FRANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7316, 28 July 1885, Page 2

FRANCE.

.. The French, Government has.decided £o suppress.the gaining tables at Monte Carlo.' The Prince of Monaco, who owns the .establishment; declares the Government has no jurisdiction over his property, and will resist its efforts to interfere with his business. . > " "■

In the Chamber of-Deputies on the 22ud, M. de Freycinet submitted a .draft of the Franco,Chinese treaty,which confirms the right of France over, Anam.; The latter country..must henceforth treat with Foreign Powers only through France. The bouudaty.liues between China and French dependencies are fixed, and the..conditions, upon which commercial., relations between France and England are to be main-, tamed determined.' is to construct.a. railway, with the assistance of French engineers; in order to facilitate communication. Botli countries agree to extradite offenders.; iPassports will be required ,to cross the CLiinese frontier. A Chinese custom-house will be opened at Lang-son and Looke, where French merchants may establish themselves under the same conditions and same advantages as the Chinese. In the treaty ports France will be allowed to appoint consuls, and China also; for principal towns in. Tonquin. Regulations for commerce between China anil Tonquin will be on the basis of the lower 'duties on French merchandise crossing the frontier. All railways constructed must be under French auspices. Formosa and Pescadores will be evacuated in one month after the treaty has been signed.

A violent earthquake was felt, in the department of Norde on June 26.

General Boulauger, military commander at Tunis, has resigned because of M. Grevy's decree making the French Minister in that country Resident General in supreme command. Two French torpedo-boats are reported to have sunk near the Island of Formosa during a heavy storm. . .

A terrible storm of wind and rain swept over Paris on June 20. Cellars were flooded and railways washed out. Many buildings in progress of erection were damaged or demolished.", A section of one street sank into the river, and 20 persons were plunged into the water. Most of them were, exhausted aud almost in a dying condition when rescued. A boat containing 12 persons capsized on the Seine, and several were drowned. In the department of Vosges seven houses^ aud two bridges were destroyed by floods. • ;. .