EUROPE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 975, 23 March 1871, Page 2

EUROPE.

London, February 13. The Queen opened Parliament on the 9th. The speech dwells principally on foreign topics. War, it says, may be renewed in a few days, unless moderation and forethought prevail on both sides. The Queen strictly observed the neutrality. The conclusion of the armistice rekindled the hope of a durable peace, compatible with the security and honor of the two powers, and the approval of Europe. Her Majesty regretted being unable, before, formally, to accredit an ambassador to the Government of Defence. She sent her congratulations to King William on his accepting the title of Emperor, with an expression to the effect that the event testified the solidity and independence of Germany. She had endeavoured in her correspondence with foreign powers to uphold the sanctity of treaties ; and confidently trusted that the Conference would uphold the principles of public right. With regard to the policy in the Black Sea question, whilst reviewing the conditions in a conciliatory spirit, she regretted the absence of the representative of France at the Conference, who would ever be a principal and indispensable member of the European commonwealth. The American fisheries question required early settlement. She suggested the appointment of a joint committee, and agreed to General Grant's proposal that the same commission should consider all the claims arising from the civil war. The foreign relations generally were of a friendly character. The revenue was in a flourishing condition. The speech also announced the introduction of a measure for the better regulation of the army. This was necessitated by the lessons taught us by the war. In one place Her Majesty says "Your patriotism will not grudge increased charges." The condition of Ireland was gratifying, and the Queen refrained from introducing any question calculated to excite controversy. The army was to be increased to 130,000. The increased cost would be £2,800,000, which would be raised by loan. A plan for erecting defences round London would be also carried out. Forts would be built between London and the coast. Also, fortifications would be constructed at Dover and Harwich, and those of Malta would be strengthened. Napoleon issued a proclamation to the French people, which the English papers condemn. Garibaldi was elected for Nice, but subsequently resigned. The feeling in Paris is in favour of the Orleans family. The Prince de Joinville and General Changarnier have also arrived at Bordeaux. The elections proceeded immediately. The members of the Bonaparte family were declared ineligible as representatives. The correspondence relating to the Black Sea treaty was published in the newspapers. It was seen, by the evidence of Mr. Elliott, British Minister at Constantinople, that within three years after the date of signature, all powers except England manifested a readiness to sacrifice the principal elements of the treaty. The National Assembly met at Orleans ; there were 300 members present. The elections proved largely in favour of the monarchists. The war party lost ground at the conference. Prussia, Austria and Russia united in wishing Prince Charles to remain on the Roumanian throne,

February 14. Fayre returned to Versailles on the 27th January with General Beaufort, when an, armistice of three weeks was concluded, and immediately extended throughout France by the stipulations of the original armistice. Paris has capitulated, the army remain-, ing prisoners of war inside the capital. It was further, agreed that the army surrender, except the National Quard t and one division to keep order in the city ; that Paris should pay the war contribution of two millions of francs; that, the Germans should be forbidden to enter Paris during the armistice, and that the re-victualling of Paris should be allowed, the city remaining invested; that egress, should be allowed, and postal communication reopened ; the entrance of foreigners to be restricted; also the enceinte of Pnris to be disarmed; the armies in the fitU to retain possession of the country already occupied, There was a report of republican disturbances inside Paris, before the ca.pitu.la-. tion. Ducrot poisoned himself. Bourbaki attempted suicide, and is not expected to recover. His army, 80,000 strong, with artillery, after being driven to the frontier, entered Switzerland, and surrendered to. the authorities. The railway bridges are*being repaired to facilitate the transfer of provisions. The British ships Medusa, Buffalo, and Valorous, have loaded at Woolwich 2,000 tons of provisions and twenty-four ovens for baking biscuits for Paris. A telegram to the Times dated the 2n4 February, states that the terms of peace announced by Bismarck, comprise an in* demnity of ten milliards of francs, equal to £4,000,000, the cession of Alsace and Lorraine, including Metz, Belfort, also of Pondicherry. The conditions of peace caused gloomy anticipations in London. At London, the next day, a telegram of the 3rd stated that the conditions of peacer published in London and Bordeaux were inaccurate regarding Lorraine and the twenty ships ; also, that the indemnity was three not ten milliards. There has been a great controversy between Gambetta and Favre, which continued several days after the armistice was signed. Gambetta protested against concluding a dishonorable peace. Eventually he resigned. Bismarck stated that Prussia would only recognise the legally elected deputies. The Bank of England granted £IOO,OOO towards the relief fund. Paris expresses her cordial gratitude to the deputatiou from London. At this time warlike feelings prevailed in the south of France. Matters are approaching a crisis. The Spanish, Austrian, and Italian am-» bassadors at Bordeaux consider themselves accredited to the Paris Government only. Emanuel Arago, Gamier Pages, and Pelletan arrived at Bordeaux on the Bth February, with a decree annulling Gambetta'* decree, in which he disqualified the Imperial Ministers and senators, prefects and officials generally as candidates for seats in the National Assembly. Gambetta then resigned. The Bordeaux.delegation has ceased to exercise its powers. Arago has since been appointed Minister of the Interior and of War. February 18: Consols Wool market firm, Vicr torian sixes, 113 J. Copper, 74. Tallow is dull. Wheat has advanced two shillings during the month. Arrived—Moravia, Alexandra, Bandoleer, Joshua, Somersetshire, Lanarkshire, Goolna via Alexandra. The fourth Colonial wool sales opened on the 7th. 871 bales were sold at an advance of from one penny to a halfpenny. The Marquis of Normanby has been appointed Governor of Queensland. The armistice has since been prolonged. All the forts round Paris have surrendered. To prevent the immediate starvation of the city, three millions of rations were supplied by the Germans, Beljtort, February 18. Two-thirds of the members elected are monarchists. Favre has been elected for Paris, Prince Napoleon for Corsica. The Assembly resolved to appoint $ commission to negotiate the terms of peace. The Volunteers are to be carefully organized. The Regulars, Volunteers and Militia will bring up the strength of the army to 431>000 men,

Thiers has been nominated chief of the French Executive.. Great Britain acknowledges his Government. LATEST TELEGRAMS. Bordeaux, Feb. 19. Thiers has formed a Ministry. The folluwing are the members: —Dufaure, justice; Favre, foreign affairs; Picard, the interior; Jules Simon, instruction; Lambrecbt, commerce; De Flot, war ; Pathieu, marine ; Larg, public works ; finance, unnamed. London, February 20. It has been telegraphed to Berlin from London that the conference agrees to open the Black Sea to foreign, war vessels and authorises the Porte to admit through the pardanelles all war vessels, except the Roumanian and the Russian. Turkey hesitated to agree to the proposal. It was unopposed by Russia. ■ Feb. 23. The Moniteur of Versailles declarer that no terms of peace but those already communicated to the French will be accepted. If Bismarck's ultimatum is rejected, the war will continue. Thiers and Bismarck will meet to-day. Constantinople, Feb. 20. The Porte opposes the powers having more than two vessels in the Dardanelles.