The dispute in the Corps Legislatif about the Treaty will
apparently end in a reference of the whole subject to a Committee, which will not report for twelve months. The Cabinet has been unexpectedly strong in favour of Free Trade, and aided by M. de Forcade la Roquette, ex-Minister of the Interior, has apparently cowed M. Thiers. That great Protectionist, whose leading idea we have analyzed elsewhere, is now moderate, and only de- mands a very slight increase of duties. He will not get even -that. The operation of the "most favoured nation" clause has extended the English Treaty to other Powers, and all the enfran- chised interests are rising to defend their prosperity. It would almost appear that the Protectionists are in a minority, and at all events it is now certain that time will be given. Time is with Free Trade.
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