ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL

West Coast Times, Issue 1660, 25 January 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL

(VIA SUEZ), WITH EUROPEAN NEWS. * THE WAR. ENGLAND STILL NEUTRAL. CONFERENCE ON RUSSIAN DIFFICULTY FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY. RUSSIA COWED BY THE SPIRITED CONDUCT OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

The Rangitoto with tbe Suez Mail, arrived in the roadstead shortly before midnight last night. The following are the latest items of European news: —

London, Dec. 19.

Gortschakoff in replying to Granville'9 last note regrets that England takes exception to circular. Russia is prepared to assist any deliberations based on the united guarantee for consolidation of peace. Granvi lie's reply to Gortschakoff s last note is friendly. England accepts conference, but will maintain firm adherence to the position assumed. A legal peaceful conclusion is contemplated. The proposed conference on the Black Sea question is unconditionally accepted by the French Government.

Tbe British Government have given a definite undertaking that the conference shall proceed. Russia and England decline the proposition made by France to enlarge scope discussion at Conference.

It is feared it will lead to further complications in Europe. An interview between AH Pasha and Ignatius is reported as being unsatisfactory. The Conference is fixed for the first week in January.

It is stated the Neutral powers were disposed to again ask for an armistice to facilitate the participation of tbe French Government in the Conference.

On the 3rd a great battle to took place, to be East of Paris.

The Germans recaptured the positions the French held since their sorties.

The Duke of Mecklenburg defeated the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Army Corps near Soigney and Artenay on the 2nd. French accounts declare that General Ducroy's sortie with 150,000 men towards Fontainbleau was successful.

German accounts admit of temporary success

Gatibaldi repulsed by Germans at Antin. The Frencn loss was very considerable in sorties from Paris, and they were compelled to ask for an armistice to bury their dead.

On the 7th December the French evacuated Orleans, after a decisive victory by Prince Frederick Charles and the Duke of Mecklenburg. Gambetta narrowly escaped. ±'he French retreated across the Loire to Rouen, occupied by Germans under Manteuffel.

The German military position was deemed critical.

Manteuffel was ordered to Paris.

The Duke of Mecklenburg fought a victorious battle near Beaugency, which was afterwards occupied, against three French army corps. On December 11 the Germans held a Council of war, and declared in favor of the bombardment of Paris. Germans are threatening Cherbourg. Havre has been occupied by Germans.

Garibaldi resigned his command. Germans evacuated Dieppe after three days severe engagements between the army of the Duke of Mecklenburg and General Chancey. Blois is occupied by the enemy. Blois submitted unconditionally. The Prussians are concentrating near Havre.

The French have blockaded Fecamp, Dieppe, and Havre. The population of Paris still determine to resist.

Complete tranquility prevails. Twenty-four thousand Prussians occupied Tours on the night of the eighteenth, after a severe battle.

The French Government have gone to Bordeaux.

The King of Prussia has accepted the title of Emperor of Germany.

Montmedy has capitulated. A Prussian note declaring it will no longer recognise the neutrality of Luxembourg, and was communicated simultaneously at Brussels, Luxembourg, Hague, and London on the fourteenth.

A Cabinet Council was held in London on the 15th, when Ministers declined to discuss the accusation against Luxemburg in the absence of the accused.

When guilt or innocence are proved, impartial judgment will be given. It stated that explanations were given by Luxemburg which remove all danger of conflict.

Generals Bourbaki and Keratry have been superseded in their commands. -

Paris continues quiet. It is said that Gen. Ducrot has occupied a position towards Mont Valerien, and that General Vinoy had captured Villary.Evrar, and Maison Blanche.

p rovisions are running very short. Dogs, cats, rats, donkeys, bears, and monkeys are regularly made u*e of for food. Vegetables arc gone, and bread and wine arc alone plentiful. Gas is is only allowed in the thoroughfares. Sickness exists in Paris, and the mortality is double its usual average. Men, women, and children issue forth to grub for vegetables, and the French soldiers buy provisions from the Prussian outposts.

Shipments of arms from America to France continue. Six million dollars worth have already been sent. No remonstrance is made by Germany, while the increasingly bitter feeling against England is intensified, becaused the initiated negotiations for the relief of the sick and wounded are considered as proceeding from interested motives by Germans. Trochu bas 50,000 men ; but the National Guards refuse to quit Paris. The people and Press inaide seem tired of useless resistance, but all parties still oppose cession territory. The Germans are augmenting their seige forces and ammunition.

The King and Crown Prince are opposed to bombardment.

Three hundred waggon? of provisions have arrived from Germany to be ready for the relief of Paris qn it? «nrrender, '

Bismarck is really anxioaw t see a legitimate French Govei nment installed ; but no attempt has been made at renewing armistice negotiations. The restoration of a Bonaparte dynasty is deemed not impossible. . The Moniteur accuses the German army of great barbarity, and of pillage. It states that at Chateaudun wounded French soldiers were thrown out of windows, and two peasants were shot for working on French entrenchments.

According to the same authority, sever .il artillery caissons, captured at Orleans, were found to be filled with wearing apparel, cloaks, carpets, perfumery, and numerous other articles.

M. Schneider has sold his property at Le Crenzot to an American company, and the flag of the United States is now hoisted over the whole establishment.

The rank of field-marshal of Russia has been conferred upon Prince Frederick Charles, as well as upon the Crown Prince. An extensive emigration is going on from Northern France into Belgium. The advance of the Germans upon Lille and other places is the cause of this exodus. The mortality during the siege of Strasbourg averaged eighty a day. Immediately after the capitulation it fell to twenty. It is now ten.

Some of the French peasantry, to save themselves from spoliation, denounce to the Prussians those who resist. The Prussians say their hands are full of letters of denunciation. They are themselves disgusted, and announce that when peace is made they shall give up the names. The Germans are carrying out their design of guarding against injuries to railway trains by mounting some leading French citizen on the engine as a hostage. At Nancy the President of the Court of Appeal has been sent to accompany the stoker. The President of the Chamber of Commerce, a Judge, and a barrister have also occupied the post of danger. During the German occupation of Orleans the women of the city spent their time in visiting the prisoners and assisting in the hospitals. The Prussian leaders thanked them for the care of their wounded. The Bishop of Orleans set the noble example.

December 23.

Difficulties with America are looming in connection with the fisheries and Alabama question*. The Tichborne trial has been postponed until February.

The Victoria Meat -preserving Company is workine admirably.

Preparations are being made at Windsor Castle for the Princess Louise's marriage. The Princess has not quite recovered her accident.

The Queen has visited Eugenic, and the Prince Imperial and Prince Arthur are often together. Two compnnies have been formed in London to prosecute diamond-working at the Cape. Recent steamers brought over j£40,000 worth.

A frightful accident occurred to the Irish mail near Harrow, Manchester. A carriage was smashed and seven persons were killed and forty injured. Great activity exists throushout the naval and military departments. The issue of 170,000 Snider riiles to volunteers has commenced.

Obituary — Thornton, millionaire : Archdeacon Hale, Lord Byron. Sir Roderick Murchison continues very

The produce market is generally sound, and money is abundant. The bank rate of discount is 2A. Consols, 9.1^. Australian securities are slightly affected. Mercantile failures are numerous.

The Chinese plenipotentiary, Chung How, passed through Galle en route to Europe

London, December 25. Bordeaux journals report insurrectionary movements inside Paris, which the French Government officially deny. The Paris forts commenced heavy fighting on the night of the 20th. Next morning, the garrison made an attack with three divisions, which repulsed by the German artillery. The inhabitants of Luxemburg presented an address to the Grand Duke, begging him to save the country. They never allow transfer without a free vote of the Chamber.

Latest special to Greville, London, 25th, consols 91 7-8.

Tn wool a fair enquiry exists, but without any quotable change. Australian copper 73. Tallow active and advancing. Wheat firm. Arrivals — Ernestine, Silverage.