The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-13 00:00:00

FOREIGN NOTES

•••••••••

THE PROPOSED CONGRESS.

According to present appearances one of the grandest
of the idees Napoleoniennes is likely to be realised. If we
are to believe all that we hear from abroad, the foreign
journals, and the foreign correspondents of the English
journals, a European Congress will be held soon in order
to discuss the affairs of the Papacy. Even the smallest
European States are being invited; and, though no answers
have been returned, it is stated that so far the idea has been
well received. It is scarcely likely that so illustrious an
assemblage will be summoned merely to settle what shall
be done with the Pope. There is reason to believe that
other and more important matters will he brought forward,
and chief among them the troublesome Eastern question.
On this matter it is supposed that England, France, and
Austria are agreed, but no reliance can be placed upon the
second State, inasmuch as Napoleon seems to be in his de-
clining years the typical unstable man of whom patriarch
and apostle have spoken.
The Temps says that invitations to the Conference were
issued on Monday to England, Prussia, Russia, Austria,
Saxony, Bavaria, Wiirtemberg, Baden, Hesse, Sweden,
Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Portugal, and Swit-
zerland. No invitations had then been sent to Turkey
and Greece.

Paris letters and Paris journals, while mentioning mat
great distrust of Napoleon's foreign policy is felt in Eng-
land, and that England as well as Prussia will require to
know precisely the subjects which it is proposed to discuss
at the Congress, rejoice that this country is once more
taking an interest in Continental affairs. They admit that
the abstention from them of a Power like England is a
matter for regret, inasmuch as an important guarantee
for the peace of the Continent is thereby withdrawn.
It is hoped that the attitude assumed by Lord Russell
during an attack of spleen will be abandoned by Lord
Stanley, and that England will henceforth exercise her

*oper influence in the counsels of Europe.
It is stated that Prussia, while accepting the Conference
or Congress in principle, will require that the French
troops shall be withdrawn from the Papal States before
the meeting takes place, and that the Pope shall take part
in it. Should this latter condition be insisted upon, it
amounts either to an entire failure of the Conference, or
to the absence of Prussia from it, since the Pope has
already declared explicitly that he will be represented
at the Conference solely on the condition that his States
taken from him in 1860 are restored to him. As well
might Turkey insist on the restoration of Greece.

The promised pamphlet, "Napoleon 111. and Europe
in 1867," is anticipated with much interest. Its author•
ship is generally attributed to M. Conti, ohief of the
Emperor's cabinet.
THE CRETAN INSURRECTION.

Three long documents are published relating to the
Cretan rebellion. They are addresses to A'ali Pasha, to
foreign consuls in Crete, and to Rechid Pasha, governor of
Heraclium. They all delare the same thing—" No,
surrender." "Better," say the Cretans, "a glorious
death than a shameful life." "Union with Greece or
death" is their demand, and they peremptorily reject
all proposals offered by the Turkish Government,
whose authority they refuse to recognise. Blockade-
running is going on extensively, and there is little doubt
that the insurrection can be maintained for many months
to come. The Greeks are openly aiding the Cretans, and
it is not improbable that a rupture will take place between
the Courts of Athens and Constantinople. Indeed, the
Greek Goveinment are actively preparing for a war with
Turkey.

According to the Temps, "Lord" Elliot, our new
Ambassador at Constantinople, has suggested to the Porte
to grant the Cretans self-government and a Christian
Governor, such as Samos possesses. The Sultan refuses
to do so, on the ground that it would be derogatory to his
dignity. Meanwhile the condition of Turkey may well
give rise to serious apprehensions. On all sides the
Christians are clamouring for reforms, the exchequer is
empty, the troops have received no pay for a long time, and
Omar Pasha, the most distinguished of Turkish generals,
has not only withdrawn from Crete, but retired altogether
from the Sultan's service. The Sultan himself is said to
be seriously indisposed.
The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Inclepenaance
Beige attaches great importance to the recent despatch of
the Russian Government upon the Cretan question. He
considers that by this despatch Russia considers herself no
longer bound by the conditions of the Treaty of 1836, and
will hold herself free to act against Turkey whenever the
occasion for doing so may offer.
FRENCH MINISTERIAL CHANGES.

(here is little doubt that the long-expected Ministerial
changes in France have now actually taken place. The
Marquis de La Valette visited his father-in-law, M.
Rouher, on Sunday, and after that interview he came to
the determination to persist in the resignation which be
had offered previously. At the same time, no doubt, M.
Rouher, who has lately been in bad health, resolved to
resign the portfolio of Finance which he had held con-
jointly with his office of Minister of State. There was
an extraordinary Council of Ministers at St. Cloud on
Monday morning, in order to provide for the changes
which had thus been made. M. Rouher was asked by
the Emperor to undertake the duties of Minister of the
Interior, in the place of his son-in-law, but he declined to
do so. The post was offered also to M. Chevreau, Prefect
of Lyons, but he declined it. It was then given to and
accepted by M. Pinard, formerly Procureur-General at
the Douai Court, and now Councillor of State. It is
understood that the new Finance Minister is M. Magne.
The new Minister is in his G2nd year. lie was brought
up to the law, but early chewed himself an
adept at figures by a work upon the finances
of Algeria. He was elected deputy in 1843, and
was appointed Secretary of the Budget, and subsequently
Minister for Algeria, by M. Guizot. He retired into
private life at the Revolution of 1848, but again took
office as Minister of Public Works in 1849. In April 1852,
Magne, who bad remained in office in spite of the
coup d'etat, resigned in consequence of the law seques-
trating the property of the Orleans family. Five months
later, however, he became Minister once more. In 1854
he took the portfolio of Finance, and continued to hold
it until the end of November 1860. He then became
Minister without Portfolio (" talking Minister") in con-
junction with the late M. Billault. He has received
various honours, is a Councillor of State, and Grand Cross
of the Legion of Honour. The Marquis de La Valette
will be made Councillor of State, but for the present, it is
supposed, without pay.