CONTINENTAL,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 57, 30 May 1874, Page 12

CONTINENTAL,

Pabis, April 18. Sixty millions were voted for the repair cf tty? French fortifications.

With reference to the escape of Ttocbefort and his companions, the Paris ' Soir ' says the escape of the French convicts has already led to an exchhnge of notes betweeu the Cab.nets at Versailles and St. James's. According to the information of the the English Government, it was a French vessel fitted by friends of the prisoners, having on board a crew of 25 men, who were quite determined to fight if necessary. Seventeen convicts were to be carried off, but when the moment arrived only five were ready, the others being engaged at work assigned to them. The English authorities declare that the captain fraudulently hoisted the British flag, but the TYench believe they can j>rove that the vessel was equipped and prepared in a British port, and that, the British Government should be held responsible. Upon reaching Sydney, Koehefort telegraphed for 25,000f. to M. Adam, formerly Prelect of the Paris Police, and guardian of his children. After satisfying himself that this was not an attempt at a hoax, Adam forwarded the money, part of which was supplied by two newspapers, viz., "Republique Francaise and the 'Rapport.' M. Victor Hu^o also contributed G,300f.

Four hundred thousand francs have been subscribed for tho relief of the laboring clashes in Paris. Ths distress grows wider d.iilv.

Two batches of Lothringen priests (37 in all) have been tiied at tho Court at Metz for reading fr-mi the pulpit the pastoral of the "Bishop of Nmicy, commanding the faithful to pray to the Blessed Virgin to intercede for the speedy reunion of the annexed provinces to France. Of the first latch, eleven m-leM!ist>'es wevo condemned to a fortnight's imprisonment ; three to a week's confiuim.cnt ; aud the r mamder wi-ve acquitted.

The official rcj ort relative to Ihi> Central Asian affairs, «a;i9 that after the Turcomans had bt.cn punMu'd <or robbcrv, trjnquility n.is perfectly re-established. Tiibute was collected, although vwtli pivat difficulty. Usbecls on the left bunk of the Aune Pnria have mire declnvid tl-UMiwhvs mo-t grateful to (lie hu-innn who hure liberated the Kluve&e from the oppressions- of (he Samudcn.

Lirge numbers of llorniin nook nan attended the Vatican on the 'J.">nl li. ah to pay huu.ngr- to the Pop - ns a counter demonstration to celobrnto the King's asceiition. lh a Holiness made an energetic speech, pru -ing the unalterable devotun of the Roman nobility, who Juid given the world an example of iaithfulness in adversity. A con-

stf erable meeting of Romans was held at LJggie de Raffacto. They saluted the Pope with frantic cheers. The Carlist General, Saballo, commanding Gtaipuscoa, had issued a proclamation decreeing the punishment of death to all persons furnishing food to the cities of San Sebastian, "Reutira, and Irun. A despatch from Pedro Abanta says that an army of 5,000 Republican troops are marching on Valmazeda, a town 22 miles from Bilboa. The particulars of the elections in Switzerland indicate that the Plebiscite on the revision of the Federal Constitution resulted in a majority of 100,000 in favor of the revision, The German Tribunal at Saverne has condemned and imposed a heavy fine on the Bishop of Nancy, for his charge to the clergy iisued last July.

Three millions of reals intended for the Carlists have been seized in Santander.

A rumour is enrrent that the Carlists have asked Marshal Serrano for an amnesty.

Senor Castelar hps written a letter, in which he declares himself in favor of a Federal Republic. The French steamer Amerique has been wrecked near Brest. The chief officer was drowned, but the remainder of the crew and 130 passengers were saved. Subscriptions are being made in. all parts of the State. 80,000dol. were soon subscribed in New York.

The French steamer Amerique, sunk near Island of Ushant; 26 miles from Brest. The passengers and crew were rescued by English, Norwegian, and Italian vessels. One of the latter arrived at Brest with the crew. The Amerique was not a new vessel. She was formerly the Eugene L'lmperatrice, one of the finest steamships of the line. The loss of this fine ship, following so close on the loss of the Europa, created great excitement in New York. The Amerique was somewhat smaller than the Ville dv Havre, but similar in build.