5 MARCH 1859, Page 9

(From the Moniteur of this day.) The serious condition of

Italian affairs has attracted the attention of the Emperor, whose wishes are to conclude alliances in furtherance of the in- terests of France. The Emperor has promised the King of Sardinia to pro- tect him against any agressive attacks from Austria ; but his Promisto tend no further. The Emperor denies that France 4.4i0W making warlike preparations ; she has not exceeded the effective force she is accustomed to have during peace.

Assuming that preparations in the arsenals have received any extraordi- nary impulse, it is only because changes were necessary in our materiel, our artillery, and in the whole of our fleet. All our naval preparations are limited to the arming of four frigates and four transports, to meet different emergencies. It is quite absurd to represent the Emperor as pushing on war, or to cast on him alone the responsibility of having aroused uneasiness, and of having caused warlike preparations in Europe. Where can any one point out words, diplomatic notes, or acts, implying the wish of the Emperor to provoke war ?

The Emperor is now examining the various reasons of the present com- plications; but this must not be regarded as any provocation of war on his part. To examine these questions is to meet them in a diplomatic way, and nothing authorises the belief that the issue will not be favourable to the consolidation of peace.