SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

West Coast Times, Issue 1660, 25 January 1871, Page 3

SPECIAL TELEGRAM.

London, December 26. The war in France continues. Paris is still besieged, but not bombarded. England is neutral, and at peace.

THE RUSSIAN QUESTION.

With reference to the Russian difficulty, a conference has been arranged to take place in London on the Eastern question about the first week in January. The representatives of all the great Powers, including Thiers for France, are to attend.

The spirited conduct of the British Government, followed by the attitude of Austria and Turkey, thoroughly cowed Russia, which withdrew the deliberate repudiation, and agreed to a conference. England will maintain a firm adherence to ber assumed p"sition. GortschakofY avers that Russia is prepared to assist any deliberation based on a united guarantee of a consolidation of peace. The Luxembourg question next appeared. Gambetta is reported first to have intimatpd that France would no longer observe its neutrality.

A Prussian note was presented simultaneously at Brussels, Luxembourg, Hague, and London, on the 7th, declaring that Prussia no longer recognises the neutrality, consequent upon infractions of the neutral laws by authorities. A Cabinet Council specially called at London, refused to discuss the accusation in the absence of a defence.

The Dutch King is determined to maintain Ills rights, and the people of the duchy unaniniou-ly beg to be defended against Prussian pretensions. A Berlin telegram of the 17th annouuees all danger of a conflict over, by receipt of explanations from the Duchy. General Bourtaki has published the following order of the day : — " The General of Division and Superior Commandant of the region of the North is happy to make known to the troops that the franc- tireurs have stopped a Frussion train on the railway fiom Mezieres to Rtthel. This bold act has cost the enemy 466 men. The Posen Gazette says that General Steinmetz has received the Order of Saint George of Russia (third class). The Emperor Alexander bad placed this decoration at the disposal of King Willaira to p&tQW upon the officer whpm, he «hy ss

coh-ider most worth. The King se tit to Gfcneral Steinmetz, with a letter rendering homasre to tbe bravery of the general. On the receipt of the first Rus-ian note Prussian collusion was suspected, and the Spectator and Pall Mall Gazette urged immediate war — the ileet to be sent to the Euxine Sea, and an army of 50 000 to land at Cherbourg to relieve the French. Earl Granviile's despatches superseded the necessity, and Prussia has assumed a neutral attitude with respect to tbe Eastern question. Geoige Francis Train is in Lyons bastille. A Bavarian soldier attempted the assasination of King William, and was shot. j

Bbbun, Dec. 27, 6.14 p.m.

The bombardment of Paris has commenced to to-day. Fort Avron was the first object of attack.

London, Dec. 27. Tbe Saxons commenced the bombardment of Fort Avron this morning. Fierce fighting has taken place around Nuyts, near Dijon. The town was taken and retaken. The Germans were victorious, but Prince William of Baden was wounded.

General Manteuffel was pursuing the Army of the North, but General Freddeherbes announces a victory for the French near Telle, on the 24th, after seven hours' fighting.