FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1397, 9 May 1865, Page 2

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

AMERICA.

The most important feature of the military intelligence from America is the renewal ot the Wilmington expedition, which arrived off Fort Fisher on the 13th of January ; m the forenoon of that day the fleet opened a heavy fire, which lasted about 54 hours. Ihe assault was made on the afternoon of ie 15th, by Ames' division, with a brigade ot the 4th Army Corps, aided by a hattahou of marines, all under the command of General Terrv. The fighting was desperate, the Confederate garrison of 2500 nie n using ie advantage of its position to inflict heavy loss on the enemy. But, after seven hours fighting, the Federals prevailed; the garrison, falling back to the extreme point ot the peninsula, was followed and captured. Many of the guns of the fort were injured by the terrible fire of the fleet. The accounts respecting guns captured vary from 40 to U. It is doubtful whether Battery Lamb, which dominates Fort Fisher, had been captured or 11 Admiral Porter says the marines, who assaulted the sea face of Fort Fisher, were swept away in a minute. On the north-east corner the Federal infantry fought like lions, - contesting every inch of ground, while the iron-clads and monitors poured in their shell. ; He says it was the most terrific struggle he ever saw, but regrets that so many gallant officers and men were cut up. He also asserts that if the bombardment on Christmasday had been followed by an assault, the capture of the fort would not have cost the loss of a dozen men. The fort had 15 traverses, which were so many separate works, and each was defended to the last with most heroic pertinacity ; and not until fresh reinforcements were brought forward was the mirrison finally expelled from their last stronghold. The Admiral declares that the Malakoff would not compare in size and strength to Fort Fisher. The total Federal casualties are stated at 691 men. Of these 11 officers and 77 men were killed, 39 officers and 472 men wounded, and 92 men missing. The Confederate loss is said to be 500; but none of these numbers can be relied upon. There is no news of importance from the army of the Potomac. Rumours prevailed that General Grant was extending his left wing, with a view of making an important offensive movement. Confederate accounts represent that the railroad from City Point to his left and centre has lately been running both night and day. General Ord continues in temporary command of the troops north of the James River, and General Heckman, during the absence of General Weitzel, is in command of the 25th corps (coloured). Deserters report still that Lee has recently sent troops to South Carolina to oppose Sherman. Richmond papers state that Grant has recently been reinforced by a large _ number of well-drilled negro troops. The same journals admit that the recent heavy rains have injured to a considerable extent the defences of Petersburg. It is rumoured that the railroad between Danville and Greensboro' has been destroyed by heavy rains. Lee's army is said to be short of supplies. The James River had suddenly risen and rushed through the bulkhead of the Dutch Gap Canal. The last news of General Grant was that he had made a movement on the left of his line, supposed to be intended to cover the advance on Wilmington by Terry, but that he had been totally repulsed. Of Sherman, nothing is known for certain. He was believed to have advanced in the direction of Charleston, and when last heard of was operating in the neighbourhood of Branchville and Augusta. Wilmington papers state that the Federal gunboats were unable to advance, as the Monitors cannot carry water enough to come up the river. The Confederates hold Fort Andrews, and have field artillery adequate to destroy the lighter draught gunboats. Confederate reinforcements were arriving at Wilmington. General Terry had demanded the surrender of the city, giving Bragg until the 19th January to decide. The removal of public 'property was progressing, and much confusion prevailed. The impression was that Wilmington would surrender, the people remaining in it. In the Confederate House of Representatives on the 26th January, the bill to provide for the employment of negroes in the army was taken up. This bill sets forth that the army is at times greatly diminished by the withdrawal of troops from the ranks, to perform labours and duties which could as well be done by free negroes or slaves, and provides that all able-bodied male free negroes between the ages of 18 and 45 shall be held liable for duty, such as working upon fortifications, bridges, roads, &c., and in work about camps, and also authorises the employment in similar capacities of 30,000 slaves east of the Mississippi, and 10,000 west of that river, the owners of such slaves to be fully reimbursed in all cases wherein their negroes are killed or disabled or die in the service, and that in the proposed impressment not more than one in five male slaves between 18 and 45 shall be taken from any one owner, said slaves to receive the same rations and clothing as are secured by law to all hired slaves. —The discussion which took place on the above bill provoked a wide difference of opinion. No final vote on the subject had been taken. The Federal Congress had passed the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery, by a vote of 115 against 56.

The peace negociationshave entirely failed. Mr. Blair returned to Washington from Richmond, with the assurance that President Davis was willing to send commissioners •without obstacles of form to confer upon peace, if assured beforehand that they would be received. Mr. Blair, on his second visit to Richmond, took President Lincoln's conBent to receive and confer with commissioners, informally sent, with a view to the restoration of peace. Commissioners had therefore left as informal agents, to see if it were not possible to place a peace conference on a basis which may serve for so desirable a result. The commissioners—Vice-President Stephens, Judge Campbell, and Senator Hunter, of Virginia—arrived at Fort Monroe, where they were met by Mr. Seward, on board a steamer from Annapolis. The two steamers proceeded out into Hampton roads, and anchored side by side, President Lincoln arrived at Portress Monroe early in the morning of Feb 3, and went on board the steamers. After a conference of four hours, both parties returned home. JS T o terms of peace were agreed upon, the main points, involving questions of separation and submission to the Union, having been left undecided. Both parties have published their accounts of the interview, and they agree in the main. The discussion was conducted in a very friendly spirit, but one side

demanded independence and the other reunion, and agreement was, therefore, lmposlatest news from New York is to Feb. 11 It is of unusual importance, indeed, fromonepointofview. Itisnowclearthatthere is to h& no p©ftC6 until tho issu© hfts be©u fully fought out—that is to say, until one side or the other cries « Hold, enough." Mr. Lincoin and Mr. Davis have each communicated their version of what passed at the informal conference on the subject; and the war will now probably be prosecuted more pertinaciously thanever. Inthe meantime,as mentioned elsewhere, the army of the Potomac has made a slight advance; Sherman is reported to have captured Branchville; Mobile is rumoured to have surrendered; and Wilmington is admitted to be in imminent danger ol falling. The Confederate Senate had almost unanimously rejected the bill to arm 200,000 slaves. General Lee, who had been appointed commander-in-chief, had appealed to the Southernpeople for carbines, pistols, revolvers, and saddles, for the equipment of an additional cavalry force. . Mr. Lincoln has signed the joint resolution to give England notice of the termination of the treaty of 1817, regulating the naval force on the Lakes. The resolution is preceded by a declaration that peace on the frontier is endangered by hostile expeditions which the naval forces of the two countries may be insufficient to prevent. The Vice-President has officially informed the Federal Congress that Lincoln and Johnson have been elected for four years. Two hundred and thirteen electoral votes were cast for Lincoln and Johnson, and twenty-one for M'Clellan and Pendleton. . A terrible circumstance has occurred in Philadelphia. About two thousand barrels of petroleum oil took fire there. The oil poured through the streets in a lake of fiie, igniting the houses on both sides. Fully five squares of houses, had they been placed in a row, were on fire at once. People escaping from their blazing homes with no covering but their night clothes, parents seeking for their children, and terrified little ones looking for safety in the horrid turmoil, were all dreadful enough, but there were still more terrible scenes witnessed. Men, women, and children were literally roasted alive in the streets. CANADA. The Canadian Government has given up Lieut. Burley, the Confederate partisan who seized a steamer on Lake Erie, for trial in the Federal States; and the Canadian Legislature has almost unanimously passed the Alien Bill introduced by the Colonial Ministry. This bill provides that, on complaint of a resident, the governor-general may order aliens to quit the provinces after giving them notice, through the Official Gazette, of their intended expulsion. The accused may, however, tender reasons for non-compliance. The conduct of the Southern refugees in Canada has been denounced in the Canadian Parliament, and a determination has been expressed to stop the abuse of asylum. A commission has been appointed to inquire into the release of the St. Albans raiders and the conduct of Judge Coursol, who has been suspended by the government. The Finance Minister has presented estimates, including a sum of 50,000 dollars to make good the money returned to the St. Alban's raiders, which has been claimed by the Federal States. FRANCE.

On Feb. 15, the Emperor Napoleon opened the French Chambers with a speech of a distinctly pacific character. He spoke with complacency of foreign affairs, and congratulated France on her expanding prosperity. From the contents of the speech, the most favourable conclusions may be drawn ; but its omissions open a wide field of apprehension on the other side. There is no allusion whatever to retrenchment, to the laws against the freedom of the press, and the rights of public meeting, or to America. Silence upon these points is at least ambiguous, and has awakened a suspicion that " more is meant than meets the ear." The most interesting passages of the address are, perhaps, those which are devoted to Italy and to the Catholic Church. Although the statements that " Italy is now a great country," and she has " definitively constituted herself a nation," are followed by the vague observation that she has reconciled herself to Catholicity by fixing her capital at Florence, and by a reference to her obligations to respect the Papal territory, the Italians will probably not be wrong in accepting his Majesty's words as an intimation that he is not inclined to oppose their designs upon the patrimony of St. Peter.

It is asserted that the government has sent a dispatch to Rome, intimating to the Pope that he will have to shift for himself, as he refuses to come to terms with Italy, and that France will confine herself henceforth to the carrying out of the convention.

Nearly all the bishops and archbishops of France have now sent in their protests to the Minister of Public Worship against the prohibition of a portion of the late bull. The .pamphlet of the Bishop of Orleans, however, attracts more interest than all the epistles of the other bishops put together, owing to the undoubted talent of the writer, and the liberal views he formerly held on these matters. The Council of State have declared the Archbishop of Besangon and the Bishop of Moulins guilty of an abuse of their ecclesiastical authority. The Papal Nuncio has written letters to two bishops, expressing his delight and satisfaction with their defence of the Encyclical. The French government having complained of his conduct, the Nuncio was commanded to apologise to the emperor, and sought a private interview for that purpose. His eminence expressed his regret at the publicity given to nia private letters, addressed to the Bishops of Orleans and Poictiers, and he assured his majesty that, fully sensible of the duties imposed upon him by his diplomatic character, he had never any intention of failing in respect to the rules of international law. The emperor is said to have graciously received the explanation of Mgr. Chigi. A report from New York that the, Emperor Maximilian bad made over to France a large portion of the northern provinces of Mexico is generally discredited in Paris. The Moniteur has explicitly contradicted it. Other Paria journals have reiterated the contradiction; but the statement is generally believed notwithstanding. The Court of Cassation has confirmed the original judgment against M. G-arnier Pages and his friends, for holding illegal meetings relating to the recent elections. It is stated that extensive reductions are to be made in what may be called the effective strength of the army. This is to be accom-

plished by increasing the reserve to 400,000 m the course of the present year, which will reduce the number of men actually under arms to about 340,000. A great saying will thus be effected, as the reserve receive pay only for the two months during which they are out for training. It is further Said that the reason why this arrangement was not stated in the imperial speech was, that it was understood that it would produce more effect if announced in the Chamber of Deputies in the course of the debate on the budget, and might prove serviceable in shutting the mouths of the Opposition. The debate on the address is to take place on the 15th March. ITALY. Popular demonstrations took place in Turin on the 25th and 26th of January, but they were not of a nature to call for the interference of the Government. On the 27th, the gathering being more numerous, the National Guard arrested several leaders of the demonstration. Another popular demonstration took place on Jan. 30. This time, the crowd assembled in front of the Royal Palace, where a court ball was going on. The. National Guard dispersed the crowd, and several arrests were made. The King, accompanied by General La Marmora, left Turin on the morning of Feb. 3, for Florence, where he arrived at 10 o'clock the same evening. The city was illuminated and adorned with flags. Crowds welcomed the King, and his majesty had to come out upon the balcony of the palace in response to the acclamations of the people. It is stated that he will visit Milan, accompanied by the foreign ministers on the last days of the carnival. Great excitement was produced in Turin by the sudden departure of the King. The cause of this is that the king was deeply hurt by the demonstration made in front of his palace on the night of the Court ball, and, it seems, expected from the municipal authorities some special disclaimer on behalf of the citizens of any sympathy with such manifestations. Hence, his unexpected departure. A profound sensation was created throughout Turin by that event. An address was circulated in Turin, to be presented to the king. This document, signed by thousands of merchant's, independent gentlemen, and shopkeepers, was taken to Florence by a deputation of citizens especially appointed for that purpose. The object of this address was to lay before his Majesty the sentiments of devotion of this population, and to disclaim any connection with the recent unseemly demonstrations. The king received the deputation from the municipality of Turin at St. Rossore, Florence. His majesty accepted the address of the council, and expressed entire good feeling towards the people of Turin. A few days afterwards the king arrived in Turin. His majesty was received by the municipal Junta and deputations from working men's societies. Great enthusiasm was manifested. His majesty subsequently passed in review the National Guard, by whom he was loudly cheered. AUSTRIA. In the sitting on Jan. 26 of the Finance Committee of the Lower House of the Reichsrath, the Minister of Police declared, in the name of the cabinet, that the government was willing to consent to reductions in the budget of expenditure, under the twofold condition that the government should have the right to distribute the funds voted by the Chamber indiscriminately amongst the different branches of the public service, and also that the budget for 1866 should be voted during the present session of the Reiclfsrath, with a similar power of distribution on the part of the government. The minister further declared that unless these two conditions should be previously accepted, the government could not state precisely the exact amounts of which the new modifications of the budget would consist. Hereupon the Finance Committee resolved not to accept these conditions, so long as the cabinet declined distinctly to point out the amount pf reductions to be introduced.

Herr von Schmerling declared at a private meeting of the members of the Lower House of the Reichsrath, that the government agreed with the principal points expressed in the Address to the Throne. He regretted, however, that there was a divergence of opinion between the government and the House in reference to Hungary and Galicia. The Diets of Hungary and Croatia, will, however, meet simultaneously with the lesser Reichsrath, wich is positively to be convoked immediately after the close of the session of the Reichsrath. Energetic efforts will be made by the government to bring the question of the Duchies to a satisfactory solution.

The Minister of State has addressed a letter to the Financial Committee of the Lower House, stating that no representative of the government will henceforth attend the meetings of the committee, until the House shall have decided whether it intends to come to some understanding with the government with regard to the vote on the budget. This is a step after the Prussian style. The Financial Committee, in reply to the minister's letter, issued a declaration sustaining the rights of the representatives to full and free discussion of the budget.

The government has at last conceded the extradition of General Langiewicz to Switzerland. From an early period of the late Polish insurrection General Langiewicz has been kept in captivity by Austria. Repeated Requests for his extradition on the part of Switzerland and resolutions on the part of the Austrian Representative Chamber proved powerless until now to effect his release. TURKEY. Turkey is taking a bold step in the road to civilisation, namely adopting a compulsory system of education for youth. The only thing that can save Turkey—if salvation, politically epeaking, be possible —is to frankly accept civilisation in all its circumstances, and to subordinate the religious element in the structure of her government to the civil and military exigencies of the day. PRUSSIA. Prince Frederick Charles has returned to Berlin. The accounts as to his success in Vienna are very contradictory. Some affirm that his mission has terminated in total failure, while others state that the positive proposition which he was authorised to make found a willing ear with the Emperor of Austria, and that, consequently, the Austrian court has adopted a new policy less favourable to the German Diet and the Duke of Augustenburg. It does not seem that there is the slightest -chance of reconciliation between Prussian Government and the Chamber of Deputies.

The new military bill makes no concession,and therefore the majority of the Chamber are determined simply , to express their regret that such a bill should have been introduced. A deputation from the inhabitants of Cologne has waited on Herr Grabow to present him with a civic crown. The president of the Chamber made a spirited speech in acknowledging the compliment, and declared himself and the House determined to ■■■persevere to the last in the struggle to uphold the constitution. ... The Chamber of Deputies persists in its systematic opposition to the financial projects of the ministry. A member of the Left had given notice of a motion, declaring that the Chamber refused any new loan for the construction of railways, so long as the Government shall not have recognised the rights of the Chamber in matters of supply. The ministerial journals have announced that the Government, if the budget is rejected,' will continue to carry on the administration without it. No one at Berlin expects that the Ministry will dissolve the Chambers, the present state of the public mind not being of a nature to lead the cabinet to hope that a new election would be more favourable to the Government.

THE DUCHIES

The Austrian Gazette announces that negotiations have taken place between France and England upon the subject of the Duchies of the Elbe. The two rowers are said to agree in energetically opposing the annexation Prussia meditates ; but as there is no official confirmation of her annexationist tendencies, all'intervention is withheld until Berlin distinctly makes known its desires. Until then the two cabinets of the Tuileries and St. James' will accept, it is affirmed, as sincere the reiterated assurances by which it has been declared that the solution of the question of the Duchies will lead to no augmentation of territory for Prussia. The Avenir, National, va commenting upon these statements, says, " M. de Bismarck may convince himself that,in order to accomplish his ambitious dreams, the mere permission of Vienna is not of itself sufficient. If Vienna gives him a satisfecit, Paris and London may give him an exeat. But, even at Vienna public opinion, whatever may be the dispositions of the cabinet, openly pronounces against the military vapourings of Prussia." The assembly of delegates from the various associations of Schleswig and Holstein met at Rendsburgh, on Saturday, Feb. 25, and passed a resolution to the effect that the inhabitants of the Duchies should leave to the Duke of Augustenburg, and to the Diet of the country, the conclusion of such treaties with Prussia as would be for the interests of the whole of Germany. It is stated in Vienna that a Prussian note just arrived there rejects the proposal of Austria provisionally to transfer the government of the Duchies to the Duke of Augustenburg. Prussia, it seems, iqust have certain conditions fulfilled before she can see her way to any settlement of the question. RUSSIA. The address of the Moscow nobles to the Emperor of Russia has been the universal theme of discussion in St. Petersburg, where the deputation in charge of the document had arrived. On the 26th of January, the address was published in a small journal devoted to the cause of the nobles, and termed the Vieste, or Message, which also produced an account of the discussion which took place before the address was adopted. This was done without the previous sanction of the censorship,as it was hoped, a precedent having been established, that no notice would be taken of the omission ; but, unfortunately for the journal, the number which contained the address and the discussion was seized on the evening of its publication, and criminal proceedings were taken against the editor and publisher.

An imperial rescript has been addressed by the Emperor to the nobility of Moscow. The Emperor declares that the reforms he has already accomplished, and those now in preparation, must be a sufficient evidence of his anxiety for the political advancement of the country. But no subject has a right to anticipate his resolutions, nor is any class legally entitled to speak in the name of others. He warns the nobles that such violations of law (as the sending of their address!) only retard his plans, and trusts that he may never again meet with such obstacles on the part of his faithful nobility. GREECE. Brigandage, which had in a great measure been put down during the later years of King Otho, has once more become, as it used to be of old, the scourge of the kingdom. It does not confine itself to remote provinces; it penetrates to the very neighbourhood of the capital.

Prince John 9f G-lucksburg, the uncle of the king, summoned M. M. Bulgaria, Mavrocordato, Tricoupi, Miaulis, Christidea, Zaimas, Czaimaß, and Condurrot, and asked their advice on the state of the country. They almost unanimously replied that the dismissal of Count Sponnek was necessary. The ministry complained to the kiiig of this act of his uncle. The king replied that it was done without his knowledge, and that the ministry enjoyed his confidence. He also directed that his uncle should leave in a few days, an order which Was immediately complied with. MEXICO. The general state of the country is said to be not in any way encouraging. Whenever the French evacuate a district it is at once occupied by guerillas, who swarm in great numbers in the outlying parts of the country, carrying fire and sword wherever they go, if the French papers are to be believed. Most of the ports along the Pacific—Acapulco, Manzinilla, &c.—are said to be in their hands, while the government ha& to content itself with holding Vera Cruz and two or three porta of the Atlantic. A revolutionary feeling, it is alleged,, prevails throughout Mexico.

The latest accounts of Juarez report liini to have been driven by the combined French and Mexican force into the province of Chihuhua, where he is said to be reduced to great straits by the Indians, who look upon him as an invader. From Juarez personally the government has little more to fear, at any rate for the present.

The first detachment of Austrian troops had arrived at Vera Cruz.