VERY LATEST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 785, 29 November 1870, Page 2

VERY LATEST.

Nor. 1. At noon, the big guns opened fire on Paris. The Parisians continue an unavailing resistance, vainly expecting deliverance from without, and unconscious of the reverses met with outside in every other place. ■ . Provisions are becoming scarce.

; An unsuccessful sortie was made from Mont Valerien. •■ The Parisians themselves expect Paris will be able to bol<! out long. Germany held a grand religious ceremony prior to the bombardment commencing. Negotiations for the surrender of Metz opened on Oct. 14, and continued till Oct. 27, when Bazaine with the whole garrison surrendered unconditionally ; 173,000 prisoners gave up their arms ; 12,000 officers were released on parole. The Prussians obtained much booty ,including£2,ooo,ooo in the military chest of the garrison. The inhabitants were furious at the surrender, and Bazaine was hooted when leaving in his carriage. M. Gambetta and the Government afc Tours denounce the surrender of Metz as a crime, and charge Bazaine with treachery. The Berlin Press insist on retaining Metz as a security for peace in the future. Six thousand Prussians left Metz to besiege Longwy. ' Mazzini was taken in Metz, bub released. Everywhere else the Prussians are making a firm footing in Prance, where they intend wintering, and the German Parliament was to be convoked to vote supplies. Orleans was stormed after nine hours' fighting, and the French were driven, across the Loire. A fine of half a million of francs was levied on Orleans. . Soissons, St Quentin, and Scblestadt have capitulated. Garibaldi is inactive. The Gardes Mobiles repulsed 1200 Prussians who were attempting to cut the Amiens and Eouen Eailway. .. A flying column of Wurtem burgers captured GOO Francs- Tireurs and Mobiles between Nangis and Montereau. The Germans now hold 320,000 prisoners. The Prussians are extending themselves in Normandy and southern Prance. Fighting is proceeding at Epernon, Bambouillet, and Toury, with varying success. The Prussians burned the village of Ablis for treachery on the part of the inhabitants. In the north-west the Prussians are advancing. They have captured Amiens, and intended to take Eouen, so as to be able to draw supplies from the coast. 1 Soissons capitulated on October 15, after a four days' obstinate defence ; 4000 prisoners and 132 guns were taken. Mont D idler was captured on Oct. 18, and contributions amounting to 50,000 francs imposed. Cbateaudun, Chartres, and St. Quentin were taken on October 21, and" 2,000,000 francs were levied. Latterly, the Prussians in the north were concentrating on Laon. In the south, they are advancing on Bourges. The Baden troops routed the JhrancsTireurs in the Voages. They have taken 60 officers, and 600 men. Thionviile is vigorously besieged. ■' General Bourbaki having arrived at Tours on Oct. 12 from Metz, with the consent of the Prussians, gave rise to a report that it had then capitulated. • Lille is preparing for defence. The Biege of Verdun commenced on October 15, and on October 26 the commandant declared he would fight to the last. Mezieres was to be bombarded. Bitsche was invested by 50,000 Germans.