouher has stated in the Corps Legislatif that' up to the present time the negotiations with England for' a new extradition treaty were fruitless, but that the old treaty had been prolonged for six "months in order to facilitate an arrangement. The official biidget for 1867 was aid before the Chamber, shows a. surplus of more than ninety-four million francs... " . - The Vienna journals state that during the late financial panic in London, Earl Cowley, by order of his government; sor licited the energetic mediation of the Emperpr Napoleon in favor of peace; arid received from - hia Majesty, the following reply :— " ln the years 1859 .and 1864 England opposed my proposals :in reference to the settlement of the Venetian and Sclileswig-Holstein questions. ;Now England, wantp peace. I also desire peace, but as the. moat favorable opportunities have been frittered away, and as tlie conflicting interests have been 'permitted to reach a point at which they must clash, I can no longer assume the responsibility of events," •■ ".■ -