FRANCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 148, 22 June 1872, Page 2

FRANCE.

The Commission on capitulations blames General Ulrich for the surrender of Strasburg, and especially censures him for screening himself and his officers from the conditions imposed on the enlisted men. In the National Assembly on May 21 Rouher spoke nearly three hours on the motion to interrogate the Government as to its intentions regarding the frauds in war contracts. Rouher disclaimed any intention of provoking controversies and defended his general policy from the charges against his administration of affairs as a Minister, and urged that the members of the Government collectively should be held responsible for their acts. Pasquire ' replied to Rouher and vindicated his own exposures of corruption under the Empire, denounced Napoleon, and called on tbe Empire in the language of Augustus to restore to France her legions, her provinces, and her glory. The members of the Assembly and the spectators in the rooms and galleries were greatly excited, and repeatedly interrupted the speaker with passionate outbursts of applause.

Rouher replied in a two hours' speech which was listened to with impatience. The Prince and Princess of Wales are to arrive in Pariß on May 24. The Paris journals consider that the debates in the Assembly on May 21 and 22 inflicted a crushing blow on the hopes of the friends of the Empire. Heuri Rochfort and other convicted Commuuists sailed on May 27 for New Caledonia.