FRANCE.

New Zealander, Volume XV, Issue 1358, 23 April 1859, Page 1 (Supplement)

FRANCE.

(From the “ Times’’ Correspondent.) Paris, Tuesday, January 18, (5 p.m. The rumour circulates again to-duy of the probable accession ofM. de Persiny to office, as Minister of Foreign Adairs. Some days ago the same report prevailed, and as it indicated a pacific policy, and, consequently, the maintenance of the alliance with England, it was well received here, particularly when, in spite of a good deal of wild talk, that alliance is considered necessary to this country. But I believe the rumour to be unfounded, not only for the reasons previously alleged, but also from the fact that, even with the difficulties actually existing, the Government cannot disengage itself from those who excercise so much influence on public affairs, and who have been tbe source of blunders since the conclusion of peace iti 18.50. In spite of the less warlike aspect of a (fairs for two or three days past, we are still told that the preparations are cominued, and that at the War Office here few or none breathe a doubt of hostilities for the spring. But, as the fact of the preparations at Toulon is too patent to he denied, they are intended, it is Slid, for Senegal, Algeria, and China. Confidence in the maintenance of peace appears to be returning slowly and uncertainly. Tncre are some things that would render war improbable. The evidence is conflicting, but it is some ground of hope that war is unpopular it) France, and 1 am assured that even tlie heads of the army are not those who are least opposed to it. A semi-official article in the Constitiitionncl announces the termination of The diplomatic difficulty excited by the projected invention of Austria in Servian polities. The Vienna Cabinet, in relinquishing that project, has it is stated, given explanations on the subject which testily to its respect for the important Article 29 of the Treaty of Paris, and also to its sincere desire for the the preservation ol general pence. The article in Canstitutionnel announces the recognition by the Porte of Prince Milosch—in event already recorded in our columns, A letter from Tangle , of the 30th December, announces the return there of I lie English frigate which had conveyed the sons of the Emperor of Morocco to Alexandria. The frigate returned to embark the presents presented by the Emperor to Q,neen Victoria. The presents consists of ostriches, which had been waiting tit Tangier t or more than a month. A despatch arrived at Tangier on the 30:h of December from the Emperor, ordering that the Spanish prisoner should ,4 e released, and a sum ol £OOO duros paid to the Spanish Government as an indemnity lor a barque pillaged by the pirates ot the Rilf. The Paris Correspondent of the Times says : “Notwithstanding the hopes of some future ag grandisemeut in Italy, the influence ot the Emperor of the French, *and the attractions of his intended son-in-law, it is affirmed that the King of Sardinia did not give his consent to the marriage of his daughter without much hesitation and much difficulty. When the matter was first broken to him, Victor Emmanuel was as much taken by surprise as the public has been on learning that it was concluded. The ancient lineage of the one and the recent rise of the other may have had some weight with the descendant of the old and glorious house of Savoy, all liberal as he is in politics, and Iree and easy os tie may be m familiar intercourse, for the prejudices of race never are really eradicated. Ihe objections, however, are said not to have been confined exclusively to that. The uncertainty of affairs in France, the possibility of future changes—for nothing is impossible—and the inconvenience that might arise to Sardinia, owing to a variety of causes too numerous to he detailed, were urged. I suppose the parties to whom they were offered did their best to remove them—not successfully, however, as it would seem, tor it requited the direct intervention ot a third party to induce Victor Emmanuel to give bis consent. When the Grand Duke Constantine was last here this alliance was talked over. His Highness’s influence was won in favor of the Prince, and, in compliance with the wishes expressed at i uriti, its actions was brought to bear on the King, Moreover, the Grand Duke asked liis brother, the Emperor Alexander, to write an autograph letter to his Royal brother of Sardinia. The request was complied with, and, according to Itis account, if his Imperial Highness Prince Napoleon has obtained the hand of a Princess ol Savoy, it is owing to the direct intervention of the Czar. Of the sentiments of trie Princess Clotilde little is said. A refusal on her part was, 1 dare say, never taken into account. The connection with the Imperial family ot France will doubtless be compensated by future advantages, and this ambition may reconcile the Piedmontese Iphigeuia to her new condition. The Prince is intelligent and liberal, and, so far as litis ought to have weight, he is the son of a fat her who was a King, and of a mother who was of royal race.