The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-28 00:00:00

TELEGRAPHIC INTELLIGENCE.

(RISERS'S TELEGRAMS.)

FRANCE.
PARIS, Dec. TT, Evmmia.

In to-day's sitting of the Corps Legi slatif, M. '
Rouher spoke against the amendment of M. Lonvet,
which, ho said, if adopted, would deprive the naval I
reserve of 24,000 men, and the army of 60,000'
men, in consequence of the clause permitting the
marriage of men during the last two years of their
belonging to the reserve. If the restrictions of the
amendment
were adopted, the effective strength of
the army would notexceed that of the present moment,
namely, 639,000 men ; but France wanted 800,000
men. The experience of the Crimean and of the
Italian wars has sufficiently proved that the present
effective strength of the army was not sufficient.
A comparison (said M. Rouher) of the respective
strength of the armies of Italy, of Austria, of
Russia, and of the North German Confederation
with that of France would demonstrate the im-
perious necessity of reorganising the military re-'
sources of France. Entering into the details of
M. Louvet's amendment, K Rouher said that
one year's more service in the reserve would be less
onerous to the population than an additional con-
tingent of 10,000 men, which would be the
consequence of the adoption of the amendment.
K Rouher concluded by asking the Chamber to
reject the amendment. K Buffet spoke next,
and supported the amendment. He said that
France was not willing to be implicated in a
war contrary to her inclinations. M. Calvet
Roginat withdrew his amendment. On being put
to the vote K Louvet's amendment was rejected
by 177 votes against 81. The France of this evening
says that according to the latest news from Flo-
rence General Menabrea will shortly succeed in
forming a cabinet. Many members of the tiers
parti are said not to be disinclined to rescind their
vote which upset the ministry.

PRUSSIA.
BERLIN, Dsc. 27.

The Provincial Correspondenz of to-day, in an
article reviewing the present position of the mo-
narchy, says that the year 1866 left behind it a
great success, and a solution of a great and difficult
question. The first care of the government was to
remove internal disagreement. The restoration of
confidence between the government and the
Chamber had proved lasting, sincelit had not pro-
ceeded from the intoxication of victory, but from
a recognition of, and devotion to, the interests 9f
the country. No political or other difficulty now
exists in the administration of the new provinces,
and the new and enlarged Prussia is in every re-
spect firmly united and fully developed.

ITALY.

IFLORKNCE, Dac. 27, Bviernia.

The new ministry is not yet constituted, but
there is every probability that General Menabrea
will shortly succeed in forming a cabinet. The
portfolio of Finance has been offered to Signor
Scialoja, and the Ministers of War, Public Instruc-
tion, and Marine will probably remain unchanged.
The King will return to Florence before the end of
the month.

NAPLES, Esc. 27.

The party of the extreme left propose making a
great demonstration in honour of Signor Rattazzi
this evening at the Theatre Fiorentini. Other
political demonstrations in favour of Signor Rat-
tazzi have also been arranged, and the government
have given strict orders for the maintenance of
public order.
ROME, Die. 27, Evisnma.

To-day was the fête of the Pope. His Holiness,
after attending mass in the Sistine Chapel, re-
ceived at the Vatican the congratulations of the
sacred college, of the high court dignitaries, of the
diplomatic corps, of the municipal authorities, and
of the staff of the Pontifical army.
His Holiness made a short allocution in reply.