M. Rochefort has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment and
a small fine. The Government asked for a light sentence—a stupid thing to do, as putting the want of independence in the judges in a strong light—and a light sentence was given ; a press offender being considered a first-class misdemeanant is allowed to see friends, left undisturbed in his room in Ste. Pelagie, and even permitted to go out to dinner on parole. It is, moreover, believed that on the passing of the Bill relegating all offences against the press law to a jury, a general amnesty will be issued which will include M. Rochefort. At present he has not been even arrested, but attends the Chamber daily. The Government is loudly accused of weakness, but M. Rochefort is receiving just the treat- ment he received before he became a power, and probably with the same motive, a hope that he will pass and execute on himself a sentence of banishment.
