FRANCE. Paris, Feb. 25.

North Otago Times, Volume I, Issue 10, 28 April 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

FRANCE. Paris, Feb. 25.

The leading journals state that France, in spite of her sympathy with Denmark, should recognise the wishes of the Germans in Holstein and Schleswig to be incorporated with German nationalities ; that the French policy on the Elbe ought not to be different from that on the Vistula and Mincio ; that should Germany obtain this satisfaction, the other Danish provinces would be united to Sweden, thus guarding the entrance to the Baltic; and that this course would establish the principle of nationalities, aud Germany could then apply it to Poland and Italy. Late elections in France show a deeplyrooted feeling on the part of the educated classes against the Imperial system. Merciless exposure of official corruption and intimidation come out daily. The Opposition is headed by Thiers, Berryer, and Jules Favre, who have made forcible attacks on the Government against the continued French occupation of Mexico. Count De Montalembert, lately champion of the liomish Church, has been denounced at Rome by sixty-se\en bishops, in consequence of his liberal speech at Malmis Congress.

The French Imperial Guard are ordered to be in readiness to proceed to the Rhine frontier. The French loan of £12,000,000 has been successful. The Austrian Government asserts that the political bases of the conference proposed by England areas follows: — First — The European powers to guarantee the autonomy and indivisibility of the duchies. Secondly— That the territorial arrangements hitherto existing undergo no change. Austria and Prussia will adhere in principle to the proposal, provided, however, that the German Diet and France also assent, and that the ne^ociations shall not interfere with the piosecution of hostilities. I