THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Otago Witness, Volume 25, Issue 1004, 25 February 1871, Page 9

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

We take the following items from the San Franoisoo papers :—: —

THE BOMBARDMENT OF PABIS.

The Germans represent that the return fire of the Paris f ortß flags perceptibly.

A despatch from a correspondent at Paris says shells have been thrown into the north of the city from St. An, at a range of seven thousand yards.

Private advices from Versailles express confidence that none of the forts, excepting probably Vaterien, will be able to resist the Prussian bombardment.

The French have completed beyond Mont Vaterien fortifications which throw shells beyond Versailles, thus rendered untenable for the Prussians.

It is reported that the Prussians are incensed at the reports of the English correspondents with their armies, and have sent many away after bad treatment.

The Paris correspondent of the London Times tbinkß the further resistance of Paris will be brief, and that food will fail before the end of January.

The Crown Prince of Saxony, in a despatch to King John, says that when his troops entered, they found Mont Avron works deserted. The Frenoh had removed the guns to Noisy. The German batteries were then ordered to open fire on Noisy, Merlan, and Bondy. The Frenoh subsequently withdrew from the village Rosny, along the road to Paris,

Brussels, January 6th— [Herald Cable.]— The batteries at Clamart and Ville d'Averg, throwing shot weighing 1241 "a and shell weighing 651bs, bombarded Forts d'lssy, Vanvreß, and Montrouge yesterday and today, the forts replying with considerable effect with Bix and seven inch guns, throwing shell weighing 1501bs. Another telegram Ea y S : __ The casemates of Forts Issy and Vanvreß were battered down, after a fight of eight hours' duration.

Private advices from Versailles to the 6th instant Btate that the general bombardment of forts south, east, and north, is furious, and notwithstanding the slaughter caused by the Frenoh fire, they will all be silenced before Sunday.

A correspondent at Paris, on the 9th January, writes that the city has been bombarded for three days; shells are falling throughout the District of Anteuil, and through the Hotel dcs Invalides and the Panthdon. The damage is slight, and but few civilians have been killed. Its moral effect is encouraging. There is a universal demand for a more energetic policy.

- Advices from Fails to the 30th December state that the Parisians urge Troohu to make a sortie with an enormous force, now their artillery is so numerous and the weather is moderating.

General Trochn on the 31st of December issued a proclamation to the citizens of Paris which says : " Efforts are being made to destroy the union and confidence to which Paris owes her prolonged defence. Political capital is being made of the disappointment caused by the severity of the weather. The army has indeed been sorely tried, and requires a brief rest, which the enemy seeks to prevent by the most violent bombardment i but the army is preparing to aot, and will do its duty. There are no dissensions among the members of the Government, who are perfectly united in the face of the country's perils, and in the hope of her deliverance.'^ The reports of the Generals commanding the fortifications show that slight damage has been done to the suburban Tillages by the bombardment. But few men have been wounded. A Council of War has approved the measures for associating the National and Mobile Guards with the regular army, for a more vigorous defence of the city. Dates from Paris to the 3rd January state that the damage from the bombardment had been slight. The Frenoh losses thus far had been 20 killed and 200 wounded. The citizens and the army were clamorous for offensive action.

London, January 4th— [World Cable.]— lt b known in the highest German circles, that desperate efforts to reduce Paris are being made ; npon the reduction of the forts on the south-west and north-east side* of the city the enceinte will be stormed. London, January 9th.— The Government of Paris has issued a decree announcing the consolidation of all the military associations and the entire able-bodied male population with the regular army, for the defence of the city. A Commission has been appointed to carry out the decree, consisting of the Governor of Paris, the oommanders of the forts, and the oommanders of artillery and engineer corps. Versailles, January 10th.-[New York Herald Special.] The Frenoh work at Billanoourt is reported devastated. Fort Nogent has recommenced firing. In Fortd'lssy 14 guns have been dismounted. Some shells Save been thrown into the Paris and Lyons railway station, and it is rumoured that the Hospital dcs Inralides has been hit. None of the forts have yet been reached ; their capture involves an advance in open field. Paris will fall by hunger and weariness j never by an artillery fire, even suoh as has been witnessed. London^ January 11th.— A balloon from Paris on the evening of the 10th brings the following:- Thousands of balk fell within the outskirts of Paris in all directions during the night, killing some women and children, striking ambulanoes, ohurob.es, museums, and ichools. The population are more than <pver resolute. Troohu will not capitulate. X fro* nil de?p»tch of tJw Uth pays &c

result of ten days' bombardment of the nine forts and seven French batteries between the forts, is that no serious damage has been done, and not a single gun dismounted But 320 Germans were killed and wounded Mont Avron waß swept by a Frenoh fire, and the Germans evacuated tho position. Tbe guns at Clairmont reaoh the Invalides and Champ de Mars.

Paris advices of the Bth say shells are falling on Montmartre, and persons have been killed, in the Church St. Sulpice.

London, January 11th. — (New York Tribune Cable.)— The Tribune correspondent at Versailles writes that batteries have been advanced a thousand paces nearer d'lsay and Vanvres. La Verite says shells are falling in tbe Luxembourg Gardens. The population demand that the Government make changes — they want a fighting General instead of Trochu. Other papers are very revolutionary. The Mobile officers and soldiers are deserting. Forts Noisy, Rosny, and Nogent are sensibly weakened. Many powerful new German batteiies will shortly open.

JTHE STATE OF PARIS.

A speolal despatch from Versailles, dated the 23rd December, shows Paris yet retains some of her old brilliancy. The necessary business of the day is conducted as gaily as usual within her precincts, and cabs and omnibuses ply the streets, and the shop windows display tempting arrays, just as in former times.

Intelligence from Paris confirms the report that bread riots have ocourred in the city. A collision between the mob and the military has taken place.

Bordeaux. January 3 r d. — [Special to the New York Herald.]— l have just obtained an interview with Ducrot, who arrived from Pariß yesterday in a balloon. He left on the morning of the 29th. Ducrot, in 1848, was Prefect of Police under the Republic, and now has confidential relations -with, the Government, of course. Duorot Baid : — «• You know of what our menu oonsists, but I have not heard a murmur. All are contented to suffer under the circnmst-mcea, and are even happy. Throngs crowd the Boulevards, and people promenade the Champs Elysees ; hackß are few, but omnibuses are running, and the outward signs of distress are limited. In short, the progress favourably impresses the population. In regard to military affairs, 37 new battalions of the National Guards have been created."

Bands of Beds posted red placards, which were torn down by the populace. The posters declare the Government to be cowardly and incompetent, and claim that the people are starved while favourite soldiers are oveifed. The posters were torn down by the Government agents.

THE FIGHTING IN NORTHERN FRANCE.

In the north and north-east the Prussians have lost heavily by battleß and sickness. The villages are encumbered with wounded, Numbers of Germans also suffer from sore eyes. At Chaloms-snr-Marne there are 18,000 sick and wounded Germans.

Lille, January 4th.— The battle fought by the Army of the North on the 3rd instant, resulted in a great victory of our arme. General Faidherbe reports that the fighting lasted ten hours, and that he expelled the Prussians from their positions, and occupied the villages held by them in the morning. The losses on both sides wers heavy. The villages of Bapaume and Dehaignies were totally destroyed.

London, January sth.— Genera\ManteufJfel telegraphs from Amiens on the 3rd that General Bentheim, with the troops of the First Army Corps, attacked the Frenoh near that city on the morning of that day, near the left bank of the Seine, and captured three cannons, three flags, and five hundred prisoners. General Bentheim telegraphs from Eoouen on the 4th, confirming the above, and adds that he had pursued the enemy beyond Bourgachard. The battle lasted throughout the day.

Versailles, January sth. — General Manteuffel reports that an attack made by considerable masses of the enemy was repulsed near Saphageenes on Monday with small loss on our Bide and heavy lose to the enemy, including 250 prisoners. On Thursday General Yon Goeben, with the 15th Division, victoriously repulsed the attack of the Army of the North near Bapaume. The Frenoh at the end of the last fight, began to retreat, which soon became disastrous to them by the close pursuit of our cavalry. We have already taken 500 prisoners.

London, January 6th. —The Frenoh Army have returned to the enoampment near Realle, after the battle on the 3rd instant. General Faidherbe, in an order of the day, eaya :—" Soldiers : In the battle of Pontneuf you victoriously held your positions ; at Bapaume you curried all the positions of the enemy ; this time he will not deny you the victory. By your valour and constancy you have deserved well of your country. As Boon as we have obtained provisions and ammunition we will continue our operations."

Lille, January 7th. —General Faidherbe, in an official communication, says he thought the Prussians would not deny the Frenoh had won a victory this time, but finds the German bulletins for the second time annihilate his army; He proceeds to refute their now glaring inconsistencies. He says his army did not retreat on the night after the battle of the 3rd ; they remained in occupation of the villages they had conquered, and went into encampment early the following morning. Regarding the boasted pursuit, the only foundation for the story is that on the morning pf tfja 4fe fcwo iqtt*dWMi

charged the Frenoh rear guard— one squadron was annihilated and the other fled.

THR CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST.

The Prussians have raised the siege of Langres.

The Germans assaulted Belfort twice, but were repulsed with considerable loss. On December 29th the Prussians assaulted Belfort again, and were repulsed with loss. In the assault on the 21st, they had fifty wagons full of wounded,- which were taken to Chatenois. When they arrived there nearly all were dead — frozen.

Official despatches announce that the Prussians hastily evacuated Dijon at the approach of the French forces. This is the result of a campaign undertaken in the East by order of the War Department. The movement was hastened by Gambetta.

Bordeaux, January 10th. — The Monitenr publishes the following : — "Rougemont, Department of Donbs, January 9th, — A battle was fought north of this place to-day, ending at seven in the evening, with victory for our arms. Night prevents us from ascertaining the full extent of our successes. The General commanding bivouacs on the centre of the battle-field, and all the positions occupied by our troops. We carried Villersexel, whioh was the key of the enemy'B position, with shouts of ' Long live France and the Republic' "

Versailles, January 10th. — We have good nejrs from the Eastern Departments. In an engagement on the Bbh, with Garibaldiaas, at Monthard, in the Department of Cote dOr, our troops were victorious. Yon Werder advanced yesterday on Villersexel, and took the place by storm. The Twentieth Frenoh Corps was engaged, and lost two staff officers, 14 other officers, 600 men, and two eagles. The French attempted to retake the position, but failed.

PRUSSIAN PREPARATIONS AND INTENTIONS.

Berlin, Deoember29fch.— [New York Herald oable.] — The Prussians are now sending to the front Landwehr of the second bund, aged 42 and 43 years. It is considered that the utmost effort whioh Germany is capable of making is being made. The system of supplying the vast army, though it is admitted co be admirable, cannot obviate the dissatisfaction and distrust whioh exist in considerable sections of the territory, notwithstanding the offioial statements concerning victualling and clothing of the troops. The Government appreciates the difficulty of the situation in its proper light, although no sign of discouragement is perceptible. Tfle former enthusiasm has ceased to exist and a strong desire for peace is expressed.

A rose-colour tint is given to all official accounts, so that only from private sources do we learn that the hospitals around Versailles contain 80QO sick and wounded.

Brussels, January 3rd. — King William has abandoned the idea of entering Paris npon capitulation. The forts of Paris are to be garrisoned and provisioned for two years, and the Germans are to hold Alsace, Lorraine, Belfort, Bitsohe, and the line of communication with Paris. After unconditional surrender, which alone will be accepted, the Garde Nationale will be armed and made responsible for the preservation of order in the capital, and the Corps Legislatif will be summoned to meet on the third of the following month.

Once in the Capital, the Germans will make a firm footing, and occupy it until the French eleot a responsible Government. In regard to the manner of accomplishing this, whether by upsetting the present Government, and recalling Napoleon or one of the Orleans family, or by the construction of Consuls-General, the widest opinions are formed, although the best informed express the conviction that the only way to get out of the labyrinth is to recognise the Constitutional Government under Napoleon.

Wonderful efforts are still being made for the proseoution of the war, and the oldest classes of the Landwehr are being drafted, equipped, and Bent to the front, calls being made upon officers formerly in service to return to active duty. Officials of various departments are sent, with muskets on their shoulders, to fill the civil posts in the conquered territory. Playbills announce that the actors, singers, and scene-shifters have all gone to the war. The Potsdam and Anhalt railways are daily forwarding 115 Joads of the largest projectiles. The great gun foundry at Spandau is incessantly at work manufacturing ordnance of the largest calibre. PBTJSSIAN BXOBSSBS. Ten thousand Prussians, with artillery, occupy Bloia, and have pillaged the public and private houses. Twenty thousand Prussians are at Orleans. . Men and officers are pillagers. They committed excesses because the ruined inhabitants were not able to give the requisitions demanded. The Prussians j threaten to take away as hostages fifty prominent citizens, unless 600,000 francs for maltreatment of soldiers be paid. The Prussians cannonaded St. Calais, then entered the place, committing disorders. Chauzey sent a protest to the Prussian General, and issued an order of the day to his troops, saying he ha 1 warned the Prussians against such horrible actions, committed against unarmed places and people who merit better treatment, because they are so humane to the Prussian oiok and wounded, Onauzay adds: "France is not combating loyal enemies but devastating hordes. She will continue to preserve her honour and independence."

A Herald oable from Bordeaux, dated the 21st sayg :— Great excitement prevails at the conduct of tbe Gerauuw at Orleans, who mb-

jeoted Bishop Dupanloup to the' greatest indignities. It ifl reported that he has addressed a pastoral to the clergy, invoking the vengeance of Heaven upon the barbarianß who, while in a cathedral filled with thousands of French- prisoners left without bread or fuel, caused the organ to be played in derision of their Bufferings. * A priest wearing the dress of a member of the International Aid Society, while attending dying soldiers, had his head, laid open by a eabre oat. Another priest was shot for refusing to give information relative to the French army.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

M. Thiers estimates the entire number of French troops at 750,600.

A Prussian column trying to cross the Loire on tho ice lost 300, who were drowned.

The Prussians are fortifying their line of retreat between Versailles and Metz. It is said the French prisoners near the Rhine conspired to revolt and escape on Christmas eve. The project was defeated.

By the surrender of Mezieres, 2000 prisoners, 106 guns, and a quantity of stores fell into the hands of the Germans,

There has been a significant interchange of courtesies between Berlin and Wilhelmahohe. The Emperor is confident of his restoration.

Eight arrests have been made in the Department of the Saone and elsewhere of suspected Bonapartist agents. They will probably be tried by Court Martial A reign of terror is commencing.

A grand review was held at Bordeaux of 20,000 National Guards. Crdmieux presented flags and made speeches. He said the Republic would save France. The officers and men were enthusiastic in favour of the Republic, and when they passed the American Consul's, demonstrated in favour of America.

The Berlin correspondent of the London Times writes that the idea of a general oooupation of France by the German forces has been abandoned ; portions only of tha Frenoh territory will be held. The Frenoh Government, he says, is no longer able to borrow money.

Manteuffel starts immediately to take command of the new German Army of the East, consisting of the Second, Seventh, and Fourteenth Corps, which is marching via Troyes to support General Yon Werder and occupy the Lyons distriot. Manteuffel leaves General yon Goeben in command of the First and Eighth Corps of the Landwehr Division, which is enough to take care of Faidherbe.