The Sun. — London, England, 1870-08-31 00:00:00

he present oton3ell esaing sPectacle few journals notion of hura s e, st against the at: ;y all seem to lir "th German Go# t Y e calumnies o z r f it saw no Red skins , or tb, Other no ji tab l : Croix, the G'av r.zette keep ?athising Geron French pris oners ['his same Go al ration of Als ace at Alsace should mains to Bavarib nd accordingll 1 uld claim p u ss iical and histori.,loll and Low r ° 6 7, 0 6 1 md Trev:s sfalP„- a s they be lonr zzette is still 001 1. a letter which sate should beloab entually be r ecto 14 OF 11° . _ _ onde says the Coll' I Y a able to Pa•-45,,,, ; c a u se these der: troops , but it r 02,twithstan ding% til : ':,ed at 200,000 11,,1e_11 preventing OP' ose successive %I )ver the nurober° j • parnay, Ets:10,°:18 )e will 'soon he annihilated , t ya on of Bazaiue, TJ our favour . Charles' front Pre is seems to • - besu': e no barrier P o lijo 1s Ardennes' 130 Li the Man' . pl c proach. Th e of ;eds in Tiber escape fr°lll E WS. bare ° [ace in th e for to the OP e ot ioo or the essW il L o or r e3ting the ' elit of l l° 0 - e appoint sF 3 of war, v ard Kari Bern w et' those select ea o f to arcely neee° Govern- 1 : 013 . 1 : of the Interl_utr o io rag the 10° 0 0 1 citizens jo s 1 4 1) 1° 'oug ht it au"' " rdingly a: : 1 0 4 the appr ob a '• Amid the, rhe ,ter irties the 31113v oi' bac i o d )llowing of sub ecurrence vies ie in the co ert yeur se l, fe' oi d i what th e C 'e: s energet i° •or er • [ similar P Lere is bit te j, :1' be surPl',s -,Tovernrusn' n o t all this. c o o h a citize n b " se words, ° [O. Let 11° 0 that we E jl h blood ,ej subject :"; now for tb f 0 1 1 directions °,ft rdour as tile' Lctemne. -° has been re;` colura— e of Paris , ytl awing vets to assis ri,co' by the Cf° agie lim e e j elli t i by -two ° f vernui _at o to Icl keep t'e the St e ' fl 3d their tY rength LtuiallY ° Pj ;4 0 interfere'ii e kets hOe , d by th.- 1A at the 4) fli w Duld be ement b 5000,91 become lb, et e. ollected to / • ave bl rt o 6 ts. Tll° i) h ' r r iadYWf (40 4 Dn. - . Miss E d ' ti V f Wallas) ° Ve irsals e ti 'v e held a, , 1 ,,t, sidered ""o# ainly 1)° jo:i of° 0 ! iler exP g e 0 0 ,1 The9. oo , the seesi es , ten with t if° )k o ut 9 ,0 h e 4 r the t; have b ee , Ltions to grea t fi t ,, „a )ing ,t to s sup po , LLP at the er uts aft v o fined 'ety at cks r lig eo e 03 , om li e d land •P:A QS atinti b. : re te` aneS :00 ri° s la _ of t ha te i s beill s ce e, of Fray if that, i n E the a fo. as raP l _o' Is clP' as ti ld tics sc° #lO and real, ° 4 Main vO ii r o tc r are dOg e er timid P U . 131 p0 1 `, viablif r o o . 4 , unaal l kargea ta f a i 1 '; 31aniecseviiig ,rtS SUN OFFICE, 11 P.M. THE WAR. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) PARIS, AUGUST 31, 11.26 A.M. "The German people, however, is conscious that in its demand it does not aim at any preponderance over other nations, which might endanger the so called European equilibrium, but that it seeks only a firmly-established peace, which it intends to wring for itself and for other nations from the old enemy of the peace of Europe." DEFEAT OF MACMAHON, BRUSSELS, AUGUST 31. A telegram has been received here, dated Arlon to-day, stating that a portion of Marshal MacMahon's army has been routed between Carignan a: Mouzon. FURTHER PARTICULARS. FLORENVILLE (BELGIUM), AUGUST 31 An engagement teok place yesterday between Carignan and Mouzon, resulting in the defeat of the French. After the battle the Prussians entered Carignan. The losses on both sides were consider able. The Prussians captured four mitrailleuses. A. fresh engagement commenced this morning at Armigny, on the road from Sedan to Montmedy, and at 10 kilometres from the Belgian frontier. The Belgian troops are making reconnaissances on the frontier, and scouts are posted at different places along the frontier line. Stragglers have been seen in the woods which separate France from Belgium. ENGAGEMENT AT NOUART. OFFICIAL DESPATCH. VARENNES, AUG. 30 (Afternoon.) The vanguard of the 12th Saxon Army Corps had this afternoon a successful encounter at Nouart, in the Arrondissement of Vouziers, with the troops of the French Fifth Army Corps. The railway from Thionville to Paris has been interrupted between Thionville and Mezieres at two different points by detachments of our.troops. FOREIGN INTERVENTION. BERLIN, AUG. 31. A. meeting was held yesterday of leading men of all parties convened by the Head Burgomaster, Dr. Seydel, and the Deputies Dr. Loewe and Herr von Unruh. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal to the German people to sign an address to the King, expressing apprehensions at the reports current of foreign intervention being engaged in diminish ing the fruits ' of the contest, and declaring that the demands to be raised by Ger many for her future welfare must be demanded by Germany alone. The people renew their vow loyally to persevere until the wisdom of the King, excluding all foreign intervention, shall create a state of affairs which shall guarantee better than formerly the peaceful conduct of the neighbouring people, establish the unity and freedom of the whole German Empire. and secure Germany against all attack. THE LEGISLATIVE BODY. PARIS, AUGUST 30. In to-clay's sitting of the Legislative Body, the Minister of Marine, in answer to a question of M. Bethmont, denied that the Government bad received any such despatch as that published by the Figaro, adding that he had every reason to consider the news contained therein as utterly unfounded. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BRUSSELS AND PARIS. BRUSSELS, AUGUST 31. Railway communication for travellers between Brussels and Paris has been re-established since yesterday evening, but the trains from the French capital continue to arrive very late [The • following telegrams appeared in our previous editions this morning.] COMMENCEMENT OF THE GREAT BATTLE. PRUSSIAN MARCH ON PARIS CHECKED. STORMING OF VRIZY. CAPTURE OF TWO OF MAC MAHON'S STAFF OFFICERS. BRUSSELS, AUG. 31. The Etoile Beige publishes a despatch from Carignan, dated yesterday, 4 p.m., which states that an engagement commenced yesterday at noon, which was still, going on. The Prussians attacked the French 'troops as they were Marching between Carignan and Monzon. PARIS, AUGUST 31. The Minister of the Interior announces under reserve that the march of the enemy upon Paris appears to be checked, and that Marshal MacMahon continues his movement without having yet had any serious encounter with the enemy. The Minister states . that Chalons appears to be evacuated, and that the National Guards of the Aisne and other departments are organising a vigorous resistance. ,IGHTII EDITION. LATEST INTELLIGENCE The Figaro asserts that on Monday Marshal Bazaine surprised and annihilated the cavalry of the army df Prince Frederick Charles, and that after this success, the two armies of Marshals MacMahon and Bazaine occupied positions corn. pletely protecting their rear guards. THE PROVINCES OF ALSACE AND LORRAINE. BERLIN, AUGUST 31, EVENING. The semi-official Provincial Correspondence of this evening publishes an article headed " Germany's wishes with regard to Alsace and Lorraine." The article says : "These provinces : which were torn away from the German empire, have become France's chief points of support for menacing attacks upon Germany. How should it be possible, after the glorious victories of the German army, after the reconquest of two old German provinces, and after the heavy and costly sacrifices by which our triumph has been gained, how should it be possible to avoid the irresistible conviction that the honour and the safety of Germany imperatively demand the removal of that lasting shame—a Ger-• man country serving as the starting point for German enslavement P " The European Powers, true to the attitude of neutrality, which they have assumed, will not arbi trarily endeavour to arrest the consequences of the war, so long as no substantial European interest is not injured by the conditions of the treaty of peace. E THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 31, LB 7u. (GERMAN ACCOUNT.) • GRAND- PRE, AUGUST 30. The village of Vrizy, situated between Vouziers andAttigny, which was occupied by French infantry chiefly Turcos, was yesterday stormed and captured by two squadrons of Prussian hussars. The village lies high, and is a strong position. The defending force were taken prisoners. Two officers of the general staff of Marshal Mac- Mahon were brought in by three Uhlans of the Guard. PARIS, August 30 (Evening). The Crown Prince is making forced marches to reach 11IacMahon. It is stated here to-day that the Prince is now 36 hours behind the calculation of the Prussian staff, and will not be able to arrive at the proper moment. The rumoured engagements of the last few days are believed to _have been cavalry affairs be tween outposts or recon 'loitering parties. In official quarters it is denied that any general or importang engagement has taken place up to yesterday after noon. No authentic news has been received respecting the asserted junction of Marshals Bazaine and MacMahon. The garrison of Metz and the army of Bazaine are said to be well supplied. Fifty thousand Germans are now besieging Stras bourg, and the library is entirely destroyed by the bombardment., An agitation has commenced in various dis tricts of France amongst the peasantry against the nobles, gentry, and clergy, whom the agitators accuse of sympathy with Prus sia. Disturbances from this cause have occurred at Be et Villaine, Montfort, liondain, Bretagne, and Touraiue. The Temps strongly condemns the recent at to excite religious fanaticism against the French Protestants, and says that it has received numerous warnings from all sides respecting the danger incurred by the Protestants in the South of France and Alsace who are accused of Prussian leanings. FIGHTING NEAR MONTMEDY. BRUSSELS, AUGUST 30, 8.15 P.M. The train from Paris, due here at 2 p.m., has not yet arrived. Notices have been posted up at the railway station in Paris announcing that the daily service for passengers has been suspended since yes terday morning until further orders. The railway guards of trains coming from Mau benge state that fighting was going on on Tuesday along the whole line of the frontier frcm Montmedy to Sedan. [The following telegram, dated Florenville, yester day evening, is from the Standard's correspondent : At three o'clock the Emperor was at Biebelle Farm, two miles from Carignan. Fighting is going on between Moulins and Fouilly, a few miles distant. MacMahon apparently successful. No troops of Bazaine here.] THE LEGISLATIVE BODY. PARIS, AUGUST 30, EVENING. In to-day's sitting of the Legislative Body, MM. Andre and Johnstone protested against tile accusa tions which had been levelled against French Pro testants with reference to their attitude during the war. They declared that the Protestant population of France were ready to sacrifice life and fortune in defence of the country. M. Henri Chevreau, the Minister of the Interior, stigmatised the accusations referred to as unworthy intrigues. The Minister added that he had had his recent declarations on this subject printed, and that it would be placarded to-morrow. He concluded by expressing. ms conviction Ina!, ior an 1 , rencumen unerei tl uoutu be now but one religion, the religion of patriotism. M. Ernest Picard suggested that there was an occult government at work behind the actual Ministry. M. Chevrean repelled this insinuation, and said that the time when concord was being urged, was not a fitting moment for such insiduous xemarks. (Cheers.) LUXEMBURG NEUTRALITY. PARIS, AUGUST 30, EVENING. A. categorical denial is given to an assertion of to day's Figaro, that the Ministers of War and Marine received a despatch yesterday, affirming that twenty vessels of large tonnage, and splendidly equipped, had left different American ports with German filibusters on board, with the object of landing the latter in open French ports, and subjecting them to pillage. It is added that in any case measures have been taken to give such adventurers a warm reception. The Minister of the Netherlands in Paris formally contradicts a statement of the Luxemburg corre spondent of a London newspaper; to the effect that the Dutch Minister had signified to the French Cabinet that his Government would permit..a short violation of the Treaty of London, by authorising French troops to cross Luxemburg territory, prided they made no stay there. Mayence and Munster, and the Vicar of Frieburg ar expected to-day. The duration of the conference is un - certain. The sittings open to-morrow, but will be secret. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. LIVERPOOL RACES.—This DAY, (BY ELECTRIC TELEGRA:M) PRODUCE STAKES. Arrow flight ...... The Knight MAIDEN PLATE. Hesperia ... Bar ms Nunnery... Seven ran. WELTER STAKES Brother to Vex April M0rn..... Blossom ... 1 2 3 Five ran. ALL AGED STAKES. Leases Visage Romance MOLYNEUX CUP. Plaudit Stephanotis... . Adelaide Nine ran. DERBY RA.CES.-TAIS DAY. RAWDON HANDICAP. Lincoln Lady Annie St. George Headingley BEAUFORT CUP. Ismael ..... . Masaniello.. Lady Annie. 1 2 3 1 2 • 3 NURSERY STAKES. Peasant Girl Kenmore Flying Duchess c SCURRY HANDICAP. Thunderclap Siege Train........ Flyaway g 2 WEYMOUTH RACES—This DAY. COUNTY STAKES. Nero blalaria Westward Ho i DORSETSHIRE STAKES Dentelle... Whimsical Thornettle 1 2 1 2 3 Bordeaux.., Tartuffe.... SCURRY HANDICAP. CITY BETTING—THIS DAY. LIVERPOOL CUP. 7to 2 agst Myosotis (taken and offered) 4to 1 agst Indian Ocean (taken) sto 1 agst Free Trade (taken) 7to 1 agst Choral (taken) Bto 1 agst Fidelia (taken) 10 to 1 agst Torreador (taken and offered) 10 to 1 agst Ploughboy (offered) ST. LEGER. 7to 4 agst Kingcraft (taken and offered) sto 1 agst Palmerston (offered) 11 to 2 agst Macgregor (offered) 10 to 1 agst Captivator (offered) 25 to 1 agst Tabernacle (offered) 30 to 1 agst Normanby (offered) 4Q to 1 agst Wheatear (offered) 1000 to 20 agst Camel (offered) CESAREWITCH 1000 to 20 agst Capdaliste (taken) 1000 to 15 agst Starter (taken) CAMBRIDGESHIRE. 1000 to 15 agst Maid of Athol (taken) 1000 to 15 agst Mahonia (taken). 1000 to 15 agst Royal Rake (taken) NATIONAL TEMPERANCE LEAGUE FETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. , The last week in August is alwr ys looked forward to by the teetotallers of the United Kingdom as the time when the annual gathering of the friends of the movement takes place at the Crystal Palace—a place in every resp ect fitted for a demonstration combining instruction with the pur suit of pleasure. So far, the annual gatherings of the National Temperance League at the Palace have been unqualified successes, the excellent arrangements and the respectable character of the assembly, inducing thou sands in the metropolis and the country to make this their grand day's "outing:" Last year over 53,000 per sons paid for admission into the Palace and grounds on the Temperance fete day ; and on the present occasion the numbers must have exceeded even that large figure. Yet there was no overcrowding apparent ; but all the visitors seemed to enjoy them selves to the utmost in contemplating the art treasures and specimenA of manufacturing skill within the fairylike structure itself ; in strolling through the mazy walks and along the palatial terraces, adorned with the choicest floral beauties; in forming family and friendly groups for purposes of refection and social chat; in patronising the sports of the fair ground, swinging, rowing, and cricketing ; in admiring the denizens of the prairies and jungle, caged in a mammoth menagerie ; in riding tractable steeds and untractable velocipedes; in watching the soul cheering procession of thousands of Band of Hope children, gathered from all parts, and forming a hopeful reserve corps for the cold water army ; in listening to the sweet strains of harmony breathed forth by a select and trained portion of the same children from the grand orchestra, which was filled with a pleasant company of 5,000 beaming faces, shining radiantly forth from a fleecy cloud of white muslin ; in listening to the advocacy of Temperance principles from the various plat forms ; and, in short, in whatever form they pleased, the vast multitudes spent a happy day. The gathering was not a purely metropolitan one, but was really national, as befitted the occasion—special excursion trains having been ran from all parts of the country, to enable the friends of the movement to muster in force and take counsel together. The programme put forth was certainly a very tempting one including a cricket match between the London and Upper Edmonton Temperance Clubs, an instrumental concert, a public meeting, under the chairmanship of Samuel B'wly, Esq. (addressed by the Baboo Keshub Chunder Sen and other gentlemen), a Band of Hope pro cession in the grounds, a concert u yb 5,000 children of th e United Kingdom Band of Hope nion, a grand baloon ascent, a grand display of the great fountains, Mr. °award's performance on the festival organ, and a bell-ringing entertainment by the Temperance Hand bell-ringers. Meetings were also held in the grounds throughout the day. One was in connection with the ' Order of the Sons of Temperance, the members of which I appeared in full regalia. The day proved fine, notwith steding a few threatening clouds, and everything passed off in the most successful manner. THE CROYDON WIFE MURDER..—John Carver, who was convicted and sentenced to death at the last Guildford assizes for the murder of his wife, this afternoon received a free pardon from her Majesty. DEATH BY DROWNING OF THE EARL OF ABER DEEN—ABERDEEN, Wednesday. —Intelligence was received to-day by the Earl of Aberdeen's family that his lordship had been drowned whilst on a passage from America to Melbourne. The noble earl, who was in his twenty-ninth year, has been travelling some time, and little has been heard of him for the last two years. He is succeeded by his brother, the Hon. John Campbell Gordon, who was born in 1847. Mr. Wells, who has been appointed aeronaut to the Prussian army, crossed from Dover to Ostend this morn ing with a balloon, bound for - the Prussian head quarters. THE REPRESENTATION OF SHREWSBURY.—We understand that Mr. Cotes and Mr. Commissioner Kerr will contest the representation of Shrewsbury in the Liberal interest. Mr. Douglas Straight will be the Con servative candidate. THE STABBING CASE IN THE BOROUGH.—DEATH OF THE VICTIM.—On inquiry at Guy's Hospital yesterday it was stated that George Meyers had expired at ten o'clock that morning from the effects of the injuries inflicted on him by George Martin Bailey. The unfortunate man has suffered very much since Saturday (the day he was stabbed). and he died in great agony, The inquest will be held at the hospital on Thursday next. THE WESTERN LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY.—In the Chambers of Vice-Chancellor Bacon an application was made by the official liquidator of the above society to authorise the demand of a call of £1 per share, mak ing in the aggregate about £30,000 upon the contribu tories. It transpired that Mrs. Cecilia Willis was an annuitant of the society, and as the payment of her money from the Western, as well as the assignee of the Albert, ceased, she presented a petition under which a winding-up order was made. There were two classes of creditors—annuitants and policy-holders, as to the latter a question arose upon their claims, but it was generally agreed that there was nothing in the claims of the former to prevent their immediate settlement. An objection was now raised, however, to the call, on the ground that the summons had not been served upon all the contributories liable to payment. It was urged, on the other hand, that this objection was raised merely for the sake of creating delay, the contributories not having produced, the slightest tangible evidence against the call. , The Chief Clerk (Mr. Allen) said that his colleague, Mr. Leman, had already directed the question to be trans mitted to the Vice-Chancellor ' and under those circumstances the matter must remain in abey ance until Michaelmas Term. At the urgent request of the official liquidator, however, Mr. Allen consented to remit the question to the vacation judge (Vice-Chancellor Bacon), at Shrivenham, on Thursday, the Bth of September, when the formality or informality of the summons relating to the call would be decided. OPEI3,4TIONS NEAR MONTMEDY. The special correspondent of the Standard has a letter from Chauvancy, dated August 28th. He says :—"After sending my telegram this. morning I started for Chau vancy, on horseback, four miles from Montmedy, follow ing partly the railway line, and hearing a distinct artillery fire, not only in that direction, but also more to the west, ou the line of Stenay. At 10 o'clock I stopped at a little farm on a hill, and I have had a full sight of an outpost engagement, taking place on the station of the railway. ; I send you in a hurry the details of that affair, with orders to take it immediately to Virton, to start by next post ; the only importance to my letter being that as yet I have not been able to ascertain if anything serious has taken place near Stenay, where I am assured a corps of MacMahon's is, and also a large Prussian corps d'armee. A peloton of 48 men the 6th Regiment of the line had been detached from Sedan to guard the railway line at Chauvancy; the Uhlans had already cut the line the day previously, and after an hour's fighting they had been repulsed. The communications were re-estab lished. A few wounded had been brought to Montmedy, and the new detachment thus was there this morning had only arrived in the evening. At nine o'clock this morning 218 men of the Prussian Genr4 and 400 Uhlans suddenly emerged from a neighbouring wood, west of Chauvancy, and began the attack, on the French (peloton) of the Gth of the line. The 48 Frenchmen, commanded by a captain, bravely sustained the first shock; they put themselves in tirailleurs ; and at ten o'clock' when I came in sight of the combat, they were yet masters of the station, fighting in Algerain tirailleurs' way. About 20 different attacks were renewed in my presence, and great was my astonishment in seeing those few soldiers, nearly overlapped on either side, continuing their fire under protection of . fences, trees, barns, &c. At about eleven o'clock they were dis lodged from the station, and an hour after I could see the Prussian infantry working to destroy the line, and the Uhlans surrounding the place. Nine French soldiers have been killed, six have been wounded, and have passed just now on their way to Montmedy. They are lying on a large van full of straw. Eighteen men, including the captain, have remained prisoners. The Prussians have 23 men hors de combat. The farm from which I wrote you these few lines, although only a mile and a half from the Chauvancy Station, is safe enough for me. It is placed on an eminence on the road to Montmedy, and I shall see in a few minutes what direction best to take. I am very much inclined to go towards Stenay. Till twelve o'clock I distinctly heard cannonading in this direction, and I am strongly of opinion that on the other side of Stenay, towards Buzaney, some serious engagement has taken place this morning. At five o'clock a.m. I heard the cannonade ; I heard it at twelve o'clock, and the little affair I have witnessed has positively lasted only from nine till half past ten. I cannot mistake one for the other. I have ascertained that all the country between Mouzay, Dun sur-Meuse, and Domvillers are swarming with Prussian troops, and, if my reports are true, the French troops must be also in that direction. MAC MAHON'S POSITION. In the aotual circumstances, the placing of head-quar ters at Sedan nearly resembles an act of deliberate strate gical suicide. We have said that the town is very close to the frontier ; and here, in the present campaign, lies its chief inconvenience. It possesses only a single line of railway communication with Paris— leading westward by Mezieres to Hirson, and thence south-westward through. Laon and Soissons, or by the long detour of St. Quentin and Compibgne. No doubt from Mezieres another line runs southward by Bethel to Rheims ; but that line is already fast and firm in the possession of the Prussians. We have seen already the great importance which the invaders attach to the interruption of railway communication, especially at points like Hirson ; and Hirson is only forty miles from Vouziers and Attigny, where we have already heard of their cavalry. Even if it were not true that Sedan and Mezieres had been chosen by MacMahon and the Emperor for their base of opera tions, the importance of Hirson would be the same ; for ' is the nearest available railway point to an army operating in the Northern Argonne and cut off from Rheims. But niit only is the railroad communication from Sedan precarious; the rugged region of the Ardenne Forest, stretching westward all the way to Hirson and Vervins, condemns the highway to follow the line of the railway, and affords only difficult cross-roads, the issues from which would certainly be occupied by an enemy seeking to cut off MacMahon's retreat. And that is precisely what the Germans are seeking to do—precisely what they have the most splendid opportunity and the strongest temptation to do. MacMahon and his 150,000 men have marched straight past the Crown Prince and his 250,000 men, away from the capital, to the very northern verge of the empire ; and the Crown Prince, who knows that he can reach Paris at any time—all the more easily and impres sively indeed if first he should have put the second army of France hors de combat— has simply wheeled his advancing columns to their right, and marched nortlward upon MacMahon's flank and rear. Thus he now stands completely between the marshal and the capital ; and his advance, on a line parallel to the fron tier, has already taken from the French a full third of the triangle within which the immediate theatre of hostilities is confined. The army of MacMahon now hangs to Paris by a single, undefended, and exposed route ; its proximity to the border hampers enor mously its choice of defensive positions, and may dictate a most disadvantageous offensive ; while the advantage of the narrow space between the frontier and the Meuse, on the roads towards Metz, may be made to tell as powerfully for the Germans as for the French. And we repeat, that all we have said about the danger of an operation in the valley of the Meuse applies almost literally to the case of an operation partly or wholly through Northern Argonne.—Teleqraph. THE SIEGE OF STRASBURG. The Daily News' correspondent, in a telegram from Carlsruhe, says—" Several of the inhabitants of Strasburg, who have just escaped from that city, state that dreadful suffering prevails there. Most of the people spend their nights in the cellars. Potatoes are twenty francs a pound. Other things are also in proportion. Horseflesh is the only meat that can be obtained. Gene ral Ulrich declares that he will not surrender the town until it is a heap of ashes. The inhabitants are beseeching him to make terms. Meanwhrile , the besieging force is being increased, and its losses still continue to be slight. One hundred sixty pounders have been placed in position. The cathedral is slightly injured. Torrents of rain have beep fall ing for several days. A SEA FIGHT. At half-past ten o'clock this morning two large vessels were seen from Seaford, firing at each other, off the coast of Lincolnshire. Cannonading had been going on for more than an hour when The telegram was despatched. (REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.) ACCOUCHEMENT OF THE QUEEN OY GREECE, CORFU, AUG. 30.. The Queen of Greece was confined to-day of a Plinceass, who received the name of Alexandra. INDIA. (By British Indian Cable. BOMBAY, AUG. 31. The Richmond is expected to become a total wreck Important news from the Persian Gulf is expected ; Sy at Toolkee having sailed for Oman, and has reclaimed h father's princedom. AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA. VIENNA, AUGUST 30. The Vienna papers have published a report that the concentration of a Prussian army of reserve at Glogan, in Silesia, has formed the subject of explanations between Count Beust and the Prussian Minister in this city. This statement is without foundation. CONFERENCE OF GERMAN BISHOPS. EICHSTADT FULDA, AUGUST 30. The Bishops of Ratisbon and Eichstadt have arrived here to take part in the conference which has been called, it is believed, for the purpose of agreeing upon a jcint of action in reference to the decision of the cEcumenical CounciL The Archbishop of Cologne, the Bishops of THE SIEGE OF STI .SBURG. it appears to me that if the besiegers intend to ap proach the town in the regulor slow, orthodox way, there is but little chance of its falling into their hands, except by honourable capitulation, after peace shall have been declared. I do not, therefore, think that such a protracted method will be adopted. The Baden troops have every reason to be anxious to take the town by storm. Up to the present they have been unfortunate, and have not had much opportunity for die. tinguishing themselves in the field. It is, therefore, natural that they should wish to carry this undertaking to a speedy and successful issue. The national honour is at stake ; besides, they must have a strong claim to put in for a share in the good things that may be going when the war shall be over and peace declared. As is usual in such cases there are not wanting those who say that Strasburg might easily have been captured at the time that the rails and telegraph wires were taken up and cut close to the station. It is very possible that they may be right ; fewer lives are lost in a vigorous effort, if successful, than in the long protracted operations of a regular siege. It is certain that the French were but badly prepared for resistance on the day in question, for the gates were literally slammed in the face of the men who came up to summon the town to surrender. I have even heard it stated that Lieutenant-General Werder, the Minister at War at Carlsruhe, was recalled because he failed to seize upon the favourable opportUnity offered him of taking the place by a coup de main. This is merely a malicious fabrication, General Werder having been obliged to resign his command owing to a severe attack of gout, which rendered it quite im possible for him to conduct active operations in the field. Day is the time for rest in the lines before Strasburg. At night men gird up their loins, and prepare for work; then pioneers and fatigue parties go forth to their labours under the friendly cover of the darkness ; and then, too, in their turn the French gunners peer into the night, and open their heaviest fire on every speck of light that indicates the pre- Beare of the foe, and on every spot where they think it rely that working may be going an. The view of the be reagnered town at nigh+ from the eafd of the Lion d'Or, at Brumath, was beautiful—beautiful, but awful. A great conflagration lit up the lurid shy in the direction Of Ruprechtsau, and the trembling townsfolk whispered among themselves that the " Minister " was in flames; they were wrong, for in the morning the tall cathedral spire still pointed grandly to the sky. At midnight the fire was raging terribly, and the whole shy was lighted up with the brightness of the flames. An hospital was op posite to him, and what I heard was the pitiful moaning wrung from human beings in the ex tremity of their pain and woe. The poor fellows were probably Turcos. The Eastern, more patient than the Western nations, do not relieve their sufferings by loud cries ; neither do they suffer pain in silence, as some white men do. In their agony these swarthy warriors of France give utterance only to a low plaintive wail, in expressibly sad and heartrending to hear.—Correspondent fo the Telegraph. A Shanghai telegram states that Mr. Wade, the British Minister, has visited Tientsin, the scene of the late atrocities upon French subjects. CRYSTAL PALACE.—(One Shilling Day, Tuesday, August 30.)—Admission by Season Tickets, 7,604 ; ditto on payment, 42,412; total, 50,016. PH E MONEY MAli K ET NJ, ' OM MERCIAL I NTELLW CE. CITY, Two o'CLocx On the Stock Exchange to-day business was limited, owing to the progress of a settlement. The funds are firm, and foreign stocks are a point higher. In railways the only change is that Glasgow and South-Western fell 2i upon the announcement of the dividend at the rate of 5i per cent. per annum. Consols are absut the same as last night, being quoted 911 to 91k; New and Reduced, 91i to 92k; India Five per Cents., 110 to 110}; ditto Four per Cents., 100 to 1111 ; ditto Ten-and-a-half per Cents., 205 to 207 ; ditto Bonds, lOs to 15s prem. ; Exchequer Bills, par to ss. prem.; and Bank of England Stock, 232 to 234. Foreign Stocks are firm, but without change, except in Italian and Turkish, which are to per cent. higher. The following are the prices :—ltalian, 484 to 49i ; Spanish (1867), 24 to 244 ; ditto (1869), 254 to 254 ; Turkish Five per Cents., 414 to 42 ; ditto (1869), 54i to 55 ; Egyptian, 73 to 74 ; and Peruvian, 85 to 86. There seems every probability of the Bank directors reducing the rate of discount per cent. next Thursday. Some persons appear inclined to believe that the court will go to the• extent of 1 per cent., but this is not generally credited. The resources of the Bank must have again considerably increased, both by the accession of bullion and the running off of securities. The further amounts of specie coming forward will go into the vaults of Threadneedle-street, and there is little immediate expectation of an adverse variation. At the Stock Exchange never was such a glut of money as the present known, while the scarcity of borrowers re mains unexampled. The amounts unemployed at the close of yesterday was something enormous. The Manchester markets this week have opened without alteration. The Board of Trade returns for the past month present some slight indications of the influence of the declaration of war which occurred at the end of the first fortnight. Compared with the corresponding month of last year there is a diminution of only about s per cent. in the declared value of our exportations, but in several branches of manufacture there are evidences of a check having been experienced. MARKETS (Tats DAY.) MARK-LANE. The attendance of millers at Mark-lane to-day was again moderate, and the trade assumed a very quiet appearance. A small retail trade was concluded in both English and foreign wheat, at the decline of ls. to 2s. per quarter, which took place on Monday last. Barley was quiet, but prices were unaltered for all descriptions. Malt was dull at drooping currencies. There was a plentiful supply of oats, which sold slowly at the late reduction. Beans and peas were scarce, and commanded former terms. Maize was again lower to sell. The flour trade was very quiet, but there is no change to note in the value of every description. POLICE INTLLLIGDNCE. —Tars DAY. MEETING WITH AN OBSTACLE WHILE IN THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE. — Frederick Sparkes, in the employ of Mr. Theodore Crux, of the Albany Hotel, No. 240, Great Portland-street, was summoned before Mr. Knox, at the Marlborough Police-court, for assaulting Mr. Mortlock, of Barford-street, Islington. The complainant said on the 20th instant he was walking along Great Portland-street, reading a book at the time, when he came in contact with • a ladder, on which was the defendant, who was doing something to a lamp in front of the Albany Tavern. The defendant descended the ladder in an excited state, and made use of an offensive expression, to which he (com plainant) replied by calling him "a cad," and the defend ant then shook him, having hold of his collar at the time. The defendant said he was nearly knocked off the ladder by the complainant blundering against it, and on his descending the ladder and !expostulating with him the complainant called him a " - cad," and he would not deny that he did then give the complainant a bit of a shaking. Mr. Knox said, even if the defendant, under the circumstances, used an intemperate expression, it was pardonable, as he had had great provocation. He could not say the defendant had not committed an assault, but it was one of such a nature that he should only call on him to pay a fine of one penny and the costs. The complainant seemed far from pleased at the result. A LADY THRASHING A CABMAN.—Mrs. Agnes Elizabeth Hares, of 10, Alfred Street, Montpelier Square, Bromp ton, was charged on a summons, at Westminster Police court, with assaulting William Connell, a cab driver. The complainant said he was engaged from a rank, and ' went to the Duke's Head in Soho, where he took up the defendant and drove her to Alfred Street, Montpelier Square ; she went into the house, and the servant brought out Is. 6d. in about 10 minutes ; he had waited at Soho 23 minutes, and when offered is. 6d. asked for 6d. more, as he considered he was entitled to it ; instead of that the defendant came down the steps, and he gave her a ticket; she tore it up, threw it in his face, and spat in his face. He thenlwent up the steps and asked for 6d. more, and put his foot in the door, as the defendant refused to give her name and address, and said he should not go till he got it ; the defendant then opened the door, smashed his hat, cut his face open with a blow, and threw him down the steps; a policeman had to get the name. It was contended that complainant asked for more than his fare, was insolent, put his foot in the door, and refused to go at all, and the defendant only used the force she was justified in using to expel him from her house. A witness proved these facts. Mr. Mansfield held that the defendant was justified in ejecting the com plainant, and dismissed the summons, remarking that he did not believe she spat in his face. GAIETY THEATRE. The entire change of performance at the Gaiety has resulted in the greatest success. Notwithstanding the excellence of the acting of Mr. Morris the Anglo-Dutch performer, as Peter Spyke, an additional attraction was required, and this has been effected by the production of Offenbach's comic opera " Barbe Bleue." Mr. 0. Kenny has prepared the work for the English stage, and on the whole the work has been perforined in a satisfactory manner. The principal part, Boulette, is sustained by Miss Julia Matthews with more than ordinary effect, and her greatest admirer could searcely have predicted the success she has achieved by her spirited rendering of the character. Miss Losiby as Flourette also deserves the highest commendation both for her singing and acting, and Miss Tremaine as the imperious Queen, Clementina, shows rapid progress in her profession. The Blue Beard of Mr. Beverley is not perhaps quite so good as it ought to be, but doubtless the novelty of his position at present somewhat interferes with his real abilities. Mr. J. D. Stoyle as the King infused great spirit into the part, and Mr. Perrini as Oscar sang the music with much taste and effect. We must not omit a word of praise for Mr. A. Cook, who, as Popolani the sorcerer, contributed greatly to the success of the piece. The . opera has been most sumptuously put upon the stage ; every detail has been attended to and carried out with the most lavish expense. The scenery, dresses, and appointments are all exceedingly bright and beautiful, and the whole production is one that entitles the management to the greatest praise, The opera is undoubtedly the best thing that has yet been given at this elegant theatre, and a long and highly successful run will certainly be the reward of the energetic lessee and manager. THE FRENCH AT UNITA VECCHIA. The French frigate L'Arenoque bas arrived at Civita Vecchia, and taken up her position in the harbour with the French advice boat the Daim and the English frigate the Defence. The Marquis de Banneville, the French ambassador at Rome, paid a visit to the irigate the day after her arrival. Five hundred horses, purchased in the Pontifical States 'or the use of the Italian army, have been despatched 'rom Rome to Livorno. THE CARLIST INSURRECTION IN SPAIN. The correspondent of the Standard at Madrid tele graphs that the Carlist movement having received no countenance and assistance from the popu- Race, the majority of the rebels and their leaders }rave returned to France. They were defeated at several places by the troops, and at length finally dispersed. When the fugitives arrived at the frontier, they were stoppied by the French authorities, by whom they were disarmed, and a number of them arrested. The district in which the Carlists appeared is again tranquiL The French man-of-war that was in Lerwick harbour until Sunday was the ram Reine Blanche, from Cher bourg. She has 350 men on board, and carries six guns of large calibre. No one was allowed on board. She sails southward. Otll COTEMPORARIES—This Morning WHAT ARE THEY FIGHTING FOR? '.C.11 Times again urges the two belligerents to come to terms. The French and Germans are certainly not fight ing. about the Spanish succession. The pretext, if it eves had any substance, has long ago lost it. Hardly can they , be regarded as fighting for what was undoubtedly the cause of war at the be ginning —the right of Germany to unite itself under a Prussian Sovereign, for nobody can well believe that this consummation can now be hindered. The Germans must have now proved beyond dispute that they are strong enough to hr..ve their own way in their own affairs without asking leave of others, and so that question need not be rais e d. Then what' has either belligerent to fight for? The Germans are fighting for the completion of what they consider an imperfect work ; the French for the re-establishment of their mili tary renown, and for escape froinkliumiliating terms of peace. If they were to cease fighting now,- they would lose all the chances they anticipate of redressing the balance of fortune, and must accept any conditions which the Germans might think proper 'to impose. A gleam of sunshine might place them in a better position. A timely - . - ictory, a reverse inflicted on the enemy, or any brilliant feat of strategy or arms, would put the two varties on a more even footing, while, at the worst, it e-ould alleviate their indignation to prolong their resist• ance and postpone their surrender. It is strange to observe how, at this as at all other points of the story, the evants are opposed to expectations. The i'vussians are adopt;::;; the policy of the French themselves under the First Nep,- .son. They hese dealt severe and rapid blows at V'e enemy's armies, and are marching straight upon his capi tal, there to compel, by their very presence, submission and concessions. The French are preparing to treat them, if reports are true, exactly as they were themselVes treated by the Russians. " What," exclaimed Napoleon, after Borodino, " all this carnage and all these victories without any result ?" The King of Prussia may 'Possibly have to make the same reflection if the French should leave even Paris in his hands without mention of overtures for peace. Should not such considerations dispose both parties to moderation and reason? By driving the French to extremities the l'russians may entangle themselves in the incalculable embarrassments of a national insurrection ; the French, by rejecting negotiation, may bring upon themselves military disasters which no popular heroism can out weigh. TERMS OF PEACE. The Standard says that Germany will err in making an attempt to exact territorial gain from France. Let us, it says, frankly admit that she would be in her right in possessing herself of Alsace and Lorraine. France went to war intending to take the left bank of the Rhine ; neutrals who did not resist that pretension have no right to complain if Germany proposes to advance her frontier to the Vosges. And this is, we fear, the present hope and purpose of the Prussian Government and other German people. We cannot blame them, but we think it mistaken policy. In the first place, it will certainly prolong the war. France will fight to the last gasp rather than cede a territory so thoroughly Frenoh, and so valuable to France by its wealth, its resources, and its enterprise ; and so long as France fights Germany must endure the losses and the risks of war. Nor is the prize worth the risk. The German frontier is strong enough already; stronger than that of France. United Germany is stronger than France ; and if not, a disaffected p rov i nce wou ld d etract from, not enhance, her military power. The differences between north and south will entail sufficient trouble on - the Federal or Imperial Government without the acquisition of a German Ireland on the west of the Rhine.. It cannot be argued that such a "material guarantee " is necessary to remind France of the hazards of a German war. Long before France could be induced to give up Alsace, she must be so thoroughly beaten that she will have acknowledged her defeat and given up the idea of revenging it, at least single-handed. The possession of Alsace will not help to secure Germany, and its loss will rankle for ever in the heart of Fran. e. Nor is this the worst. There is too much reason already to fear the political consequences of this war. The Em peror at most shares the responsibility of the nation ; but a disposition has been shewn to ma k e hi m b ear it alone. Now, the abandonment of Alsace would certainly in volve the dethronement of the dynasty, and m all likelihood the establishment of a Republic, and ,that the Republiquee Democratique etSociale, the Red Republic. A Republic socialist and propagandist, established in France, means Republicanism in Spain, revolution in Italy, disturbanoe, sedition, and disorder everywhere.. It is the interest of all Europe that France should not be driven desperate, for the desperation of France implies re course to measures which will agitate Europe from the Ural range to the Atlantic. PRUSSIA'S MISSION. The Daily News observes that to unite Germany —to collect the scattered States have been a prey to neighbouring nations for centuries into one great and powerful country such has been the end and aim of Prussia's political and military efforts. She undertook the task armed with a wise and elastic system of organisation, and with a series of educational and other institutions which have shown a singular power of reconciling incorporated States to their lot. She had before her eyes, too, the repeated failures of Austria, whose system was to create a number of petty States, over which she ruled with a more or less efficient authority. And, singular enough, it was the French themselves who paved the way for Prussian leadership, by knocking to pieces the old Empire which had existed for nine centuries, with Vienna for its capi tal. It was the army of the Revolution that abolished the German Emperor, his Aulic Council and Diet, and allowed Napoleon to establish the Confederation of the Rhine. The News thinks there is nothing to show that Germany need be feared as an aggressive Power To fear such a thi ng i s t o i nsult the earliest pro cesses of reason. The German army is not an army of invasion ; it is an army o f d e f ence—an army that must know why it is wanted to fight and which will not lightly buckle on the sword. The history of France—the firebrand of Europe—tells a different tale. In this very war France went out to lay violent hands on whatever she could find ; and there can be little doubt that, had she been victorious, the Emperor and his advisers would not have been able to withstand the popular clamour for the annexation of Belgium. THE GERMAN SPY SYSTEM. The Telegraph says—lf the Emperor had only time and heart to investigate the causes of the utter overthrow of his projects, he would find that the word " Information, ' with all that it means among German Generals, has been more fatal to him than his own mistakes. Yesterday, to-day, and ever since the present extraordinary campaign began, each movement of the rival armies has evinced accu late knowledge on one side, and hap-hazard on the other. The last eventful news powerfully illustrates that even in the very heart of France Moltke and his Princes have been better informed than those who are fighting for the soil and the capital. The Germans have waged the war with brains as well as well as with numbers and valour ; the Emperor rashly matched his mitrailleuses against German Geist, with the result which is to-day made manifest. "Information" has been the great engine of war brought into play by the conquerors. Foreseeing what might be the necessities of the dynasty at Paris, they studied France beforehand like a book ; they worked at every possible march and counter -march upon her surface ; they understood more about her forts and camps than any French etat-nurjsur ; and they have practised not a single manoeuvre which was not previously rehearsed on the black board and the maps of German mess-rooms. The French are naturally very sore about the eagles, guns, and mitrailleuses which have been carried to Berlin ; yet, if they only compre hended their defeat, they would probably regard the spy whom they shot the other day as a representative and re taliatory trophy. THE IRISH JOURNALS ON THE WAR. ----- The Irish Tines, referring to the state of Paris, says':— If there be intestine discord, with the enemy at the gate, all is lost indeed, and for anything they co u ld e ff ec t, it would matter little whether the army of MacMahon has gone, or whether .Bazaine was free or imprisoned within the walls of Metz.---The Morning Mail, referring to the eject upon French minds of the tone of some newspapers, says the Times is not England. It represents the English people less than it ever did. It is difficult to justify a course of comment which anticipates a catastrophe to the extent of helping to create them. A chronometer and £3OO has been presented to Captain Cowell by the underwriters of Liverpool, the captain having safely navigated the Venezuelan to New York after she had been seriously damaged by a storm in the Atlantic. ANOTHER FAILURE IN MANCHESTER.—The Man chester Examiner announces the suspension of Mr. Ed mund Thomson, commission agent, Manchester. The liabilities are estimated at from £16,000 to £20,000. FRANCE AND ITALY.—The Diritto is informed that Prince Napoleon, being on Friday in company with some Italian statesmen, turned to one of them suddenly and exclaimed, " It is you, gentlemeb, you, who are ruin ing France. A general war would have saved us ; a war confined to Prussia will be our ruin, and the intervention of Italy in our favour would have provoked the general war." THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER AT BROMPTON.--- GOVERNMENT REWARD.—Although several weeks since the murder at West Brompton was committed, the detec tives of the metropolitan police have failed to discover any clue to the whereabouts of the guilty person or per sons. It was said that after the conclusion of the coroner's inquest the police received some important information connected with the matter, and they went t o a certa i n place, but upon making a careful inquiry found that the statement made to them was false. The brutal murder, however, has not been forgotten, and on Tuesday a reward of £lOO was offered by the Government for the arrest of the murderer. COURSING PRIVILEGES IN THE HOME PARK.— The long-pending controversy between the lovers el the leash and the officials connected with the Home Park, na. - npton Court, is now finally settled. The claims of coursing men and the public to sport in this Royal demesne was disputed by the authorities, and coursing suspended, and the matter has remained in abeyance since last spring. A memorial to the Marquis of Ailesbury (Master of the Queen's Horse),ex-officio Chief Ranger of the Home Park, has been presented by Lord George Hamilton in behalf of the coursing clubs, alleging their ancient rights, and pray ing for a renewal of coursing privileges. and the following reply has been received from the Marquis of Ailesbury;— ~ ter due consideration of the petition, it is not thought desirable to preserve hares in the Home Park, Hampton Court." Sporting in this royal demesne is now peremp torily.prohibited, and the fate o f th e coursing public who have hitherto enjoyed the privilege is indelibly sealed, and their ancient rights extinguished.