THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 250, 24 September 1870, Page 5

THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR.

LATER PARTICULARS. London, August 11. Metz •is surrounded by the Prussians. The capture of the French array is imminent. A great battle is imminent. La Presse says that 30,000 French troops were cut to pieces. Prussia is organising a volunteer naval force. The defeat is attiibuted to the Emperor’s military incapacity. The enthusiasm of the soldiers is said to have increased. Changarnier’s presence on General’s staff has had excellent effect. McMahon is retiring on Nancy. The rumoured intention of the Prussians to cross Belgian territory is disbelieved. The latest despatches report the probability of Russia being involved. The Prince Imperial of France has arrived in London, and is now at the French Legation in charge of W. F. Smith, the Empress’s confidential agent. Smith also brought the Empress’s jewels and valuables and famous diamonds of the Duke of Brunswick. [l] August 10.. A despatch from Berlin says that forces of South German troops (volunteers) have crossed the Rhine and advanced to Strasbourg ; the garrison numbers 7,000, and is known to be short of water. The whole French array has been driven back, and is supposed to occupy a line between Metz and Nancy. The Journal Official of Paris denies the loss of any cannon or eagles at Wissenbourg. The French Mediterranean fleet has sailed for the Baltic. The Russian fleet has sailed from Cronstandt to cruise in the Baltic. A corps of Baden troops have crossed the Rhine above Basle. The plate and jewels of Prince Leopold have been brought to England for safe keeping. The Lancashire mills will soon run on half time, Prussian troops passing through the Black Forest, towards Basle, were stopped by the Swiss authorities, who have an observation corps of 20,000 men. The inhabitants of the islands near the mouth of the Elbe, have been removed, in order to leave the French fleet without experienced pilots. German interests in France will in future be attended to by the American Minister; and French interests in Germany by the British Minister at Berlin. The naval regulations in force are : Privateering is abolished ; a neutral flag protects enemies; merchandise of a neutral except ‘contraband of war, is not seizable under a foreign flag; a blockade must be effectual. The Executive Committee of the Fenians have called a general convention, to meet at Cincinnati on 23rd August, to take advantage of the European complications, in favor of Ireland. Mr Frelinghuyson, the new American Minister at London, has received his instructions, which, so far as the Alabama claims are concerned, are a duplication of those which Motley failed to carry out. On the 26th Jufy, Mr Gladstone stated that the negociations for the settlement of the Alabama claims stood where they did a year and a-half ago ; the United States having declined the offer made by England, the next advance is due from the American Government. Reports from Berlin say that the failure of the intrigue of the Empress Eugenie to marry her niece, the Duchess of Alba, to the Prince Leopold, is the real source of the present war. The Prussian Government have suppressed a large number of journals; the press censorship is vigorously exercised in France. Newspaper correspondents are strictly forbidden by both. The Papal Committees in France, Ireland, Holland, and Belgium are making great efforts to raise recruits for the Pontifical service. It is reported that England will send two frigates to protect the Pope, and that the Jesuits want to induce him to remove to Malta. Authentic reports have been received in London, that large bodies of Russian troops, 250,000 in all, have been concentrated on the frontier, divided into two commands, with all the appointments of two distinct armies—artillery, cavalry, infantry, and engineers—apparently ready to be sent across the line on the first announcement that Austria takes sides in the conflict. A despatch from St Petersburg says : The Czar, while regretting the calamity of war, remains neutral so long as the interests of Russia do not suffer.

London, August 10. The French prisoners are everywhere kindly treated. The Globe says the Prussian Envoy insists on criminal proceedings against British pilots serving the French by piloting the French war vessel Trusty. The House has refused the demand. The American generals Sheridan and Forsythe have gone to the Continent. The Tribune's despatch from its Paris special correspondent, on Tuesday night, says :—“ No pen can do justice to the confusion and scandalous tumult in the Corps Legislatif. It was known in advance, by many members, that an order had come from Metz to turn out Ollivier, the Emperor seeking to propitiate Paris by sacrificing the most unpopular and least responsible of his advisers, Ollivier himself had not the least suspicion of his fate ; he came smiling into the Chamber, only to leave it pale, terrified, and ruined. The strong minority of fiftythree for Jules Favre’s proposal for a revolution was partly due to the knowledge that Ollivier would be succeeded by purely personal and reactionary Ministers. The incoming Ministry is worse than the outgoing one. Its appointment is a reckless defiance of public opinion, and I do not believe it will last a week unless a great victory should be gained by the French, which is not at all upon the cards. French diplomacy is striving to retrieve the disaster of the French army, and strenuous efforts are being made for English and other intervention in the Emperor’s favour, to arrest the Prussian march, and to secure their allies. The Moniteur says, important answers are immediately expected ; but there is no reason to believe that Napoleon will be successful. The English Ministry are capable of almost anything for the sake of peace, but English opinion will not tolerate diplomatic intervention at such a moment Extreme impatience is already manifested at the unsatisfactory character of the arrangement for Belgian neutrality, under which England might suddenly be called upon to fight against Prussia, with whom she sympathises, and for the Emperor, who has forfeited utterly the foolish confidence formerly given him. The favourable impression made by Gladstone’s statement has already disappeared. The new treaty is regarded as a device to get rid of all liability for Belgium at the end of twelve months, after the war, and it is asked: Suppose France or Prussia had refused assent, what was the English Government prepared to do? So far as is known, nothing, until coeiced by public indignation. It is the dread of being forced to do something which has led the Government to hurry up the adjournment of Parliament, suspending the rules to get the Appropriation Bill through. It shrinks from questions; and what the public fears is, that during the recess the deferential diplomacy with France may be resumed. A debate broke out again to-day alarming the Cabinet, and it could only be stifled by a promise of a last opportunity for discussion to-morrow. With Government in such a mood, an argument is a calamity, but cannot be successfully resisted. The Belgian neutrality treaty was signed here by Granville and Barnstoff. La Yallete awaits authority to sign for France. Paris, August 9. General Cruet announced the formation of the new Ministry, and read the list of names, as follows:—Count Palikao, Minister of War; Delatour d’Auverne, Minister of Foreign Affairs ; Henry Cheverau, Minister of the Interior ; Grande Pacet, Minister of Justice; De Generourly, Minister of Marine; Pioce Malle, Minister of Finance; Jerome David, Minister of Public Works; Jules Brole, Minister of Public Instruction; Clement Duvernois, Minister of Commerce; Bassor Bellault, President of the Council of State, A bill for national defence was adopted unanimously, by 273 votes, amid applause and excitement. A voice was beards — “Now let Prussia look us in the face.” The Journal Officiel says the defence of Paris is assured. It would require an army of half a million to invest its fortifications, while 30,000 would suffice to defend them, and there are troops enough in and around the city to furnish the necessary garrison. These, with sailors from the fleet which could be procured, the Garde National©, the Garde Municipal©, and firemen, would make up a:solid army of ICO,OOO. Paris is free from danger., A decree incorporating in the ranks of the National Home Guard of all citizens between the ages of 30 and 50, who do not already belong to some of the- military corps. London, August 8. In the House of Commons. to-day Earl Granville stated that the neutrality of Belgium was now assured. The powers now at war concurred in a pledge to support it.

He recited at great length, the course of the negotiations undertaken by the British Government, and brought to this satisfactory result. Lord Halifax said the Government would not prohibit the exportation of arms. The Prussians claim to have 800,000 men in the field. Bagaud had at Metz 130,000 ; McMahon 50,000 ; Saverne and Canrobert 50,000. The Times says the French are in a very critical position. The momentary question arises, whether the Emperor’s health leaves him in possession of his ordinary faculties. The war is marked by his usual hesitation, to which is attributed the random and * purposeless strategy, and the puzzling inaction which probably brought calamity to the National arms. The Emperor is now bound to accept battle instantly. He has entire lack of controlling forces and restoring spirits to a defeated army, and this while the enemy is concentrated at the heart of Lorraine. Circumstances will soon exact the reappearance of England in the character of a mediator. It is said positively that the Emperor is still at Chalons, and that Doctors Nelaton and Ricord have gone to attend him. It is said that Napoleon’s attack is a return of the old disease—fungus in the bladder—provoked by equestrianism. Fourteen millions of francs have been seized by the police in Paris last week. It belonged to Rochschild, Hirsch, Raphael, Bischoffscheny, and other Jewish bankers, and it is asserted the seizure was suggested by the authorities of the Bank of France. Financial circles in Europe are very much incensed at what are deemed great outlages upon some of their members. The Fall Mall Gazette says the result of the battle means the triumph of the Prussians in the war. The German press generally considered the French loss irretrievable; but there are three French corps which have not yet been under move or retreat, for the purposes of concentration, which has been effected, and a new line of defence taken iip in the passages of the Yosges. The Daily News remarks:—Henceforth we may look for an exchange of hard blows; the French Emperor cannot afford under the circumstances, to consult merely military interests in the movements he orders; the moral effect of this defeat at Weissenberg must be wiped out at whatever price it may be necessary to pay. The political irreconcilables in Paris propose to take advantage of the war, and the absence of the army and the Emperor, to provoke a rising against the Empire. Paris, August 8. Paris is fearfully excited over the news from the front; there are universal cries of “ to arms,” “ to arms.” The Empress is in consultation with the Deputies at the Tuilleries. The Pritic? Imperial has returned from the front. Metz, August Bth. The morale of our troops is excellent. It is impossible fo give the exact figure of our losses. General Coffimers is organising the defences. We have official confirmation of the evacuation of Thionville, and the capture of Sierck and Hagenau, and the advance of the. Prussians across the Rhine from South Baden. We know, however, that large Prussian armies are gathered at Saar Louis and in the Southern part of Baden. The Empress has issued the following proclamation:— Frenchmen : The opening of the war has not been favourable to us. We have suffered check. Let us be firm under the reverse and let us hasten to repair it. Let there be but one party in. the land—that of France; a single flag—that of the national honour. I come among you faithful to my mission and ray duty. You -will see me the first in danger to defend the flag of France. I conjure all good citizens to maintain order. To agitate would be to conspire with our enemies. The Palace of Tuilleries, the 7th day of August, 1870, 1 a.m. — Empress Eitgekie. During the fight atForbach, the Prussians fired upon the ambulances, and set fire to. the town. Figaro asserts that twenty-one divisions of the French infantry, and eight of cavalry have not yet been engaged, making .220,000 men altogether. Tffie Liberie says 100,000 Italians will be fighting with iis in a few days, under a treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive. As for Austria, she remains the Austria of TBll ; she sold herself to her enemy, King William, for the German subjects which were left her by the treaty; of Portugal. If victory should crown pur arms, France will remember Italy, and. she will not forget Austria. The Univers, the ultramontane organ, ' sounds the alarm for Rome. It predicts not only the invasion of'Papal territory by Italy, but it doubts, ■ the power , of. the

1 Italian Government to resist the pressure, even if it wished to, and it does not even moderate the people. Those at present in power say the conquest of Rome can alone sustain the falling throne of Victor Emanuel, and restore the finances now bordering on bankruptcy. In this crisis, when military events are multiplying all around us, it seems superfluous to think of the personal security of the Pope, and it would be well that a vessel should be sent to Civita Vecchia, so that Pius the Ninth can find a place of shelter. La Liherte reports that the Empress says that the last news from head-quarters is reassuring. ' The immediate danger is passed, and all disposals made are good. We would give more news, adds La Liherte , but might inform the enemy. London, August 7. The Danish Government is believed to have authorised the taking of Llsinore as the base of operations—an act more significant than a declaration of alliance. The Tribune's special correspondent at Cherbourg, under date of London, August 7th, writes that the transports and fleet will comprise not less than 350 vessels. The Government takes possession of all transAtlantic steamers. The expeditionary squadron includes twelve battalions of marines, each with one battery of artillery, and one battalion of Turcos, under Generals Redou and Martin. The main torce consists of 40,000 troops of the line from various regiments, General Trochu being Com-mander-in-Chief. It is well known here that Danish neutrality is only ostensible and temporary. The Danish Government cannot withstand the enthusiasm with which Admiral Bovet and his squadron have been received at Copenhagen, and the known sympathies of the people. The secret mission of Duke Cadore and the arrival of the French fleet coincide too nearly to leave any doubt of the course of events. Perhaps not many days will pass before we" have the announcement of an alliance, offensive and defensive, between France and Denmark for war. Meantime Bovet blockades the Baltic ports, and when the whole fleet assembles, will bombard Kiel, Stettin, and Dentes.