EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 219, 6 December 1854, Page 4

EUROPEAN INTELLIGENCE.

[From the " Home News."] ENGLAND.—The War Ministry.

An expensive war, the duration and issues of which are involved in the profoundest obscurity, would put the popularity and stability of any ministry to a severe test, and has already visibly shaken the hold of the present Government upon the confidence of the country. It is impossible to ask for " more supplies " without awakening the alarm and scrutiny of the monied interest. If this were all, however, the difficulty might he overcome. The universal conviction of the justice of the war removes all obstacles in the way of obtaining the requisite means for carrying it to a triumphant close; but, unfortunately, the discussions that arise out of this necessity reveal the inherent weakness of the Cabinet, and afford a favourable opportunity to the thick-and-thin supporters of the Administration to put forward their crotchets, furnishing its opponents at the same time with a plausible pretext for agitation. Under the pressure thus forced upon Ministers, Lord John Eussell convened a meeting of the Liberal party, so called, although made up of the most incoherent materials, on the 17th ult., for the purpose, it was supposed, of ascertaining their feelings, and expounding the views of Government. Nothing of the kind, however, took place. Lord John's revelations consisted rather of an apology for the past, than a statement of the intentions of the future; and the main point disclosed was a warning to the usual followers of the Ministry, that, if they did not act with vigilance and unity, there was a strong probability of a Ministerial crisis. It was quite clear from the language held by some of the members present, that there was no community of sentiment in the assembly. Every man had his own opinion upon some particular question, and did not hesitate to express it at the risk of rendering hopeless the desiderated unanimity. One called for the appointment of Lord Palmerston as War Minister, another declared that the country had no confidence in Lord Aberdeen, and a third required that a peace should be concluded with Russia upon her evacuation of the Principalities, without stipulating for any further conditions. There was no enthusiasm, no single object agreed upon, no satisfactory information communicated—and in this manner the meeting melted away, with an evident indisposition on both sides to adopt any definite line of action. The inference to be drawn from this unlucky exposure of the disorganised state of the liberal party is, of course, the unfavourable tenure of the Cabinet in its existing condition. It is now seen clearly that the coalition contains antagonist elements which everybody was striving to hope had not entered into its formation. If ministers had a distinct policy upon which there was a perfect agreement amongst themselves, they would certainly have seized upon this occasion to explain what it was; but the vague address of Lord John Russell, and the ambiguous observations, or still mure ambiguous silence of-the two or three members of the Cabinet by whom he was surrounded, indicate too plainly that no such policy

has received their common concurrence. The probable results of this state of things are matters for grave speculation which a short time must developc. In the meanwhile the demand for increased supplies was followed by a counter demand for calling the Parliament together again in the autumn. It was considered necessary that Parliament should be in full session to watch over the expenditure of funds entrusted to a Government apparently divided amongst themselves on thp conduct of the war. Upon/ this point, however, the Government were firth'. They maintained that if they did not possess the confidence of the country, they were unfit for the responsibility entrusted to them, and that if they did possess that confidence, the conduct of the war should be entrusted to their discretion. This constitutional view of their position received the full sanction of the Commons ; and ministers will eat their white-bait dinner at Greenwich on the 12th i.nst, without having their appetites spoiled by the prospect of an autumnal sitting.

FRANCE

For some time past a division of troops, 9300 strong, had been assembling at the camp established near Boulogne destined for service in the Baltic. They formed the vanguard of a corps to be augmented, to 5.0,000, under the command of General Baraguay D'Hilliers ; but the special operations they may undertake have not, of course, 'transpired. Five British ships of the line, and several French transports, had been prepared to embark the first portion of this force at Calais; and the whole armament had been completed with marvellous rapidity. It had been some time announced that the Empe - ror would review the troops before they embarked ; and accordingly he set out from Paris on the 18th ult., driving through the streets without any parade, unaccompanied by a single soldier or policeman, and started by the railway for Boulogne. There he arrived in the evening, and was received with enthusiasm by the troops, the inhabitants, and the English residents. About half past 9 he drove out to the port in a carriage and pair, in plain clothes, and unattended. Next day he reviewed the troops on the race-course, which lies between Boulogne and Calais ; and, after the usual inspection, addressed to them the following speech :—■

" Soldiers—Russia having forced us to war, France has armed 500,000 of her children. England has called out a considerable number of troops. To-day our fleets and armies, united for the same cause, dominate in the Baltic as well as in the Black Sea. I have selected you to be the first to carry our eagles to those regions of the North, English vessels will convey you there ; a unique fact in history, which proves the intimate alliance of the two great nations. (peuples), and the firm resolution of the two governments not to abstain from any sacrifice to defend the right of the weak, the liberty of Europe, and the national honour.

"Go, my children! Attentive Europe, openly or secretly, offers up vows for fyour triumph ; our country, proud of a struggle which only threatens the aggressor, accompanies you with its ardent vows; and I, whom imperious duties retain still distant from the scene of events, shall have iny eye upon you : and soon, in re-behold-ing you, I shall be able to say, They were worthy sons of the conquerors of Austerlitz, of Eylau, of Friedland, and of Moskowa, Go, and may God project you!"

Cries of "Vive l'Empereur " broke from the soldiers; and several non-commissioned officers bavin g received decorations from the Emperor, the whole marched off to Calais.

On the 13th the Emperor arrived at Calais from Boulogne, and received the captains of the British war ships. Referring to the sailor's superstitious fear of a Friday, he proposed that the troops should not embark on thot day. The 20th was suggested ; hut, finally, as all was ready, it was agreed that the materiel, including 6,000,000 cartridges, and 320,000 lbs. of gunpowder, should be put on board the following day, (14th,) and that the troops should embark the day after. The British officers, alleging duties on shipboard declined the Emperor's invitation to dinner. His Majesty went on board the squadron on the 14th, and returned to^. Boulogne in the evening. On the 15th nil., 12 companies of light infantry were embarked on board 18 ships of war at Calais, destined for the Baltic, an event which, was witnessed with the deepest interest by many thousands of French and English spectators. Each company of French infantry is 120 strong,

so it would appear that the total force embarked is 5040, exclusive of the general's staff and superior officers. The Emperor was'present to witness the proceeding, and Calais was as gay as delightful weather and numerous and highly interested strangers could make it.

f Recent telegraphic despatches speak of the passage of the English line-of-battle ships and French transports through the Belt; anil the -,rtvrival of General Baraguay d'Hilliers, Com-inan(U^-in-Chief of the French expeditionary corps to the Baltic, at Copenhagen, and his departure thence.

The Emperor and Empress arrived at Biarritz on the 21st ult. Official receptions were declined. They still remained there at the latest date. The Emperor had reviewed the troops at Bayonne, and had performed other acts of local, not of European interest, duly reported by the telegraph and the Moniteur.

The Constitutional has announced the proximate departure and embarkation of a second division of the expeditionary corps of the Baltic ; the division to consist of the following regiments :—First Brigade—Bth Battalion of Chasseurs tie Vincennes, 15th and 23rd regiments of the line-; Second Brigade—4lst and 56th regiments of the line. Several other regiments and battalions are on their march for the camp at Boulogne.

j The French government, it is said, is in a state of anxiety as to the turn things may take in Madrid ; but profess, through the ministerial organs, to have nothing; to do with Spain, and in nowise to interfere unless something of {s great importance" should occur. General Carbuccia, commander of the Foreign Legion in the service of France, died of Cholera on the 19th at Gallipoli. It is rumoured that the French army of occupation in Italy is to be reinforced, and also that a camp of 30,000 men is to be formed on the Prussian frontier. It is expected that the camp at Boulogne will be complete about the sth inst. Twelve regiments of cavalry will form part of it. The generals of military divisions and sub-divisions who have received commands in the camp have had orders to repair to their posts. The fair of Beaucaire was this year very thinly attended. Before its opening cholera fhad broken out at Avignon, Aries, and Marseilles, and so great was the terror inspired by the epidemic, that most of those who were in the habit of frequenting the fair deemed it prudent not to repair thither.

Spatn.—Esparlero made a triumphant entry into Madrid on the 29th July, and took up his residence in the Buena Vista Palace, amidst the [acclamations of the people. The Infanti Don Enrique arrived from Valencia, and presented himself to the Junta. On the Ist inst. the new ministry was announced : —Espartero, President; O'Donnell, War ; Clonzo, Tustice : Santa Cruz, Interior; Mollaro, Finance; Salazaro, Marine; Pacheco, Foreign Affairs. O'Donnell and San Miguel are nominated Marshals; and General Serrano is installed Captain-General of Andalusia. The capital presented the aspect of a. fete.