The Sun. — London, England, 1870-08-17 00:00:00

ring. since 50,000 I shat whole A one is, the ied at on the a they The deter to pay .etreat owing ag the taring ey are )3r are shion. an eral unfit ult of Carves THIS EVENING'S NEWS. THE WAR. THE GREAT BATTLES AT METZ VICTORY FOR THE FRENCH.-28,000 KILLED, 5,000 PRISONER'S. The following important telegram has been received dated Lnxembourg, Tuesday, 8.50 a.m. :—" On Saturday the French retreated. The Prussian advance guard crossed the Moselle and engaged the French rearguard. The French army came back to its support, and threw themselves on the Prussian advance guard, and drove them back under the guns of Metz. Their loss is said to be 28,000 killed and wounded and 5,00 Q prisoners. The action became general along the whole line yesterday, between Metz and Nancy. THE PRUSSIAN VICTORY. A telegram, dated Berlin, Monday 15, says :—ln the battle fought at Pange, on Sunday, nearly 60,000 German troops under General Steinmitz were engaged. It is reported here that the action lasted six hours. The French corps under Ladmirault, De Cang and Frossard, were defeated. Marshal Bazaine was present. The French withdrew into Metz, and are retreating on Verdun. ATTACK AND REPULSE OF THE PRUSSIANS. The Minister of War posted up in Paris this morning (Wednesday) the following despatch, dated last night, 11 p.m. : " The Ministry of War has received intelligence from the army, which is continuing to execute its combined movement after the brilliant engagement of Sunday even ing. Two divisions of the enemy endeavoured yesterday to harass the army on the march, but were repulsed. The Emperor arrived this evening at the camp of Chalons, where large forces are being organised." The bulk of the French army is now concentrated at Etain (Department of the Meuse), 76 kilometres from Chalons, and 20 kilometres from Metz. The Garden, de Paris have petitioned to be allowed to join the army o the Rhine. The Minister of War has decided not to re_ call the four French infantry regiments remaining in Algeria. The towns of Cherbourg, Brest, L'Orient, and k, Rochefort have been placed in a state of siege. ITALY AND THE WAR. It is said that Victor Emmanuel has addressed a letter to Napoleon 111. on the subject of Italian intervention in the Franco-Prussian war. Victor Emmanuel therein expresses himself to this effect :—I have given you my word of honour, and, as far as I am concerned, I am prepared to keep it; but I must not conceal from your Majesty the fact that, if I once leave Italy, I shall not be able to re-enter it again. It is said that the Emperor has absolved the King of Italy from his promise. FAILURE OF ENGLISH MEDIATION. Lord Granville's attempts at mediation have failed. The Queen's messengers have arrived at Berlin, and the pro- Posals of the English Cabinet have been telegraphed to the King of Prussia and Count Bismarck at the Prussian head-quarters. The answer is said to be, that the stern ar bitrament of war must becide between the belligerents. It is believed that an informed notification of the Emperor's readiness to treat has been made through Lord Lyons, and that the Prussian King and Minister curtly replied that if France Wanted peace she must ask for an armistice in the usua Way. The Berlin papers report that the Cabinet couriers have returned to England, and that peace can only be concluded at Paris. No mediation will ne be possible until after a general engagement, and then only if the Preach should be vanquished. SAFETY OF EDMOND ABOUT. Edmond About has turned up in capital health and spirits. His adventures are to be published in the Soir. The entire journal will be abandoned to him. THE EMEUTE AT Ll VILLET FE. The Courrier de Lyon gives the most probable account of the disturbance yet published. It says :—" The popular excitement produced by the bad news from the army caused a deplorable conflict on the Place de la Croix Rousse ; Public report, however, has greatly exaggerated the truth. Leutillon, formerly a notary at Thurins, whose Political eccentricities, often approaching to downright madness, are known to all the world, climbed upon the Pedestal of the cross that stands in the midst of the Place de la Croix Rousse, to harangue some groups of workmen, not very numerous, and wound up his speech by shouting Vive la Republique I' The sergents de vine called upon In to be silent, but he persisted in his seditious declama tions, appealing for help to his auditory, which tried to defend him with stones. The agents of Government then laid hands upon him, in spite of the violence offered them. One of them having allowed a rioter to snatch his sword from the scabbard was thrust through the stomach by this desperate man, and died of the wound, it is said, a few instants afterwards. Five or six sergeants de vile were more or less gravely wounded. The murderer, M. Leutillon himself, and some others of the ring leaders were arrested, and taken to the prison of Saint Joseph between two lines of soldiers. The mass of the population of the Croix Rousse took no Part in these acts of violence, committed by a very small minority of bad characters. It is stated that seven of the Police in all were injured. The Salut Public announces that on Sunday night an attack upon the Hotel de Ville was expected to be made by the turbulent population of the Croix Rousse. Mili tary arrangements were made for the defence of the build ing• But the night passed off quietly. Twenty-seven arrests have been made in all. THE RED PRINCE'S PROCLAMATION. Prince Frederick Charles has issued at Bliescastel a Proclamation to his army. It begins thus :—" With refe. recce to the affair at Wissembourg, we find that the Ist Infantry Regiment and some cavalry regiments of the sth COrps, on the French side, were engaged in it. The Pren c h acte d throughout on the defensive, except on one occasion, when they made an aggressive movement in order to secure a retreat. We were more numerous than t hey were, and therefore cannot but admit that they f ought with great bravery, for they kept their position, although eventually, a panic ensuing, they were driven to retire. On the other hand, troops O f the Corps M`Mahon, who had not been ~,e ll gaged, threw down their arms without fi r i ng a shot. The French infantry, numbering almost 800 men per bat talion, opened fire at 1,500 paces, with little or no precision thus showing a great want of discipline. The cavalry t hroughout refused to encounter our horsemen, although We repeatedly gave them entry opportunity, but continued to retire whenever we advanced. Our artillery was slow but sure, and opened fire on the enemy with great preci 81°n. One of the mitrailleuse batteries fired only three shots at 1,800 paces, and with no result." Such is the kind , o f proclamation that the " Red P r i n c e ," as th e men ca ll oh; issues to his men. The Turcos, captured in large numbers, continue to excite curiosity, followed by disgust. Wild stories of their conduct are flying abou- the German papers. Their habits are bestial, and the French prisoners shrink from t hem, ashamed of their companionship. One Turco is said to have been caught with a number of little fingers, Which he had cut off to strip the rings from them; others are charged with mutilating wounded Bavarians. A very a ngry feeling pervades the German army at the employ rnent of such savages by the Emperor. • No official account of the number of troops present has be en published on either side, and the most contradictory versions appear in print. The losses of the French in killed, wounded, pr i soners, an d cannon at Woerth exceed t heir losses and gains at Solferino. Their killed and Wounded are now computed at 12,000, prisoners 8,000. The Grand Duke of Baden announced the news of the vi ctory of Woerth from the balcony of his Palace, and When the cheers had subsided, asked the excited multitude t° T . " Nun danket alle Gott"—the German "Te Deum ":,ildalnus." All present responded to his call, and the ,▪ _,, night resounded with the solemn strains of the an cient hy mn. Two thousand two hundred and sixty-five French pri 804ers, among them 144 officers, have already passed o mugh Berlin on their way to the Eastern fortr esses . tesides these some 200 have been lodged in Berlin hospi tal• s, Where th ey are t rea ted on an equal footi ng w ith th e 'ruesians, and, being the more interesting of the two, come in for even larger allotments of cigars and other little donations on the part of visitors. On Saturday last eight Prussian spies—real ones this "tae---were brought into Metz. One of them is a Belgian named Schulz, who had been sought for by the authorities for some time past, and who is believed to be the chief agent of the Prussian spy system in the Moselle district. The other six are of various professions and were captured near the French advanced posts at Thionville. There is a strong anti-German feeling at Copenhagen. if Franc e were to gain anything like an advantage in the field, it would be difficult for the Danish Government to r esist the demands of the peopl e , w h o are l ou dly clamour ing for Participation in the war. THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EN ING, AUGUST 17, 1870. FHE MONEY MARKET AN!) COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. CITY, Two o'CLocx. Tha Discount Market is without the slightest movement in the way of demand, and rates continue nominal Stock Markets are steady. Railways quiet but firm. Consols are now 91 1 ,- to 911 for money, and 94 to 911 for account ; Three per ,Cent. Reduced, 914 to 911 ; New Three per Cents., 914 to 911 ; India Five per Cents., 1092 to 1104 ; ditto Four per Cents., 1004 ; Metropolitan Board of Works, 34 per Cent. Stock, 924 to 924. In the Foreign Market Brazilian Bonds of 1865 are 914 ; Egyptian Seven per Cents. of 1864, 83 to 85; ditto of 1868, 744 to 73/ ; Spanish of 1867, 26 to 264 ; ditto of 1869, 264 to 26 ; ditto Quicksilver, 71 to 73 ; Peru vian, 86 to 854; Turkish• Five per Cents. of 1865, 42 to 431-; ditto of 1869, 56 to 574 ; and Five per Cent. Italian of 1865, 77 to 82. The Railway Market—Metropolitan are 64 ; Great I Eastern 344 to 344 ; London and Brighton, 374 to 884 ; Caledonian, 734 to 74; South-Eastern, 694; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 411 ; Great Northern, 117 to 119 ; ditto (A), 126 ; North Eastern, 1394 ; London and North-Western, 1264 ; Midland, 1264 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 1294 ; Great Western, 664. Canada Six _ per Cents. are quoted 1054 ; New South Wales Five per Cents., 101 to 160,1 ; New Zealand Five per Cents., 984 to 991 ; Queensland, 1074 ; VictorialFive per Cents., 1004; and ditto Six per Cents., 1124. In Bank shares Alliance are quoted 13 to 14 ; Anglo- Austrian, 18 premium ; Chartered Mercantile, 27 ; Consolidated, 4 4prem ; Imperial Ottoman, 112 1 ; London and County, 47 49 ; London and Westminster, 60; Lon don Joint Stock, 34 ; and Union of London, 35 37. Anglo Mediterranean, are 131 ; British Indian Exten sion 64 to 64 ; Falmouth, 92 to 94 ; British Indian Submarine, 7f. In Miscellaneous Shares Berlin Water Works are quoted 14 ; Viceroy of Egypt 7 per cent. Mortgage Loan, 76 ; National Discount Company, 11; and Peninsular and Oriental Steam, 41. In the Stock Exchange it is difficult to obtain even 24 per cent. for advances on Government securities, and in the discount market the terms for the best three months bills do not exceed 34 or 32. The sum of £76,000 in gold, including 60,000 sovereigns from Alexandria, was taken to the Bank yesterday, and 4,000 was withdrawn for the Continent. The premium on gold at Paris has receded to about 4 or 1 per cent,, large amounts of United States' Bonds having been sent to London, where they have been bought partly for investment and partly for transmission to New York. Paris advices tend to confirm the impression that for a long time past the Emperor has been grossly deceived with regard to the condition of the war establishments of the country, and that much of the money lavished upon them has been corruptly squandered. It is believed in like manner he has been' systematically misled by the reports of interested and well-paid agents as to a desire on the part of Bavaria, Hanover, Saxony, &c., to avail themselves of French aid to shake off the supremacy of Prussia. The new loan, based on the credit of the 40 millions sterling just voted by the Chambers, is expected to be introduced almost immediately at the price of 62. The advices from Buenos Ayres by the present mail state that the preparations for the Argentine National Exhibition at the city of Cordova were in active progress. The building was approaching completion, and the tram way to connect it with the railway station has been com menced. The sum of £lOO,OOO has just been paid by the Argentine Government to Brazil, being the balance of the loan of 1867 due to that country in connection with the Paraguayan war. Immigration continued on a full scale. The number of colonists already settled on the lands of the Central Argentine Railway (Rosario to Cor dova) is more than 3,000, and there were fresh arrivals almost daily. The tramways in the city of Buenos Ayres had experienced great success, and had caused an amount of building speculation in the suburbs beyond the available supply of labour. Argentine Interior Bonds had touched 70, but on the receipt of news from the Province of Entre Rios that the rebel General Jordan, the instigator of the assassination of General Urquiza, was still at the head of about 2,000 men, and had succeeded in sacking the city of Concepcion del Uruguay, the capital of the province, a relapse had occurred to 68. Several important railway proposals, involving prospective loans of magnitude, were under discussion in Congress, but in each case the outlay would be spread over a number of years. At a meeting of the Natal and Colonisation Company (Limited) the directors' report was adopted. An extra ordinary meeting also took place, when it was resolved to increase the capital by the creation of 10,000 preference shares of £5 each, bearing interest at the rate of 8 per cent. per annum. The half-yearly meeting of the London General Om nibus Company (Limited) will be held on the 6th of September, to declare a dividend. An extraordinary meeting is also convened for the same day, when a resolu tion will be proposed in favour of an alteration in the ar ticles of association. The half-yearly meetings of the Liverpool Tramways and North Metropolitan Tramways Companies will be held on the 31st inst. The Spanish Legation invites tenders for the manufac ture and submersion of a telegraphic submarine cable be tween Manilla and Hong Kong, or other places on the main lines. MARKETS.-THIS DAY.. MARK-LANE. Although the market was fairly attended to-day, the grain trade ruled quiet, and Monday's reduced quotations were with difficulty supported. The supply of both new and old English wheat was limited, while the arrivals from abroad were tolerably good. The inquiry for all descriptions was inactive, at barley late rates. Barley was in scanty supply, nevertheless it was fully adequate to the demand, which was slow at about previous curren cies. Malt was dull on former terms. Oats, the supply of which was large, experienced a slow sale at scarcely Monday's prices. Beans and peas were in moderate supply. The trade ruled dull, and the tendency of prices was drooping. There was a steady demand for barrel flour, which was chiefly for French requirements, it being the most easy for transport, consequently prices were well maintainer ; otherwise the trade was quiet. furniture for £lOO, and ante-dated several days, so that the bill of sale was introduced to the Sheriff, who had to withdraw. Thus the prosecution alleged that the prisoner had committed the forgery and fraud, and had sworn an affidavit in the Court of Exchequer in which he alleged that the money was paid to Wakeford for the considera tion under the bill of sale, whereas the prosecution alleged and Wakeford swore he never received one halfpenny, and further that in that affidavit he swore the bill of sale was given on the 22nd of January instead of the 9th of February. It appeared that £25 was taken as interest, that England paid £6O to Messrs. Bartholomew, and that Wakeford gave a receipt for £l3, which he alleged he never received. Wakeford afterwards sold the furniture to Mr. Cooper, of Walham-green, for £52, and England brought an action against Cooper, recovering £75 and costs. A new trial will be asked for, Cooper alleging that England kept Wakeford out of the way at the trial and so obtained the verdict. Wakeford has since been com mitted for trial with Lovett for defrauding Mr. Cooper, and was brought up on Habeas Corpus and examined, but the evidence for the prosecution, though not shaken, was very weak. The further hearing of the case was ad journed for a week, his own bail in £lOO being taken for England, and £5O for Batson. THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE NORTH SEA. The steamer Grimsby has arrived. She left Hamburg on Sunday afternoon, and passed through ships laden with stone and sand for the purpose of blocking the channel. In the evening :she cast anbhor, as torpedoes have been laid down in the Elbe, right and left. She weighed anchor on Monday, and passed some Prussian gunboats with steam up. Shortly afterwards she passed another Prussian gunboat cruising, with marines on her deck and her topmasts down. The Grimsby saw the French fleet at anchor. It comprised six ironclads, a fri gate, and a gunboat. They had all their steam up and their topmasts down, and were lying six miles S.E. of Heligoland. The French fleet had a prize steamer with them. She appeared to be coal laden. The Grimsby next saw a large iron-clad ram chasing a small steamer, and she noticed a barge and a brig at anchor. They are supposed to have been prizes. A French ram passed eh se to the Grimsby and saluted her, the salute being returned. Tins MORNING'S NEWS (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE QUEEN EN ROUTE FOR SCOTLAND. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by the Royal Family, arrived at Windsor from Osborne last evening at ten minutes to seven. She slept last night at the Castle, and proceeds to Scotland this evening, DUNVILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest holders of whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is r ommended by the medical profession in preference to French brand+•. Sup plied in casks and cases for home use or exportation. Quotations on application to Messrs DUNVILLE & Co., Royal Irish Dis tilleries, Belfast ; or at thei London Offices, 4, Beaufort Buildings Strand, W.O. THE BELGIAN CONVENTION. A note, of which the following is a translation, has been addressed by Baron Beaulieu, Belgian Minister in London, to Earl Granville : "Belgian Legation, London, August 12, 1870. "My Lord,—Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Brussels, Mr. Lumley, has, in compliance with the in structions with which you had been good enough to furnish him, communicated confidentially to Baron D'Anethan, Minister for Foreign Affairs, the draft of an identic treaty to be concluded by Great Britain with Prussia and France, to record by a solemn act, on the occasion of the war which has broken out, Cleir firm determination to maintain 'the independence and neutrality Of Belgium. I am instructed, my Lord, to thank your excellency for this communication which Baron d'Anethan has received with special interest, and to express, at the same time, the profound gratitude with which the Government of the King is penetrated for this new and strong evidence of the lively solicitude of her Britinnic Majesty's Govern ment. In acquitting myself of this agreeable task, I seize, Sto-, (Signed) " 13KAULTET,T." ENGLAND'S NEUTRALITY. The fallowing extracts are taken from a circular ad dressed by Earl Granville to her Majesty's diplomatic and consular representatives in Germany " Foreign-office, August 11, 1870. "Her Majesty's Government have learnt with much regret that an impression exists in Germany that Great Britain is deviating from the attitude of neutrality which she has an nounced her resolution to observe,by giving France facilities for obtaining certain articles useful to her for war purposes, such as munitions of war, horses, and coal, while such facilities are not accorded in an equal degree to the allied German States. It is not unnatural that in a moment of excitement like the present the German people should be more than ordinarily sensitive in watching the atti tude of nations which are taking no part in the struggle ; and it cannot be wondered at that they should somewhat hastily condtann, as breaches of neutrality, proceedings which, at a calmer season, they would not hesitate to pronounce, with that impartiality of judgment for which they are dis tinguished, to be strictly in accordance with the usages of international law and comity. "The steps taken by her Majesty's Government have been strictly in accordance with precedent and with the principles by which neutral nations, including Prussia herself, have been guided in recent wars. But it now appears to be wished that Great Britain should go further; and that she should not only enjoin upon British subjects the obligations of neutrality, but that she should take it upon herself to enforce those obligations in a manner and to an extent wholly unusual. "It requires but little consideration to be convinced that this is a task which a neutral power can hardly be called upon to perform. Different nations take different views at different times as to what articles are to be ranked as contra band of war, and no general decision has been come to on the subject. Strong remonstrances, for instance, are made against the export of coal to France ; but it has been held by Prussian authors of high reputation that coal is not contraband, and that no one Power, either neutral or belligerent, can pronounce it to be so. But, even if this point were clearly defined, it is beyond dispute that the contraband character would depend upon the destination; the neutral Power could hardly be ntlled upon to prevent the exportation of such cargoes to a neutral port; and, if this be theca3e , how could it be decided, at the time of departure of a vessel, whether the alleged neutral destination were real or colourable? The question of the destination of the cargo must be decided in the prize court of a belligerent, and Prussia could hardly seriously propose to hold the British Government responsible whenever a British ship carrying a contraband cargo should be captured while attempting to enter a French port. " During the Crimean war arms and munitions were freely exported from Prussia to Russia, and arms of Belgian manufacture found their way to the same quarter through Prussian territory, in spite of a decree Issued by the Prussian Government prohibiting the transport of arms ooming from foreign states. Reflection upon these points may make the German nation inclined to take a }uster view of the position now occupied by her Majesty's Government. " It is not irrelevant to this matter to quote the views recently expressed to a Foreign Minister at Washington by the Secretary of State of the United States respecting the duties of neutrals in regard to trade in articles coati aband of war. He is reported to have said that arms and ammu nition had always been considered to be articles of legiti mate commerce by neutrals during war, and that the United States claimed the right to supply them to all belligerents without distinction, adding that during the civil war in America quantities of these articles had been bought from Eugland, France, and Belgium. (Signed) GRANVILLE. THE WAR AND AMERICAN INTERESTS. The war in Europe has been looked upon by many as furnishing the United States an opportunity for the re covery of her lost maritime rank. The opportunity, how ever, according to the free-trade theorists, has been hope lessly lost, by the failure of Congress to authorize the transfer of foreign merchant-marine to our flag. While readily comprehending how our commerce may be benefited by the withdrawal of French and Prussian ton nage from competition in the carrying trade, we fail to see how the measure alluded to would be likely to work to our advantage. We fail to see it because at the present time with our tonnage so much smaller than in the prosperous days of the past we have yet more than we can find profitable employment for. Many are disposed to think that the immense gain which was made by British tonnage during our own war through the purchase of vessels from the United States was a serious misfortune to us as a maritime country, entailing a severe loss upon individual shipowners, which should now be compensated for by allowing them to purchase ships abroad. But on a re view of the whole ground, it may well be doubted whether the almost enforced transfer of so large a part of our tonnage to foreigners was an unm i xe d evil. It was disposed of generally at good prices and at a time when we had really no use for it. And we doubt if any shipowner who took that course has since regarded his action as unfortunate. The country certainly has no reason to complain at the exchange of unproductive and deteriorating property into gold ; and when we recollect how depressed the s hipping interest was at the close of the war, and has been since that time, and how much worse our position must have been if the vast amount of transferred tonnage had been left idle upon our hands, we may almost congratulate ourselves upon the fact that the favourable opportunity WM so freely availed Of. Until, therefore, the desirable consummation shall have been reached when freighting shall be profitable, and our ships occupied, to what good end should we hasten to enlarge our marine from foreign sources ? The actual withdrawal, —if it should come to that,—of the 611,000 tons of the Prussian vessels and the 96,000 tons of the French vessels, which cleared at our ports last year, would be very likely to affect our own shipping favourably, as that source of competition will then have disappeared ; but should we at once absorb it under our own flag it is difficult to see wherein the advantage to our present shipping interest would be likely to accrue. It may be said that the cheapness of the vessels which might be procured under the present circumstances would enable us to sail them at a greater profit, but that consideration, while ignoring th e in t eres t s of the tonnage already owned in the country, is not peculiar to the state of war under which the change in our laws is especially urged, but might even better have been urged in time of peace, when those vessels were more really our competitors in the business of the world. The settled policy of the country, however, has long been in favour of encouraging our own shipbuilders, at least to the extent of excluding foreign vessels from the benefit of our flag, and the present war certainly adds no strength to the reasons for a change. Our shipbuilding interest needs greater encouragement rather than total extinction, and it would be better and doubtless more for the true interests of the country to remit all taxes upon it, and even to grant adequate subsidies, than to suffer it to die out entirely. The latter course would not only deprive the country of the taxes now imposed upon the materials which are used in the business of shipbuilding, but would sweep away a vast and important industry which no country could afford to spare. Why should the pro• duct of foreign capital and labour be allowed admis sion into the country, without the payment of taxes or contributing anything to the support of the Go vernment, while our own capital and labour are weighed down by taxes in every direction ? If foreigners are to be allowed to compete with us in our own markets, our own artisans should at least be placed on an equal footing with them, and when that shall have been done, no further favours will be asked from the Government. The present war, if continued, will doubtless have an important bearing upon our maritime interests, and if it shall be the means of fully employing our present tonnage, we doubt not that our shipbuilders will see to it that our commerce does not suffer for want of vessels. —Boston Advertiser. WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. The number of visitors yesterday was 8,963. INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF 1871.—We are requested by her Majesty's Commissioners to state, that there is no foundation for the rumour that the Inter national Exhibition appointed for 1871 is to be postponed by reason of the war. The first of the series of Annual International Exhibitions of selected works of Fine and Industrial Art and Scientific Inventions will take place next year, as already announced. ADVENTURES IN STRASBOURG. Some lively adventures were experienced at Strasbourg by "W. N.," who details his doings in a letter to a con temporary :—" The Prussians, after the battles of Weis senburg and of Woerth,had full possession of the railways, and cut off all communication from Strasbourg on that side. They had driven the main portion of MacMahon's army towards Saverne, and Strasbourg was left to its fate, with only a few men in the citadel to man 500 guns. The excitement in the town gave way to despair. Orders were issued to blow up the railway bridge on the petite Rhine' between the Kehl bridge, partially destroyed, and Strasbourg. All strangers were to quit the town in twenty-four hours, and, of course, I was included in that order. But where were we to go? All communications from without were cut off, and surely they were not going to turn us out of the gates upon our own resources ? Again I went to the Prefecture and asked whether any communication was open. The answer was `No,' but that I might stay for a few days longer, if I kept in the hotel. Of course I promised to do so, and went to the hotel keeper, telling him I might be allowed to stay until communication was open. He looked glum, and I asked if he objected. He said, No, but that the town had only three days' provisions for 84,000 inhabitants, and that I must not expect him to provide me with breakfast or dinner Here was a difficulty I never calculated upon. I went over to the chemist's, and asked him to give me a pot of Liebig's extract of meat, so that, with biscuits, I could keep body and soul together until I was released; but the unfeeling man laughed, and said he had been sold out of that article' at least three weeks ago, and that I had come a little too late ! This was upon Monday, August 8. I returned to my hotel chop-fallen ! However, they managed to give me a dinner that day, to which I did more than full jus tice. After dinner my digestion was impaired by the maitre d'hôtel's coming up behind me, tapping me with his fat fore-finger on my shoulder, and saying with a deep voice, Le Pruzzians are at ze doorr.' I turned round for better and fuller information, when he pointed to three general officers slowly walking up the street, and said that these were the Parliamentaires ' appointed to parley' with a party of Bavarian cavalry outside with regard to giving up the city. The suspense of an hour on that Monday evening was dreadful to every one : but when the answer No ' was given —that the city would not be given up—it was differently received from what I had ex pected. To tell you the truth, the Strasburgers don't like to have their houses knocked about their ears, either for King, Emperor, or Kaiser ; and th e y were ra th er dis appointed than otherwise that the place was not given up. It appears that the Parliamentaires could not swallow everything that these bold Bavarian troopers wished to cram down their throats ; namely, that 40,000 men and 100 guns were within an hour of the city—which they knew to be defenceless—ready to bombard it, and that, in order to spare the inhabitants the horrors of a siege, the place should be given up to the said troopers at once. The gallant Generals sent an officer with good eyes and a first-rate glass to the top of the cathedral to look for the ' 40,000 men and the 100 guns,' which the officer signalled Nowhere.' So the troopers were warned to evade, or the guns would fire upon them in five minutes. Troopers exeunt.' This little episode, however, did not lessen the apprehension of a bombardment during the night. People were wringing their hands, and pulling their beards, and crying like the big babies that they really were. The night passed over calmly, no Prussians to be seen ; in the morning our spirits re vived, and so did my appetite—but where was my break fast ? In descending the stairs, full of that mo mentous question,' I stumbled over a small Swiss waiter, who told me in breathless haste that a train would start for Mulhouse at ten that morning, and that they were all going waiters, cooks, chambermaids, everybody—to Bale. I re-ascended the stairs two steps at a time, crammed all my things higgledy-piggledy in my carpet-bag, and in five minutes I was to be found paying my bill, with a hunch of dry bread in my hand, which the landlord had most liberally handed to each departing guest. I soon turned my back on the hotel, and went to the station with a troop of runaways.' POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—(Tms DAY.) A SYSTEMATIC BEGGING IMPOSTOR.—Andrew Maclean, 62, respectably dressed, was brought before Mr. Knox at the Marlborough-street Police Court by Hewitt, officer of the Mendicity Society, charged with begging. Hewitt said that about 9 o'clock last night while in Regent-street he saw the prisoner accost several gentlemen and solicit charity, telling them that he was an old soldier, and was trying to get into Chelsea HospitaL Knowing the pri soner for years as a worthless impostor he took him into custody. In answer to Mr. Knox the prisoner said he had been a soldier in the 84th Regiment, but was dis charged in 1846. Hewitt then proved the following list of convictions against the prisoner, extending as far back as 1847 :—January, 1847, Marlborough-street, 3 months ; January, 1848, Guildhall, 3 months ; April, 1848, West minster, 3 months ; November, 1852, Bow-street, 3 months ; July, 1857, Bow-street, 3 months ; December, 1862, Marylebone, 3 months ; April, 1863, Westminster, 1 month ; October, 1863, Marylebone, 1 month ; Febru ary, 1864, Old Bailey Sessions, 4 years' penal servitude ; September, 1868, Marlborough-street, 1 month ; July, 1869, Marlborough-street, 1 month ; February, 1870, Marlborough-street, 1 month,—all for impositions on the public. Mr. Knox remanded the prisoner in order to ob tain a copy of his former convictions, with a view of sending him to the sessions. SERIOUS CHARGE.-Mr. Philip Newberry England, described as of 30, Polygon, Caledonian-road, money lender, and Thomas Batson, a messenger, were charged on a warrant at the Westminster Police-court with conspir ing to defraud Mr. Henry BruntonCooper of the sum of £52. England was further charged on a summons with forging a bill of sale with intent to defraud, and further with uttering a forged instrument with intent to defraud. Mr. Smyth, of Rochester-row, who ap peared for Mr. Cooper, said he would not prefer the charge of conspiracy at present, as the more serious charge of forgery ought to be first proceeded with. That course was adopted, and from the opening of counsel and evidence adduced, it appeared that one Wakeford rented a house in Oakley-street, Chelsea, and got it fur nished by Bartholomew, of Finsbury-pavement, and lived with a young girl named Kate Lovett, Mason, or Des borough, who helped to support the house by her prosti tution. Of Messrs. Bartholomew's bill for the hire of the goods £9O was paid off, and Wakeford purchased of Tildesley Brothers, the ironmongers, some gas fittings, which were not paid for, and on February 9 the Sheriff was in possession for Tildesley's debt ; Wakeford went to the prisoner England and obtained his assistance, so that between them a bill of sale was given on Wakeford's STRATEGY OF THE CAMPAIGN. Whatever there might be obscure and contradictory in ,he Imperial and Royal despatches became clear when read by the light of previous intelligence. The Germans, we knew, had advanced t 3 the Moselle and the Ateurthe, at Pont-d-Mousson and Frouard. They had driven MacMahon from Nancy, and hunted him down so eagerly that for some days every trace of him was lost. Their cavalry, in the meanwhile, spread far and wide throughout the country, threatening to cut off all communication in the rear of Metz. At the time the main Prussian army, with its headquarters at Herny, pressed upon Metz on the east and south, and sent its skirmishers to the very glacis of that fortress. The day had come when Marshal Bazaine must either fight before Metz or retire from the place, or shut himself up in it only to leave it as a prisoner; and, after a hesitation which robbed him of his opportunity, he resolved upon a course which did not allow him to avoid a battle, and which imperilled his retreat. Upon the signal of retreat being given, a part of his army was attacked by two Prussian Army Corps at Pange, a village about half-way between Meta and Herny, when the French were routed and driven back into the town, leaving 4,000 of their dead and wounded on the field. This was on last Sunday after noon, and on the following morning, upon the King of Prussia pushing his reconnaissance to the outposts of the fortress, he was allowed to advance unopposed—" a proof," as the despatch argues, "of the discouragement prevailing in the place." The French forces engaged on this side did not, however, constitute the whole French army at Metz. Half of this army, according to the Emperor's version, had, in its retreat, already crossed the Moselle when it was fallen upon by the Prussians, who were repulsed with considerable loss. The Imperial telegram was very vague both as to the place of this action and the troops engaged in it ; still, as Pange lies five or six miles from the Moselle, and the encounter described by the Emperor must have been on the left bank, it is quite possible that the fighting was going on simultaneously at two different points, the Emperor not knowing very well what was going on at Pange, and the King un aware of what occurred on the Moselle. That on this latter spot the Prussians gave way, at least for a moment, we have no rea son to doubt. The Emperor only speaks of their repulse, not of their defeat. To judge of the im portance of this repulse we must consider the object the contending parties had in view. Marshal Bazaine wished to withdraw his army to Chalons ; the Prussian Generals were bent on barring his path. The French divisions seem, indeed, to have cut their way through their foes, but their success could hardly be looked upon as com plete, unless they so thoroughly routed their enemies as to insure themselves against future molestation. Instead of this, there seems to be no doubt that the Prussians immediately rallied, that they closed upon their retreating foe, and that a running fight began, which went on all Monday and part of Tuesday, and terminated only at Verdun. The various corps, under the Crown Prince were, as we know, in possession of different points on the Paris and Strasburg Railway between Nancy and Bar-le-Due. Thir übiquitous Uhlans had been for Several days signalled at Toul, Vigneulles, and through out that woody region, and on Monday evening they were at Commercy, that station on the Paris and Strasburg line which is nearest to Verdun, and communicates with it by a good road. There is no railway between Metz and Verdun, and the French, who, on their way to Chalons, made for that place, were exposed to the flank attacks of the Prussian cavalry all along the line of their march. We have the evidence of the Sub-Prefect of Verdun and of Count Palikao that the retreating army had to fight its way inch by inch. In what condition it may have reached Verdun we are left to imagine. The Prime Minister, indeed, asserted in the Legislative Body that the pursuit had ceased, that the various French corps were united, and that, after seve ral engagements, the Prussians had withdrawn from Commercy. Under all circumstanees he could no perhaps, hold different language. The terrible extent of their losses will only too soon be revealed to the French people.—Times. The simple story of Sunday's battle seems to be, that the French, clinging courageously to Metz to win time for the retreat of MacMahon on the one hand, and the arrival of reinforcements from Paris on the other, began in earnest to draw off, on Sunday towards the line of the Meuse and the Argonne Forest. The Prussians endeavoured to overwhelm their rearguard ; but, delivered from the enfeebling and distracting presence of the Empreor, Marshal Bazaine acted on energetic counsels, and did his very utmost to make his retreat respected. The mere fact that a total rout was not the result of this battle—fought by 60,000 men, for four hours, against 70,000 —seems to have encouraged the Emperor, receiving reports at a distance from the actual scene, to call it a vic tory; and a victory it was devoutly believed to be in Paris on Monday. At the very utmost, it was no more than a plucky and well-sustained affair of rear guard, in which the assailed party, having resolved to retreat, resolved to retreat showing a firm countenance and striking sturdy blows. Even from the King of Prussia's ow n re p or t, w e are disposed to anticipate, MOTO strongly even than yesterday, that the campaign is about to enter on a new phaie. The French commanders mist antedilv make an end of retreating. if thoin would not give up the game altogether. The announce ment of the Count de Palikao that the Prussians, who had advanced beyond Commercy—midway between Toul and Bar-le-Duca—have been driven back, after three or four engagements, indicates sufficiently that the Imperial commanders mean to make astrong stand at the Meuse.— Telegraph. We have a despatch from the King of Prussia, dated from Herny, at hall-past seven o'clock on Monday evening, after he had returned from the battle-field, which his telegram of the morning had announced that he intended to visit. He writes that he returned from the field of battle at Metz at three o'clock on Monday. The advanced guard of the 7th Army Corps had attacked the retreating enemy at about five o'clock on Sunday evening. The French made a stand, and were reinforced gradually by troops from the fortress. The 13th division, and a part of the 14th, supported the advanced guard, as also parts of the Ist Army Corps. A very bloody fight ensued along the whole line, and the French were thrown back at all points. The pursuit was continued ups" to the glacis of the outworks. The nearness of the fortress allowed the French, in many instances, to secnre their wounded. After their wounded had been secured the Prussian troops marched to their old bivouacs at dawn. Such was the first despatch con veying any details of the action. It proves that the French were retreating when the Prussian attack took •, place ; and they retired under the guns of the fortress, and that the Prussian attack was made by the whole of one division of the 7th Corps and part of another, and by portions of the Ist Corps, a force roughly to be estimated at fifty thousand men. Another despatch estimates the French losses at 4,000, and states that the King made a reconnaissance in force on the following day, Monday, and was close to the French outposts for several hours, without'provoking any demonstration. This, which the telegram describes as a proof that in the French army strong discouragement prevails, is to us only a proof that there is no French force left in Metz able to attack the Prussian army. But, following this, comes a de spatch which has been accidentally delayed in transmission. it is dated Monday, and gives further details of the action from the Prussian side. It appears from this that about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon the Prussian advanced guard before Metz believed that they saw signs of a retreat of the French corps which was still encamping under the protection of the fortress. Accordingly the brigade of General Goltz, one of the two brigades of the 13th division (7th corps) attacked the rear guard of this corps, which is described as General Decaen's corps formerly Marshal Bazaine's—and succeeded in engaging it in such a severe encounter that the whole corps and some detach ments of General Frossard's corps were obliged to sup port it. General Glumer, commanding the 13th division, then led his 2nd brigade to the front, and the divisions of Generals Kamecke and Wrangel engaged in the fight on the left wing, ultimately driving the French back on all points behind their works. Meanwhile the French corps of Ladmirault endea voured to turn the flank of Manteuffel's (the Ist) Prussian corps, but was attacked by his reserves, who stormed the positions held by the French, driving them back into the fortress, and pushing on to Belle Croix, a house on the road to St. Avoids, and to Borny, a village three-quarters of a mile south of that road, both of which are within range of the advanced forts. So far, then, as this battle is concerned, it may be summed up as an attack by the Prussians of two corps on the French rear guard, reinforced later by more than a whole corps ; and a retreat by the French, after gaining time for the retirement of the remainder of the army across the Moselle within the lines of their fortress. Not only is there the Emperor's first telegram, announcing that half the army had crossed the Moselle before this attack was made, but there is this significant addition to the Prussian despatch—from the Prussian outposts—this is after the King's reconnoissance on the day following the battle— and from the most elevated spots around, nothing could be seen of the enemy on the right bank of the Moselle; but thick clouds of dust, which were visible on the oppo site bank of the river, lead to the conclusion that the bulk of the army has withdrawn. —Standard. THE THORNCLIFFE COLLIERIES DISPUTE At a meeting of the Thorncliffe Colliery Unionist work men, held yesterday, it was, after a long discussion, re solved to accept the terms offered by the masters, and to day a deputation will wait up Jn Messrs. Newton, Chambers, and Co. signifying the willingness of the men to commence work. Thus the dispute, which has extended over a period of seventy-three weeks, will be finally ad justed. THE LATE CHARGES AGAINST SIR HENRY ED WARDS. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Beverley on Monday, at which it was unanimously resolved that it was incumbent on the friends and supporters of Sir Henry Edwards, Bart., to testify in some enduring manner their grateful appreciation of his able and assidu ous services in Parliament during the twelve years he represented the now disfranchised borough, and their gratification at his acquittal of the unfounded charges brought against him. A committee was formed for the purpose of raising subscriptions for a testimonial. RELIGIOUS FACTION FIGHT IN IRELAND. A telegram from Enniskillen says :—" After the an niversary of the 12th of August, a party of Orangemen were attacked by Ribbonsmen, at Pettigs. One Orange man, named Lewis, was killed. An arrest has been made by the constabulary." THE MINERS' AGITATION IN FIFESHIRE. A great meeting of miners was held on Monday at Lochgelly when the men, whose representations for an advance of wages have hitherto been unsuccessful, resolved to bring the question again before the coalmasters on Wednesday, and to give them fourteen days for consideration. Should their demands not be acceded to, the miners are to work only six instead instead of eight hours a day as at present, thus limiting the production by one-fourth. An enthusiastic meeting of the Dysart colliers was held the same night at which the Lochgelly resolutions were unanimously adopted. THREE SISTERS DROWNED OFF THE WELSH COAST.-INTENSELY EXCITING SCENE. On Monday evening a fatal occurrence took place off the Glamorganshire coast, near Swansea, by which three sisters were drowned, about a mile from the shore, in the presence of at least BO persons, and notwithstanding the most courageous attempts made to rescue them. It appears that about five o'clock three children, the daughters of poor parents residing at Llansamlet, were engaged on the Dulwich sandbank picking mussels, and on turning to go home they found themselves surrounded by the tide, which rises at that point with extraordinary rapidity and force from the current of the Bristol Channel. They were discerned from the shore, and several good swimmers immediately swam out, a boat being sent for in the mean time. No boat, however, could be obtained, and horses were procured. One of the swimmers, named Enwright, by a great effort managed to reach the sandbank, where he found the three children running about 'in the most terri fied manner, and imploring for help. He took the eldest, a little girl named Phoebe Phillips, fourteen years of age, and swam out towards the shore, leaving the two other sisters, one twelve years of age and the other ten, on the bank. About midway between the bank and the main land he met a man and horse swimming towards him. He handed over the girl to the man and returned towards the other children. The horse that was carrying the man with the child got exhausted and sank and was drowned, the man and child being thrown into the tide. The man himself, subsequently getting exhausted, was forced to let go the child, who, after frantic efforts to regain her hold of him, sank, and was borne away by the current, the man being subsequently picked up half drowned and almost insensible. All efforts to reach the other two children were unavailing, and the sandbank be coming overwhelmed, they stood their ground till the water reached their armpits, their piteous cries for help being heard by the people on shore, when they were eventually submerged and washed away. by the tide. A copper smelt . er named Corin, a Belgian, exhausted himself by reaching the bank at the last moment, just in time to see the little hands and arms of the drowning children frantically waving above the water. In striving to lay hold of them he nearly got drowned, and was eventually fetched from the bank nearly dead and insensible. The excitement on shore was intense. Yester day morning the bodies of the two eldest children were recovered, but that of the youngest is still missing. This sad occurrence has created quite a painful sensation in the neighbourhood, as with the assistance of a boat all might have been saved. SPORT IN THE HIGHLANDS. The promise of sport has not been belied. Birds are very numerous. Coveys are large and strong, but, as was anticipated, very wild. The weather continues nearly as hot as ever, and it is all but impossible to shoot over the moors during mid-day. Owing to the drought the birds are gathering about the streams on low grounds. No sign of disease has appeared ; indeed, in this respect, the moors are better than they have been for many years. If rain would come, it would prove welcome equally to sportsmen and farmers. FATAL BATHING ACCIDENT IN SCOTLAND.—A sad accident h&ppened near Dumfries yesterday afternoon. Whilst two women and a girl were bathing in the River Nith, about a mile below the town, they were drowned. CAPTURE OF ANOTHER GERMAN SHIP.—The rieil, North German schooner, from Hartlepool, has been seized by French war steamers. A large number of workmen were set to work on the Thames Embankment yesterday morning on the con struction of the new road for which an opening is to be provided at the end of Norfolk -street. The road com mences at the eastern end of Somerset House, and will form a semi-circle running at the back of the railway sta tion to the Temple. WAR NOTES. THE HEIGHTS OF SPEW HEREN.-If any of my readers happen to know Aldershot as well as I do, they will ....ilea a certain height called Cnsar's Camp, the scene of many a mimic combat. Well, that is as like the hill which on the great day was three times stormed before it could be wrested from the French as I can describe it—with, be it understood, not quite so bluffs a summit, and here and there a tree on it. This centre hill was flanked on either side, a little to its rear, by two others, thickly covered by fir trees. In short, a stronger position for a division to take up it is impossible to imagine. In front of these hills are open plains for at least a quarter of a mile, which the Prussians had to traverse under fire before they could come to the charge. To give you an idea of the steepness of the absolute hill itself, I can only say that I was obliged to dismount and lead my horse up it. The whole ground for a mile in circumference was strewed with knapsacks, pouches, helmets, rifles, kepis, and the thousand and one accoutrements that complete a soldier's kit. As I arrived a party of countrymen were disinterring the body of a captain in the Prussian army, under the superintendence of the clergyman of Saarbruck, I ,to whom his sorrowing relatives had written, begging that his body might be sent home to them. Three French officers were found to have been interred with him, whose picturesque appearance even four days in the earth had hardly destroyed. Poor fellows, they were gently laid back in their last resting-place, and the little cross, with "Three brave French officers rest here "inscribed on it in pencil, was stuck again at the head of the grave ; and so we left them. I should estimate that the Prussian loss must have been fearful, as the ground was strewed with helmets—certainly ten helmets to one kepi—and it only shows with what indomitable courage these troops are en dowed, though twice beaten, to be able to carry such a position.—Times Correspondent with Second Prussian Army. THE FIGHTING AT WOERTII.—The loss of the French m killed, wounded, prisoners, and cannon at Woerth ex ceed their losses and gains at Solferino. Their killed and wounded are now computed at 12,000, prisoners 9,000. The fighting seems to have been most obstinate and bloody. Officers and doctors agree that Sadowa was child's play in comparison. The heights stormed by the German troops were a steep ascent of 200 feet, the slopes of brushwood, and the summits wooded. There was a bloody struggle at the foot of the Gipfel, occupied chiefly by Zouaves and Turcos placed under cover. Three times the German troops were driven back. Twice the French forced them back out of Woerth. At one time they held the victory so assured that the Cuirassier regiments were ordered to the front for pursuit. They were met by two salvos from the Prussian artillery, which sent them flying in wild disorder in the woods. These two cavalry regiments are described in other letters as having got entangled in the vineyards and been literally destroyed, a colonel and some of his staff alone being taken prisoners. A flank movement of the Bavarian troops posted on the right contributed to the victory. The retreat of the French troops degenerated into great disorder. Their numbers are set down at 80,000 ; if this is correct, they4vere encountered by supe rior forces, as regiments of three Prussian army corps were engaged, besides Bavarian and Wurtemburg troops. —Times Frankfort Correspondent. FoRBAcH.—The French town of Forbach is one of some little importance in these parts ; it lies on the extreme edge of the French frontier, close to the enorm ous iron manufactory of Stiring. The French troops lay here for about four weeks, and haveatbsolutely eaten everything and drunk everything. The shops were all closed, so were the private houses ; and I also heard that they had robbed the town of 10,000 francs worth of tobacco. The people are in the greatest possible distress, and how they are to keep starvation from their doors this winter I know not. The country looks desolate and bleak, the corn is trampled and carried off, the potatoes are dug up in the field and every thing looks like a desert. The road ,was choked up with two endless rows of baggage wa ggons, carrying food for the army—for they are forced to take everything w ith them, the French having left nothing behind except a store of meal and grain which the French took at nor• bach.—Garrespondesi of Telegraig. THE POLICY OF ITALY. In yesterday's sitting of the Chamber of Deputies Signor Lanza made the following statement :—" Events have not modified our line of policy, but have made us feel the urgency of the necessity that exists for taking the necessary measures to provide against remaining in a state of weakness and anxiety. We must also increase our forces in order to provide for the safety of the interior of the kingdom. Consequently the Govern ment has decided to call out two more classes of the army ; and for that purpose we ask the Chamber k for a credit of 40,000,000 lire, which will be furnished by the National Bank. We also request permission to prohibit the export of horses." him- • of Lent. r of its the at:ge Drial nny ndi les- ies- iefire on [on the ills,