SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 852, 20 February 1871, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

TELEGRAPHIC SUMMARY. The following summary is compiled from the daily telegrams in the San Francisco Ntws of the World: — Jan. 9. Faidherbe's victory on the 3rd inrtant was strategical and tactical, designed to deceive the enemy. He is now advancing towards Peronne. Ihe casemates of Forts Issy and Vanvres were battered down, after a fight of eight hours' duration. Private advices from Versailles to the 6th instant state that the general bombardment of forts south, eaßt, and north, is furious, and notwithstanding the slaughter caused by the French fire, they will all be silenced before Sunday. '1 he Germans in the Upper Valley of the Oiße have evacuated the towns of Guise, Herson, and Vervin, and are reaching on Mtzieres. A series of unimportant attacks made on tbe advanced posts of General Chanzy's army have been vigorously repulsed. ihe Francs-Tireurs at Glen surrounded and captured a detachment of Germans, near that place. Ths force now under Chanzy's command is reported at 200,000 strong and ready for action. The German force beyond Vendome encountered, and, after a severe engagement, repulsed two French Army Corps, which were advancing. The Germans occupied Azay, Moutoile, and the intermediate villages. The German losses were inconsiderable. Ti e Germans on Jan. 6 attacked the French positions at Ville Chunere, Ville Forcber and St Cyr Gault, and afterwards forced our lines at Neville. The French at night took the offensive, re-occupied all their positions, and entered St Amand. The enemy retir.d toward Vendome, leaving many wounded and prisoners. They apparently suffered heavily during the day and night on the line of DeMans. len thousand Germans mostly from Rouen, were ('efeated on Jan. 7 by Gen. Roy, near Jumieges. The French have since occupied Bourgachard and Bourgtheroude,and threaten to drive the Prussians from Pont Audemer. The Germans bave occupied Lafourche, Len ii. c and Nogent-le-Rotrou. It is semi-offlcially announced that it is impossible to fix the time of meeting for the Congress of Powers, in consequence of the French representatives. The cause of the difficulty, however, is embarrassing to England by the reason of the formal notification of Rissia that the Black Sea clause of the Paris treaty has been already abrogated by act of the Emperor, and that it is out of the power of tbe Congress to alter the decision. A. Versailles despatch dated Jan. 6 says : — Tbe vanguard of General Werder's force, in the Valley of the Saone, engaged the Frenoh yesterday, and took 200 prisoners. The King sent to-day the following despatch : — *• "1 he weather has moderated ; we are now having a thaw. Our losses during the bombardment of Fort d'lssy, so far, are 17 killed and wounded. Large supplies were captured from the French at Rocroy." The Library of the Military School at St. Cyr has been sent io Germany. The Second Army Corps has been augmented by reinforcements. Ie resumed offensive movements on the Ist. Bourbaki is believed to be planning to raise tbe siege before attempting to invade Gemn any. The Black Forest will be bis base of opt- rn i ions. The German losses at Vendome and Montoile, on the 6th and 7th, were heavy. The bombardment was not a complete success yesterday, as supposed. Evening. — General Bourbaki is marching on Nancy and Belfort. The Prussians have reoccupied Auxonne. 1 he French have entered Salour. The German Generals are withdrawing from the Northern Departments. The French marines and infantry repulsed a Prussian detachment near Briare. The Germans lost 200 men. The German residents of Marseilles have sent a letter to the King of Prussia, expressing indignation at the barbarous character of the struggle, warning him against the spirit of conquest, and demanding the cessation of an infamous war. Advices from the inside of Paris to the 3rd have been received. General Trochu, on the 3 1st 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 cat ital-is being made of the disappointment CKUsed by. the .severity of the weather The army has . indeed been sorely tried, ahd requires a brief rest, whioh the enemy seeks to prevent by the most violent bombardment; but the army is preparing to act, and will do •its duty. " There are no dissensions among the . members of the Government, who are perfectly united in the face of the county's j perils, and in the hope of her deliverance." 'l he reports of the Generals commanding . the fortifications show that slight damage; y--t been done to the suburban villages by the bombardment. But few men have been wounded. C 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. > Eight arrests have been 'made in the De-; partment of the: Saone and elsewhere of suspected Bonapartist agents. They will pro- . bably; be tried by Court Martial. A" reign of. Terror is commencing. T°e Prussians re-occupied Auxonne yes; terday. . A battle is imminent between General Werder and the armies of Bourbaki and Garibaldi. I'rivate advices from Versailles express confidence that none of the forts, excepting

probably Valerian, will be able to resist the . Prussian bombardment. General Faidherbe, in an official communication, says he thought the Prussians would not deny the French 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 oo the night after the battle of the 3rd ; they remained in occupation of the villages tbey had conquered, and went into encampment early the following morning. Regarding the boasted pursuit, the only foundation for tbe story is, that on the morning of the 4th two squadrons charged the French rear guard — one squadron was annihilated, and the other fled. Jan. 10. The Prussian guns could easily shell the city. Several houses in Paris have been set on fire. There bas apparently not been much firing to-day. The French redoubt at Notre Dame Dellamart was occupied by the Prussians, and its fire turned against the French. Frederick Charles continues his victorious advance on Mars Everything has been quiet in the North since the 3rd. Tbe bombardment is proceeding favourably. The barracks in the fortifications are on fire. The Government of Paris has issued a decree announcing the consolidation of all the military assocations and the entire ablebodied male population with theregular army, for the defence of the city. A commission has been appointed to carry out the decree, consisting of the Governor of Paris, the commanders of the forts, and the commanders of artillery and engineer corps. A despatch from Frankfort on-the Main says petitions have been forwarded to King William, at Versailles, praying bim, in re spect to bis title, to allow that city to become his place of coronation as Emperor. Jan. ll. Details of Friday's fighting near Vendome are received. At 11 o'clock in the morning the Germans attacked General Curtin Cyrville at Parcher, Ville Thauve. The French were driven back to Naveil. The French commander then brought up his supports, recapturing the positions, and repulsing the Prussians beyond Sainte Romaine, which the French reentered at night. The German loss is considerable, that of the French trifling. A despatch from Lille, says the Germans are massing south of Rapaume. The French sharpshooters near Lille successfully engaged the Uhlans to-day, taking 43 prisoners. A Versailles despatch of Jan. 9 says : — Last night tbe fire from our batteries was increased ; to-day there is a dense fog, and tbe bombardment is not so heavy, while the return fire from the French guns is weak. The Germans lost on Sunday 25 men. The column advancing from Lens reached Calais yesterday, meeting with slight resistance. General Von Werder has been heavily reiaforced. The Prussians in the Department of the Tonne are concentrating at Joigny, on the Paris and Lyons railway. Reinforcements have arrived there irom Germany. The financial is worse than the military situation, and it is proposed to return to assignats. Count Bernstorff, Prussian Minister, has received tbe following telegram from Bismarck : — " Versailles, January 9 th. — The report of the German Commander at Rouen, respecting the sinking of tbe English colliers has not arrived, but the facts are known. Tell Granville we regret that our troops, to avert imminent danger, were obliged to seize the British ships. We admit the claim for indemnity ; if unjustifiable acts were also committed, we will call the guilty to account." Further explanations represent that the vessels were seized for fear the French would use them to land troops. Tbe bombardment of the Paris fortifications is kept up with vigour and effect. The barracks of Port Montevideo have been set on fire and destroyed. It is reported that some shells have fallen in the Gardens of Luxembourg. The advance columns of the German forces in the Valley of the Loire, have reached Noget, Savigny, and La Charte. They encountered obstinate resistance on the whole line. A detachment of the army investing Belfort, stormed the village of Dankontine on Saturday, and took seven hundred prisoners. There i. an immense meeting to-night (Jan. 9) at Greenwich, demanding Gladstone's resignation. There was a great disturbance and some fighting. Jan. 12. English travellers attest the generous treatment of French prisoners in Germany. The Brussels Echo of Truth says the militia are again summoned to the frontier. The Prussians still invest Givet. ; Berlin letters assert that the Conference is likely to consider tbe question of peace, should Paris surrender pending ita sessions. The Monlteur publishes the following :— "Rougemont Department of Doubs, Jan. 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 Viilersexel, which was the key of the enemy's position, with shouts of " Long live France and the Republic." General Faidherbe's cavalry had an encounter with the enemy on the Bth and 9th. and met with success. The Germans represent that the return fire of the Paris forts flags perceptibly. A Versailles despatch, dated Jan. 10, says *. The army of General Chauzy is retreating at all points. The Germans are in pursuit, and have already taken 1,000 prisoners. We have : good news from tbe Eastern Department*?.

In jan engagement on the Bth with Garibal ldians at Montbard, in the Department of Cote dOr, our troops were victorious. Von Werder advanced yesterday on Villersexel. and took the place by storm. The Twentieth French 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 It iB reported that General Manteuffel will be transferred to the command of the Army of the Vosges, and General Von Goeben succeeds him in the command of the Army of the North. The bombardment of the fortifications of Paris on the northeast and south sides is vigorously kept up. All day Tue;-day, Jan. 10, the French returned a feeble fire. The Queen of Prussia has received the following despatch from Woyal head-quarters: — "Versailles, January 10th. — Owing to the snowstorm theheavy fire of the bombardment is slower to-day. Peronne has capitulated with 3000 prisoners. General Werder defeated Bourbaki on the 9tb of Vesoult ; he took 800 prisoners." The French work at Billancourt is reported devastated. Fort Nogent has recommenced firing. In Fort d'lssy 14 guns hava been dismounted. Some shells have been thrown into the Paris and Lyons railway station, and it is rumoured that the Hospital Invalides 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 ; never by an artillery fire, even such as has been witnessed. Intelligence from Paris confirms the report that bread riotß have occurred in the city. A collision between the mob and the military has taken place. The Prussian shells on the fifth are said to have fired parts of the city. An early capitulation is predicted. The Vienna semi-official organs here declare that the approachiug Conference must uphold the validity of the treaties, and insists that modification is possible only by general consent. When an amendment to the treaty of Paris is propns d by Russia, its essential should be accompanied by concessions and compensation to the other powers. Jan. 13. The columns operating against fhauzy drove him within a mile of Le Mans after a series of engagements capturing ons cannon, a mitrailleuse, and 200 prisoners. Werder's los 3at Villersexel was 200. A large German army is forming East under a special command including the corps of Werder, Zastrow and others. A balloon from Paris on tlie evening of the evening of the 10th brings the following: — There has heen a slight engagement near Malmaison and Ruell, on the Strasbourg railway. The Germans were repuif-ed withZ considerable loss. Thousands of balls fell within the outskirts of Paris in all directions during the night, killincr some women and children, striking ambul»nces, churches, museums, and schools. The population are more than ever resolute. Trochu will not capitulate The following from Bordeaux under date Jan. 11 is official : — The Germans, on the 10th, redoubled their efforts -gainst Chauzy, who, pressed on all Jsi'ies, retired to hioriginal positions. The action was hotly dis puted, one brigade resisting six hours. Th--losses are considerable on both sides. Bourbaki, commanding the Army of the East, tele graphs he passed Tuesday night driving the enemy from Villersexel and Lure. The Army of the North has advanced beyond Boileuv. Faidherbe surprised tbe German rear guard, killing thirty and taking fifty-nine prisoners. He lost none. The French have entered Bapaume The official announcement is made that the Germans yesterday (Jan. 10) redoubled their efforts against the army of General Chauzy, who, pressed on all sides, retired to his original position. The action was hotly disputed. Ooe of the French brigades re sisted the incessant attacks of the enemy for six h >ur9 ; losses were considerable on both sides. General Bourbaki, commanding the Army of the East, telegraphs that his troops passed the whole of Tues tay night (Jan 10) driving the enemy from the houses of Villers-Exel. Advices from Lille represent the Army of the North under Faidhherbe has advanced beyond Bnrleau. A special from Perlin to the London Times says Prnssia, seeing the antagonism on the part of Austria to the wishes of the Czar on the question of the Euxine, ia endeavouring to effect a postponement of the London Conference. The same correspondent mentions a report that Turkey is willing to dispense with action by the Powers on the subject. A Brussels despatch of the Ilth says the result of ten days' bombardment of the nine ferts and seven French batteries, between tbe forts, is that no serious damage has been done, and not a single gun dismounted. But 320 Germans were killed and wounded. Mount Avron was swept by a French fire, and the Germans evacuated the position The guns at Clairmont reach the Invalitie** and Champs de Marß. Paris advices of the Bth say shells are falling on Montmartre, and per-ons have been killed in the Church Rt. Sulpi c. Bands of Reds have posted red placards, which were torn down by the populace. A large fire is raging within Paris on the north sine. The ground around Versailles is covered with snow. The Pas de Calais is overrun with Germans. The Reds' Revolutionary posters declare the Government to be cowardly and incompetent, and claim that the people are starved while favourite soldiers are orerfed. The posters were torn down by the Government agents.

The Tribune correspondent at Versailles writes that batteries have been advanced a thousand paces nearer d'lssy and Van* res. LaVtrite says that shells are tailing in the Luxembourg Gar 'ens. The population demand that the Government m»ke -hanges — they want a fighting General instead of Trochu. The Mobile officers and soldiers are deserting. Noissy, Rosny, and Nogent are sensibly weakened. Many powerful new German batteries will shortly open. Manteuffel is at Versailles, but starts im- j mediately to take command of the new Army of the Kast, consisting of the Second, Seventh and Fourteenth Corps, which is marching via Troyes t > support General Von Werder and occupy the Lyons diatrict. Manteuffel leaves 'Teneral Von (ioeben in command of the Kirst and Kighth Corps of the Landwehr Division, which is enough to take care of Faidherbe. A correspondent at Paris, on the 9th, writes that the city bas been bombarded for three days ; shells are falling throughout the District of Auteuil, and through the Hotel des Invalides and the Pantheon. The damage is slight, and but few civilians have been killed. Its moial effect Is encouraging. There is a universal demand for a more energetic policy. Another Blanque insurrection has been plotted, but it has been suppressed. The weather haß moderated ; there is less suffering. The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg telegraphs to the Duchess as follows : " After crossing the Rivulet of Houne, on Tuesday, we fought on the next day a hot but victorious battle at Lomben and La Chapelle, taking nearly 10,000 prisoners. Our loss was inconsiderable. We are advancing on Le Mans." The Berlin correspondent of the London Times writes that the idea of a general occupation of France by the German forces has teen abmdonel ; portions only of the Frenoh territory will be held. The French Government, he says, is no longer able to borrow money.