It is stated on authority that King Leopold of Belgium
denies that he has offered the Congo State to France, or ever thought of doing so. He intends to go on with his experiment. Possibly ; but he did publicly offer the State to Belgium, and events may very soon force his hand. His officers are creating insurrections by their demands for a monopoly of ivory and india-rubber, and one defeat would endanger the whole system. The State should be placed in stronger hands.
The great Religious Orders in France have agreed to- sub-- mit to the new Succession-duties, or rather the new composi, tion in lieu of Succession-duties, recently imposed on them by the Chambers. The clericals and Legitimists are excessively angry ; but the submission waa'recommended by the Pope, and it is difficult to see how it could be avoided. The popular jealousy of accumulations made by undying Corporations has always been strong ; and when these Corporations are un- popular, resistance to State taxation is almost futile. It may be doubted, too, if all the Orders would like to make public in Court the precise condition of their finances, which would be- unavoidable if they attemptad legal resistance to a new Succession- duty.
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