THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 249, 17 September 1870, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Germans are flocking from all parts to fight for Fatherland. The European Governments are trying to localise the war, England, Italy, Belgium, and Holland remain united. The Prussians entered France near Landen on the 18th July, and withdrew shortly afterwards, tearing up the railways on the Luxembourg frontier. They blew up the railway bridge across the Bhine. They mustered 300,000 strong. On July 18th, a Prussian squadron of four iron-clads left Plymouth for the eastward and were followed by a French despatch boat. The Prussians cut down the bridge at Kehl, on the Bhine. On 20th July, the King of Prussia on the opening of Parliament, disclaimed the responsibility of the war, and compared the French Emperor’s disregard for peace to that of the first Napoleon, who gratified his personal passion for exciting the national sentiment. Germany was desirous of a durable peace, but being no longer divided, was able to repel aggression. Within three days from now three hundred and fifty thousand French troops will be on the Prussian frontier. Enormous preparations are being made by France and Prussia. The French Chamber has voted 490 millions of francs for the army, and 80 millions for the navy, 21st July.—The Hungarian journals approve of the neutrality, and hope the French will be successful. The French papers reproach Gladstone and Disraeli, whose speeches demanded sincere neutrality on the part of England, France has sent a threatening note to the South German States demanding an immediate declaration as to whether they were neutral or intended joining Prussia, A declaration that telegram neutrality would be respected has been published. A French circular affirms that Bismarck prepared the candidature of Hohenzollern secretly, thinking France would accept it as an accomplished fact. On the 23rd July, Napoleon addressed a stirring proclamation to the people, recalling his concilliating policy, which had been disregarded, and declaring Prussia, the aggressor, and the cause of European armament. France and Prussia have promised to respect the neutrality of Holland. The ■ South German States of Saxony and Hesse have joined Prussia, and declared war against France, the Prussian Crown'Prince taking command of the South German army. July 25.—The Times blames France. The Daily Nevus says the speeches of the French statesmen show that war has been premeditated for a long time. i ;. July 25.—The Times has published the draft of a treaty between France and Prussia, submitted in 1866, and rejected by Prussia, and again when offered lately as a condition of peace. The treaty proposed, an offensive and defensive alliance between Prussia and France, on the basis of Germany 'being united under Prussian supremacy ; France. obtaining Luxembourg, and} indemnifying Holland, and was to be supported by Prussia in the military occupation of Belgium. . The publication caused a great sensation The . English Ministry were ignorant of this treaty. • The Prussian ambassador confirmed the Times' statements. Bismarck says the draft is • in • M.- Benedette’s-handwriting: The French Minister called on Earl Granville, and declared that France wished to cultivate

friendship with England, and stated that the treaty originated with Bismarck; and that it never had a serious basis, but was rejected by both parties. A lengthy official statement respecting the treaty has been published. It asserts that in 1866 Franco offered to assist Prussia with 300,000 men against Austria if Prussia would cede territory on the left bank of the Rhine. The . Due de Grammont attributes to Prussia the initiative in a similar secret treaty, suggesting that France should aggrandize herself by annexing all French speaking countries.' It is asserted that the French and Prussian Governments have given Belgium assurances that they will respect its neutrality. It is asserted that the King of Bavaria has ordered the mobilisation of troops, with the view of joining Prussia. Italy and Holland have called out levies as a precautionary measure. The French soldiers violated the Luxemburg territory, and entered the villages singing the Marseillaise, Ollivier declares that he considers the union between England and France an essential condition to the progress of the world. Despatches from Bismarck have been published, detailing the overtures that has been made by France for mutual aggrandizement. 28th July.—The Emperor left for the seat of war to-day ; both France and Prussia has remonstrated with England for favoring opposite sides. This is a proof of England’s fairness. The Emperor of the French, accompanied by the Prince Imperial, took command of the French army, with Marshals M'Mahon, Bazarin, Canrobert, and subordinates. 29th July.—The Emperor has arrived at Metz, addressed the army, and said that the war would be long and severe, as the country was full of fortresses, French repulsed on the 30th in attack on Saarbruck. Paris fortifications have been repaired and strengthened. The Paris Journal Off dele says that the object of the war is to prevent Prussian oppression and encroachment in the South, and to save Denmark from ruin. On 2nd August the French troops at Metz assumed the offensive, and crossed the frontier. A serious engagement ensued, in which the Prussians were dislodged from Saarbruck. A French fleet of seven iron-clads passed Dover northwards, on the 20th, and arrived off Fredericksburg, Jutland, on the 2nd August. 2nd August.—The French troops are evacuating Rome. Russia, Austria, Spain, Italy, Holland, and Turkey, remain neutral, A proclamation from her Majesty Queen Victoria enjoins strict neutrality upon all her subjects. Public journals unanimously urge a rigid armed neutrality. The King of Prussia arrived at Mayence on the 3rd August. Austria and Italy have both armed, agreeing to take common action regarding neutrality and future mediation, England refused to join them. The Belgian army of observation had taken up a position on the military road from Liege to Aix-la-Chapelle. Latest advices give Prussian accounts of a brilliant but bloody victory. The Grown Prince’s array had crossd the Rhine, and stormed Weissenberg; they repulsed and dispersed the French,. and took 500 uhwounded prisoners. The French general, Douay, was killed. The Prussian loss was: severe. The effects of the new French cannon, the mitralleuse, was murderous. A later telegram in the Indian papers state that the number of prisoners taken was 7,500.