Latest from Europe.
Mr. Mason's visit to Paris — speculation Respecting an Apprenticing European Intervention — English Conjecture us to New Civil Wars news of the capture of Vicksburg — its effect reports from the Alabama. The memory of "Stonewall" Jackson, &c.The steamship Africa, with dates from Liverpool up to the 31st ult, four days later, arrived at Halifax on the 9th inst. Her news is interesting, and we give a summary of it: ‘ The Paris correspondent of the London Herald, writing on May 29, says that Mr. Mason's presence in Paris has strengthened the report of the approaching recognition of the Southern Confederacy. The great stumbling block continues to be the stubbornness of a portion of the British Cabinet. The general impression is that France will take the lead in the recognition of the South, and the rest of Europe will not be slow to follow. The Paris correspondence of the London Morning Post also reports that fresh efforts are being made by Messrs. Mason and Slidell to obtain from the European Government the recognition of the Southern Confederacy. ’ The London Army and Navy Gazette looks during the early part of June for a most remarkable series of operations in various parts of America, on which will depend the summer campaign. It says: ‘ Let no man believe that we are near the end of the war, so far as the North is concerned. There are signs, however, that a civil conflict may at any time break out within the borders of either or both belligerents. ’ The Liverpool Post gives prominence to the following on the receipt of the Australasian's news: ‘ Vicksburg has fallen. The Mississippi is open from its mouth to its source. The Federal cause has triumphed. There can now be no doubt that General Grant has seized the key of peace that is hung up in the fortress at Vicksburg. Now is the time for mediation. --Instead of indulging in the idea of sympathy or in vain hopes of the war continuing, every one who wishes well to England and to the world at large should promptly unite in an appeal to Lord Palmerston, requesting him not to lose a moment in proposing terms not injurious to the South, yet acceptable to the North. This important news having only arrived when we were going to press, we have only time to express the hope and prayer that at last we are on the eve of peace between the North and South. The London Globe, of May 31, remarks that the Federal commanders in the valley of the Lower Mississippi seem at length to have found the right road to Vicksburg, and, from their general operations at some other points, they seem to be intent on solidly securing what, when the war ends, may be called lines of frontier. The character of the military operations leads to the supposition that the recognition of Southern independence is not excluded from the meditations of the statesmen at Washington, and that they are preparing for the inevitable day. On the 29th of May Mr. Roebuck gave notice that on an early day he should move that an address be presented to the Crown, praying that her Majesty would cause negotiations to be entered into with European powers with a view to the recognition of the Confederate States. Lord R Montague gave notice that he would move an amendment to this. A public meeting was to be held in Liverpool on the 3d of June to pay a tribute to the memory of Stonewall Jackson. The ships Dorcas Prince and Union Jack, from New York for Shanghai, the Sea Turk, from Boston for San Francisco, and the Nye, (a whaler) had been captured by the Alabama. The London Times remarks that the North has expended three armies in trying four Generals, and the last two have most failed. Against these contingent commanders, for the selection of whom the field is almost without limit, the South must stake the of Generals whose abilities cannot be questioned, and whose numbers casualties as that by which Jackson has may too used dispatch; and it is in this loss of men, by their qualities and skill, that the South may prove most vulnerable. The London Times city says: These far there is not the of linguess to close the war in America, and these on this side who are calculating on the probable efforts of a conscription and financial collapse may perhaps find that these agencies, so far from bringing about a settlement, will simply lead to an increase of anarchy, and, further, a dismemberment of the country, which will bring it to a condition in which the existence of any central authority capable of making a treaty of peace, or of enforcing it when made, will be even more doubtful than at present. As to its being the true policy of England to recognize the independence of the South, we cannot recognize that which does not exist. The South is not yet independent, though apparently she is rapidly achieving independence. Hopeless as the prospect of the North may be, we have no right to place in its way any fictitious cause of encouragement. If friendly remonstrances or personal sacrifice could be of avail, it would be incumbent upon us to use every effort, but we know each step of that kind on our part would but increase the mischief. France, Spain, or Russia might command our good will in the attempt, but just to the extent that we might join it should we lesson the prospects of its success. English advices from St. Thomas to the 4th of May state that seven Federal vessels of war were then lying in that harbor, composing the squadron of Wilkee, who evidently intended making St. Thomas the centre of operations in the West Indies, regardless of the fact that St. Thomas is in possession of a Danish crown, The Wachuseft was to all intents and purposes the guard ship, and remained at St. Thomas during the cruising of other vessels, always having steam up in readiness to overhaul any vessel leaving the harbor, and otherwise to annoy the shipping leaving port. The ship-of-war Gemsbok had been dismantled and made a stationary coal hulk. Four vessels with coal were there from the States supplying the fleet, and other stores for the Federal squadron were to follow. Much discontent prevailed on the subject. The colonial Government were much embarrassed by the extraordinary acts of Wilkes, and it was expected the Danish Government would immediately remonstrate with the Federal Government against the aggression of their officer. Mr. Mason had reached Paris, and reported on his mission to the French Government. The London Times fears it is the intention of those who raised a conflict in Prussia to fling the sword in the balance, and trample on those liberties which they have been so long seeking to degrade. The correspondence between the Brazilian Minister at London and Earl Russell terminated in the rupture of official relations. The Brazilian Minister demanded and received his passports. The exports of Great Britain for the month of April amounted to £11,897,000. The rebel loan closed in London at 1ʽ to 2½ discount on May 30th. The war in Poland continued. The insurgents defeated the Russians in a severe battle, and were again themselves defeated in another engagement. The telegraph wire communicating between the Crimes and Turkey had been cut by order of the Russian Government, and the Turkish Cabinet had protested against the act. Consols closed in London on May 30th at 93½a95½ for money. After official hours there was a demand at 92½. The Liverpool cotton market was quiet, with prices looking rather downward, on the 30th of May. Provisions were flat, and breadstuffs quiet but steady, on the same day. ’
