THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1871.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 828, 23 March 1871, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1871.

The mail via Suez brings news which strengthens the opinion we formed as to the probability of peace. The most important circumstances are the election of a Constituent Assembly, and the election of something like a stable and Constitutional Government. The elections -were allowed to go on undisturbed during the armistice, and the result is stated to be a large majority of " Monarchists " — a term which includes the adherents of the various candidates for the Crown of Frauce as against the supportera of a Republic. The first business of the Assembly was the election of a Government, and the choice of the venerable Thiers as Chief of the Executive, is an omen of the return of the sentiments of the French people to a more conservative policy. The new Government has fully assumed Authority, and its stability is formally recognised by the Powers — Great Britain included. It is highly probable therefore that now the Prussians can negotiate with a properly formed and responsible Government, terms of peace will be arranged. The Assembly has taken steps towards this arrangement by appointing a Committee to negotiate with the Prussian Government, and aUhongh there is considerable contradiction in the statements as to the terms of peace proposed by Bismarck, the fact that the new French Government accepts them as a basis of negotiation, goes a long way to prove that, under certain modifications, they will be acceded io. Our telegrams respecting the ultimatum ofrthe Prussians are somewhat confused. The latest information contradicts the amount of indemnity at first alleged to have been demanded, aud it is not at all clear whether Prussia abandons or insists upon the cession of Lorraine and a portion of the French fleet. The summary is evidently hastily and not over carefully [ compiled, and the arrival of the papers will euable us to judge more accurately the real bearings of the question. The capitulation of Paris is confirmed, and out previous news, via California, of the conditions of the armistice appears to be tolerably correct. The fortifications of ' Paris were surrendered, as well as the \ army of defence. The army was to be considered prisoner, although allowed to remain in Paris, but the National Guard, and one. division of the army, was to remain in arms for the preservation of order in the capital. We presume that should the negotiations for peace not be successful before the termination of the armistice, the arms of Paris will be given up and the city be occupied by the Germans. But we do not doubt that the armistice will practicfdlyend the war. The news of the deThe unfortunate General was driven over the frontier into Switzerland, and surrendered his army to the Government. Bourbak himself, in a fit of utter despair, attpmp ed his own life. Ducrot, the brave General who lead the sorties from Paris, put an end to his existence in his Jvtter hop^lessne-s. The Rapubl'cin parfy appear to hate gone to the wall; Gambetta has resigned his functions ; the Government of Defence is abolished, and under the wiser and more moderate guidance of Thiers, the difficulties in the way of peace will bo mdteria'ly lessened. The charity exhibited inwards the people of Paris,- in the relief of their necessities, ha? been snont»n sons and great. Enormous supplies of provisions lias been sent by the British Government, and the Bank of EnsrUiid has subscribed the enormous sum of £100,000 to the relief fund. England s neutrality was dictated by state reasons, but now that her gocdwill can be shown without compromising her political position, it is shown in a substantial and generous manner.

.The home intelligence is chiefly confined to the Queen's speech at the opening of Parliament. From it we learn that the complications with America are in a fair way of amicable settlement, and that the storm blow which had arisen in connection with the Black Sea question has been dissipated by a rectification of the Treaty of '56. In the absence of detailed particulars, we are at a, loss to account for the consent given by England to the de-neutralisation of the Black Sea. We may hope, however, that this concession has been made without prejudicing the interests of the Empire, or the integrity of the Turkish dominions. The reform and increase of the army, the better organisation of the militia and volunteers, and the measures for the defence of London and the Coast, are measures which, under the lessons taught by the present war, could not longer be deferred. "Forewarned is forearmed," and to be prepared for war is no mean security for peace. Altogether the news from Europe is much more re-assuring and satisfactory than has been received for some time. ;...