THE WAR IN EUROPE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 825, 18 January 1871, Page 4

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

♦ TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY. The following, compiled from the San Francisco News of the World, gives the important items of the 1-tst few days before the departure of the mail for Australasia : — Dec 11. A Tribune correspondent telegraphs from Champs, headquarters of the Saxon army, that the whole number of Germans engaged in the recent operations in that vicinity wa« only 22,000. This force, it seems, had been detailed for an offensive movement, and the programme was greatly complicated by an unexpected counter offensive movement of the French, projected against Viliiers, and with the hope of ultimately breaking through the cordon surrounding them. It thus happened that as the Germans were pressing in to drive the French from Brie and Champigny, the French were simultaneously pouring out to take Viliiers. After noting the details of the battles — tbe desperate valour of the b'axons, the stubborn struggle of the French and their final defeat— the correspondent thus speaks of the result and lasses : — " Not much have the Saxons gained, for there was not much to gain. The Wurtemburgers hold one end of Champigny. Brie stands empty and desolate. There were French in this morning but later there were Saxons, and that is all. But look at the bioody part of the picture : — The number of dead I cannot ascertain, but the German wounded were over 1000. The French, if they lust fewer killed and wounded, lost 1000 prisoners. Had it been possible for the Saxons to hold Brie, the French advance would have been impossible. Its flmking fire would have prohibited breasting the slope toward Viliiers. The French had mitrailleuses somewhere in the plain. At an rate the day's work was a final failure of French hopes ; the German line stood everywhere unbroken, and Paris was no more free than before." The Prussians are advancing on Havre. There was an engagement at Bolbec — Losses, equal. J^ive hundred guns of Colt's manufacture, were seized by the Government on the arrival here. They exact 750,000 francs indemnity in Burgundy for the expulsion of the Germans. Englishmen are arriving in Havre, which the Prussians are hourly expected to invest. The pursuit of the army of the Loire continues. ' A large number of the French officers, prisoners in Germany, protest against the restoration of Bonaparte. Ironclads have been ordered by the French Government to repair immediately to Havre to assist in the defence of the city. It is reaffirmed that Russia has ordered a hundred mitrailleuses and a million metallic cartridges from America. The Post sees no hopes of better relations with America, as the Americans avoid or are driven from political life. Men like Butler wield the political influence and ostentatious courtesy is shown nations supposed to be friendly with England. The Times asks no indemnity for insults heaped on England in consequence of the Alabama matters, but craves a settlement of the claims, not; merely because they are just, but as inaugurating between the two nations & feeling of close amity. The impression in the clubs to ni«ht Pec. 7, is that the hopes of the French Imperialists are greatly strengthened, and that the Prussian Government is decidedly favourable to the restoration of the Empire. The health of the Emperor has wonderfully improved. Mr Tardien, in a despatch of the 7th, from Tours, HSBerts that the retreat of the Army of the Loire was effected without other sacrifice than tbe naval guns in the entrenchments at Orleans, all of which were spiked. Reports from Tours are that the Army of the Loire has divided into two bodies, the left wing moving toward Tours, while the ripht wing and centre move south along the railroad to Vieraon. Before the negotiations for a Peace Congress, the German princes met at Versailles. The purchase of provisions for the use of Paris after the capitulation, was entrusted to officers of the Commissariat, who have concluded contracts with English houses. The officers preferred to operate through German houses, but it was ascertained that the export of provisions would produce inconvenience iv Germany. The Tours Government made public the following intelligence on Dec. 9 :— " General Chancey reports to the War Department that there was an attack all along the lines from Meung to St. Laurent-deß-Faux last night. To-day the principal effort of the enemy was at Beaugency (sixteen miles south-west from Orleans, on the Loire.) The Germans were very strong at that place, having no less than 86 cannon ; their forces consisted of two divisions of Bavarians, one division of Prussians, 2000 cavalry, and strong reserves. They were under tbe command of Prince Frederick Charles and the Duke of Mecklenburg. The enemy was repulsed and driven beyond Grande Chartre. We Bt<y to-night on the positions held this morning. The prisoners taken acknowledge that the Prussians suffered heavy losses. The battle lasted till night. I have not yet received a complete li*t of our losses. We may be attacked again to-morrow, but we are prepared to resist. The Bavarian Lieutenant-General Stephen, commanding the division, waß wounded before St. Laurent-des-Faux. The Prussians have been driven from Marolles." Le Citoyen, published in London, in an editorial to-day, says further resistance on the part of the French will end in anarchy or the permanent occupation of the country \>y ; u6 oouqueidis, cf the £?metl iutci «\.Llloa or" neutrals. Intervention would be worse than either anarchy or foreign occupation The guilt of foreign resistance would not be on the men of the Fourth of September,

but on the councillors of the Empire, wbo prevented the Empress from making terms after S dan. The senators of the Empire, the Empress presiding, must now meet and make peace with a conqueror. Gladstone's note, announcing that the Government has taken care to make provi sion necessary for the protection of the per son of the Pope, adequate for the support of his dignity and personal freedom and the in dependence of his spiritual functions, excites surprise and criticism. The Government, by such declaration, made at this moment, intends the double purpose of influencing the great Catholic meeting at St James' Hail, on Friday, and conciliating the feeling in Ireland, where the rumours of an impending difficulty with America already cause alarm. The Press to-morrow will attack Gladstone's note concerning the protection of the Pope, declaring it an utter reversal of the traditional English policy since the Keformation. Ignatieff declares that it is impossible to withdraw Gortschakoff's note, but says that the Czar will not violate t'us treaty of 1 856. Dec. 12. King William telegraphs under date of Dec. 8, to Queen Augusta :-" There was severe fighting yesterday near Meung. More resistence is expected there. One gun, several mitrailleuses and one hundred and fifty prisoners were taken. The sanitary condition of the army in the field has taken a very favourable twrn." Official d€crees have appeared appointing General Bourbaki to the .ommand of the First Army, and General Chaucey to that of the Second. The Army of the Loire has heen divided. De Paladine refuses the command of the military camp at Cherbourg, wh.ch has heen offered him. It is reported that there was fizhting all day on Dec. 9, along the left bank of the Loire, between the French, under General Chancey, and the forces repulsed by him on Dec. 8. The reports add that he was successful to-day. It is said that the Tours Government will go to Bordeaux, as the Prussians might risk sending a force to this city. Some officials go on to-night. Gambetta and the Ministry bureau will not leave until they are obliged. There is no news from Bourbaki, who has a large force on the right bank of the Loire. It is rumouiel that he is marching on Paris. The Journal Officiet, of Dec. 9, announces that the Uoverument has removed to Bordeaux. Gambetta will go to the Army of the Loire, which has been divided into two corps, with the supreme object of reaching Paris. He will then return here and remain with the archives. General Chancey reports that he fought yesterday against the army of Frederick Charles and repulsed them along the whole line. An offi ial statement shows that in the recent engagements the French army was beaten in detail in each day's fighting, separately. General Chancey, with two corps, is still on the north Bide of the Loire, and repulsed several attacks of 40,0c 0 of the enemy yesterday. The Tour's Government has opened negotiations for an armistice, having secured the support of the Neutral Powers. On Dec. 8, the Seventh and Seventeenth French corps were defeated by the Thir'eenth Prussian corps and a Division of Wurtembergers. Rumours are reported that an armistice is negotiating at Versailles. At Nevey, a village to the northwest of Glen, the advance of the Prussian Third Army overtook and defeated the rear guard of the Army of the Loire. The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg defeated the Third French Army Corps at Meung on Dec. 8. The German losses were severe, and the French loßses still heavier. The Germans took six guns and 11,000 prisoners. Beaumont, Messas, and Beaugency have been evacuated by the French ; the Germans captured 11,000 prisoners and six guns. Preparations for grett movements and fresh sorties are being made in Paris. No person is allowed to leave the city. Generate Tr> chu and Duurot were both outside the walls on the 4th. Ducrot's army outside the walls is occupying position between Mesley, Cretell and Charenton. Another grand attack will soon he made. Private letters received in London from Versailles say the German losses before Paris and on the Loire since the 28th, are immense. Correspondents are forbMden to communicate the truth for publication . Official returns show the losses to be over 12,000, with many returns lacking. The reported renewal of the negotiations for an armistice is incorrect. The Foreign Office here denies that there is any movement in that sense on the part of the Neutral Powers ; nor has Gambetia made ovettures to Bismarck, some of the other membe-a of the Tours Government, who are violently opposed to Gambetta, a>id anxious to conclude the war, attempted to offer negotiations ; discovering their echeims, Gambetta threatened them with arrest, when they promised to abandon the undertaking. The reported armistice is disbelieved ; it is regarded as a stock-jobbing rumour. A despatch from Gambetta asks Laurier to announce that he had arked an armistice to enable the National Assembly to be elected, and requested that Favrebe permitted to leave Paris to consult bis colleagues and conduct the negotiations. He admits that he has loat all hope of prosecuting a eucessful struggle, and has no expectation of defending Tours; the Army of the Loire has been beaten in detail, and Gambetta declines the responsibility of a further struggle or of making a peace. ..tcitgrar>> from T-u^oßitoarg state-i that the Prussian Government has informed the Government of the Grand Duke that in consequence of its having allowed a violation of the neutrality of the Grand Duchy bj the

French, Prusia is no longer bound to respect the neutrality of Luxembourg. It is rumoured that Prussia has informed the Government of Luxembourg that she is no longer bound by the Treaty of 1867. In the Brussels Chamber on Dee. 9 Baron Anthen said he was aware of Prussia's note in regard to Luxembourg. He denies that the Government was in the least degree influenced by Prusssia to reject the petition of the French prisoners in Belgium to return to their country. As for the case of Luxembourg, at ought it to be a warning to Europe. The i ondon Clubs are full of rumours to night. Dec. 9, of a speedy consummation of arrangements for peace and the restoration of the Empire. Great significance is attached to the manner in which the Empress has been received by Q'leen Victoria at Windsor. 'I he feeling is strong that viitory for France is hopeless under the Republic. Private advices from all parts of France indicate a reaction everywhere in favour of the restoration of" the Emperor, the people contrasting fwenty years of order and prosperity with the present misery and anarchy The Tours Government has proved incompetent either to conduct the war or negotiate peace. Napoleon refuses to sanction any scheme for his restoration at present, saying his part is silent inaction until the Republicans either capitulate or are dispersed. There was an anti-war riot of a serious character in Berlin on Dec. 8, caused by resistance to the order drafting married men. The landwehr and police were unable to quell the riot and the military were called out ; they suppressed t'e disorder after using great severity. If tbe order drafting married men is carried out it will give an additional force of 25,000 to the army. There is great impatience at the prolongation of the war, while every day France increases her strength. Bel fort is making a splendid defence. The Prussians acknowledge that the siege costs them more than any other during the war. Abbeville has not been occupied by the Prussians. A squadron of French gunboats have been sent to protect tbe shipping entering the port of St Nnzaire, at the mouth of the l.oire. Communication with Havre baa been restored. It is Baid the French Government will endeavour to enlarge the scope of tlis Conference on the Black Pea. question, but the attempt is discountenanced by the London and St. Petersburg Cabinets on the ground that it would endanger the assemblage of the Conference. An influential committee has been formed in London, with Thomas Hughes as chairman, for the purpose of exacting all possible security for the maintenance of peace with America. The committee, which waw formed some time since, considers it inexpedient to take public action until the Eastern question is settled. The impression is prevalent that the extreme Canadian view of the fishery dispute canuot be sustained. The proposal to buy the Alabama claims is regarded as a bi» job, commenced by a clique who have already purchased the claims at a small figure, intending to make a hundred per cent. They are confident the Government would rather have such a large order, and make the grievances seem greater. An appeal is made to the entire people, ignorant and uneducated, to decide by ballot whether or not they should supersede the present cumbersome and inhuman system of Government by the establishment of a republic. The Porte has called for immediate returns of the number of regulars each district can furnish. The reserves have also been summoned. The report is current that John Bright is to be sent to Washington to negociate the settlement of the Alabama claims and the Fisheries question.