The Portland daily press., 1872-12-31

estigate the expenses of the crown was de-
eated in the Commons, only voting in its 1
avor.
A law regulating the sale and Furnishing t
he adulteration of liquor has been put in l
peaceful and successful operation during the
7ear. A new commercial treaty with France
las been signed which is much more highly
protective than the one with the empire.
The strike of the London police during the
first weeks in December threatened at one
time to leave the city without protection.
The difficulty was finally arranged, the strik-
ers only demanding $3.50 per week. The
abuse known as ''baby-farming' has been
virtually abolished by the requirement of
license for persons to whom children are in
trusted. The University boat-race was won
this year by Cambridge. In Canada Lord
Dufferin to k the oath of office as Governor
General on the 25th of June, Lord Lisgar re-
firing.
The situation in France may be described I
in few words. Beginning with the Goth of
January, President Theirs has continued to
resign periodically as means of coercing the
Assembly to his will, but he is still at the |
time of this writing the Executive of France.
Tue election of many Repub ican deputies
and the infammatory speeches of Gambetta |
during the summer, brought about decided
crisis when the Assembly met Nov. 18th, af
ter its vacation. For a time it seemed as if
Theirs would be forced by the royalists and
imperasts who make up what is known as
''the Right of the Assembly, to retire, and
as If the days of the third French Republic
were numbered. But by timely concessions
to the Right, which greatly disguised Gam
BETA and the Radicals who follow him, the
adroit old man managed to avert revolu-
ton. Another regular proceeding has been
the murder of Communists on the plain of
Satony, which still continues at frequent in
tervals, notwithstanding the many months
that have elapsed since Gen. Mcmahon led
the Versailles forces rough the preached
walls and over the barbados The Count
de Chambord, the Bourbon Prince who calls
himself Henry ", issued a manifesto on the
29th OF January in which he once more af-
firmed his claim to the throne. Notwith-
standing the apparent instability of the gov
| eminent IT France, its financial success has
been truly wonderful. Over one-half of the
billion dollars indemnity demanded by Prus-
STA has been paid, and another sum of $4O,-
100000 is ready. In consequence of the ra-
pidity with which the indemnity has been
raised treaty has already been negotiated
by which all the French territory is to be
evacuated by the Prussians. The seat of
government of France is still at Versailles,
the fear of le people of Paris being suffi-
Gent to keep the multitudes of 'princes,"
"dukes," "marquises," counts" 'sbarons''
and other noblemen, who make up the great
er part OF the Assembly away from that city,
The great event of the year in Germany
besides those already mentioned, was the
meeting of the Emperors of Prussia, Austria
and Russia at Berlin on the 9th of S ptem-
Der. That one Of the results reached at this
conference Of despots was an agreement to
repress democratic agitation is evident from
the insulting withdrawal by the Prussian
Minister to France, few days after the con-
clusion of the conference, Of the congratula-
lions offered to Theirs on his acces sion to the
Presidency, the reason alleged being the i'm
munity enjoyed by Gambetta in making rad
ical speeches in the provinces. The German
government is reported to have taken steps
to prevent the emigration of its subjects to
this country
In Italy there have been few events of i'm
portance during the year. The Pope still re-
fuses to come to terms with Victor Emanuel,
and IL not accept the annuity offered him
as an Indemnity for the loss of his temporal
power.
A Congress of the International Societie
was held at the Hague on the I'd of Septem-
Der. The Swiss Confederation failed to
adopt new and improved constitution on
the 18th OF May. In the same country on
the th OF December Ceresdale and Schencll
were elected President and Vice Presi tent.
The marriage OF Pere Hyacinthe to an Amer
lean lady, and the atte npted suppression of
the Internationals in most European coun-
tries complete the European record
Juarez, President of Mexico, died on the
18th OF July, and Lerdo de Tajeda, who sue
ceeded him temporarily in accordance with
the constitution, has become permanent
President. In Gu "a Gen. Caballos has sue
ceeded Count Valmaseda as Captain General.
The importation of coolies into that island
and, strange to say, into British Guiana still
goes on. The home Spanish government de-
| clares that no reforms ae to be anticipated
IN Cuba till the instruction is suppressed.
By decree of the Spanish government the
slave holders of Porto Rico are to be indem-
niied for slaves which are to be free at the
expirationU four months.
There is a rumor that five Central Ameri-
can States are to form confederation on the
| plan of the United States.
Perhaps the most important event of the
| closing year is the invasion of Khiva in Cen
trail Asia by Russia, and the threatening at
tidude of England in consequence. Only
the immense wall of the Himalaya mountains
will now separate British India from the in
Yading Cossacks.
The year closes with fearful account of
storms, disasters, cold and suffering. The
last week has presented a record of intense
cold unequallcd for many years, the appalling
Prospect Station holoca lst occurred on the
24th inst, the railroads throughout the coun-
try have been bockaded by snow to an I'M
precedented extent the coast is strewn with
broken vessels and frozen men, and the holt
day week has been season of cold, sorrow,
suffering, despair and death to thousands Of
unfortunates. The old year has gone with
its motley freight of good and bad, hopes and
fears, joys and sol rows, pleasures and pains,
success and disaster. Hope, always beautiful
and genial, bids us look forward with cheer
full confidence to Happy New Year.