ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

West Coast Times, Issue 1661, 26 January 1871, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SUEZ MAIL.

THE FRANCO-GERMAN WAR.

GREAT BATTLE BEFORE PARR

It is now more than ten weeks since Paris was invested. Many think that the great climax of the war is close at hand; the air asamis thick with rumors; and even while I write there comes news of another terrible battle. It is evident we are entering on another phase of the struggle. The comparative lull of the last few weeks has been broken, and every day this week there has been fighting of les* or greater importance. There has, within the month, been a great reaction of feeling in this country in favor of the French ; and the position of the Germans has seemed to grow every week more perilous. The southern provinces, when really threatened have rallied with wonderful energy, and are pouring men into the field in such numbers that the German* have been in constant dread of an attack upon their rear. Three armies were set in motion for the relief of Paris - tlis army af tlw north, at firat organised

I Ccuera! Ffiidherbe. a new man ; the army | of I.nt'tany, for a time under the direction of Count de Keratry ; and mo-t formidable of all, the army of the Inirc, which, although' driven from Orleans some weeks ago, has retaken that city, and advanced in {rrcat force ,uiidcr General D' Aurelle ,do Paladine. I'o secure themselves, tile ! Germans have endeavored, by means, of | the armic* ,set \\\h at Met?, td estilbj lish a second line of investment at a radius I of about 45 miles. Meanwhile the policy of General Trochu | was one of "masterly inaction;" he had | formed his " plan," and stood firm against ! taunts and remonstrances. If he should 1 succeed in holding Paris till the provinces could come to the rescue, he might yet change the whole character of the war — ! this was his hope, and so it had begun to ! seem to impartial observers, and even to the Germans themselves. Nothing would have been more unwise than to have wa-ted his resources in precipitate attempts, with doubiful or discouraging results ; but every day was used to strengthen the defences, to prepare weapons and munitions of attack, and to discipline the vast and miscellaneous aimy under his command. I The moment seemed almost come, but i ajjaln the French plans were Upset by disasters in the field. With famine stealthily advancing, it did not seem possible to wait much longer, and a sortie in great force was therefore arranged, in concert with the advance of the relieving armies. There is good reason to believe that General Trochu expected the army of the Loire to make a forward movement this week, and that the lines of the besiegers would be wenkened to hinder its approach. Accordingly the dreary and harassing suspense of the siege has at lust been broken. After many days' silence there was a brisk cannonade "from the forts on the south on Saturday, November 20, and a reconnoissance which foreshadowed more ?eriouß events. The cinrionading Avas resumed on the night of the 28th, and again on the 20th, and was then followed by a sortie in some force, supported by gunboats and directed against the position of the 6th Army Corps. Smaller sorties were made as feints at other points ; but the Germans stood their ground with comparatively small loss. During the night a furious cannonade was kept up, apparently to distract attention, and to cover a serious attack on the north and north-east sides of Paris, which was made on the Saxons and Wurtemburgers. The battle raged long and hotly, and extended as the day went on We have not received any clear reports, but await with great impatience the arrival of trusfworhy details. Prussian despatches say the French attack was repulsed, but do not represent the affair in so serious a light as other accounts. Ap- ! parent ly it is the supreme effort of the French, the great sortie so long threatened; and whatever the issue of yesterday's fighting, there will in all probability be a desperate renewal of the conflict, ending nobody can conjecture how. From Paris we learn by an acrouaut who escaped on the :10th, that proclamations were issued by General Trochu and General Ducrot which caused a groat sensation. (Jeneral Trochu, in his manifesto, throws the responsibility for the blood which is about to be shed upon those whose detestable ambition tramples under foot the principles of justice and modern civilisation. General Ducrot says: — "I swrar before the whole nation not to reenter Paris unless (load or victorious." Thc^c declarations indicate the serious nature of the attempt which was about to he made. The forces engaged arc variously estimated at from 100,000 to 1;10,000 men, with 400 nuns, lie is said lo have passed the Marne upon eight bridges, and obtained possession of tie Fontainehleauroad. Two generals wore wounded, and 2000 rank and file. The- number of dead is not known, but the losses of the Prussians are described as " enormous." General Trochu, according to this sta'ement from Paris, " eulogizes the troops in his report, but forget < to mention his own services, for in certain moments he restored the fight by inciting the infantry lines to fresh efforts through his presence. This battle was supported on nearly the whole circumference of Paris by an unremitting and powerful artillery fire, which swept all the positions of the enemy." At Tours it was btlievcd that a great victory had been gained. A despatch from that town, dated late last evening, says : — •' The news of the successful sortie from

Paris, vaguely rumored tliis morninjr, became known about 4 p.m., am spread like wildfire, causing intense sensation. A great mass of people speedily collided at the Prefecture, shouting for M. Gambetta. The Minister appeared on the balcony, read the despatch already telegraphed, and addressed the people in a voice faltering with emotion. He dwelt on the untiring energy, patience, and foresight of General Trocliu, the devotion of General Ducrot, and the magnificent concurrence of all engaged in this gigantic effort All offensive means were combined, and the sortie was supported by the forts, gunboat--, and the ironclad waggons on the circular railway. The troops and Mobile and National Guards fought heroically. M. Gambetta said in conclusion :—'l: — 'I have good hope. Your sons ■will return to you victorious ; victory revisits our arm* ; the genius of France, momentarily veiled, again smiles radiantly upon us. The Prussians, disconcerted on all sides by nur new found viecor, are learning to retreat. They were routed at Etrepagny, and Amiens was hastily evacuated on the news of the victo-y of Paris. Take courage, our army of the Loire is resolutely advancing to meet our brethren of Paris, who can no doubt issue forth. Now we see the difference between a despot fighting to satisfy caprice, and a nation fighting for the triumph of justice, riuht, and eternal honor. This victory belongs to the Republic, for the Republic has accomplished all we have seen. France is niised, re-established by her own streugth, after having been betrayed and abandoned by all. This is really what a free nation can do.' M. Gambetta was frequently interrupted by shouts of ' Vive Paris !' ' Vive la Rcpublique !' " But we do not forget the false and sanguine strain in which M. Gambett sp ike at the time when Metz was on the point of surrender.