The Sun. — 1868-05-04 (London, England)

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.  (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)  PARIS, SUNDAY, May 3.  - I The optimists are in the ascendant to-day. In the first place the Japan difficulty has been got over. Some weeks ago eleven of the crew of a French ship were murdered at Kobi,and it was feared that we were in danger of a Japanese war. But the Mikado has proved more reasonable than the Tycoon proved to your remonstrances on the murder of Mr. Richardson. Twenty Japanese have been beheaded, and £22,500 have been paid in compensation. So that little " black spot " has been dissipated. Another affair, which a few hours ago threatened to give us trouble, now seems certain to be arranged. Our Consul at Tunis had drawn up an agreement by which the Bey agreed to preserve the rights of his foreign creditors (chiefly French), but at the last moment his Highness refused to sign the document. Thereupon our Consul hauled down his flag, and refused to hold any diplomatic relations with the Tunisian Government. The France, in mentioning this circumstance, kindly insinuated that English intermeddling was at the bottom of the affair. It now appears that, so far from this being the case, England and Italy have a perfect understanding with France, and %re agreed upon the terms which they mean to exact from the semi-barbarous African sovereign. It is pretty certain, therefore, that we shall not hear much more of this matter.  As to more important matters, they too are couleur de rose this evening. If we are to believe the reports current to-day, Bismarck has voluntarily informed our ambassador 9.t Berlin, M. Benedetti, that the Prussian Government will not allow the Customs Parliament to sanction any measure opposed to the Treaty of Prague. This declaration is offered, no doubt, in consequence of the attempt which is being made by the representatives from Baden to get up an address in favour of the unification of Germany. I presume that our Government will be wise enough to rest contented with this assurance, and not have the imprudence to offer any objection to the proposal now before the Parliament for-granting to Germans the right of domicile in any part of Germany. This is a purely domestic matter, thcugh, of. course, it will tend to bring about eventually that unification which France by lo means relishes.  It is believed that the Emperor will make several visits within the next few weeks. After Ms journey to Orleans, lie will, it is hoped, go to the agricultural show at Rouen ; then to the International Maritime Exhibition at llavre ; and the Boulognese have asked him to open a new lock. He will thus have abundant opportunity for making pacific speeches, if the spirit moves him to do so. M. Baudrillart has an article upon the expected speech at Orleans. The new editor of the Constitutionnel says that lie does not know if the expectation is well founded ; but he believes in peace, not merely because he wishes :t, but because the Emperor is peacefully inclined. He admits that armed peace is a necessity which France may accept for patriotic reasons without loving it as a thing good in itself, "but it renders Inpossible all serious economy." Some persons say that short and successful war would be better than an armed peace. "No doubt it would," says M. Baudrillart ; but while patriotism forbids us to doubt that it would be suelessful (and in reality all Europe believes this), would it be short? Must we not expect checks, such as even Louis