15 JULY 1871, Page 3

The French Assembly is passing a Decentralization Bill, The principle

of it appears to be that the Prefect shall be aided and sometimes controlled by a Commission, elected by the Councils General from amongst their own number. The Radicals oppose the Bill, partly because it is incomplete, as the Prefect will still absorb all real authority, partly because they think these Com- aniseions will be composed of country gentlemen, who will resist the education of the country on Republican principles.