The Times' correspondent in Paris repeats on Thursday, for the
second-time, and with increasing energy, that the French Government is preparing a secret treaty of alliance and friend- ship with Russia. Under Article 8 of the Constitution, the President has the right to do this, and provided the treaty is not financial, he is not bound to communicate the agreement to the Chambers before, in his judgment, "the interest and security of the State permit." He can even bind himself to go to war, though he cannot declare war without the previous consent of the two Chambers. The news is interesting, if true—and it seems certain from internal evidence that M. de Blowitz believes it—but we fail to see its importance. The President cannot go to war at Russia's bidding, without the consent of the Assembly, and if Russia goes to war, popular opinion will leave him no option. How can any paper arrange- ment strengthen that situation ? As for clauses settling what is to happen after war, they are not worth the paper they are written on. Each Power will recede, when it is beaten, without thinking of its ally, pleading force majeure, and if victorious, each will take all it can without thinking of its ally either. Napoleon III, did not consult English convenience.
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