CRISIS IN FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1152, 8 April 1872, Page 3

CRISIS IN FRANCE.

There has been a serious crisis inFrance, but it has for the present been tided over. The debate in the Assembly on the Government proposal for the taxation of raw material ended on the night of Friday, January- 19th, in the adoption by 377 votes to 307 of a resolution proposed by M. Feray, to the effect that recourse should not be had to the taxation of raw material until it had been demonstrated that other taxes would not furnish the funds required. Great excitement followed upon this decision, and a Cabinet Council having been hastily summoned the Ministers tendered their resignations to M. Thiers, and on Saturday it was announced in the Assembly that M. Thiers himself also insisted on retiring from office, and had tendered his resignation together with his colleagues. The members thereupon protested that their vote was not to be regarded as one of no conJ fidence, but was solely an expression of dissent from the financial policy of the Government. The Chamber therefore entreated M. Thiers not to persist in his resignation, and appealed to his patriotism. Should he refuse to withdraw it, however, the Assembly resolved to meet again, and discuss what measures should tie taken. A committee was then appointed to have an interview with the President, and on the re-assembling of the Chamber it was announced that v M. Thiers had consented to remain in the service of the Assembly of the country." The Ministers also withdrew their resig nations. In reply to the deputation which waited upon him with the vote of the Assembly, M. Thiers said he was worn

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out and discouraged by these incessant B&uggles, and the vivacity with which he defended his opinions should only be regarded as a proof of the energy of his convictions. His opinions had been too long fixed to change. Similar conflicts were likely soon to recur relative to the military reorganisation and compulsory education, and the end must come sooner or later; perhaps it would be better at once. But sinco the Assembly appealed to his patriotism he would resume the direction of affairs, and try yet again with the assistance of the Ministers. Marshal M'Mahon, it is said, in asking the President in the name of the army to withdraw his resignation, told him that the army would respect the orders of the majority of the Assembly, but would not obey dictatorship.

Great excitement prevailed in Paris on Friday night and on Saturday until the final decision of M. Thiers became known. It was feared that, in the event of the Government accepting his resignation, the Germans would consider themselves obliged to reoccupy a portion of the evacuated departments. The excitement has now subsided ; but although M. Thiers retains office for the' present, his continuance in power is looked upon as sufficiently doubtful to warrant a good deal of speculation as to a possible successor.