The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-13 00:00:00

by President Simson, the same who, as Speaker of
the Frankfort Parliament of 18-18, made the same
offer, but in vain, to King William's brother and
predecessor. •

ITALY AND THE POPE.

FLORENCE, December 12.

A bill has been approved in the 'Chamber con-
verting into law the decree of the 9th relativp to the
acceptance of the Roman plebiscite. The amend-
ments have been negatived.

A second project guarantees the Pope his sove-
re't, rights, leaves him his guards, an income of
3,255,0001 r., and the Vatican, the Church of Santa
Maria Maggiore, Castel Gandolfo and dependen-
cies, and exempts theth from taxes and common law
jurisdiction.

The same immunity is extended to any tem-
porary presidency of the Pope, or Conclave, or
Council.

. The Pope's correspondence is to be free.
Even in pursuit of criminals, neither visits nor
searches are to be allowed.

The Pope is to be free to establish at the Vatican
a post and telegraph office, choosing his own officials.
The Papal despatches, cuurierH, and telegrams are
to be conveyed as these of foreign Governments
Councils will require no preliminary permission for

meeting.
The Pope may prefer to benefices without Royal
permission. The oath of the Bishops to the King,
the Royal placet, and Exequatur are abolished. The
Seminaries and other Catholic institutions will
derive their authority from the Holy See alone,
without any interference from the Italian scholastic
authorities

REPORTED RESIGNATION OF
GENERAL GARIBALDI.
FLORENCE, December 11 (Night).
It is rumoured in this city that General Garibaldi
has resigned his command in the French Army of
the Vosges, and is about to return to Italy.
The resolution taken by the General appears to
have been caused by tho fact that his co-operation
has not been received with the best goodwill by
the French populations ; and ho is not disposed to
continue any longer a useless and thankless resist-
ance.— Telegraph.

NEUTRALITY OF LUXEMBURG.
BRUSSELS, December 12 (7 p.m.)
The Luxemburg affitir day by day assumes an
aspect and a magnitude which makes everybody
here most anxious. It is understood that the an-
nexation of the Duchy by Prussia is already a
foregone conclusion. But it is believed that the.
Grand Ducal Government can reckon on the
support of England in an appeal to the King-
Grand-Duke to refute point by point the accusations
embodied in the Note of Count Bismarck. At the
same time, an opportunity would be taken to affirm
anew the strong desire of the population to remain
free and independent.
According to my information, the Prussian blow is
to follow very hard on the heels of the Prussian
word. It is said to-night that a German army corps
will immediately occupy the Grand Duchy of Luxem-
burg; the reason assigned for the act being that it
is a military necessity. • France, it is said, receives
active and valuable and from the Luxemburg terri-
tory by the furnishing of supplies to the Francs-
thews, while many hundreds of French prisoners of
war are said to have made their escape through the
proximity of the so-called neutral territory.
I am informed, on good authoritd, that the,
troops destined to resume possession of Lux-
emburg will come straight from Germany—and
thus no diminution in the forces already in the field
against the French will be caused. There are
rumours here—and I think you may depend upon
them, for they come through authoritative quarters
—that the King of Holland is aware of the intention
of Prussia, and that nothing which is done will be
done without his prior knowledge, if not oven his
stipulated consent.—Telegraph.

THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE

FESTH, December 11.

It is still uncertain whether France will take part
in the Conference, as she is inclined to make her
participations in the deliberations conditional upon
steps being taken by the Powers to assist in
getting together a Constituent Assembly, for
which an armistice is thought indispensable. The
French Margo d'Affaires in Pesth is endeavouring
to secure the good offices of the Government. The
Government is willing to co-operate, but will not
take the initiative. The Cabinet thinks it would be a
mistake to mix up the two questions.
The usually trustworthy correspondent of Pester
Lloyd, writing from Odessa on November 28,
estimates the Russian troops on the frontier of
Austria and the Black Sea at over 300,000 men, and
declares that there are six frigates at Nikolaieff,
besides thirty masked gunboats belonging to the
Government. Austrian official circles, nevertheless,
are confident that the Congress will be held.—Daily
New&

From Constantinople news comes that a formi-
dable revolt had broken out among the pilgrims, or
Hedjas, and that an expeditionary corps has been
sent to put down the rebellion.

The Ministerial crisis at the Hague had been for a
moment suspended by the acceptance of the resig-
nation of the Minister Itoest van Liraburg. His
successor was. Van Mullen.

(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.)
BANQUET TO MR. ASIIBURY.

At a meeting convened by the Mayor of Brighton, and
held in that town yesterday, it was resolved to invite Mr.
Ashbury, the owner of the yacht Cambria, to a public
banquet on the 4th January, in recognition of the gallant
way in which he upheld the honour of British yachtsmen
in the late Atlantic race between his own yacht and the
Dauntless.