FRANCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3316, 11 October 1871, Page 2

FRANCE.

After repeated delays the Communist trials commenced on the 7th ult. The prisoners number 30,000, including 2,000 women and 2,000 lads. Four courts-martial are sitting. Seventeen of the leaders were arraigned on the first day. The prisoners appear in good spirits, and generally show levity when the indictment is read charging them with conspiracy to overthrow the Government, incitement to civil war,, besides special acts of pillage, massacre,, and outrages. Some documents ordering incendiarism are pronounced forgeries by the counsel for the accused. The bearing of Assi is most insolenf. Rossel and Rochefort were to be trie<s before a separate court a fortnight later. Larogues, ex-mayor of Puteaux, has been sentenced to penal servitude for life. Several of the guiltiest of the Communist leaders are in London. M. Gambetta is suspected of the intention of seizing power at the first opportunily. The soldiers raised by him during hia rule as Dictator are very discontented. Numerous Communists have been returned at tho Paris elections for the municipality, owing to the apathy of the trading classes. The Algerian insurrection is assuming alarming dimensions. The Arabs threaten to exterminate the French settlers. A large majority of the Assembly has decided to fix the seat of Government permanently at Versailles. Marshal M'Mahon has published a vivid account of the conquest of Paris from the Communists. The Government, through the " Journal Offioiel," thanks the British nation for its generosity towards France throughout the war. An Orleanist family council has de. cided that the princes should take their seats in the Assembly after the recess. The Radicals of the left, numbering 80 members, are consolidated in union with the Republicans.