THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF A FRENCH DISARMAMENT.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 471, 29 April 1862, Page 3

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF A FRENCH DISARMAMENT.

The Patric contains an article under the heading of ' L'lmpossibilite dun Desarmement,' which is calculated to create a sensation. It begins by setting forth that the perusal of M. Fould's manifesto suggested to some people the idea that the best way of effecting a real and immediate economy in the expenditure was the disarmament of the country. After some very obvious remarks on the expense ol an armed peace, we are then told that—

For a country like ours a disarmament is of far greater import than an administrative economy ; it is essentially a political measure, on which our influence in the world depends, and which is connected with the peculiar international condition of the great European powers. However heavy this burden imposed on the treasury by the present state of things, illusion on such a subject would be still more dangerous than reality. Were it to be entertained as a hope by the public relying on the language of certain papers, it would ere long Jead to a deception.

France, who is able to satisfy the legitimate requirements of her glory and her rank, does not require to have the sacrifices requisite for the maintenance of her greatness concealed from her; she has always accepted aud fulfilled them. *

The article then proceeds to say that France could not disarm without coming to an understanding with the other powers to do likewise, and that among the great European states, some are unwilling whilst others are unable to disarm.' Austria (the Patric proceeds to state) is not in a position to disarm ; ' the eve of the disarmament would be the eve of the dissolution of the empire.' It then proceeds to show that Italy can no more disarm than Austria. Russia is compelled to keep up a large and efficient army by the state of affairs in Poland. The paper of M. de la Gueronniere, after thus disposing of Austria, Russia, and Italy, turns to Prussia and England :—

Prussia, whose vacillating policy is solicited by •Germanic aspirations, far from giving up her military apparatus, is now abandoning the defensive organisation of her forces, to resume the traditions left her by the great Frederick, and use them as fresh elements of supremacy in Germany and influence in Europe. Can any one suppose, moreover, that England, the only European power which her position protects against the anxiety inspired to other states by their territorial conditions, is willing to consent to suspend her armaments, to stop the works going on in her dockyards and arsenals? Can any one suppose that she will cease to surround her coasts with that girdle of iron, behind which her enemies accuse her of seeking impunity for her political ambition ? Is she disposed to dismiss her volunteers, whose organisation leaves her land and sea forces always at liberty ? Is it to be supposed that the ministry which has retained, by spreading alarm in Parliament and throughout the country, a portion of its falling popularity, will ever so far humiliate itself as to confess that these manifestations of patriotism were only called forth by the phantom of fear?

Neither Austria, Russia, Prussia, England, nor Italy are ready to disarm, and it is in these circumstances, when so many formidable problems are agitated, which the second empire has not called into existence, but anxiously seeks to solve that France is recommended to break tlie victorious sword of Magenta and Solferino. Would it be good policy—would it be national ? It would not be the disarmament of the government, but the abdication of Fiance.

Such a measure would not consolidate the peace of Europe : it would everywhere raise the hopes of reaction ; it would compromise for ever the laborious work of the second empire. France would not only behold her prestige diminished • she would lose in public opinion tlie advantages of our late campaigns, and desert the cause of right and justice, wliich her policy now upholds in the councils of the powers, after having caused it to triumph in the fields.