FRANCE.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1715, 16 August 1862, Page 5

FRANCE.

Paris, May 25, Evening. The Patrie of this evening, in an article upon the expedition to Mexico, replies to the reproach thtt France has not carried out the London Convention in the following terms: — " We may throw back this accusation. Spain violated the Convention in taking Vera Cruz without waiting for her allies, and the result Bhowed that she forgot all the duties of an alliance loyally contracted. What would the Spanish Government have said it France had withdrawn when Prim violated the Con-;

vention of London ? It is Prim who has failed in tho duties of the Convention, but Spam draws back and France'remains. That/which afflicts us is that tho alliance with Spain can be broken by the mere rashness of a General, without tho consent of the Government of the Queen; that a decision of such gravity could have been taken without the Cabinet of Madrid having been consulted upon it,, and without its discussing an action winch it had not authorised." - fi The Patrie can understand that the Government might modify its policy, but will never comprehend that a General can withdraw with his troops without the order of his Government. In France, a General who behaved thus would have to answer ior his conduct to.a court-martial. No one can take any other view .of thei question., ,;"-. . The Patrie asks, what would have been said if General Moritauban had acted in this manner in China? The Patrie is happy to be ablo to confirm the reported dissatisfaction of'the" Spanish troops. The Spanish journals boast of tho independence of Prim in not being willing to follow a policy which was not his, as if France had desired to draw Spain into a line of policy which was not hers ; for Spain has a greater interest than Franco in bringing .the expedition to a prosperous termination. France in tho beginning left the direction of the enterprise to Spain. The Emperor sent reinforcements, and assumed a more personal attitude, when he learnt, by tho departure of the Spanish fleet arid'other symptoms, that Prim was following a different policy to that of the Convention of London. Tho English Government has not shown itself a better ally than Spain. Franco had a right to expect more from its co-operation ; yet England declared from the beginning that she wou'd not go further than Vera Cruz. The Patrie concludes:—

“We hope that our soldiers will soon return with honour, after having rendered a service to civilisation. They will have had the glory of avenging wrongs, and of having fought singlchanded for the gravely comprc ■ raised interests of the European Powers.”— Times. ITALIAN ADDRESS TO LORD PALMERSTON. The Turin journal, the Italia, publishes the text of the address which the Italian Association of Emancipation has sent to Lord Palmerston. It is as follows : Treseorra, May 5. My Lord, —Wo have heard with joy and gratitude the words full of meaning which you, expressing the sentiments of the great British nation, have uttered in the House of Commons in defence of the unity of Italy and the principle of non-intervention. You have recognised the fact of the Napoleonic occupation of Rome to be a flagrant violation of the principle of non-interven-tion. .It is an obstacle to the unity of Italy, and threatens the peace ol Europe. If England only perseveres in her efforts to make this principle respected, the Italians will suffice alone to obtain the entire deliverance of their country. Receive, my lord, our respectful salutations. (Signed) The Central Council of the Italian Association of Emancipation, the President, G. Garibaldi, and the other members of the Council. —Sun, May 15.