FRANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 1554, 22 March 1872, Page 3

FRANCE.

The persistent attempts of M. Thiers to force his policy on the country have precipitated a crisis at Versailles. The Government has been beaten thoroughly on the proposal to tax raw materials, and resigned, but the Assembly, being unable to form a satisfactory substitute, refused to accept M. Thiera's resignation. The latter reluctantly continued in office, but has lost prestige. The financial difficulty continues, and a new scheme for taxing raw materials has been distributed among the deputies. Owing to the prevailing agitation, the garrisons at Marseilles, Lyons, and other towns have been strengthened, and M. Picard's motion to proclaim the republic has been definitely resisted by the Government. The distribution of 100,000,000 f. for the relief of the invaded districts has commenced. The bishops continue to agitate against the Education Bill. Bishop Dupanloup has resigned his seat in the Academy in consequence of the election of M. Littre, the Positivist, but his resignation is not accepted. The Due d'Aumale is also elected. Count Arnheim, the German ambassador, has been cordially received at Versailles. The French Minister at Berlin has been equally favored by Bismarck. The trial of the murderers of the Paris hostages is continued, and Genton (president at the mock trial) has been sentenced to death, Francois ("governor of the prison) to hard labor for life, and 12 others to various terms of imprisonment. Eight were acquitted.