Just as we received a version of the treaty of
peace, we have a report of a speech by Count Walewski, the chief Plenipoten- tiary for France- at the Paris Conference, throwing out hints. professedly for the purpose of dispelling " clouds which might have been seen lowering on the political horizon," but experi-, menting _on those clouds like a diplomatic Franklin that rouses, the latent fire into flashes. He touched upon " the deplorable state of Greeee,"—ltinting that " the three. Protecting Powers ": should do something with a view to " a serious modification" ;; he pointed. to " the abnormal situation of the Pontifical States," —whose Sovereign the French Emperor, " eldest child of the Church," is bound to assist. He proposed a warning to Naples
and other Italian Governments, to refrain from assisting the partisans of " demagoguy " by an unconciliatory want
of clemency. And he administered a warning to Bel- gium for permitting hostile comments on France. These are questions, said the Count, which " call for solution " ; and be also proposed the basis of a uniform maritime code in the time of war as an appendix to the labours of the Peace Conference of Paris. Here are " complications " adumbrated with a vengeance ; and the hint towards Belgium is even threatening, for the Count intimates that if the Belgian Government will not alter its press- laws, it may be made " internationally " responsible. If the Government of King Leopold will not coerce the journals, the Government of Count Walewski may perhaps coerce King Leo- pold—that is the intimation. We do not know what the Go- vernment of King Leopold's niece can say to this gracious con- tribution from the Foreign Secretary of the Emperor Napoleon.
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