" Many well-informed persons, however," says the Standard "look upon
this event as a voluntary guarantee by Russia for the continuance of peace, as she has bound herself by the strong ties of interest to a peaceful policy. It is also looked upon as beneficial to France, inasmuch as part of the sum is paid in corn, and the remainder in cash that may be exported for provisions."
The solicitude of the French Government on the food question seems only equalled by the generosity of Baron James de Rothschild: he has furnished 5000,000 francs in gold to buy corn in the United States, for Paris only. The Government orders the supply; the Baron is to bear any loss that may ensue; any profit he will give to the poor-fund of the metropolis.
The prices of food, however, begin to fall in many districts: at Rennes, Metz, and Besancon, the decline has been marked.
Previous page
