The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-29 00:00:00

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of able intellects is the Republican section, which is in a
great minority. Yet it is from this handful of deputies
that vigorous action is to be expected. It makes up for
lack of numbers by the vigour and persistency of its
movements. Incessant disputes occupy the sittings of
the Chamber. Continual are the attacks of the Left ; and
after each fresh onslaught, the Right seem less capable
of making head against the storm, and more afraid of using
their superior force to defeat and silence their enter-
prising, though perhaps not very statesmanlike, oppo-
nents.

These disputes turn on a variety of hinges. Now it is
the lack of information communicated from the Ministry
of the Interior, now the Emperor and his dynasty, the
arming of the people, and the repressive measures
of the Government that cause in their turn these
violent quarrels. A pretext is never wanting.
Not a day passes without a contest. Yesterday there
was a variety of skirmishes. M. Girault asked why the
departments of the Cher and the Nievre had been put in
a state of siege when other surrounding districts had
escaped all interference of the kind. He used scant
moderation in putting the question. The Minister of the
Interior on rising was met by loud entreaties from
the Right to give no answer. M. Girault said
he should demand an answer by force. Amid tremendous
uproar, the President called him to order. He answered
that he would not leave the tribune till he was dragged
away. Next followed some angry talk about the conduct
of the Maire of Chalons and the Prefect of the Meurthe
in recommending the citizens of their districts to
make no attempt at resistance to the Germans,
He of the Meurthe has been dismissed for his too prudent
behaviour ; the Maire of Chalons is "under considera-
tion." Then M. Jules Ferry headed a debate on the
propriety of facilitating the supply of arms by, in the
first place, importing them, and, in the second place, by
allowing private firms to furnish a quantity. A commis-
sion to which this suggestion had been referred
reported against it. But M. Ferry resolved
to have a field fight on the subject. Of course
the fear of the Government and the wish of the
Opposition are palpable enough. Let the Republicans
only secure free trade in weapons, and they will be quite
prepared to support the Republic when the time comes for
dec:arh.g it. But naturally the Government kept this essence
of the question carefully out of sight. They urged various
weak objections to the proposal, all of which M. Ferry met
by the one answer that the Fiafety of the State demanded
a i.pid supply of arms, that 0, 'ernraent workshop
were not able to manufacture them with sufficient speod,
awl r.:..c1 of the changes. The administration
had already behaved recklessly in this matter. One gun-
makc,r haul offered MOM Chassepots, and had been refused
Such proceed;n:4, sail M. Ferry, paralysed the defence
of the country for the profit of the dynastic interest.
This is one of the neat sentences by which
the Left continue to bring about these explosions in
the Chamber. The Right murmured at these
words; the Left vehemently applauded them. Violent
interruption followed when M. Picard declared
that to talk of formality and old laws (such a one as pro-
hibited the free manufacture of arms) at such a crisis
was to make France the laughing stock of the world.
The uproar became frightful when M. Picard
declared that if the law prohibiting the pur-
chase of arms were not repealed, he would
take by violence the weapons he needed to de-
fend his country. M. Ferry was beaten by 235 to GI.
The Right, however, dared not repeat this triumph. A
demand by Count Kdratry for a secret committee met
with very little opposition.
Of news there is again none worth the slightest notice.

Such items as " The siege of Strasbourg continues," to-
gether with some vague and untrustworthy details about
army movements make up the whole of the bulletin. The
Agence Savas goes so far as to say, as its latest telegram,
that Bazaine won the battle of the 18th, and that he pre-
vented Prince Frederick's army from joining the Crown
Prince ; when it is admitted on all hands that a portion
of the former's army has departed to strengthen the
latter. Such " news "is sufficient to make France
ridiculous before Europe.
M. 011ivier is about to publish a pamphlet entitled
"Ma Justification." It unfortunately happens that no-
body wants to hear either of M. 011ivier or his justifica-
tion at present. Scant benefit will he reap by bringing
himself befere the public. He may justify his attempt to
found a Liberal Empire, but how can he excuse his being
duped by the Emperor when all hope of liberality in the
Empire had departed ?
General Trochu has reviewed 22,000 of the Garde Mobile
on the plain of Saint-Maur. They were armed with
Chassepots, and looked very well. The general had an
excellent reception, and, indeed, is very popular. So he
ought to be, for besides him the crisis has brought out no
man capable of grappling with its difficulties.

The Germans are digging deep trenches round Nancy,
and they are laying up in that city a great quantity of
provisions and ammunition.

The Germans have ceased throwing bombs into Stras•
bourg. Their losses have been considerable from the
sorties made by the garrison and the bombs which have
fallen into their trenches.

Several German spies have been arrested to-day in
Paris. Three others were arrested yesterday at Brest.
The last were men whose audacity and courage have
never been surpassed in the annals of the spying trade. One
of them, dressed as an admiral, called himself the Minister
of the Marine and Colonies, The other two, in the uniform
of gendarmes escorted him. The would-be Minister ex-
. . .

amined minutely every part of the arsenal, and took
copious notes, the inferior officers giving him every ex-
planation. On leaving the port, the soldiers turned out
and presented arms. The three spies were walkingquietly
away, when for their misfortune the deputy for the city
made his appearance. A gentleman present asked the

deputy why he did not speak to the Minister. Which

Minister ? The admiral was pointed out. The deputy
went up to him, seized the would-be admiral by the
throat, and called for assistance. The spies were arrested