The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-20 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TIM ELAM )
ITALY.
MINISTERIAL CIRCULAR TO THE
PREFECTS.
FLORENCE, Fre. 19, EVENIEG.

The President of the Council of Ministers has
issued a circular to the prefects of the kingdom,
announcing the dissolution of the Chamber and
the convocation of the electoral colleges. It says :

"The late Chamber did not give proof of possessing all
the elements which are necessary to accomplish its task in
a parliamentary system. The ministry, influenced by the
urgent necessities of the state, and faithful to the glorious
tradition which reminds us that by one and the same pro-
clamation the accomplishment of Italian unity, and the
promise of the liberty of the church, were announced
to the nation, presented a bill for resol•-ing the question
between civil and religious society." The circular pro-
teed' to advert to the causes of the late parliamentary and
ministerial crisis. " The true motive of the dissolution
(it coutinues) has been to form a firm and compact
national majority which may give strength to the govern-
ment. Italy is fatigued by sterile discussions. The
weakness of government arising from the perpetual
changes of individuals and programmes, and the mute-
tions of ministries, is the cause and principle of ad-
ministrative disorder. This can only be remedied by a
new parliament. The present ministry, nevertheless,
consider it to be necessary to state their ideas upon the
finance question. They believe that an increase of revenue
I ought to be sought in economy and the reorganisation of
existing taxes rather than in fresh imposts. Th. ministry
' will present the budget for discussion immediately on the
opening of the new parliament. The economic condition
of the different provinces is of a very variable character,
particularly as regards means of transport, and we consider
this state of things as one of the most serious evils.
' The bill for the liberty of the church raised doubts which
would havebeen removed had the debateuponthe measure
taken place. The ministry could furnish explanations
that would allay many apprehensions that have been ex-
pressed on this subject. Italy has the glorious destiny of
seeing the only political question still remaining for her to
solve, intimately connected with the great social question
of the relations between church and state. The govern.
meat looks for the solution of this problem in a fresh and
ample application of the principles of liberty. In drawing
up a new bill the government will take into account the
verdict of public opinion on the subject. The ques-
tion of the liberty of the church is bound up
with that of the eocleinutical property. Nothing is
further from the intentions of the ministry than
the idea of rendering the bishops arbiters of the
church property, of depriving the religious institutions of
every guarantee of stability, and abandoning the inferior
clergy to the power of their ecclesiastical superiors. Italy
feels the necessity of a strong government and does not
desire a hazardous policy. It is therefore necessary that
the new parliament should be composed of individuals ful-
filling these conditions."

The circular concludes by inviting the prefects
to make known to the electors the intentions of the
government.

NEW HUNGARIAN MINISTRY.
ESSEG, F. 20.

The Hungarian party in Selavonia is fully satis-
fied with the nomination of the new Hungarian
ministry, but the congregation of the province has
declared that it cannot recognise that ministry
until the Croatian Diet has passed a resolution
assenting to its formation.

SPAIN AND THE ARGENTINE CONFEDE-
RATION.

MADRID, Frs. 19.

The Epo.a of this evening states that the press
of Buenos Ayres and Monte Video are in favour of
an alliance with Spain against the Pacific republics.

PORTUGAL.
LISBON, FIB. 20.
The Chamber of Peers has received unfavourably
the bill re-forming the ministry for foreign affairs.

OUTWARD INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.
MARSEILLES, ?LB. 14.

The Messageries Imperiales steamer Said, left
here to-day with 66 passengers and 58,680/. in specie
for India and China, 17,0001. for Alexandria, and a
full cargo of merchandise.

AMERICA.
(BY ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.)
NEW YORK, F. 19, Evkasmc.

The House of Representatives has rejected the
Bill passed by the Senate as a substitute for the
Military Bill.