22 JANUARY 1870, Page 1

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

THE French Government has resolved to prosecute M. Rochefort, and for reasons explained elsewhere we think the French Government is right. The Chamber certainly thinks so, permission to prosecute a Deputy having been given by a vote of 226 to 35. The only serious objections raised indeed are that M. Rochefort is too unimportant—a poor reason, for a flag, though a rag, is as important as the people it represents ; and that he ought to be tried before the jury which, under a Bill proposed by M. 011ivier, will henceforward try Press offences. The latter reason would be a good one if juries in Paris were free, but as a matter of fact they are chosen by the Government of the day from among 2,000 devotees of the regime. M. 011ivier can if he likes secure their verdict as easily as that of the judge of the Correctional Tribunal ; and as he will coerce neither, the judge is likely to be the more impartial of the two. We must not conceal from our readers, however, that observers who ought to know, such as M. Thiers, M. Rochefort himself, and, it is strongly rumoured, Count Daru, regard the prosecution as a decided mistake, and look for- ward with apprehension or delight to the opportunities of riot it will afford. On the other hand, the Emperor, who, while he defies Paris, understands France, is evidently in favour of a prosecution which will give him one more opportunity of a stinging pardon.