NEWS OF THE WEEK.
ACCORDING to the accounts of Friday, the "Florentine incident" is to be in some way passed over both by France and Italy; but during the week it assumed a dangerous character. The facts are a little complicated, but, as we under- stand them, General Hussein, a Tunisian, recently died in Florence, leaving a fortune of £120,000. Under a Convention, signed in 1868, between Italy and the Bey of Tunis, this fortune must be distributed by Italian tribunals; and the PrEetor of Florence, moved by a creditor, decided that seals should, as a pre- liminary step, be placed upon General Hussein's papers. The French Consul in Florence, however, in whose custody the papers were, refused permission, alleging that he only could give orders as to the estate, Italy having given up all rights in Tunis. The Prwtor therefore affixed his seals after a technical show of force. The Consul thereupon declared his privileges violated, and broke the seals, and M. Flourens demanded the dismissal of the Pra3tor. Signor Crispi refused, alleging that by a Convention with France in 1884, Italy, while surrendering her Consular privileges in Tunis, had explicitly safeguarded all other rights obtained from the Bey, among which was judicial control over the property of Tunisians dying in Italy. He should not therefore, and, indeed, could not, interfere with the Courts. The Prwtor on this proposed to reaffix his seals ; but M. Flonrens threatened, if this were done, to recall the French Ambassador, and take other and more serious proceedings. Signor Crispi therefore directed the PrEetor to delay action pending negotiations ; and there the matter rests.
