The Sun.
London, England, 1856-12-05 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, THURSDAY EVENING.
A Council of Ministers, at which the Emperor
presided, was held yesterday at the Tuileries.
The Moniteur publishes a decree authorising a
number of natives of France to accept and wear
foreign orders.
The period for the assembling of the Congress is
not yet fixed.
It is thought, however, that the end of the month
is likely to be the time at which the meeting will
take place.
The cause of the delay is to be found in the fact
that the Porte has not yet decided on the repre-
sentative it will appoint.
The Union Bretonne says that the working classes
at St. Serval], near Nantes, have just addressed a
petition to the Emperor, begging him to prohibit
the exportation of butter, lard, and cider, on ac-
count of the scarcity of those articles and the high
price at which they have arrived, in consequence,
as they allege, of the quantities sent to the Channel
Islands and to England. The workmen assert that
they are now forced to eat dry bread only, not
being able to afford butter or lard at present prices,
which are, for butter, lf. 30c. to lf. 50c. the 500
grammes, instead of 80c., the ordinary price ; and
for lard, if. 60c., instead of 60c. The petition has
been backed by the clergy and authorities of the
district. •
The Constitutionnel announces the approaching
meeting of a conference in Paris, which iostteo
ofecthe
the interpretation of the various p i
treaty of the 31st March now contes
thed.
sTeohoisodary
con-
ference, it states, will be composed of te
plenipotentiaries to the late congress, or, in other
words, of the diplomatic representatives of the
great Powers accredited to the Court of the Tui-
leries ; its sittings, it adds, will moreover be of
short duration. But the Constitutionnel proceeds
further, and avers that a preliminary accord
has not been established between the Powers,
and that each one maintains its particular views
of the existing difficulties. This statement is,
however, so contrary to the language of the
English Ministerial journals and to public rumour
that we must receive it with hesitation. Every
circumstance encourages the belief that England
has consented to the renewal of diplomatic nego-
tiations only on the tacit condition of her views of
the question being adopted, and that France,
England, Austria, and the Porte are once more
firmly united on Eastern policy. The following is
the article of the Constitutionnel :
" The contracting Powers of the Treaty of Paris
have come to an understanding on an important
point ; they have unanimously decided on convo-
eating a new conference, which is to open very
shortly in Paris, with a view of putting a term to
the conflicting interpretations which have arisen
on certain points in the treaty. This first step in
the path of conciliation is, we repeat, important ;
it augurs well for the respective dispositions of the
Powers, and convinces us that existing difficulties
will receive a prompt and satisfactory solution.
This new convocation of the conference, which had
been anticipated in the treaty of Paris, had always
appeared to us the best means for producing a desir-
able solution. This was the ground on which the
French Government took up its position ; and we
supported its views with conviction and persever-
ance from the very commencement of the difficulties.
We are happy to perceive that all parties have at
length rallied to this wise proposition. The glori-
ous efficiency of the first conferences, without
which the peace of Europe would scarcely have
been established, shows what may be awaited from
the contact of eminent men when they are guided
by a common sentiment of justice and of honour.
The question will not be to recommence the la-
bours of the congress, nor to change the text or
decisions of the treaty. But what remains for the
conference to establish is the correct interpretation
of certain points which have appeared dubious.
The conference will this time be composed of the
second plenipotentiaries, and will, in all proba-
bility, be of very short duration. It was natural
that this intelligence should have been received in
Europe with marked satisfaction ; the confidence
which it has inspired has already exercised a happy
influence on public opinion and on financial affairs.
Nevertheless, it does not appear certain that all
the difficulties have been solved beforehand ; it is
to be believed that matters are far less advanced on
this point, and that each Power maintains its par-
ticular views relative to the questions at issue.
This fact explains the opportune character of the
newsonferences. Were the various opinions united
there would be no necessity for deliberating ; a
meeting of plenipotentiaries would be superfluous.
Logic would, therefore, indicate that different opi-
nions may be manifested in the new sittings of the
congress ; but either the accord will be established
by mutual concessions, as we hope, or by the re-
sult of a vote and of a majority. In either case, a
satisfactory solution is without a doubt. The
object of the conference is, therefore, to interpret
certain contested points of the Treaty of Paris, I.nd
to enforce its speedy execution. The difficulties
once solved, the motives which have hitherto been
the cause of the occupation of the provinces and