The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-09 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, April 9.

An article in the Constitutionnel, signed by M.
Limayrac, refutes the statements of those journals
which consider war inevitable because France has
taken all the necessary measures to wage it with
success. It says—" The more France is armed the
less is the probability of war. An equilibrium of
armed forces in the world is a guarantee of peace.
It is true a general disarmament of all nations would
be a more certain one for the repose of Europe,
but who is to set the example ? Is there
a Frenchman who has at heart the greatness and
safety of his country who would dare to advise
such a confiding initiative ? And should foreigners
ask us to do so could we not reply as at Fon-
tenoy—' Gentlemen, we leave it to you to take
the first step.' "

FRANCE.
BOURSE, April B—Three o'clock.—The market
closed u follows :

Bank Shares 3160
ItaFan Loan
End of month —
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threes
Home Debt 37 50
Deferred 34
Orleans , ___ Account.
875
Northern llB5
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern..... 5BO
Western

4} per Cont.
End of month —
3 per Cent
End of month 69 25
Credit Mobilier 263 75
End of month 267 50
Credit Foncier —1452 50
End of month — -
RAILWAI

tar Ea4_n_

Sardinian
Austrian 553}
Lombard 376}
North of Spain 74
Saragossa .. 92f
Roman 4Bf

IRON.IIAS7 ERS' QUARTERLY MEETING.

WOLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday Evening.
The quarterly meetings of the ironmasters of this
district commenced in this town this afternoon ; the
attendance was larger than it has been here for
several years, but the few of the buying class who
were present evinced no disposition whatever to do
business, and very few transactions were reported;
and it was admitted on all hands that the trade, so
is as bad as it has
farbee
been
as f
nt
rh
months
lnotcbasl
ti
andconcerned,
n nindications of improve-
ment are visible. It is to be feared that the result
of the great meeting at Birmingham on Thursday
will not disclose anything more favourable, the de-
mand for finished iron the make of the district being
wholly inadequate to the power of production.
The topic almost exclusively discussed at this
meeting was in reference to the notices which have
been given to the men to reduce the wages scale.
It is now generally admitted that this step has been
taken at the wrong time ; that, in fact, the resolu-
tion passed a fortnight ago ought to have been
adopted in December, in all probability the men
would have yielded then, whereas now they are
organising resistance, and most likely some sections
of them will stand out for a week or two ; but it is
certainytoieleldra.blyTbey ultimately
d thatul difficulty they will have to
account will be sure
to be increased by the absence of uniformity of
action and principle on the part of the masters, that
has been for many years a principal cause of em-
barrassment in the conduct of the iron trade of
c
n nthis
South Staffordshire. One thing is quite certain
that, taking into account the price of material, the
various fixed charges, and the rates of wages, it is
utterly impossible to produce finished iron at a pro-
fit at present prices. It is in consideration of this
that one or two of the first-class makers have not
hesitated to declare that if the men persist in refus-
ing the reduced wages they will be compelled to
close their works, not as against them, but to pro-
tect themselves from serious loss.
The market for pig iron is quint; but the make
has been so greatly reduced that the depression is
less severe in that branch than it is as regards
finished iron.

The North Staffordshire makers who were present
at this meeting reported that the trade in that
quarter is rather better ; they have orders in for
Canada, also on account of some of the Mediter-
ranean markets.

EXECUTION IN SHROPSIIIKE —This Day.

John Mapp, convicted of the murder of a girl
named Catherine
Lewis, at Longden, Salop, was
banged this morning. Since his condemnation he
had shown no dread of the fate which awaited him,
hut, on the contrary, exhibited the utmost uncon-
cern. Till a few days ago he averred that he was
innocent of the crime of which he had been found
guilty. Then he admitted that he murdered the
child, but said it was the result of some sudden and
unaccountable impulse. Yesterday he made a full
confession. He says that on Sundaynight, when he
went from chapel with the little girl, he had no inten-
tion of doing her any harm. A short distance from
the gate of the field in which he murdered her he
laid hold of her hand and began to pull her about,
and asked her to let him go with her. She said that
she would not, and got over the gate from him. He
followed her, and found her hiding under the hedge.
He then asked her to let him go with her. She
said she would not. lie then said, "I will cut
your throat," and pulled out his knife and did it.
She made no noise, she seemed to be so frightened.
He saw the brooch on the ground, picked it up,
and put it into his pocket. He then dragged her
down the field by her right has(' to a gap in the
hedge. He took her over that into a grass field,
md put her in the place in which she was found.
He adds that he is very sorry he committed the
wader, as the child did him no harm.