genii. — The conflict understood to have been raging between M. Fould
and the remainder of the Ministry has -terminated in the victory of the financier. He-claimed the power of a Premier, and insisted that -any_ exipeaditure ordered by a Minister should be previously approved byiiim. His colleagues resisted, and the Emperor was supposed to be unwilling to concede such authority, but the situation was too press- ing even for his Majesty, and the Moniteur of December 12 contains the following decree : " Considering that it imports essentially to the order of the finances that the charges on the Budget should not be augmented without the Minister of Finance having been en- abled to appreciate and to acquaint us whether there may be suffi- cient resources to meet such additional charges, we decree that for. the future no decree authorizing or ordering any works or measures whatever which may add to the _charges of the Budget shall be submitted to us for our signature unless accompanied by an opinion from the Minister of Finance." The measure has given satisfac- tion, as M. Fould is believed in Paris to be really desirous of -eco- nomy. The Chambers will meet about the middle of January. The Council of State has considered M. Fould's proposals for retrench- ment, and is, it is said, but moderately satisfied with them. All kinds of reports are afloat as to the action of France in the American quarrel, but the following is the latest and perhaps the most consistent. The Government has requested the President to explain distinctly whether the Southerners are rebels or belligerents. If -belligerents, they must have the advantage of that position; if rebels the right of asyhim has been violated, and France will be com- pelled to assert the general law of. Europe. General Scott has suddenly quitted Paris, according to the journals because summoned: from Washington, but according to Mr. Thurlow Reed, because, though anxious for pacification, he desires to be at the post of danger. The crisis is keenly felt by the trading community, who dread the establisment of a Northern blockade as much as they de- sire the breaking up of the Southern one. The dispute immediately increased the price of bread.
A statement has been published showing that the occupation of Rome has cost the French Government, since 1848, nearly five mil- lions sterling.
The Minister of the Interior has warned the ..dmi de la .Religion for an article upon Reform in Russia, which, he says, contains an insult to the constitution of France. The article does not contain an allusion to France, unless this be it : "The liberal breath which has penetrated into Russia cannot any longer be suppressed. After having emancipated one part of the nation, the chief of the State: will be rapidly induced to guarantee it completely from the tyranny of subalterns, from the rapacity of mercenaries as well as from the+ catastrophe of omnipotence, and to acknowledge that Byzantian' absolutism is to a Christian monarchy what demagogical licentious- ness is to liberty." The allusions to the tyranny of subalterns are, of course, most offensive to M. de Persigny, who has, besides, a curious _fear of the press, and thinks an article may upset a throne.
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