The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-22 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, THURSDAY MORNING.
The Moniteur promulgates in its official columns
the decree for the ratification of the treaty of al-

liance between England, France, and Austria,
concluded at Vienna on the 2d of December.

The Illoniteur publishes a decree nominating the
oie,-11,,0r of a e 0711 Tr charged with the exami-
nation of the Government accounts for the year
1854.
It also publishes a deuce making some altera-
tions, in certain cases, in the import duties on
sugar, oil, and grease. The duty on sugars imported
from the French colonies beyond the Cape of Good
Hope remains as at present. Ordinary sugars
imported from the undermentioned places are to
pay as follows :—From China, Cochin-China, the
Phillippine Islands, and Siam, in French bottoms,
48f. ; from other parts of India, 50f. ; from other
places not in Europe, 53f. ; and from entrepots,
63f. per 100 kilogrammes. From the same places,
in foreign bottoms, 68f. Sugars of a finer quality
to pay 3f. per 100 kil. in addition to the above
duties. Dried raisins to pay 25c. per 100 kil. in
French, and 2f. per 100 kil. in foreign bottoms.
Molasses intended for being converted into alcohol
are to be charged as follows :—Molasses imported
in French bottoms, from the French colonies,
exempt ; from countries beyond Europe, 3f. ; and
from the entrepots, Bf. per 100 kil. ; in foreign bot-
toms, 13f. per 100 kil. Animal fat of all sorts is to
be imported in French bottoms from India at 2f.,
and from other places at sf. per 100 kil. ; in foreign
bottoms, at Bf. per 100 kil. Fish fat, the pi oduce
of foreign fisheries, if imported in French bottoms,
from the countries beyond Cape Horn or the Cape
of Good Hope, 10f. ; from other countries beyond
Eureptt, 15f. ; and from the entrepots, 20f. per
100 kil. ;if in foreign bottoms, 30f. Pure fixed
oil of olives, in French ships, from the producing
country, 10f. ; from other countries, 13f. ; if in
foreign vessels, 15f. Palm, cocoa, Illipp6, and
other oils imported in French bottoms, from the
French colonies and the French establishments in
India, If. 50c. ; from the coast of Africa and other
places not in Europe, sf. ; from the entrepots, Bf. ;
and if in foreign bottoms, I.of. per 100 kil. Similar
changes are made in oleaginous seeds, but they are
too numerous to be particularised. Candles im-
ported are to pay 10f., and stereatic acid 25f. per
100 kil. The premium hitherto granted in France
on the exportation of soap is reduced in proportion
to the reduction in the import duties stated above;
but this part of the decree will not be applicable
For two months from the date of promulgation.

CONJECTURES ABOUT THE PALL OF
SEBASTOPOL.

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Some English officers from the Crimea, who are
invalided, have passed through Paris. They expres-
sed an opinion that the English troops would eat their
Christmas puddings in Sebastopol, and there are
letters from French officers in the camp in which
it is stated that the fall of Sebastopol before New-
year's-day is certain. It is said in the political
salons that the Emperor Napoleon has expressed
the same opinion. Such, however, is not the
general impression here, nor do some of the su-
perior officers of the army in Paris, who receive
letters from the Crimea, believe that it is possible,
after so many disasters from the season of the year,
and the long and heavy rains which have retarded
the operations of the Allies, for the Allies to become
sufficiently formidable for the speedy reduction of this
great stronghold of the Russians. On the other
hand, there can be no doubt that the army of
Prince Menschikoff is in a very bad condition.
Even the Soldiers' Friend, of Vienna, which has
systematically related everything favourable to
Russia and unfavourable to the Allies, has changed
its tactics, and now tells us that Prince Menschi-
koff has informed his Government that he is un-
equal to resist any very serious offensive operation
by the Anglo-French army.