FOREIGN NEWS

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 53, 10 January 1852, Page 3

FOREIGN NEWS

FRANCE. [Prom the " Illustrated London News."] The question of the candidateship of the Prince tie Joiiiville for the presidency of the Republic, which has hitherto come before*' the public only in vague rumours, lias at length assumed form and consistency, in consequence of the result of an interview between M. Guizot and the members of the Orleans family, at Claremont, last week, on the subject, having been published in the journals. M. Gnizot and the partisans of the late exKing are opposed to the Prince presenting himself for election to the Presidency, on the ground of its being an act of alliance with the revolution which destroyed the Orleans regime ; and a step opposed to, and inconsistent with, the principles on which was founded the monarchy of July.

The Due de Nemours, who -was the spokesman of the ex-Royal family at the interview, when pressed by M. Guizot for a definite expiation of the family policy, or intention in the matter, would give no explicit avowal of either ; but left it to be understood that they neither accepted nor rejected the offers of support which might be or had been made to M. de Joinville as a candidate for the presidency; so that they might advance or back out of the position in which they found themselves at the near approach of the contest, according- as they might deem fitting and necessary. In fact, vacillating- expedienc)r, without any particular regard for the dignity of their attitude or the consistency of their principles as Royalists, peered prominently forth as the course which the present representatives of the House of Orleans had marked out for their adoption at the approaching- momentous crisis in the political history of their country. Nothing bold, original, or able was shown as the result of the family councils, but a characteristic hist of power, feebleness of purpose, and readiness to resort to any unprincipled pettifogging- or cunning means of success, which chance-medley might offer. Whilst the Prince de Joinville and liis family continue in this uncertain attitude, the Paris journals discuss the question with much earnestness. The Journal dcs D6bats has pronounced in favour of the Prince's claims and in opposition to the candidateship of Louis Napoleon, which it says is unconstitutional, and must be repelled. Considerable importance is attached to the article in question, and it is supposed to have been written with the consent of the Orleans family, whose organ the Dibats is acknowledged to be. Louis Napoleon is fully aware of the hostility of the Asssembly to his Government, and of the intrigues going on by various parties to prevent his re-election ; but, relying upon the support of the people, his friends say he will do nothing rashly to increase the bitterness of his enemies, but will wait with firmness the decision of the country. The propriety of the revision of the Constitution still engages the Provincial Councils; and out of 86 of those bodies, not less than (50 have declared in favour of that measure, while only iive have voted against it. UNITED STATES." THE INVASION OP CUBA.—FIFT7 PRISONERS SHOT. Southampton, Sept. 4.—The United States mail steam-ship " Humboldt," Captain Lines, arrived off Cowes this morning, bringing letters and papers from New York to the 23rd ult., five days later" than the previous arrival. After landing her mails, the." Humboldt" proceeded to Havre. This steamer brought forty

passengers and 100,000 dollars specie. She had a large cargo for Havre. ; The intelligence brought by this arrival, particularly from Cuba, is important. Lopez had landed offCubanos with 450 men, and the accounts generally agree in the fact that his situation had become extremely critical. The Spaniards had captured fifty of his men, as they were attempting to escape to New Orleans, and publicly executed the whole of them at Havana. The American consul declined to interpose in their favour. Public feeling at New York and other places in consequence was most excited, and the calls for vengeance very loud. Some fear was entertained at New Orleans of disturbance; the military were consequently held in readiness to act for the preservation of the public peace. At New York a "mass meeting" had been held npon the subject, at which strong sympathising resolutions were passed. The following aye the details -.— " On Thursday morning the 21st August, the city of New York was greatly excited by the arrival of the steam-ship " Win field Scott," with intelligence from Key West, to the effect that Lopez had succeeded in landing on the shores of Cuba. He landed from the " Pampero" steam-ship, with 450 men, at Cubanos, near Bahia Handa, a place about forty miles west from Havana.

It appears that immediately after landing, a fight with the Spanish troops commenced ; and a frightful slaughter took place. The main body of the invaders were driven to the mountains, and the remainder took to boats and put to sea. These men were captured by the steamer " Habanero." They were in four boats, unarmed, and, report says, were steering for New Orleans. They were brought to Havana by the " Habanero" on Saturday morning, the 16th of August, at one a.m., and placed ou board a Spanish frigate, lying in port, and executed at 11.5 a.m. of the same morning. After they were shot, they were dragged by the feet, by negroes, and then left to the mob, who commenced stripping them of their clothes, and carrying them on sticks through the streets, yelling like so many wild demons.

Many of the " Cherokee's " passengers, who were on the spot of the execution, were pointed at with a sneer of contempt, and many stopped in the streets and insulted—called Americans, and that they were one and all of the same party, that one of these days they would be served in the same way. It was dangerous for an American to be in the streets alone at night." The most contradictory accounts relative to the position of Lopez were in circulation. The latest American version is the following, dated Havana, August 16:— "The greatest anxiety is felt here by the Government, as no news has been received from General Euna of later date than the night before last. The steamer " lor," one of the ferry boats, has been sent down to see what the matter is; and one hour since an engine was sent express to Guanajay, the western terminus of our railroad, to bring news, either good or bad. Nothing had been heard from the troops that left Pinar del Bio to attack Lopez, and it is feared they have gone over to him. His forces are momentarily increasing, while the fact of nothing being received here by land leads to the supposition that the country has all turned in his favour. Should Lopez soon receive reinforcements, with arms to distribute to the crowds that go to him, General Euna must either surrender or retreat by sea. In either case Lopez's march to Havana will be uninterrupted. You can imagine the hopes and fears that agitate the city." Great excitement prevailed at New Orleans in reference to these affairs. There were nightly meetings held, organizations going forward, drilling, &c, and a strong- confidence was expressed in the success of the movement. Two or three steamers were spoken of as about to leave with troops to assist the insurgents. A great mass meeting had been held at New York, at which 18,000 persons were present, to sympathise with the Cuban invaders. Placards were posted about the streets bearing the inscription, " The blood of 50 Americans cries for vengeance." At the meeting, resolutions were passed amid tremendous enthusiasm declaring; their sympathy with the Cuban revolutionists, their detestation and horror of the " massacre " of fifty American prisoners; and demanding that the United States government shall insist on an apology for an insult offered to the " Falcon " steamer. Money was also subscribed to assist the invaders.