The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-20 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(11ZUTIR'S TILIGIAXII.)
FRANCE.

PARIS, Disc. 19.

The Army Bill came on for discussion in the
Corps Legialatif to-day. M. Simon examined the
bill from the three points of view of the extent,
the opportuneness, and the efficacy of the sacrifices
demanded of the country. He accused the
measure of increasing military expenditure, and of
too long postponing the period when the reserve
might marry. He censured the establishment of
the National Guard and the Garde Mobile, which
suppressed the chances of the conscripts drawing
favourable numbers. The policy of the govern-
ment
had wounded foreign nations. After the
faults that had been committed the moment was
inopportune for asking France to give all her chi-
ldren to military services. The true strength of
the people did not consist in a standing army,
but in patriotism. Baron David pointed out the
existence beyond the Rhine of a military party
intoxicated with victory. Across the Alps the
revolutionary piety was hostile to Frame. This.,
situation required that France should exercise
foresight. "We require," said the speaker, "a
strong organization. That proposed will be the
least burdensome. Patriotism demands that the
Chamber should unanimously vote the bill." M.
Ltour-Dumoulin was left speaking.
In the Senate, the debate upon the petition for
the abolition of the punishment of death was
begun. M. Goulhot St. Germain opposed the pe-
tition, moving at the end of his speech to pass to
the order of the day. The debate will be continued
on Tuesday. The bureaux of the legislative body
have rejected three applications from various
members to be permitted to address interpellations
to the government.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, Dzc. 19, Erniso.

In the sitting of the Chamber of Deputies to-day
the debate upon the Ministerial policy was re-
sumed. Signor Rattazzi continued this speech.
He complained of the unmerited reproach cast
upon the late government in the French diplomatic
despatches, and of the great exaggeration of M.
de Villestrieux relative to the preparations and de-
partures of the volunteers. He could not arrest
Garibaldi on his return to Florence, as at that time
he (Rattazzi) had already resigned ; he could not
legally close the relief committees, as there was
no proof that they had an ostensible aim in view.
He denied as wholly unfounded the accusation
made by the French Minister for Foreign
Affairs, that Italy had proposed to France
to become an accomplice in treason. He
never proposed a mixed intervention ; he never
instructed Chevalier Nigra to propose a conference
upon the threat of France that ..he would declare
war if the Italian troops crossed the frontier. A
ministerial council had assembled at which he
(Signor Rattazzi) advised the immediate occupa-
tion of Rome by Italian troops ; but the Ministers
were not unanimous. A ministerial crisis ensued
shortly afterwards. Signor Rattazzi will resume
his speech to-morrow. Signor Acerbi defended the
volunteers against the charges of disorder and of
anti-monarchical designs which had been brought
against them. Signor Crispi protested against the
misinterpretation placed upon his words by General
Menabrea. He believed that Rome was necessary
to Italy. Baron Ricaaoli denied having connived
at the deposit of arms for the volunteers on the
frontier. The Chamber was left sitting.