The Express.
London, England, 1867-04-09 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(RECTER'S TELEGRAMS.)
THE LUXEMBURO QUESTION.

PARIS, APRTI. 8.

The Etembird of this evening states that Russia
and Austria have expressed the same opinion rela-
tive to the treaty of 18:19 and the Luxemburg
question as that already expressed by the English
government. . _ _

DERT.IN, APRIL 8, EVENING.

The semi-official North ars. a Ga:rtfe of this
evening, commenting on the disquieting rumours
in circulation relative to the Grand Duchy of Lux-
emburg, states that the decision of the question of
the preservation of peace does not rest with the
Cabinet of Berlin, for the character of a Federal
state is solely defensive. The same journal adds :
" It is, perhaps, the greatest triumph of the
Emperor N apoleon's government that it has brought
the French nation to admit that they can serve their
own and the general interests of civilisation better
by giving the hand to an opponent, and in place of
humiliating him, joining with him in endeavouring
to promote the accomplishment of the great work
of progress."

FRANCE.
GICF.XOBLE, APRIL 8.

The election in this town fur a deputy to the
Legislative Body, which took place to-day, resulted
in the return of the government candidate, M.
.loliut, by 18,800 votes against 12,400 obtained by
his opponent, M. Brinier.

THE NORTH GERMAN PARLIAMENT.
BERLIN, APRIL ri.

To-day the North (lennan Parliament adopted,
by a large majority and without debate, articles
to CA of the constitution, relating to details of
the military organization, and subsequently the
whole section on the federal military system. After
a few explanations from the government all the
amendments of the opposition were withdrawn, and
the entire proceedings did not last more than an
hour.

BERLIN, APRIL 8, Evr.sm.

In to-day's sitting the North German Parliament
concluded the general debate upon the draft of the
constitution relating to the finances of the Band.
Herr von der Heydt, the Prussian Minister of
Finance, made a speech in which he declared that
the amendments proposed to the paragraphs of
this section would endanger the principle of the
security of the Federal revenue. The right of the
parliament to pass the budget must not interfere
with the number of soldiers fixed for active service.
Ho also stated that the Federal expenditure was
estimated at seventy-five and the Federal revenue
at only fifty million thalers. " The presiding
power," he added, " cannot alone cover the de-
ficiency of 21i millions, and would therefore have
to demand proportionately equal amounts from the
different members of the Confederation. The go-
vernment assents to the amendment giving the
parliament the right of sanctioning loans. The
budget will be presented to parliament for con-
sideration, but the government will not be able to
accede to any reduction of the amounts making up
the permanent revenue." The preliminary dis-
cussion of the draft constitution will be concluded
on Wednesday, and the closing debate on the whole
draft will commence on Monday next.
The government intends to convoke the Prussian
Chambers as soon as the draft of the Federal consti-
tution has im)en adopted by the North German Par-
liament. The session will open soon after Easter.
The conferences of the Federal plenipotentiaries,
for the consideration of the amendments to the
constitution passed by the parliament, will com-
mence on the 10th inst.

LETTERN TOR CHINA AND JAPAN, VIA SUEZ.
Letters addressed to any part of China or Japan, upon
which the postage has not been fully prepaid, or which
have been posted wholly unpaid, will in future, instead of
being stopped and returned to the writers, be treated in
all respects as letters for Hong Kong, i.e., they will be 'sent
forward charged with the deficiency and one rate of post-
age in addition as a fine.—By command of the Postmaster-
GeneraL

De3patehes were reoe ived yesterday at the Colonial-
office from the Governors of the North American provinces
and Bermuda. Despatches were sent to the Governors of
the Falkland Islands.

THE VOLVNTERR CAPITATION GRANT. —The re-
port of a committee of volunteer officers to the Secretary
of State for War has been presented to parliament. It
states -" Twelve hundred and sixty circulars were sent
from the office of the National Rifle Association, and
ready and certain means was thus afforded of gauging the
feelings and opinions of the whole force as to the suffi-
ciency or insufficiency of the present capitation grant.
To these circulars 0..5 replies have been received. The
analysis of replies shows clearly that the opinion of the
force is in favour of an additional money grant. Of the
other modes, besides an additional money grant, in which it
is suggested that further assistance might be given, those
which- appear to be most in favour are extra allowance
for travelling and equipments. The present travelling
allowance of 4s. per man wad recommended by the royal
commission of 1862, to enable administrative companies to
attend battalion and brigade drills. This allowance, which
enables detached companies to be brought together, has
necessarily contributed much to the efficiency of adminis-
trative battdions. It appears, however, insufficient for
its purpose in many instances, when the distances to
be travelled are great ; and it has been suggested that
such payments should be made at a fixed rate per mile,
instead of per man. As regards equipments, it would
no doubt be advisable, with a view to service in the
field, that volunteers should be supplied with a great
coat of an approved pattern; and inasmuch as the
belts and pouches will probably have to be altered when
once the force has been armed with breechloaders, it
might also be a matter for consideration whether equip-
ments, to the extent of accoutrements as well as great
coats, might not be supplied by government. A light
knapsack would also form a necessary part of the equip-
ment of a volunteer in the field, and there can be no doubt
that the force, unless supplied with these necessaries, can-
not be said to be in a condition to enter upon active ser-
vice, if requited to do so at short notice. One other sue-
geated mode of applying an extra grant should not be
wholly peeled by, vix., an allowance for men in camp. It
appears to the committee that an additional sum of 1/.
for efficient", retaining the present 10s. for extra
efficiency, would suffice ; and they would venture to urge
that such increased grant should, if possible, be proposed
in the current year. As regards artillery and engineers,
the committee are of opinion that they should receive a
special grant for the extra expenses they have to meet,
and services which they have to perform. It is, there-
fore, recommended that, in addition to the proposed in-
creased grant of 1/. for all efficient volunteers. the present
extra grant for engineers and artillery should be increased
from 10s. to lf. The question will naturally arise as to
whether any conditions should be attached to an increased
grant, different from those already in force; whether, in
fact, the increased grant should be given on the same
principle as the present 10s. for extra efficients. The
committee have come to the conclusion that it would not
be advisable to make any further distinction in the class
of etficients than is already made by the additional 10s.
extra efficiency in musketry practice."