POLICY OF FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 139, 1 December 1866, Page 3

POLICY OF FRANCE.

Tho Emperor- Napojeon has meanwhile ajain vindicated his sagacity by the issue of a diplomatic circular — one of the most lvmav&ible papers which have yet issued from his Foreign Oliicc — in -which, with great skill and breadLh of thought, ho conceals tho loss of influence which Franco has sustained, expounds anew his policy, and justifies ie to tho wounded pride of his couniyymesi. Tho Auxere speech, and the significant intimation:; in lii.s famous Uittci", addressed^ to M. Dvouyn do Lhuys — whoso recent retirement from office excited liiiich speculation— are alike convuiivionally ignored ; and as lie casts again tho horoscope of Europe, now* views rise b-jforo him, and tho ftitni'o assumes a reasisuriiig aspoct, in which tho tispivutions of France may fiijd Jugitiniata rest. Inreviewing tijo advantages which France ji;is gained by the war, tho Emperor places prominently' the fnct that " tho coalition of tlio three Northern Courts" is broken up. " The new principle that governs Europe is freedom of alliuncos. All tho great powers are restored to the pluntitudo of their independence, to the proper development of their destinies. Prussia enlarged, free henceforth .in all solidarity, assures the independence of Germany. France should take no umbrage at that. Proud of hop admirable unity, of her iudeitrucfcible nationality, she ought not to oppose or .to reject the work of assimilation which has just been accomplished, nor to subordinate to jealous feelings the principle of nationality which 'she represents and jirofesses in rcsj>oot of peoples. The national sentiment of Germany being satisfied, her uneasiness is dissipated, her enmities disappear.. By imitating France she has taken a step towards us and not from, us-." Further, ho argues thai "a Europe more strongly constituted, rendered more homogeneous bj r more precise territorial divisions, is a guarantee for the peace of the Continent, and is neither a danger nor an injury to our nation." In memorable words he declares that "tho greatness of our country does not depend upon the weakening of neighbouring peoples, and that he sees no balance of power save in the satisfied wishes of tho nations of Europe." " This nation." he says, will shortly reckon moi-o than 40,000,000 of inhabitants ; Gormany, 37,009,000, of which 29,000,000 are in the Northern Confederation, and t>,OiU),ooo in the Southern Confederation ; 'IKustria, 35,000,000 ; Italy, 20,000,000; Spain, 18,000,000. What is fiere in this distribution of European force? which c:iu disquiet us V France can only desivi; those territorial aggrandisements which will not affect her coherent power. In "conclusion, the Emperor while regarding the horizon as " cleared from all menacing eventualities," intimates that the great Icssoli of the war is the necessity of perfecting without delay, tho military organization of France. This circular has produced a deep impression, ami is generally accepted as satisfactory.