The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-17 00:00:00

FRANCE.

The withdrawal of the bill which was before the
Legislative Body relative to the exportation of rags
for making paper may be thus explained :—On the
20th June, 1860, the Government presented a bill
having for object to replace the complete prohibi-
tion of the export of rags by a duty of 12f. per 100
kilos. The committee proposed to the Council of
State an amendment raising the duty to 30f. On
the day before the close of the session the Council
of State sent back a counter amendment which
added 6f. to the original duty proposed, making it
18f. This bill was included among those of which
the committee had to complete the examination.
But the treaty of commerce concluded on the Ist
inst. between Belgium and France having substi-
tuted for the prohibition a reciprocal duty of 12f.
per 100 kilos., with the exeeption of woollen rags,
which remain exempt, the bill presented on the
20th June, 1860, became without object. It has,
therefore been withdrawn by Imperial decree, as
already stated.
The discussion in the Senate, and more particu-

larly the speech of M. Billault, are remarked on in
the following terms by the Constitutionnel : —" The
two sittings which the noble Assembly has devoted
to this great question will rank amongst the most
memorable of representative Government. The
Marquis de La Rochejaquelein produced a great
impression by a very earnest and eloquent speech.
The noble speaker rendered complete justice to the
policy of the Emperor's Government; but he in-
sisted that this policy, so national and so Chris-
tian-like, would be unmistakably affirmed,
and would receive additional force from
a solemn vote referring the petitions to
the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The effect of

this speech was completed by a powerful attaek on
Turkey by M. de Saulcy, and at the end of the sit-
ting the Senate appeared impatient to declare its
sentiments by an energetic manifestation in favour
of the Christians of the East. As to M. Billault's
speech, we require time for a calm perusal of the
Minister's admirable language before we can ade-
quately express our admiration of it. For the pre:
sent we can only announce the impression made and
the result obtained. After so clear and noble a
statement of French policy, the Senate was unani-
mous in its applause. Its patriotism has given the
illustrious orator the noblest triumph he could de- '
sire ; as, after hearing him, all dissensions ceased."
The Siecle, on the same subject, expresses itself
in these terms :—" It results from the speech of the
hon. minister that, if France evacuates Syria, it is
because she is there as the mandatory of Europe,
and that Europe requires the sacrifice from her.
When so freed from her mandate, she will recover
all her individual liberty, and then, being no longer
bound by rigorous stipulations, she can intervene at
her own day and hour, and in.the manner she thinks
proper, and will be perhaps in a more favourable
position for settling the difficulties of the great
question still remaining in suspense. We do not,
however, completely abandon Syria. Our fleet will
cruise off Beyrout along with the English fleet."
The liebrzts pays a just tribute to the zeal and
humanity which have characterised the discussion.
One thing, it observes, is now clear to the public,
that the evacuation of the French troops is irrevo-
cably fixed for June 5 ; and the debate will have
this great result—to serve as a warning to the Porte
of the immense responsibility it assumes in under-
taking to defend by its own forces the Christians in
Syria. At the same time our contemporary directs
attention to the fact that the last accounts from
Constantinople are of a gloomy character, and give '

861

but an unsatisfactory impression of the power of
the Turkish Governmen t to. fulfil its promises,

BOURSE, May 16.—The market has been rather
inanimate, but prices hav e generally been pretty
well maintained, at about yesterday's rates. For
the Account, Threes are no wat 69f 50c. Railways
quiet, but firm.

The following were the last quotations :-
11 per per Cents ... 9G 45 if Credit Foncier 990
IDo end month.... 96 35 Belgian 41
3 per Cents
Do. end month 69 55 I 1 toman
Bank Shares 2900 I Aztstrian
Credit Mobilier.... 710 i ..;.parlish Threes 5O
Do. Account 712 5011-lome Debt