English and Foreign.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IX, Issue 590, 30 June 1858, Page 5

English and Foreign.

The Isle of Pekim.—Pakis March 31.—The " Patrie rt has an article upon the subject of the English occupation of the Isle of Perim against which it is confidently asserted that France and Jiussiaprotested by a joint note. The "Patrie" says: —We are anxious to impress upon the pubJic mind that the taking possession of the Isle of Perim by the English is a most violent attack upon the integrity of the Ottoman empire, and the principle of the liberty of the seas. Now is the time to prevent the territorial usurpation which England is effecting, in order that she may not at a later .period be able to shelter herself behind the pretext of a, fait accompli, and to invoke the consecration of time. The (French) press is unanimus in affirming that the Isle of Perim belongs to Turkey by an undoubted title; that the occupation of that island by England is Illegal; and that she is proceeding to fortify it in defiance of all rights, in order to ensure for herself the domination of the Red Sea. and a inonoply of the trade with India. Will Europe allow these works to be made? It is time for Europe to show England that she must give up her traditional habits of encroachment. The iquestjon can no longer remain undecided, whether

it is to be settled by diplomatic negotiations, or by the next meeting of the Congress of Paris. Turkey refuses to grant the firman for the piercing of the Isthmus of Suez so.long as England occupies Perim. She seizes the first opportunity to claim a possession which she has never abandoned and which she will neither give away nor sell. England must, therefore, either show a title to hold Perim, or give it up, Penalties on Evangelical Worship in France.—The police court of lluffec, Fouqueure, on the 17th March, sentenced M. Anouste Bonifas to imprisonment for two months and a fine of 20f. [200f.?] for having, on the Bth and 21st of February last, held an evangelical meeting, composed of more than 20 persons, in an out-house attached to his dwelling, the said meeting being contrary to law. Pierre Laidet was sentenced to imprisonment for eighty days, and a fine of 100f., and Adolphe Siefferraan, Jean Geoffrion, Jean Sallet, Jean Eamade, and Jacques Pantet, to pay a fine of IOOf. for being present at the above-mentioned meetings.

Protestantism in France.—The 'Daily News' contains the following interesting statement in respect to the proscribed Protestants in France:—"lt is those Protestant congregations now recognised by the State which have the greatest reason for complaint. The old Huguenot, or established Protestant Church of France, is a body that gives little umbrage either to the French government or French Catholicity. It is this new Protestant Church, having for its principle to be ' non-salaried by the State,' that the French functionaries and clergy in the provinces hold in detestation, and would keep in check. The Emperor of the French, we cannot but think, acts and speaks unadvisedly when he thus proscribes congregations of the moral, the faithful and the pious."

The Paris correspondent of the ' Daily News' says that there is a deficiency of 100,000,000 of francs in the national revenue ; that the emperor has reproached M. Magne for having not long ago shown a surplus ; and that M. Magne's reply is, that he was ordered to show a surplus, and did so, but that he cannot alter facts.

Mr. Hodge.—Turin, March 25. —The young Englishman, Mr. Hodge, who has been confined several weeks at Genoa, at the instigation of the French authorities, under an impression that he was implicated in the late attempt at Paris, has been removed to this city, and is now placed in the Ospidale dei Cavalieri. There are reports here in circulation that the French authorities have proposed to the Sardinian Government to be allowed to send a commission from France to make further inquiries into the case ; and it is also stated, no doubt with truth, that this spirited and patriotic government have refused permission to this before unheard-of demand; but in the interests of truth they have consented to allow some further interrogatories to be put to Mr. Hodge, by the proper authorities of this country, which'the general confidence entertained here of his perfect innocence induces the belief will be answered satisfactorily, and that, in the course of a week or ten days he will be restored to perfect liberty.— Daily News' Correspondent. Russia.—Preparations for the work of the emancipation of the serfs are going on in Russia with activity. A letter from St. Petersburg states that a new journal has just been founded in that capital, under the title of the Journal of Landed Proprietors, the editors of which announce that they intend to devote their columns specially to the propagation of the great measure of reform undertaken by the Emperor Alexander. The Emperor is said to meet with secret opposition to his great plan, but the lower.classes are perfectly well aware of what is going on, arid any great owner of " souls" who might openly oppose the measure would be in imminent danger of being treated by them as the landed proprietors in Galicia were treated by their peasants in 1846. Many great proprietors have fled to St. Petersburg in fear of their lives. According to a St, Petersburg correspondent of the ' Agsburg Gazette,' great discontent prevails in the military world. The reduction of the army has been so great that not more than half as many officers are now employed as were in service during the war. A St. Petersburg journal is allowed to censure our late govern- . ment for not having resisted the demands of France, whose late policy has " produced such an unfavourable impression in Europe." Turkey.—New Intrigues.—The 'Times' correspondent points out that very extensive intrigues are going on throughout Turkey, for the purpose of re-establishing in substance, though not in name, the protectorate of Russia over the restless and deceitful Greeks in that empire. With this view, Greek consuls are being everywhere appointed, even in the interior. In Trebizonde the Greeks have been incited to insult the Turks, and then to complain of the punishment justly inflicted upon them. In the part of Bessarabia recently given to Moldavia-under the Treaty of Paris, the dishonesty of these intrigues is peculiarly shown. There are scarcely any Turks in the district; yet the Russians aiid Greeks are perpetually complaining.