FOREIGN NEWS.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 703, 28 April 1852, Page 3

FOREIGN NEWS.

[From the Liverpool Mercury, Dec. 23.1 FRANCE. Paris, Thursday.—Several political arrests were made in Paris to-day. Four large stage coaches, containing about 40 prisoners, proceeded during the afternoon, from the prefecture to the fort of Bic&tre. M. Lamartine has written to say that his chdteaux of Saint Point, and of Monceaux, his present residence have not been attacked and pillaged, nor even menaced ; nor has he had occasion to require the aid of the armed force to protect him, as had been reported. The Moniteur announces that the minister of the Interior has given orders to take down the hall in which the late legislative assembly held its sittings. The old chamber of deputies will be amply large enough for the assembly contemplated by the new constitution. MM. Crbmieux, Leo de Laborde, and Creton, who were confined at Vincennes, have been set at libertv. MM. Duvergierde Hauranne, Bixio, Joret. Paulin, Durrieu, Teilhard, Lateris, and Gen. Leydet, have been transfeired from Vincennes to St. Pelagie. As the last piece of news regarding the press in Paris, (says a correspondent of the Daily News), I may mention that even a writer in the Patrie, that peaceful organ of the Government, whose every word was said to be written at the dictation of the Government, has been imprisoned. The culprit is M. Jules Serret, and his offence was the publication of news relative to some disturbances in the departments, in which he represented the insurgents as having gained the upper hand. This severity on the part of the Government towards the press applies to the publication of books as well as of newspapers. Several pamphlets have lately appeared in favour of Louis Napoleon’s election, but permission is refused to any persons wishing to print the merest hint of an objection as to the mode in which the election is to be managed. The proclamation of the governor of Algeria, declaring the colony in a state of siege, is confirmed by a decree of the President of the republic. The department of the Jura is also declared in a state of siege, making thirty-four out of eighty-six departments thus situated. The Public, a new Bonapartist journal, now sold in the streets for the price of the stamp, only one sous —and consequently at a loss to somebody—publishes a letter purporting to be an adhesion of General Cavaignac to the President. M. de Morney has written to the journal to say that the government does not wish to surprise the faith of any one, and that it is certain that the letter quoted by them was not written by General Cavaignac, Dupin has excited general disgust by having retained his place of procureur-general to the court of cassation. It is evident that the Government counted on his poltroonery, or he would have been arrested. The Government has got in readiness a regular fleet for transporting the unfortunate people whom the police denounce as agitators of society. The bishop of Chalons-sur-Marne has addressed a letter to the journals in favour of the election of Louis Napoleon. The bishop of Mans has invited the priests of his diocese to lend their active assistance to prolong the powers of Louis Napoleon. The garrisons of Bayonne, Behobia, and Sacoa, Basses Pyrenes, have voted. Number of votes, 2025. Affirmative, 1707 ; negative, 287 ; blank tickets, 31. Two squadrons of artillery at Montauban. Total, 379. Affirmative, 330; negative, 47; blank tickets, 2. The 2nd company of the same corps at Albi, 91. Affirmative, 90; negative, 1. It appears from Government accounts that persons canvassing for votes of " No” in the provinces are being arrested. The crime that they aie charged with is that of “exciting peaceable persons not to vote for order on the 20th and 21st instant. Three-quarters of the 40th regiment of the line have voted against Louis Napoleon. In consequence, there is talk of disbanding this regiment.

Much surprise has been caused by the official returns of the votes of the navy, which represent the President as having gained 8000 votes out of 10,000. No one can comprehend this

result, as Louis Napoleon is known to be less popular with the navy than with the armv. Besides, it is known that in some ships of the squadron the President hardlv obtained a single vote. Thus, on board the Jena, among a crew of 800, it is said that 8 only voted in favour of Louis Napoleon.

The following paragraph, which appears in the Journal de Rouen, is destined, if not contradicted, to excite very great interest: —“ We spoke yesterday of a committee of five generals that had been recently formed by the President of the Republic. This committee has, indeed, been formed, but it is not yet called upon to act. It is only intended to assemble in the event of the President’s death. The conduct that in such an event it would have to pursue, and the measures which it would take to maintain order and to make a new appeal to the people, are all laid down in the written memorandum, a sort of political testament which the President has made, and which is not to be opened unless in the event of his death. All necessary precautions are taken to ensure the instant assembling of the council in the event alluded to, and that the paper in question should at once reach their hands. The five generals forming the council are Magnan, Vaillant, Barraguay d’Hilliers, Carrelet, and St. Arnaud, who have all promised to execute the President’s wishes.”