The Sun. — London, England, 1870-08-24 00:00:00

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SUCCESSFUL RETREAT OF BAZAINE. A telegram has been received from Paris announcing that Bazaine had succeeded in cutting the enemy's line, and in effecting his retreat upon Montmedy, by way of Audun and Longuyon. [Montmedy, which the Marshal is said to have reached, is about 35 miles due north of Verdun, nearly 50 miles west of Metz, and midway on the frontier line of railway from Metz to Mezieres.] THE MINISTERIAL DECLARA TION. In the Corps Legislatif on Monday the Minister of War made the following declaration : Messieurs les Deputds,—You may have read in the Journal Gificiel a note which was this morning the expression of the troth. We have promised always to let you know the truth, and the entire truth. We have desired to keep our word, what ever emotion this news might cause in public opinion. The situation is no longer the same at this hour. I have received good news. lam not able to mention it to you, and you will understand why. (Protests from the Left.) A Voice—Of what date? The Minister—lt is dated the 19th. Count de Keratry—From the Marshal himself ? The Minister—lt proves on the part of the Marshal himself a confidence which I, knowing his valour and his energy, entirely share. Paris will soon be in a complete state of defence, arid in a position to receive whatever force may present itself. The committee of the Corps Legislatif have re jected the proposition of Count Keratry, but brought forward a new proposition. M. de. Kerartry proposed to elect from the Cham ber a commission of nine Deputies, who should be added to the Defence Committee of Paris. The proposal was declared to be urgent. The Comte de Palikao protested, in the name of the Government, against the adoption of M. de Reratry's proposition. The responsibifity was that of the Government, which had fixed upon a small number of members for the Defence Committee, be cause a larger number would cause inconvenience. The proposition, however, was sent to the bureau, which immediately assembled to consider it. The proposition of Count Keratry was evidently rejected, , but the committee brought forward a new proposition which was to be examined yester day, in conjunction with the Minister of War. In yesterday's sitting of the Legislative Body, M. Gambetta demanded that the system pursued by the Government of observing complete silence respecting the military movements should be brought to a close. He declared it necessary for the country to know the gravity of the situation in order to think of defence. Loud protests were made by different members, and considerable tumult arose in the Chamber, the sub ject ultimately being allowed to drop. THE CAPITULATION OF PHALSBURG. A message from Stuttgardt says that the news telegraphed to the Minister of War by the War temburg Postmaster-General, that Phalsburg had capitulated, has not hitherto been officially con firmed. PROSPECTS OF PEACE. It is asserted that frequent conferences of the diplomatic body have taken place at the hotel of the British Embassy with a view to mediation at the first favourable moment. It is stated that further efforts to obtain peace will be made before the end of the present month. THE ALLEGED APPEAL TO THE QUEEN. The Constitutionnel and the Gaulois of Monday positively deny the statement which appeared in a telegram from Berlin, published in the Times, to the effect that the Empress Eugenie had written to Queen Victoria, asking her mediation on behalf of France. The departments in the Nievre and Cher have been proclaimed in a state of siege. The Gaulois indignantly protests against the as sertion that the French had fired upon Prussian ambulances. Heavy rain fell all Monday night in Paris. TIIE EMPEROR'S HEALTH. The Gaulois of the 22nd positively contradicts the rumours that the Emperor was suffering from ill health, and says: -- "If Marshal M'Mahon's corps should be engaged, the Emperor will place himself at the head of the Imperial Guard." THE PRUSSIAN WOUNDED. A telegram from Vienna states that King Wil liam has sent orders to Berlin to prepare beds for 10,000 wounded. The Prussians have unavailingly demanded permission to remove their wounded by way of Luxembourg and Belgium. THE NEW LOAN. It is asserted that the subscriptions to the new loan exceed a milliard of francs. The court-martial to which the affair of the dis turbance of La Villette has been submitted has con demned three more of the prisoners to death. VIOL I.TION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. The official Carlsruhe Gazette of yesterday con tains the following :—" The violation of interna tional law committed by the French in the manner in which they carry on the war, as exemplified first at Saarbruck, has been repeated by them in their conduct towards Kehl. The German batteries are so situated that the town lies entirely out of range of the fire. Nevertheless, Kehl, which is an open and defenceless town, has been intentionally set on fire by the cannonade of the French, in violation of the law of nations. General Werder consequently wrote to the Commandant of Strasburg, saying : Such a mode of warfare is unheard of among civilised nations, and obliges me to hold you per sonally responsible for the consequences. Moreover, I shall have the damages which have been caused estimated, and shall seek compensation by levying contributions in Alsace.' " CAPTURE OF A PRUSSIAN FRIGATE. A message from Alexandria states that the French vessels have captured the Prussian frigate Hertha. ARMSTRONG GUNS FOR HOLLAND. The ironclad Buffel, Captain Pelaw, belonging to the Netherland Government, arrived in the Tyne on Satur day night, to take on board an armament of Armstrong guns from the Elswick Ordnance Works in that town. AMERICAN NEUTRALITY. President Grant has issued a proclamation officially announcing to the citizens of the United States the existence of war between France and the North German Confederation and its allies. The United States being upon terms of amity and friendship with the said belligerents, the President announces that the neutrality laws, under severe penalties, forbid citizens or residents in the United States serving in or aiding or pro- CIE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 24, lc, i). curing others t 3 serve in, the armies or navies of either belligerent, and also forbid the arming or increasing the force of any vessel in the service of either belli gerent, as well as the organiihtion or equipment of any expedition from the territory of the United States against the dominions of either belligerent. The President announces that the Envoy of the North German Confederation has officially informed the United States that Prussia will exempt from seizure private property on the high seas, regardless of reciprocity, and the French Envoy has also offi cially informed the United States that France will scrupulously observe towards neutral Powers the rules of international law, and will adhere to the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1865. The President announces that the Treaty of 1799 between Prussia and the United States is still in force, and the privilege accorded to vessels of one belligerent must in like manner be accorded to vessels of the other. The President further an nounces that the free public expression of sympathy is not restricted within the United States, and that persons may manufacture and sell arms and munitions of war, but cannot carry such articles on the high seas for the service of either belligerent, nor transport soldiers of either belligerent, nor attempt to break a lawful blockade without incurring the risk of hostile seizure, and forfeiting the protection of the United States against the conse quences of such misconduct. BAZAINE'S REPORTED RETREAT. Four days have elapsed since the commencement of Bazaine's supposed retreat, and we have had no further news either from French or German sources. Bazaine's junction with MacMahon would, if the intelligence were confirmed, be a significant event ; but it might not be looked upon as entirely favourable to the French. It had been said that Bazaine was voluntarily tarrying at Metz, with the view of hindering the two great Prussian armies of the King and of Prince Frederick Charles in their movements, so as to induce the third army, under the Crown Prince, to march rashly forward far in ad vance of the two other armies, when it might be exposed to a sudden attack by MacMahon. Marshal Bazaine's retreat, if accomplished, would remove , every chance of such an occurrence. The main Prussian Armies would then leave Metz, and, detaching a small force to watch such garrison as Bazaine might have left behind, they would soon stretch forth a hand and support the Crown Prince in any emergency. The junction of Bazaine and MacMahon at Rheims, or elsewhere, would not, therefore, be the only immediate consequence of Bazaine's escape. The three German Armies would also be enabled to effect their junction, and the forces of the two nations would again confront each other on opposite lines, with this difference only—that their meeting, instead of being at the frontier, would be in the heart of France, and that both of them have suffered losses—severe losses on both sides—and on that of France in some measure irreparable.—Times. The Standard finds itself unable to put faith in the report of Eazaine's escape to Montmedy, which was trans mitted by its Paris correspondent. It says :—We have all along held it possible that a portion of Bazaine's army might have retreated long before Sunday, the 14th. But the more we analyse the subsequent despatches, and the intelligence which is even more trustworthy than despatches in matters of this nature, such as our French correspondent's- letter and M. Wachter's letter in the Gau/gis, the more do we think that none of his army had got from the neighbourhood of Metz be tween the 14th and the 18th. And if on the 18th they failed to escape, it seems even more improbable that they have since succeeded in effecting that purpose. Beyond doubt there was, after the 18th, the whole army of the King, seven Prussian corps. and the Guard ; on the left bank of the Moselle before Metz, and two more corps on the right bank. We know how well the Prussian cavalry fulfil their duty of collecting in telligence, and it seems incredible that an army can have slipped away unobserved ; still more incredible that it can have cut its way through. Certainly Prus sian despatches up to the 21st give no colour to such an idea ; and how could Bazaine have got clear of the Prussians and made his way to Montmedy, or even any distance towards it, between the 21st and the hour at which the announcement contained in our Paris correspondent's telegram was made. Further, we hold it to be morally impossible for Bazaine to eflect his retreat on Montmedy, with the great Prussian army in the position it occupied on the flank of such a retreat. That Prussian army can always keep itself between him and MacMahon, and any attempt to move northwards would only end, in our judgment, in the army of Bazaine being forced to give battle facing to a flank on the very last French line of communication from east to west, when, if beaten, it must be driven into neutral territory. As all our readers are aware, we have steadily pronounced in favour of this very plan, as being the true secret of the Pruisian movements from the time when they halted their right before Metz. If Bazaine were to have moved` up towards Montmedy, within less than half-a-dozen miles of neutral territory, with the certainty of being out-flanked by the Prussian army, he would be playing deliberately into the Prussian hands. Under all the circumstances of the case we dis miss the theory of this retreat. If Bazaine has really forced his way through thy iron girdle of the Prussian array, the questions first to be an swered are, How many men has he carried with him? What are the chances of his retreat ? And how will the enterprise affect the conduct of the campaign at other points ? By the highest computation, the French army of the Rhine, after the three great battles of Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, could not have numbered more than eighty thousand effective men. But from this number, again, must be struck off a considerable discount for those whom it would not be either advantageous or safe to take on a forced and difficult march ; and, still further, we must deduct the number who would fall, and the still greater number who would certainly be captured, in the attempt to escape. At the utmost Bazaine would have been fortunate in carrying off forty thousand out of the eighty thousand men we suppose him capable of mustering ; and we say this in the knowledge that the number with with he has actually escaped is reported to be ridiculously smaller than that we allow. But, even granting that he had marched out with all his sound men, what would be the chances of his retreat ? From Metz to Montmedy is about fifty miles, as the crow flies ; but the country is rough, broken by many hills and streams, and traversed by few good roads to which Bazaine could have ready access. Indeed, Audun, one of the places by which he is said to have directed his march, is on no practicable route at all, though it has a station on the railway from Thionville, by Longuion and Montmedy, to Metz. Then from Montmedy to the Marne is more than sixty miles ; so that the escaping soldiers would have to march about one hundred and twenty miles before effecting their " concentration" with the Army of Chalons. And this march along the two sides of a triangle could easily be cut by a movement of the enemy along the base, from his positions west of Metz to Verdun and St. Menehould, a distance of only sixty miles ; while, for purposes of concentration for an attack on the forces under Napoleon himself, the Prussian First and Second Armies have but half the distance to march, to Bar-le-Due or St. Dizier, that Bazaine must traverse before he can come into line upon the Marne. Practically, therefore, the Germans at Metz gain three or four days' start for whatever forces they may d e . tach to strengthen the Crown Prince's blow in the plain of Champagne ; and probably it will be by some such enterprise that the invading generals will seek to profit from Bazaine's wild march to the north ward. At the same time, they have forces enough at once to blockade Metz, to reinforce the third army for a decisive stroke, and to send a sufficient corps to look after the retreating Marshal. If they could make sure of delivering a successful blow against the Emperor, before Bazaine rejoined him, they need never fear anything that with his own resources he could do against them. Telegraph. feet in height (and one exclusively of cuirasses), of arms, offensive and defensive, piled up for removal —and that, despite all this, the whole of a tract of country three miles and a half long by from a mile and a half to two miles broad is thickly strewn with remnants of accoutrements belonging to men killed or wounded in the fight—you may be able to form an idea of the magnitude of the contest and the appalling amount of human suffering resulting from it. I cannot have seen fewer than three thousand helmets, and as many Prussian knapsacks, scattered about between Gersdorf and Durenbach ; and remember that this is the eleventh day since the battle was fought, the interval having been employed by hundreds of fatigue parties and the whole male population of the neighbourhood, in clearing away the relics of the fight. I saw fifty or sixty complete mitrailleuse cartridges in one place—square boxes containing twenty-five cartouches fitted to an iron form which corresponded with the pierced plate at the mouth of the gun. The peasants have been bringing in baskets full of spent bullets for more than a week. Fragments of shell greet your eye at every step. Cartridge-boxes, gourds, water bottles, gaiters, cooking tins, trigger guards, &c., are as plentiful iu the open ground as hailstones after a winter storm. The orchards are knocked to pieces ; many trees have lost two and three limbs, and are pitted with bullet marks. The vines and hops have been wantonly cut down, the potatoes annihilated, the meadows turned into desolate tracts of rugged soil. In the villages the sight is still more distressing. At Freschweiler, for instance, about twenty houses have been burned to the ground, with all they contained ; the church (containing wounded) was shelled and then burnt down, after a fear ful hand-to-hand combat had taken place within its hallowed walls, which now stand, roofless and tottering, blackened and scorched, a ghastly protest of Christ's creed against the abominations of war. The works of the great clock have fallen down upon the ruins of the roof, piled a foot high on the stone floor, and mixed with broken painted glass, bits of shells, burnt and bloody uniforms, molten iron railings, charred lumps of pew and pulpit wood, and split grenade cases. Whilst I was passing through the main street, every second house of which has been destroyed, whilst the rest is scarred and scathed by the prints of rifle balls, an old woman eame up to me, crying, and asked me, for the love of God, to give her a bit of bread, as she was starving ; and she looked so. Twelve days ago that old woman was a prosperous type of her class. She owned a good large cottage and barn, in the latter of which were four fine cows ; she had a stock of corn and flour sufficient for her wants during the en suing winter and spring, a little money hoarded up in some old corner, tome cocks and hens, a pig or two, and plenty of solid household furniture. On the 6th the French and Germans came to Freschweiler, set fire to her house and barn, in which were utterly consumed her furniture, savings, food, and four cows, stole her pigs and fowls, and left her, actually penniless, homeless, foodless, and hopeless, to begin the world again at sixty-seven years of age. Of such tales I could tell you fifty. Suf fice this one as a slight illustration of the amenities of modern war, waged "on Christian principles "—blas phemous derision !—Correspondent of Telegraph at Bru math. OUR COTEMPORARIES---This Morning THE PAPAL INFALLIBILITY. The Giornale di Rona announces that severrl bishops who were absent during the definition of the dogma of infallibility, including Cardinals Schwartzenberg Mathien, Rauschen, and Hohen lohe, have since sent in their adhesion to the new doc trine. The official journal also publishes a notification of the ecclesiastical authorities ordering prayers for peace to be offered during three days in eight churches in Rome. A Calcutta message says that Mr. Forsyth and party have entered Eastern Turkestan. All are well, and await ing an escort before proceeding to Yarkund. The Count and Countess d'Eu were leaving the Brazils for Europe on the 23rd instant. Signor Rivarola has been elected President of the Republic of Paraguay. The forces of the insurgent leader, Jourdan Lopez, in Entre-Rios, have been increased. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE TRAGEDY AT BATH. Last night the coroner, Mr. A. H. English, held two inquests at the Weymouth Arms, Bath—the first on the body of Mary Methuen Prankard, aged 24, who was shot by her father on the preceding day, and the second on the body of the murderer, who afterwards poisoned him self. The evidence showed that the father had for some time manifested symptoms of insanity, and that on Friday he smashed his water bottle on the face of his second daughter, Kate, whom he also shot. But though she lies in a critical state, hopes are entertained of her recovery. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against the father in the case of the daughter, and of temporary insanity in his own case. Great fears are entertained that a third daughter has fallen by the hand of her father. He took her away from the house on Friday, and up to the present time no trace has been found of her. THE LATE MR. PEABODY. Mr. Vivian Webber yesterday presented the borough of Ryde with a picture representing the Monarch leaving Spithead with the remains of Mr. George Peabody on board. It was painted by Mr. A. W. Powles, marine artist, of Hyde. The time selected for the subject of the picture is when the Monarch is just getting under weigh, with the American ship Plymouth a short distance astern. The artist has depicted Portsmouth and Haslar Hospital in the background. The Monarch has the British and American colours con spicuously displayed at half-mast. The presentation was made by Mr. Webber, at a special meeting of the Town Council, to which the public were admitted. A suitable acknowledgment was made by the Mayor. THE NORMANDY FUND. At a meeting of the committee of the fund for the sufferers by the Normandy collison, held at Southampton, yesterday, it was resolved to invest £3,296 on Indian Government Securities, which is estimated to produce £4OO per year. This sum will be applied in providing annuities for widows, and furnishing £2O for each orphan on obtaining 14 years of age. Widows marrying are to have half the allowance. The annuities are to be continued for 14 years, and then the balance divided between the sur viving unmarried widows. SIR MASSEY LOPES, M.P., ON THE VOLUNTEERS. Sir Massey Lopes, M.P., has addressed an important letter to the Western Morning News, in reference to the military position of England. Sir Massey says we cannot be too thankful that it has not been to our cost as to how shallow and frivolous a pretext, and how suddenly two nations may be involved in the horrors of war. Let us profit by the experience of others, lest we, like them, be deceived, and be found unprepared. Our reserves have been too long neglected; this is our weak point; the Volunteers have shewn great efficiency, energy, and perseverance, considering their opportunities and the dis couragements to which they have been subjected. We should shew our gratitude and give them an opportunity of acting together in large bodies, and co-operating with regular troops. Sir Massey goes on to propose that a volunteer encampment be formed on his property, near Roborough, where the volunteers of Devon and Cornwall, and all available regular troops should encamp for three days, and to point out the peculiar facilities which the spot suggested presents for such an undertaking ; the ex pense should be borne by a liberal subscription. Sir Massey believes that the Secretary for War would give every reasonable facility. At a meeting of the trustees of Anderson's University, Glasgow, held yesterday, Dr. T. E. Thorpe, of Owen's College, Manchester, was elected professor of practical chemistry, in the room of the late Dr. Penny. There were six candidates. DEATH OF SIR FREDERICK POLLOCK. We regret to announce the decease of the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Pollock, after an illness of some duration. The lamented baronet had reached the age of 87, and up to within a few days of his death retained all his physical and mental vigour. • METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS. - Another candidate is announced for the chairmanship of the Board of Works in the person of Mr. Francis T. C. Fowler, an architect, and for some time a member of that body. FRANCE'S POSITION.—We have not an ally in Europe—the fact is clear. Neither the great Powers nor the little States will make common cause with France. The best-disposed diplomatists are waiting in their cabinets for a decisive victory of the Prussian to beg pardon for us, and to limit, in the interests of the European equilibrium, the precipitate annexations of Bismarck. Thanks, gentlemen ; but France will save her soul all alone, and will owe the obligation to no one but herself. France is still strong enough to say, with the Medea of Corneille, " I alone, and it is enough !" We have an army numerous and solid. The most unfriendly estimates do not count our loss in wounded, killed, and prisoners at 100,000 men; the enemy himself admits that his first success has cost him 150,000 soldiers. Some of our regiments have been disconcerted for a moment by a power of destruction hitherto unheard-of ; by a fire which our officers, though they feared it not, have characterised as " incredible ;" and, above all, by that artillery of long range and unceasing fire which deci mated men from a distance and seemed to be falling from the sky. Frenchmen are used to see their foe face to face. Nothing so stupefies an army as to receive bullets and grape shot from an invisible foe. The personal bravery of the French, so brilliant in engagements with the bayonet, has been neutralised in part by the distance systematically observed by the enemy. But an experience, costing us so dear, will not be lost ; it has inspired our generals with a new system of tactics. I put forward in proof the fights of the 14th, 16th, and 18th, and that fine campaign of Bazaine's in which we have gloriously balanced all the advan tages of the enemy. France can count upon her army, but she counts also on herself. Every class of the population—peasants, artisans, tradesmen—all have perceived that it is no longer a case of waiting the event, but of taking part in the struggle. The time is past when ninety-nine hundredths of the nation sheltered itself quietly behind a wall of human flesh, saying, " It is the business of the army ; we pay our soldiers to cover us with their bodies." Each for self henceforward. The army goes in front ; but every man strong enough to bear a rifle composes the reserve of the army.—EDMOND ABOUT in Le Soir. THE BATTLE OF THE EIGHTEENTH. The army of Prince Frederich Carl was fighting very hard, and evidently suffering heavily. It was in the centre, though occasionally rallying to one side or the other. Though he had large reserves, they had been diminished to an important extent by the engagements of the 14th and 16th. A, considerable portion of his army requiredlrest, and two divisions perhaps, certainly one, reorganisation. There seemed at one time—about half-past four—some danger that the intensity of the fight ing required on the right and left extremes would produce a kind of atrophy along that very central Verdun-road for which the armies were struggling. At that time a vast army came from some region utterly mysterious to us who had been following the army for some miles. They came * L over the very point which had been the Royal headquarters in the morning. Their march was begun at the time I have mentioned, and did not cease at all — not even after dark—so long as the firing was still going on upon the heights. This new army—whose was it ?—whence was it ? It did not come from the direction of Goeben, nor of Steinmetz, nor of Prince Friederich Carl. Of course it could not be said that it did not belong to either of these, but the cry and rumour went around that these men were from the army of the Crown Prince. Ido not know whether to believe this or not, but it is freely said and believed by many officers here that a detachment of the Crown Prince's army was sent up from Told, if help were needed. To whomsoever or wheresoever this Army Corps (for it was about that in extent) belonged, its presence was all that was required. It was laid along the road, out of immediate danger, so that if the French centre had defeated the troops with which it was contending, it must simply have fallen into the hands of a fresh and prepared corps. The advance of this new corps must have been felt by them as a final, a fatal blow for that day. Like the spirits in the " Inferno," their enemies were consumed only to spring up to full stature again. They must have realised how hopelessly they were outnumbered. From that time!the struggle at that part became very weak on the French side, and the Prussians get a decided hold further up the Metz road, that is, on the southern side of it. But there seemed to be a redoubled fury on their left. From seven o'clock to eight there was little firing beyond the village, but a great tower of cloud and fire at each extremity of the battle field. —Correspondent of the Daily News. THE WRECK AT WOER I H. When I tell you that, although one hundred and sixty carts full of arms, knapsacks, tins, and cartouche boxes have been sent away, either to be stored or burnt, according to their value, there are still in and about Woerth eight heaps, the least of them six LAST WEEK'S BATTLES. The Daily News has received from its correspondent at the Prussian head-quarters the following telegram, which was despatched so far back as Saturday ;—" The result of the action of Sunday last was that all the troops threatened in the rear retired from the east side of Metz, within the walls of that fortress, and on the left of the Moselle. It was not till . the retreating French army was hard pushed by a German division that it brought up reinforcements, and was compelled to accept the alternative of a battle. At a distance of from three to five miles from Goerz three regiments of German cavalry were posted on the side of a hill. On their left and in their rear were eight or nine regiments of in fantry, and a regiment of artillery with 15 batteries. These troops belonged to the 3rd Army Corps under General Alvensleben. There were also a few regiments of Hussars and Lancers, and some battalions of in fantry of the 10th Army Corps. About nine a.m. the French made a dash at the Germans, and retired. The Hussars advanced over the crest of a hill, but had to retire from a hot fire of infantry and artillery, leaving the ground covered with dead and wounded, the horses rushing riderless over the field, which was quite open. A heavy fire of artillery now commenced on both sides, and the battle became very severe. The French kept up a rapid fire from their Chassepots, which told severely ; the clattering of small arms being incessantly intermingled with the long boom of the batteries. From 2 till 6 p.m. the French resolutely resisted the advance of the Germans, but then began to waver and retreat, keeping up a slow but steady fire. They were pursued by a regi ment of Lancers and the Green Hussars of Magdeburg. Several villages were burnt, and the scene on the field was terrible. Miles of ground were covered with dead and wounded of both sides. Crippled and emaciated horses were to be seen dragging themselves slowly along, while others were horribly mutilated. I counted' in one little spot forty-one dead, including a major pierced through the heart; he lay on his back, sword in hand. The cannonade from the German side and the rattle from the needle-guns were terrific. The defeat of the French was complete. Their long columns could be aen pouring towards the north, evading the Germans by way of Briey. The loss on both sides was immense. Many French prisoners were taken. The French dead and wounded were left on the field. It is impossible, how-' ever, to form an estimate of their number. 'the King of Prussia himself was personally attentive to the wounded French. A French peasant, who was taken while killing a wounded German soldier, was hanged out of hand. At Goerz, out of 1,000 inhabitants, scarcely any remained. There were only soldiers looking for their regiments or trying to reach the head-quarters of the Ist Army Corps. A reconnaissance made on Wednes4.lay showed that the French army was retreating on Verdun. It was resolved to attack them. The Germans were posted in a position north-east from Grave lotte, commanding the road from Briey to Metz. The 7th Corps of the German army formed the right; next came the Bth, on the road to Gravelotte; then the 9th and 12th Corps. The Guards were on the extreme left. In reserve were the 3rd, Ist, and 10th Army Corps. The fire was kept up along the whole line from eleven o'clock. The Prussian artillery was strong, and seemed overpower ing. At seven p.m. the French cannonading ceased, but the Prussian guns were still firing continuously. Th e King occupied a position on a hill which commanded a view all around, though the battle front extended for many miles. I remained on the hill, and afterwards crossed to the right of Gravelotte, over another hill, where three German batteries were keeping up a constant fire on the road beyond, leading over another high hill, along woods, on the German right. Half an hour after French cannon ading had ceased the French suddenly re-opend fire, and with such effect that the Germans near me seemed panic stricken. It was the fire of the mitrailleuse, and its effects seemed terrible. I pushed over to the left of the French, thinking that the place was abandoned, but to my surprise I found that the French were there, and was immediately taken prisoner by a small body of soldiers. After that the cannonade was again renewed on both sides, and lasted till nearly ten o'clock, when the French appeared to be gradually retiring, and the Prussian guns alone maintained their fire. I was very kindly treated by my captors, who used no sort of violence towards me. They simply took me with them. We marched through the woods that night until we entirely lost our way. In the darkness a halt was called, and we slept under the trees, one of the Frenchmen kindly lending me part of his great coat. It was bitterly cold and wet, and I could not sleep; but my escort did. So I took advantage of that to get up and leave them, and I escaped to St. Marie, which was in the hands of the Germans. The scene in this village is beyond description. Many of the houses were battered down, and every available spot was covered with wounded. Straw was quickly placed in the streets, and the wounded French and German soldiers lay upon it close beside each other. In addition there was a heavy fall of rain to increase the - indescribable misery of the scene. I went on foot to Gravelotte and to Rezonville, where the King had bivouacked for the night. I walked on from there most of the night and most of to-day to this town through a Country perfectly desolate, where it was impossible to procure a conveyance of any description, or buy a crust of bread. All Metz is entirely surrounded by the Germans, the 4th Army Corps having gone round from the East to the North. The Saxon Corps of Pioneers has been sent before the city. About four corps will be left about Metz for the siege, and the remainder sent against the army in the direction of Verdun. The headquarters of the King will be moved in a day or two towards the south-west. THE CONVICT CARVER. The sentence of death passed upon John Carpenter Carver at the recent Surrey Assizes, for the murder of his wife, has been respited, on the recommendation of the learned judge before whom he was tried. WORKMEN'S INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, AGRICULTURAL HALL.—The number of visitors, exclusive of season ticket holders, exhibitors, and others, yesterday was 7,923. THE CAMPAIGN. Hitherto, says the Times, there have been in this war only combats, awfully sanguinary combats, but no pitched battles. The forcing of the passes of the Vosges, the storming of the positions around Metz, have been great exploits ; but they have in some cases been the re sults of mere surprise, or they have sprung from obstinate attacks calling forth desperate defence. There has been no room yet for an extensive combination, a de liberate action. We have seen, on the Prussian side, con summate strategy, but, as yet, no tactics—none of those noble encounters in which genius contrives to ob tain the utmost resuits with the least possible sacrifice. As the armies recede from the mountain gorges and from the fortresses of Alsace and Lorraine, and advance into the plains of France, scientific engagements are more likely to occur. Only twenty-four hours ago a regular battle between the Crown Prince and MacMahon seemed imminent. If now Bazaine himself, on the one side, and the King with Von Steinmetz and Prince Frederick Charles on the other, join the fray—if the forces of the two nations muster in dense masses for a decisive effort, we may, perhaps, witness achievements to which mental superiority may contribute as much as physical prowess. PARIS UNDER fIIEGE. The Telegraph examines the question whether the forti fications, in which M. Thiers has so paternal an interest, will suffice for the defence of Paris. It is a difficult problem of war, which General Trochu appears to answer in the affirmative, and Von Moltke in the nega tive. It is difficult to see how the actual ram parts of Paris, of which there are ninety-six faces and nineteen miles, could keep out deter mined stormers rushing in at half a dozen places, and pretending to attack as many more. The outlying forts, such as those at Mendon, Aubervilliers, Noisy, and Mont Valerien, would have to do the hard work, and they are, no doubt, of a more advanced style of construc tion than the ditches and walls of M. Thiers. But these works are sadly weakened by their great extent ; they must all be manned in force, for the points of attack could never be surely known. And, although the guns might be numerous and the gun ners resolute, the Germans have shown their willingness to throw away life lavishly in order to gain their ends. When the walls of a capital city have been passed defence collapses. The presence of the enemy in the streets is always the signal for despair and civil confusion ; authority is set on one side ; the compactness and the singleness of will in the invaders render them secure. It is, in truth, like inflicting a wound upon the nervous centres of a body—the organisation becomes immediately paralysed. Such, at any rate, was the experience in Paris of 1814 when the Allies had once entered. The garrison fought bravely enough at Montmartre and the Buttes du Chaumont, but all idea of fighting departed when the first shots fell in the Chaussee d'Antin. Obviously it is the duty of General Trochu to speak boldly ; and the readiness of the brave citizens to die "to the last man " upon the last line of their defence becomes them nobly. But civilisation would protest against the dreadful extremity of such an act of war as the storming of Paris. At those walls, if the Germans continue their successes, it might surely be possible to effect a peace which would satisfy them and save the honour of the capital and of France. The Standard has good hope of the capital. The Parisian citizens it says will be privileged with arms : the walls of the capital will be manned principally by volunteers ; prices have barely risen; the money market is not calamitously agitated; in one word, France feels herself to be France still, in spite of unlooked-for disasters. To talk of starving Paris is to talk nonsense. Not a halfpenny has been added to the cost of bread; no one has lost confidence ; the idea of a peace dictated at the Tuileries is scouted. Why, the very children would grow suddenly into men before the vaunts of Prussia could be justified. There is for France, any day in history, a Young and a Younger Guard. Very many of us remember how M. Thiers was ridiculed when, in the golden prime of Louis Philippe's reign, he recommended the Paris for tifications. Of what value could they be ? it was asked. They are the buckler of the nation, just now. Twenty miles, in a circle, of solid earthwork and masonry, suggest strategic ideas to the German commanders which they are not likely to despise. Only treachery or weakness can open the gates of Paris to a foreign foe. The treachery we do not imagine to be possible ; the weakness it is for the Prussian attack, if it ever gets so far, to test; the national spirit, at any rate, is supreme, and Paris, in its crisis, exhibiti a glorious spectacle. THE RUMOURED PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. The Daily News discredits the telegraphic announce ment that the British Embassy in Paris is the scene of frequent conferences of the diplomatic body, with a view to mediation at the first favourable moment. The meetfng for such a purpose in the capital of one of the belligerents of the Ambassadors and Envoys accredited to that belligerent would be little better than an officious im pertinence. If net a violation of neutrality, it would shew a strange disregard of diplomatic courtesy. But apart from these considerations the time for inter vention of this kind has not come. France is at bay, and is about to make her supreme struggle, but till that struggle is over she cannot hear of peace. Her army is defeated, but there is yet the nation, and the nation will fight first and negotiate afterwards. France went to war for supremacy in Europe ; she has lost that supremacy already, and may never regain it ; but she will not confess to the loss till she has lost far more. The fight is against the humiliation of admitting defeat ; against the dishonour of suing for peace; against the lasting discredit of accepting terms from a triumphant foe. France must be terribly humbled before she will accept a result in a war of her own seeking, and she is only hurt and wounded, not humbled, as yet. She must fight dther battles, experience other defeats, and lose other armies before she comes to such a pass that peace is possible. THE RETREAT OF BAZAINE. The Manchester Examiner considers the telegram an-' nouncing Marshal Bazaine's success in breaking through the Prussian lines as utterly apocryphal, and has no better foundation than the rumours retailed at Verdun and am plified on the Boulevards. Referring to Count Palikao's recent speech in the Corps Legislatif the Examiner says it may be assumed as certain that the Minister of War had received no despatches from Marshal Bazaine, for if he had he cer tainly would not have kept back this gratifying proof that all communication with Metz was not absolutely cut off. The Parisians are longing to hear that Bazaine has extricated himself from the trails of the German armies. The Government is equally anxious to announce to them the joyful news, and we may be well assured that they would not keep it an instant to themselves, or omit telegraphing it to all parts of Europe. The Times says there was a total absence during regular hours of any fresh authentic nsws, and the dulness of the market seemed chiefly attributable to the restriction of business. We regret to learn that Field Marshal Sir Alexander Woodford is lying dangerously ill at his house in London. THE HIGH STEWARDSHIP OF WINDSOIL—YeEter day morning, at a special meeting of the Windsor Town Council, Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein was elected Chief and High Steward of Windsor, in the place of the late Prince Consort. FATAL ACCIDENT TO CHILDREN. -- Yesterday morning, about nine o'clock, a horse in a mason's cart, took fright in the Fairfield-road;Bow, and, dashing against a milk-cart which was standing near the kerbstone, ran upon the pavement amongst a group of young children, attending the Cobourn Charity Schools, who were playing and knocked three of them down. One little boy was taken up dead, another is supposed to be dying, and it is believed that the third is dangerously injured. THE LATE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS.—The solici tors for the acting executor of the late Marquis state that the whole of the debts of the late Henry, Marquis of Hastings, have been paid in full under the order of the Court of Chancery, with interest at 4 per cent., as under, viz.:—As to debts of £lO and under, by Mr. Frederick John Blake, the late lord's solicitor ; and as to debts over £lO, by the Accountant-General of the Court. Some few creditors have not been able to attend in time, but their checks are ready and can be received in November. Lieut.-Col. Henry W. Verschoyle, of the Grena dier Guards, died on Saturday evening at his residence at Cowes, Isle of Wight. The gallant officer was stricken with paralysis on board his yacht, the Vanguard, which had only just started for the race at Cowes, on the sth inst. The late colonel, who was only thirty-six years of age, entered the army as ensign in the Grenadier Guards in 1851, and became li e utenant-colonel in 1861. He served with his regiment during the Eastern campaign of 1854-1855, and was present at the battles of Alma, Balaklava, and Inkerman, and the siege and fall of Sebastopol. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. YORK RACES.—TUESDAY. The Zetland Stakes. One mile. Mr T. S. Dawson's Ptarmigan, by Blair Athol—Skit, 3 yrs, Bst 31b Mr Johnstone's Lady Studley, 2 yrs, 6st 41b (W. Gray) 2 Mr A. L. Maynard's Mr Fox, 2 yrs, 6st. (Bushby) 3 St Guthiac, Star and Garter,Waddon, Prior, and Phos phorus also ran. Won easily by a neck. The Black Duck Stakes, Three-quarters of a mile. Duke of Beaufort's Pitteri, by Prime Minister—Lurley, Bst 61b (Fordham) w.o. The Heroine filly was weighed for by Chaloner, but after the latter had cantered her number was taken down. The Yorkshire Oaks. One mile and a quarter. Lord Falmouth's Gertrude, by Saunterer—Queen Bertha, Bst 101 b (French) 1 Mr Launde's Agility, 9st (in. 41b ex.) . (Osborne) 2 Mr G. Jone's Gamos, 9st 31b (in. 71b ex) (F or dh am ) 3 Lady of Lyons, Frivolity, Fragrance, Sweet Sound, and La Calonne also ran. Won by half a length. The Bradgate Park Handicap Stakes. Half a mile. Dawson's Tullibardine, by Blair Athol—Carlotta, 2 yrs, 7st 10lb (Butler) 1 Mr W. A. Baker's Filou, 3 yrs, Bst 21b (Vinell) 2 Mr Payne's Camera, 2 yrs, Est 81b (G r ay) 3 Ida, Lincoln Lass, Fast Day, and Elferon also ran. Won by a length. The Convivial Stakes. T,Y.C. Mr Savile's Ccemenbert, by Parmesan—Middleton Maid, Bst 71b (Maidment) 1 Mr Plummer's Rebecca, Bst 101 b (inc. 71b ex.) (T. Chaloner) 2 Mr de Montgomery's Mdlle de Mailloc, Bst 61b (Morris) 3 Pitteri and Anglesey alson ran. Won by a head. The Badminton Plate. Half a mile. Mr T. V. Morgan's Herminie, by Camerino—Bonny Blink, Bst 131 b (inc. 51b ex.) (French) 1 Mr Sharpe's Christopher Sly, 9st llb (inc. 61b ex.) (Hudson) 2 Mr R. H. Jones's Petronella, Bst 71b (Covey) 3 Rosemary, Last Word, Chemisette c, Scunderabad, Moonshine, and Stonebyres also ran. Won in a canter three lengths. The Chesterfield Handicap Plate. One mile. Mr Bowes's c, by Rapid Rhone—Hetty, 3 yrs, 7st 41b (W. Platt) t 1 Mr Kennington's. Pistach, 3 prs, 6st 31b . . (Cook t 2 Mr Johnstone's f, by Stockwell...Harebell, 3 yrs, 6st 31b (W. Mr R. Peck's Silenus, 6 yrs, Bst 31b (H Gray) 3 Covey) 4 A dead head. Deciding Heat.—The Hetty colt won by a length. The Fourteenth North of England Biennial Stakes. Two miles (over the whole course. Lord Stamford's Normanby, by Thormanby—Emily, Bst 101 b Mr Savile's Champion, Bst 131 b (in. 31b extra (Maidment) 2 Mr H. Savile's Lady Hilda, Bst Won by ten lengths. BETTING ON THE COURSE. ST. LEGER. 900 to 400 agst Kingcraft (taken twice and offered) BETTING AT HARKER'S HOTEL, 2to 1 agst Kingcraft (taken, after 900 to 400 had been laid) There were no transactions on the Ebor Handicap. SCRATCHED. Enou HANDICAP—Lord Zetland's Mysotis. ADDITIONAL ARRIVALS. Sunflower colt, Queen of the Gipsies, Stonebyres, The Last Word. CANTERBURY RACES. —TUESDAY. The Bridge Plate. Five furlongs. Mr J. Prince's Election, by Lambton—Queen, 5 yrs, Bst 21b Mr Alfred's Contempt, 5 yi s, Bst 91b (Deacon) 2 Mr R. Drewitt's Wilful, 4 yrs, Bst 91b (Killick) 3 Adonis also ran. Won by a length The East Kent Handicap. About one mile and a half. Mr. Drewitt's Pucelle, by St. Alban's—Pastime, 3 yrs, 6st 71b (Baverstock) 1 Lord St. Vincent's Violet, 3 yrs, Bst 21b (Gradwell) 2 M. Ruff's Tom Tom, 3 yrs, 7st 91b (Killick) 3 Derby Day also ran. Won in a common canter by six lengths. _ - The Two Year Old Stakes. Five furlongs. Mr. Kirk's Lady Scarlet, by Lord Clifden—Scarlet Runner, 9st3 (Huxtable) 1 Lord St. Vincent's Miss Ellis, Bst 7lb (Gradwell) 2 Mr. Gay's Grandee, 9st 31b Asta, and Tom Ansley also ran. Won by a neck. The Barham Down Stakes. About five furlongs. Mr Nightingall's Satellite, by Parasite—Stella, 5 yrs, Bst 111 b (EDO) J. Nightingall) 1 Mr Johnson's Sister to Ellen, 2 yrs, Est 111 b (£100) (Lecett) 2 Mr H. Wright's c by Master Bagot—lnfanta, 2 yrs, 6st 91b (£6O) Chincona and Albridge also ran. Won by a length and a half. A Welter Handicap. Three-quarters of a mile. Lord St. Vincent's Rosalie, by Lord Clifden—Prairie Flower, 3 yrs, lOst Mr Nightingall's Scout, 4 'yrs, lOst 71b (in 51b ex) (J. Nightingall) 2 Mr Ward's Falstaff, 4 yrs, 9st 91b (in 51b ex) ...(Marsh) 3 Derby Danialso ran. Won by a neck. CITY BETTING- rIiESDA.Y. EBOR HANDICAP. sto 1 agst Myosotis (taken and offered) 11 to 2 agst Cherie (taken freely) 6to 1 agst Torreador (taken) 9to 1 agst Blandford (taken) 9to 1 agst Lord Hawthorn (offered) 100 to 8 agst Toison d'Or (offered) 100 to 6 agst Miss Sheppard (offered) 100 to 7 agst Ploughboy (offered) 100 to 3 agst Moscow (offered) ST. LEGER. 9to 4 agst Kingcraft (offered) 1000 to 70 agst Sunlight (taken) 15 to 1 agst Normanby (wanted) 100 to 6 agst Captivator (offered) 40 to 1 agst Fragrance (offered CESARE WITCH. 2000 to 40 agst Sarsfield (taken) CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 500 to 5 agst Morna (taken) LONDON GAZETTE-LAST EVENING. INDIA OFFICE, AUGUST 19. The Queen has been graciously pleased to nominate and appoint M. Ferdinand Lesseps to be an Honorary Knight Grand Commander of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India. DOWNING-STREET, AUG. 19. The Queen has been pleased to nominate Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B. (now Governor of the Colony of Maim this), to be appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope and its Depen dencies. The Queen has also been please to appoint William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Go vernor of Prince Edward Island. CROWN OFFICE, AUGUST 22. MEMBER RETURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT PARLIAMENT. City of Dublin—Sir Dominic J, Corrigan, Bart., in the room of Sir Arthur Edward Guinness, Bart., whose elec• tion has been determined to be void. CRYSTAL PALACE.—Admissions on Tuesday (one shilling day), by season tickets, 6,604 ; on payment, 21,826 ; total visitors, 28,430. The Liberals of Derry have sent forward a me morial to the Lord Lieutenant praying for an entire sup pression of public demonstrations, such as those annually repeated by the apprentice boys. It is stated in Dublin that the draft charter of incorporation of the representative body of the Irish Episcopal Church has been returned to that body, with the amendments proposed by the law officers of the Crown which do not affect its principle. ANOTHER SUICIDE AT THE FRENCH LEGATION IN WASHINGTON.—The New York papers of the Bth of August record the suicide of the private secretary to the Counsellor of the French Legation at Washington. On the 6th instant he shot himself with a pistol just below the heart. He lived four hours after the act, and left letters stating the motive was a desire to obtain rest and peace, which he hoped to find in the grave, from bodily and mental illness. He was a member of a noble French family, and had passed several years in America under an assumed name. THE ITALIAN GOVERUENT AND THE WAII.—It seems that the vote of confidence passed by the Italian Chamber was preceded by an animated discussion on the Roman question and the war. Signor Visconti Venosta said the solution of the problem of the separation of the spiri tual and temporal powers would not be helped by disorder, but must be assisted by a firm policy. The question of Rome had Ambassador never been had assured he discussdAth tPrussbu but the Prussian Government that Prussia would always continue her policy of abstention. If Italy had abandoned neutrality she would have taken the initiative in a European war. She will unite her action with other Powers to mediate between the belligerents. There was an exchange of communications between Italy and Austria and Italy and England. Englandrr ers p dhe r ao o tsu p ool O nd s ts e ht d diose a tpa n i:r a ote g te r hmf e re e eor m nm. t e rr, n The one b udß y t iru w tas h uswi i ta c ya su h . without, Governmentther e s i h xs)elp e a a greements tai n hi nd o ae r i ddn gf ltaly i the Right. the termination of the war , and prevent f ur th er d i sasters loudly hoped t a h p e The Minister was TADVERTIBEIRENT.]—HoIIoway's Pills. —The truest philo sophical spirit of inquiry led to the discovery of this price less medicine, and the most unselfish labour and expense have been incurred in bringing so great a boon to the knowledge and within the reach of the afflicted through out the world. Every invalid who can read will under stand the plain directions in his own language, which are folded round the Pills, and which should be taken in the doses and at the times distinctly specified therein, while great attention should be paid to diet, and many minor matters, all of which, however, are important, inasmuch as they augment the curative powers of the Pills, prevent them from disagreeing with the most delicate, and spare time and suffering, Con- It is F the 'as on f the cnefit anda deep istees anch was anly )3, by a not same o get He dem nded Sup tions Ris ings