FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 999, 9 October 1871, Page 2

FRANCE.

After repeated delays the Communist trials commenced on the 7th. ul{;.- The prisoners number 30,000, including 2000 women, and 2000 lads. Four courtsmartial are sitting. Seventeen of the leaders were arraigned on the first day. The prisoners appear in good spirits, and generally show levity when the indictment is read charging them with conspiracy to overthrow the Government, incitement to civil war, besides special acts of pillage, massacre, and outrages. Some documents ordering incendiarism are pronounced forgeries by the counsel for the accused. The bearing of Assi is most insolent. Rossel and Rocheforfc were to be tried before a separate court a fortnight later. Larogues, ex-mayor of Puteaux, has. been sentenced to penal servitude for life. Several of the guiltiest of the Communist leaders are in London. The official journal gives an angry denial to the charges preferred by English journals of inhumanity towards the prisoners at Satory and Versailles. The indemnity payments are being made satisfactorily, and the German troops are _ withdrawing their numbers, being reduced to 150,000 ia France. M. Remusat'a appointment, as Minister for Foreign Affairs gives general satisfaction. M. Jules Favre returns to the bar. Stormy scenes have occurred in the Chambers between Thiers and the majority* regarding the financial difficulties ahead. The Finance Commission has rejected the Government Customs duties, and an income-tax is suggested to meet the deficit of 24,000,000,000 f. M. Gambetta is suspected of the. intention of seizing power at the first opportunity. The soldiers raised by him during his rule as Dictator are ywy discontented. ' ... Numerous communists have been returned at the Paris .ejection's for the municipality, owing to ihe apathy of the trading classes. M.: Leon Say, prefect of the Seine, proposes to Paris to contract a loan of 350,000,000 f, and to authorise a floating debt of qQ,OOQ,OOOf. ' The Algerian insurrection is assuming alarming dimensions. The Arabs threaten to exterminate the French settlers. '. Admiral Crosmier has committed suicide. A large [majority of the Assembly hoe

decided t$ fix the seat of Government permanentlyj^Y ersailleg. Marshal ftr!Whon has published a vivid account of the conquest of Paris from the Communists.