FRANCE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 41, 31 March 1863, Page 2

FRANCE.

The New Year's speech of the Emperor Napoleon cast no light on his inscrutable designs respecting the Papacy. Some despatches ou the lioni'ii question, however, just published by the French Government, show that the frank and firm policy of the new Italian Ministry has produced a complete silence and estrangement between the two Governments, so far as Rome is concerned. In the meantime, the British Cabinet has not been idle. It has seized the golden op.portunity, and stolen a march on French diplom cv. Lord John Russell has actually offered En lish protection to the Pope— war ships to convey him from the land that wishes to thrust him nut, and splendid hospitality and a palatial nhodc in Mil a. The strangeness of the offer, and the urgency with which it was pressed upon the Holy Father, by Mr Odo Russell, has amused as much as it has amazed* The Catholic powers, «f course are scandalized, and France, especially, is awfully annoyed. The manoeuvre has stun^ her pride and jealousy to the quick. The subject of sham reforms at Rome has again come up o the surface, and the French official press is striving hard to cheat the people into the belief that there is this time something more substantial and real than moonshine. The Italian Parliament is appointed to reassemble on the "28th inst. The treaty of commerce between France and Italy has at length overcome the obstructions to its consummation, and will shortly be signed.