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Wellington Independent, Volume XXV, Issue 3070, 10 November 1870, Page 4

ceased. It is reported that a Red Republican Provisional Government has been instituted at Lyons. General Cadorna sends a trumpeter to General Kanzler requesting to be allowed to enter Rome with Italian troops. General Kanzler refuses. The troops occupy Civita Veccbia, where they are enthusiastically received. It appears certain that the Pope will remain ot Rome. 17. The Rheims journal publishes a communication from Count Bismarck declaring the rumors of negotiation for a speedy restoration of peace to be unfounded. The German Government, he says, has received no communications, and the French Government that is now constituted at Paris preoludes all guarantees for the durability necessary for opening international relations, and seems inclined also to continue the fatal, and unequal contest rather than to consider what means may be taken to restore peace to France. Railway communication with Paris is suspended. The Cbantilly and Orleans line is cut by the Prussians. The Prussians are envoloping the eastern side of the capital, from the Northern to * the Orleans railway. The elections for the Constituent Assembly take place on the 2nd October. 18. Eighty thousand French troops under General Decrot occupy the woods at Clamart and Meudon. The Prussians cut the Havre railway at Conflans ; communication with Brittany alone is open. The American, Belgian, and Swiss Ministers remain in Paris. A. diplomatic circular is issued by M. Jules Favre, in which he explains that his motive for advancing the date of the elections for the Constituent Assembly is to give the Government regular power to represent France. M. Jules Favre, repels as calumny the statement that war was originally demanded by public opinion, and says that the watchwords of the elections for the year of 1869, were "Peace" and "Liberty." The plebiscite adopted the same programme. The majority of the Corps Legislatif was a docile instrument of personal power, but did not represent the country. France asks for peaco, but prefers the worst disasters to dishonor. The English Foreign Office announces that messages between the. belligerents have been transmitted during the last ten days by the British Government, through Lord Lyons and Count Bernstoff, and states that M. Jules Favre has determined to proceed immediately to the German headquarters, but no basis ef negotiations has as yet been agreed upon. The French Government notify that the blockade in the North Sea is raised. Count Bismaack replies in the affirmative to the question of M. Jules Favre, whether he would receive him at the King's head-quarters at Meaux for negotiations. 19. M. Jules Favre proceeds to the headquarters of the King of Prussia, and it is stated that he has a favorable reception. Strong hopes are entertained of pacific arrangements being made for averting the bombardment of Paris. Telegraphic and railway communication with Paris is totally interrupted. The Italian Government informs General Cadorna that the efforts to prevent opposition to the entry of the Italian troops into Rome have been unsuccessful. General Cadorna has therefore commenced the Biege of Rome. The divisions of Generals Angroleth and Nino Bixio surround the city. The armaments in the Southern departments of France are being actively pushed forward. The new French army of the Loire is numerous and undismayed — it is commanded by General Lamotte. The army of Paris is outside the city for purpose of harassing the enemy. The National Guards man the ramparts. Trijjxng engagements have taken- place in the environs. The Germans' now occupy Versailles. The Crown Prince is advancing towards Fontainebleau. M. Thiers arrives at Tours, and proceeds en route for St. Petersburg and Vienna. 20. The Paris Government decide to construct a .complete system of barricades forming a second enciente. M. Henri Rochefort is appointed president of the committee for carrying out this object. It is believed that the Germans intend to attack from the south-west, between Charenton and Clamart, and that they will establish their head-quar-ters at Versailles. Despatches from Orleans state that a Prussian corps, estimated at 15,000 men, has been repulsed with considerable loss, on the plains between Champlin and Kissons. by 25,000 French troops. The Prussians were forced across the Seine. Hopes of favorable results from peace negotiations are not abandoned, but military operations are unrelaxed. Prussia objects to an armistice. " The Times" Berlin correspondent telegraphs that the Russian garrisons in Poland and Volhynia are being reinforced. Seven divisions of infantry have been sent to the Gallician frontier. The greater part of the fortifications of Strasbourg are a mass of .ruins, 'and a breach is effected. An assault has been deferred on account of the probable heavy loss of the besiegers. The Italian troops entered Rome after some resistance on the part of the pontifical army, contrary to the wishes of the Pope. They ceased firing upon receiving his orders to that effoct. Prussian official despatches announce that after slight engagements on the I7ih and 18th, three divisions of the French army were completely defeated today, to the south of the city, and driven back on Paris with the loss of be* tween 2000 and 3000 prisoners. 21. The investment of Paris is completed. The Prussian investigation into the recent explosion at Laon, entirely exonerates the commander of the fortress of treachery. The .explosion was the act of an artillery man. The Prussians continue the concentration of troops round Paris. They have occupied Pithivierea and threaten Orleans. The armament of the whole of France is being continued on a vast scale. The head-quarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia are at Versailles. The troops are posted from Versailles to Vinoennes. The 53rd Lunette of Strasbourg has been captured by surprise. 22. The garrison of Toul, after bravely repelling several assaults capitulates today. They obtain the same terms as are granted to the French at Sedan. Two thousand of the Guard Mobile were captured at Versailles. Another battle has taken place near Strasbourg. Luneville has been taken. The French fleet has quitted the Baltic. It is understood that M. Jules Favre has offered as terms of peace complete indemnification of the costs of the war, the demolition of the fortifications of Metz and Strasbourg, and the surrender of a portion of the fleet. Rumors have been current of the defeat of some Prussian detachments, but the Prussians deny them. 23. The negotiations for peace have failed. The French Government at Tours announce that Count Bismarck demands the reduction of France to a second-rate power, with the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine as far as Metz by right of conquest. His conditions for an armistic included the surrender of Toul, Strasbourg, and Fort Valerien. The Government proclaim that rather than accept such terms the population of Paris will bury themselves in its ruins. Count Bismarck has addressed a circular to the representatives of Germany abroad dwelling upon the necessity when making peace to have Metz and Strasbourg, and push far back the German frontier, as a material guarantee against future French attack. Germany, he says, is not desirous of interfering with the French internal affairs, and is indifferent as to what Government France

may choose. The official " German Gazette" of Alsace says, Alasce and Lorraine are German in ideas and language, and that when re- annexed they will soon adopt Gorman policy. Paris news announces the capture of the heights of Villejuif, four miles from Paris to-day ; also several other small French victories. 24. It is reported from Ferrieres that cannonading and riflle firing were observed in the streets of Paris on Wednesday from the overlooking heights. It is not known who the contending? parties were. 25. Count Bismarck formally denies the ,-, French Government's statement that he demanded the surrender of Fort Valerien. 26. Preparations have been made for a prolonged stay of the Royal troops in, Rome. General Cadorna has entered the city at the request of the Pope to keep order. The King of Italy has written a letter to the Pope, stating that his sole reason for entering the Papal territory is to preserve order and prevent bloodshed. 27. Mr Gladstone replying to a deputation of workmen, refuted the accusatisn of lukewarmness regarding mediation. England, he says, will recognise the Republic when France confirms it by vote. The Prussians occupy Orleans. The Government at Tours are preparing to move on to the South. A levee en masse has been ordered. M. Thiers arrives at St Petersburg. Strasbourg surrendered at 5 o'clock this afternoon. Seventeen thousand soldiers and 451 officers were taken. In the report by M. Jules Favre on the late negotiations, he states that Count Bismarck demanded as conditions of the armistice the surrender of Strasbourg, Toul, Phalsbourg, also one of the forts commanding Paris, Mont Valerien. M. Jules Favre refused, declaring that France would fight as long as it possessed the elements of resistance. Paris calls upon the country to rise either to disavow the Ministry or to fight to the bitter end. The Prussian despatches declare that the Guard Mobile is deserting, and that 200 have been shot for disobedience. The Prussian inaction round Paris excites the impatience of the defenders, who call for a sortie on a grand scale. 28. At a Red Republicon demonstration, held at Lyons, on Wednesday, General Cluseret forced himself into the Hotel de Vtlle. The National Guard was called out, and order was restored. General Cluseret was arrested. 29. A courier arrives at London, from Paris, and states that everything was in a satisfactory condition. Great enthusiasm prevails Jin the capital. The steadiness and good (conduct of the Guard Mobile a"re admirable. General Falkenstein is advancing on Lyons. Preparations are making for the seige of Mezieres. A sortie from Metz was slightly successful. 30. Strong sortie parties, composed of troops of the line, issued from Paris against tha 6th and sth German corps. The French attacked the 6th corps in their intrenchments. After two hours' fighting, the French were driven under shelter of the forts with heavy loss. The Prussian loss is said not to be great. Several hundred prisoners were captured. The Crown Prince was present. Oct. 1. — The Government at Tours have ordered all Frenchmen from 21 to 40 to be organised by the prefects as mobilised national guards — the Minister of War drawing therefrom troops as they may be required. The Franc Tireures are placed under orders of the Minister of War.