A Paris correspondent furnishes an expression of the feeling in
the French metropolis regarding the issues of Italian affairs.
"Paris, Thursday Evening. "There remain but a few hours more to wait for the completed result of the votating in Central Italy. Thus far, the highest possible majority, not to call it unanimity, is reported to us in favour of the annexation, which may be considered as actually made. There is, indeed, not the slightest doubt that Victor Emmanuel will, according to his proclamation, accept the decision of the Italian people. The crisis, if mine there is to be, is therefore near at hand. Will it go through without.bloodshed is a ques- tion to which a positively affirmative answer cannot yet be given. There are everal reasons put forward in support of a possible renewal of the wars, which I have heard mentioned quite recently. "Austria, it seems, has chosen a most strangely unappropriate time to abuse universal suffrage, as her Ministerial organs are now doing. "In spite of her alleged adherence to diplomatic remonstrances, she con- tinues permitting enlistment of her subjects in the Papal army, while she is strengthening her own, and sending fresh recruits into Venetia.
" Piedmont, on the other side, is far from inactive—and her preparations are carried on on a very large scale. The well-known Paris contractor Godillot is hard at work fulfilling with utmost despatch the Sardinian orders. Count Arese, who, whatever may have been said to the contrary, had re- turned to Paris left two days ago for London, with a view to purchase stores. The oliffriend of the Emperor will, it is suggested, probably em- brace this opportunity of taking a glance at the sixty rifled cannons ordered of the English.
" On our side, the order given to Marshal Valliant to evacuate Lom- bardy has been countermanded, or at least modified, in case of certain con- tingencies. The French squadron is leaving Algesiras, the English one is at Naples.
" Is there a warlike meaning in all this ? Many incline to think so, and fancy how a voluntary mistake between Piedmontese and Austrian patriots might easily involve us again in the horrors of war. As a palliative to this dark side of the question, I may mention the pre- paration of the supplementary convention with England, which I alluded to some weeks ago. I hope to be able in my next correspondence to enter into some development respecting the anticipated modifications in our Navigation laws."
The Afoniteur of yesterday contained a decree nominating M. Michel Chevalier Senator.
The Honiteur also contained a report of the Minister of War, Marshal Randon, proposing—as the ideas of war are receding—to reduce the ef- fective of the battalions of Chassenrs from eight to six companies, the force which existed before 1853. The report is followed by a decree of the Emperor approving the Ministerial proposal.
A telegram from Florence, dated yesterday, gives the total result of the vote in Tuscany.
Total number inscribed on the lists, 386,445. For annexation 366,571; for separate kingdom, 14,925 ; cancelled as informal, 4949. Majority for annexation, 351,646 ! It would appear, therefore, that all the electors voted.
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