The Sun. — London, England, 1870-08-02 00:00:00

)rning. ill of the a nation 4nd inde- issue last whether Europe to pro m Glad derously interpre aped his in the explicit parently wisdom, as it is threats. them of merely t except we shall What serious 3 before Duld be duties mid give the out far that king con- Minister aviolate. were not e found, ads and ; Peace chile the day of ion that dent or the real ,speech, :ngland, a whole id navy he last serious Mr. on him Lot have state t have sur uninent mowing id navy Ld confi hat it is a disre urpose, ?,t of the of our They !able or er word ech last Land, in ;hat the ,her lay )sponsi linister 1. In station Causes dignity The itimate that ns, ive by THIS EVENING'S NEWS. THE WAR. PARIS, August 2. The latest official intelligence, dated yesterday, three p.m., says that no engagement had taken place during the day on the banks of the Rhine as reported. THE POLICY OF ENGLAND. A telegram dated Florence, August 1, says the Opinione of to-day states that England, while maintaining a strict neutrality, refuses to enter into any joint engagement with the neutral Powers for a common pacific action whenever they may consider such a course opportune. The Italian Government is concentrating troops on the Roman frontier. A SEA FIGHT. A despatch from The Hague, dated July 28, announces that a sea-fight took place on the day before between two French vessels of war and some Prussian gunboats, not far from Cuxhaven, on the coast of Hanover, when one of the latter was sunk. ACTIVE OPERATIONS. According to advices from Germany the beginning of active operations is not expected before the first days of August. A letter from Dusseldorf, dated July 29, says in spite of the facilities afforded by railways, the transport of hundreds of thousands of men, and of the horses, artillery, and military stores takes time, and as the French must have given up by this time all idea of sur prising the Prussians, they prefer to wait until all is as complete as possible. On both sides the want of horses is most felt. The Prussian army not long ago mustered out a number of cavalry horses, and these have now to be got back. The French are above all ill off for artillery horses. From early morning to evening the peasants are bringing in their horses to Metz, where they get prices which they could never have dreamt of under other circumstances. HEAD-QUARTERS OF THE DUECH. The Dutch will vindicate their neutrality against all corners, and have so disposed their army as to be ready to ward off a landing of the French. The head-quarters of the Dutch troops at this moment are at Haarlem and Utrecht, with advanced guards on the Yssel line and in the south western provinces. To be cautious is the more recommended to them by their acquaintance with the advice given to the Emperor Napoleon by the late Marshal Niel, who always insisted that a Ger man campaign should be inaugurated by the landing of a force at Helvoetsluys, south west of of Rotterdam and the marching of another corps straight upon Mayence and Berlin. It is with a view to prevent the realization of this old design that the 55,000 men of Holland have been called out. If necessary they will fight manfully. Public feeling in Holland has latterly taken a direction which puts hearty resistance beyond a doubt. HUNGARY AND THE WAR. The Hungarian Chamber has passed the bills for grant ing supplementary credits to the military department, and for calling in the recruits now voted before October. Fourteen members only voted against the measure. Count Andrassy, the Priemier, at the same time declared that Hungary has no further claim upon Austria, as she has obtained all her rights, and that in the present crisis all internal differences should be laid aside. This declara tion was received by the House with lively marks of approval. VERSAILLES IN DANCER. Versailles had a narrow escape yesterday. An immense quantity of ammunition of all sorts has been stored there lately. In the afternoon an empty box, in the midst of a mass of Powder, shells, &c., was discovered on fire. A few courageous artillerymen rushed to the spot, and succeeded 1 11 dragging out the burning box. " A few minutes later," says the report, "and half Versailles would have been blown down." This is looked upon as the work of Prussian emissaries in France. THE AUSTRIAN NATIONALITIES. VIENNA, August I.—Count Potocki has addressed a Memorandum to the Empefor on the proposed dissolution of the Bohemian Diet and the ordering of new elections. In this document he says that the Government, in view of the serious position of affairs in Europe, endeavours to secure the active participation of all the nationalities of the empire without exception, and their concurrence with such resolutions as it might be deemed necessary to take. The Neue Fveie Press., which is the most determined opponent of the Czechs in other respects, approves of this measure on the ground that it is Incredible that the majority of that nation should continue to subordinate the interests of the empire generally to those of their own province. THE EVACUATION OF ROME. A telegram dated Rome, August 1, says three more companies of Chasseurs left Civita Vecchia to-day. The Duc de Cadou arrived at Copenhagen on Sunday from Paris, and had an interview the same afternoon with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The price of substitutes in France to serve in the active army has risen from £5O to £3OO, and even at that figure it is not easy to find them. The Swiss troops are stationed in the uorth-western extremity of Switzerland, to prevent the French from attacking Baden, via Basle and Aargau. FATAL FIRE AT SHEFFIELD. A serious fire occurred in the Infirmary-road in Shef field this morning. Several shops were destroyed before the flames could be extinguished. Mrs. Whitehead, th e Wife of one of the occupants, was burnt to death, and it i 8 thought that a man who attempted to rescue her ad also perished. THE CONCORDAT. ——— - V - IEjsTNA, August L—The withdrawal of the Con cordat has been notified to the Vatican. The Austrian press is full of enthusiastic articles on this great achievement of Constitutional Austria. A bill will be laid before the Reichsrath for regulating the relations between the State and the Roman Catholic Church according to the laws of the new Constitution, and for maintaining the Emperor's prerogative in the appointment of the prelates of the Church. POLICE INTELLIGENCE.—This DAY. UNPROVOKED AESAULT.—Richard Welford, a rough looking fellow, war charged before Mr. Tyrwhitt at Marl borough -street with assaulting Thos. Wheeler, residing at No. 43, Upper Rathbone-place. The complainant said he was walking along Rathbone-place the previous night with his wife and daughter when the prisoner, who ap peared to be sober, walked up to him, and without the least provocation gave him a violent blow in the mouth, knocking out three of his teeth. A constable came up, and he gave the prisoner into custody. Sergt. Turk, 34 E, deposed to finding the complainant bleeding from the Mouth. The complainant gave the prisonerinto custody for assaulting him, and the prisoner then said that complain ant's daughter assaulted him, but she denied it. Mr. Tyrwhitt, after remarking that it was .not safe for a respetgble man and his family to walk in the streets, and that such persons as the prisoner would noh be allowed to do just as they liked, committed the prisoner for two 1 1 months with hard laboar. AN EXTRAORDINARY CABS.—A short time ago a girl named Charles was charged at the Westminster Po lice -court, with a desperate attempt at suicide from a window of a house of ill-repute situate in Claren don-street, Pirulito, and remanded to the House of Deten tion, while Mr. Gough, the chaplain, attended her and () /1 her re-examination here, she signified her intention of FiThig home into Herefordshire. Mr. Arnold kindly paid her fare home, gave her money to put in her pocket, and Bent for her clothes, and directed the constable to see her safe in the train. This the constable did, and asked the two guards at the Great Western Railway to look after her, r...uarrating the circumstances under which she was sent. he girl has never been seen since, either in London or at' 'e/' father's home, and on Upson, a detective, seeing the guards, they admitted being the men, but could remember 1;1 1414 11g except one o f th em c h ange d at Swindon, where , n e girl is su p pose d t o h ave c h ange d f or her destination. 'lte constable, however, had accurately described them, and will be confronted with them in regard to the matter. liB morning Mr. Arnold asked Inspector Humphreys if 44311-ling were kno wn o f h er ye t ? M r . H ump h reys said 110 $ but repeated what has been stated above respecting 4 t he g'uards. Mr. Arnold said if the constable had told 1 8 cir cumstances, and they had neglected to see after her, e matter should be brought to the notice of the railway authorities. ATTE3IPTED MURDEU AND SUICIDE.—William Dash, Th 29 years, a bricklayer's laboure r , was c h arge d a t th e Ames Police -court, before Mr. Lushington, with feloniously cutting and wounding Selina Ford, with intent to murder her or do grievous bodily harm, and with afterwards attempting to commit suicide. Mr. John Rouse, an inspector of the K division of police, produced two statements made in the London Hospital by the prisoner and Ford on the 10th of last month. He had taken them down in writing in the presence of Mr. Leap ingwell, house surgeon of the London Hospital. It appeared that the prisoner and Ford had lived together as man and wife in Hungerford-street, Commercial-road, On the 10th of July they had been drinking and quarrel. ling, and while he was cutting up tobacco on their return home another quarrel took place and he stabbed her on the left breast with the knife he was using. She fled towards . the hospital, and fell down from weakness and loss of blood on the way there, and was raised from the ground by two men, who carried her to the hospital, where she had remained under medical treatment until this day. The wound inflicted upon her was a very serious one, and she is still very weak and ill. The pri soner stabbed himself several times after he had struck the woman. He is in a very precarious condition. He was seated during the investi gation, and it was stated by Inspector Rouse that the medical authorities of the London Hospital had declared it would be dangerous to remove the prisoner in the prison van to the House of Detention if he was remanded. Mr.. Rouse was compelled to ask for a remand, because Mr. Leapingwell, who at tended on the parties, was at present in the country. The woman was very reticent, and it was with difficulty any evidence was elicited from her. She endeavoured to ' make it appear that she was wounded in a struggle while her paramour had a knife in his hand. Mr. Lushington remanded the prisoner, and he was removed in a cab to Clerkenwell Prison. THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. The public services on Sunday were well attended. Dr. Foster, one of the American deputation, preached for the president in the evening. It was a remarkable sermon. The ex-president presented the president with a cheque for one hundred pounds, to distribute amongst the ministers becoming supernumeraries this year. Thanks were also tendered to Dr. Jobson, the pre sident. Dr. Osborn, a presiding Elder, from tile Methodist Episcopal Church of America., spoke of the remarkable openings for ministers in Mexico, where sixty Protestant churches had been pawned in sixteen months, and large portions of church property had been offered by Jaurez at a nominal price for Protestant purposes. into which the Americans were, he stated, not able fully to enter at present.—Doctor Osborn hoped the English Con ference would be able to commence a mission in Mexico. —Questions commenced, " What ministers are to be come supernumeraries ?" and " What supernume raries would be returned to full work ?" John. Tydlan, John D. Jultan, William Seccombe, John W. Dawson, John D. Alexandra, Dr. Waddy, Joseph Spencer, John Phillip, James Mitchell, John Bartley, john Hughes, Hender Geach, John Bissell, Elijah Loyne, Frederick Payne, Joseph Sykes, Andrew Mackintosh, John Dawson, Joseph Fl o yd, J ames Spensley, John J. Merff, David Griffiths, Charles Nightingale, John Watson, Edward Barbour, John Randerson, Samuel Merrill, and William Wilson, were ordered to return to work. WAR NOTES. THE LATE SKIRMISHING,--The last skirmishes in the Saar country nearly all originated in a wish of the French to give as good as they had got, and destroy ne railway or other on German soil. In no case did they jsucceed. I refrain from details, presuming you are in regular receipt of the official telegrams from the seat of war. The German troops were at first startled at the immense range of the Chassepot, but soon discovered that the enemy being unable to take aim at these large distances, lets fly at random, and makes more noise than he does execution. On their part the Prussians follow the opposite method. Cautiously approaching till they can obtain a sure aim, they fire only when they have a fair chance of hitting their man. Thus far their tactics answer so much better than those cf the French that, if our intelligence is accurate, the losses on the Fr enc h s id e in these skirmi s h es were about five times as numerous as on the German.—Times' Berlin Correspondent. THE GERMANS INTEND TO ADVANCE.--I have heard it stated on good authority that the King of Prussia has resolved to make strenuous efforts to carry the war into the enemy's country, and thus sparing Ger many from the infliction of being the theatre of battle. In the event, then, of a forward movement the German forces will lie divided into three sepa rate armies, each engaging on something like good terms with the enemy in its front ; and all handled with a view to co-operate and concentrate on any given point. If these tactics should be pursued the great and decisive engagement to which every one looks for ward will probably be delayed until the opposing forces shall have completed their manoeuvres and selected their positions. It is obvious that if the Germans press for ward they will be able to force the French to alter plans involving an offensive movement towards the Rhine. Had the French followed up their declaration of war by an occupation of the Palatinate, they would have acquired a superiority of which they could with difficulty have bgen dispossessed. It is now admitted that Prussia was not prepared for such a contingency. It is the subject of congratulation in military circles that the French paused instead of acting. The speculations in which some of your contemporaries have indulged are founded on that view of the case. However absurd it may now appear, the probability ten days ago, was in favour of the Prussians retiring from the frontier and concentrating their forces in the vicinity of the several fortresses which command and guard the Rhenish prO vinces. But at present there is no thought of following such a course.—Daily News Correspondent at Frankfort.. SHELLING SAARBRUCK. While I wag run fling to the train the drums beat, the population turned out into the streets, and the troops took up their position on the bridges among the barricades. A crowd came along the main street of St Johann round a man who was bringing in the first shell fired. It had struck a soft piece of ground and had not exploded. If, as we suppose, it is the first shell fired in the war, it will probably he preserved with honour, and become historicaL The little Bellevue Inn 44 the top of the hill behind the town, the spot where the picket is stationed, and where we used to refresh ourselves in the course of our observations of the French is the first house rui ne d by th e war . It was this that the French took as a mark for their artillery, probably in order to get the range of the town for some future occasion. A shell wept through the front wallinto the room where we used to get our ale, exploded inside it, broke up both floor and ceiling, and turned it into a mere wreck of boards, table-legs, and broken glass. Another shell struck the face of th e house higher up, and made a great dent, without doing further mischief. Another went through the roof of the stables behind. Nobody was in the house at the time; the inhabitants had decamped at the first sight of French artillery. Only six or seven shells were fired; three, if not four, of these struck the mark, though the range was at least a mile. I wish that there were no heavier loss to relate to-day. The shells hurt no one, but a bullet has brought down our first Uhlan this evening. He was moving about a t thi s s id e o f th e va ll e y in which th French picket is ; the French had been firing at intervals all d a y l ong i n this direction, from. a rough piece of ground where some poplars had been cut down on the slope of the hill which rises to the left of the Forbach road. This is the first of our men they have mortally lilt. —Daily News Correspondent at Saarbruck. WAR MISERY IN GERMANY.—The war is 1111.. doubtedly popular, but it seems strange that it should be se. The industrial resources of this part of Germany have within the last few years been developed wonder fully. Coal mines, iron works, and manufactories of various kinds give employment do thousand s , while agriculture, though in rather a back war d state, brings comfort and prosperity to count less families. Now business is at a ,standstill ; the mines and factories are drained of workmen, and there is scarcely one household which has not lost its most efficient breadwinner. The wheat and rye crops are ripening fast, but there are few men left to reap them. This, perhaps, is not o f so muc h consequence as women here do ?most of th e fi e ld wor k. Th ere must, however, be a vast amount o f w an t an d m i sery i n store for the country, Families with a house and croft of their own may perhaps manage to live, but what is to become of those poor crea tures who depend on the wages of a husband or father I cannot conceive. He certainly can spare nothing from his soldier's pay. That provision in the Mosaic law which excused a newly-married man from serving in war has certainly no counterpart in King William's dominions. A young man, whose three years of regularmilitary service would have expired this month, came home for a few days at Whitsuntide, and was then united to the girl of his heart. A house was being got ready for the young couple, and they were to have taken possession of it immediately on the bridegroom's return. Now, of course, his return is postponed indefinitely, per haps for ever. His is by no means a solitary case. Num bers of poor fellows have had their honeymoon unexpect edly cut short, in some instances after having b een married only a day or two.— Times. NOTES ON THE Two ARMIES.—I started last night for St. Avoid, and having thrown a rapid glance all over that country, I have come back to Metz, and have scarcely time to write you a few lines by this mail. Peltre, *t. Avoid, and Saarguemines up to the extreme point on the frontier are crowded with troops of all arms. The Emperor has been through those different points and came back to Metz in the evening. Everywhere in the different camps you find the same good organisation, and a spirit of quietness, as if the army were only camping for ordinary drill exercise. The officers quietly smoke their cigars, drink their wine and beer with th e same com f or t as i n the quiet garrisons ; they speak of all subjects b u t the w ar . If it were no t for theimmense stores and munitions and the busy clerks of the war commissariat,. you would be inclined to fancy that all is going to remain in the same status quo for some time ; but I do not think that will be the case. Vague rumour tells me that something now is near at hand, and that the great struggle will soon begin in desperate earnestness. I have obtained this morning a few notes from Wissemburg. The Bavarian and Badoise army are concentrating their strength in the Rhenish Palati nate. The soldires lodge with the inhabitants, who hope to receive a sum of 30 kreutzers per day for each man. The equipment of the Bavarians is in a deplorable state, the boots of the men cannot hold out during a few days' march. The Prussians are, on the other hand, in s pl en did condition. Traffic i s entirely interrupted on that territory, and a spirit of uneasiness about what is taking place on the French side is especially to be noticed.—Standard. lIHE MONEY M ARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE CITY, Two O'CLOCK. On the Stock Exchange the result of last night has had an assuring effect for the future, but notwithstanding scarcely a transaction has taken place. All securities are lower, including the Funds. Rates are easy for bills, the quotation of three months' paper is 41 to 5 per cent. Money is plentiful. Consols are now 881 to 891 for money, and 881 to 89 for account ; Three per Cent. Reduced, 891; New Three per Cents., 891 to 891; ditto. (April 1885), 111 ; Exchequer Bills, 6 to 2 prem.; India Five per Cents., 1091; ditto Four per Cents., 100 to 101: ditto. Four per Cent. Bonds, 12 8 prem.; Bank of England Stock, 41 per Cents., 233 ; Metropolitan Board of Works, 31 per Cent. Stock, 901. In the Foreign Market Brazilian Bonds of 1865 are 86 ; Egyptian Seven per Cents. of 1864, 82; ditto of 1868, 681 to 671; Spanish of 18C', 23 to 24 ; ditto of 1869, 24 to 231 ; ditto Quicksilver, 66 to 67 ; Peru vian, 831 to 3; Turkish Five per Cents. of 1865, 371 to 38 ditto of 1869, 481 to 481 ; and Five per Cent. Italian of 1865, 82. The Railway Market Metropolitan are 641 ; Great Eastern is 30* to 30; London and Brighton, 34 to 35; Caledonian, 75 ; South-Eastern 65 to 67 ; Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, 391 to 40; Great Northern, 1131 ; ditto (A), 1181; North Eastern, 129 ; London and North-Western, 1231 ; Midland, 121 ; Lancashire and Yorkshire, 127 ; Great Western, 611. Canada Five per Cents. are quoted 100 ; New South Wales - Five per Cents., 97 to 99 ; New Zealand Five per Cents., 92 to 94 ; Queensland 103 ; Victoria Five per Cents., 98 to 97/; and ditto Six per Cents., 108. Telegraph Shares—Anglo-American, 85 to 851; British Indian, 61; China, 51 to 5 dis.; Falmouth, 91; French Cable, 15 to 151 ; and Construction and Mainten ance, 221. In American Securities, Five-Twenty Bonds are quoted at 82 to 83; Ten-Forties, 79 to, 80; Erie Shares, 15 to 16,; Illinois, 98 to 100 ; Atlantic and Great Western Consolidated Mortgage Bonds, 19 to 21; and ditto De bentures, 25 to 30. In Bank shares Alliance are quoted 122 ; Anglo- Austrian, 151; Chartered Mercantile, 26 to 28; Consolidated, I ; ImperiarfOttoman, 101 to 0 ; London and County, 491; London and Westminster, 5961; London Joint Stock, 31 33 ; and Union of London 351. In Miscellaneous Shares Berlin Water Works are quoted 11 12 pm; Viceroy of Egypt 7percent. Mortgage Loan, 671; National Discount Company, 101; and Peninsular and Oriental Steain, 39 41. ,In relation to the anticipated impediments to the ship ping of merchandise between the ports of North Germany and England during the present hostilities, the Austrian Minister for Foreign Affairs has notified to the Austrian Minister at Berlin that the executive have placed them selves in communication with the Board of the Austrian Lloyd, and have arranged for a regular and direct line of vessels between Trieste, London, Liverpool, and South ampton. By this means goods from the manufacturing centres of North Germany for England, as well as Trans atlantic ports, will be enabled to be forwarded to their destinations, notwithstanding the existence of any blockade of the North German ports, provided they are sent via Trieste. The Neue Preie Presse states that the Vienna banking establishments have shown during the recent crisis a very gratifying state of solidity, and have universally ex hibited a desire to help the small capitalists out of their embarrassments when it could be effected with prudence. It has been notified by the Consul-General of the North German Confederation in London that the subscription for the 5 per Cent. Loan of the North German Confederation for a sum equal to 15 mil lions sterling will be open on Wednesday and Thurs day next in Berlin, Frankfort, and Hamburg. The price is to be 88, with dividends payable in Berlin on the 2d of January and the Ist of July. According to the advices from Frankfort and elsewhere there seems to be no doubt in the present state of feeling throughout Germany of the entire loan being at once absorbed. As Spain, from her geographical situation, seems likely altogether to escape entanglement in the war, it is certain she will benefit largely from the demand it will create for her produce. Her harvest this year has been abundant, and it is stated that during the past week purchases of wheat, wine randy, &c., have been made there, on ac count of the French Government, to the amount of £3,200,000. The death of Mr. Alexander Devaux, the head of the well-known house of Charles Devaux and Co., has been announced. The half-yearly meeting of the North-Eastern Railway Company will be held on August 16. THIS MORNING'S NEWS. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE ROYAL MARINES. Orders have teen received at Plymouth, directing that efforts are to be made at once to augment the Royal Marine division at Stonehouse barracks, which last year was very greatly reduced. All marines discharged since January 1, 1869, may rejoin, and will haye a free kit pro vided, as well as good bounty money, and their railway fare from the places where they are residing paid them. - - THE CONCENTRATION OF THE FEENCH.—I said in a former letter that certain indications had convinced me where the concentration was taking place ; and I may now mention what somq, of these indications were. Inde pendently of the large camps which we saw, and which told something, there were other suggestive facts. At E6tsche the train was entirely emptied of the officers and soldiers whoi. were travelling by it. Officers o f severa l regiment of infantry, of artil lery, and of staff got out here. Soldiers of several regi ments and of several battalions of Chasseurs did the same. My companion and myself had a first-class carriage entirely to ourselves the whole way from Bitsche to Saar guemines. The grand guard of an army corps had its tent within sight o f t h e ra i lway at Bitsche, though the mass of troops was concentrated behind the reverse elope of the hills. There were many other signs of the presence of large bodies of troops. For example, there were Chasseurs of several battalions to be seen. Now, there is only one battaligt of Chasseurs to each division of the army, so every fresh number off the Chasseur's shoulder strpp implies a fresh division. There were several divi sions about Bitsche, reckoning by the Chasseurs I saw, add doubtless I did not see all, or nearly all. We reached Saarguemines. Our carriage filled again, but this time not with re g i menta l off i cers, b ut with staff and engineers, and military looking men in plain clothes. They discussed movements. They described General de Failly's reconnaissance with a division. Th e y named the division which had marched the previous night for Boulay. The engineers gave, orders to a clerk of the works just as the train was starting, with reference to defence of the line. They all got out at Bening Merbach, the junction with the Metz-Saarbruck line. They were join ing the left wing of the army, H ere we saw a w h o l e division encamped beside the rail, and signs unmistake able of a large force near. The left point of concentra tion is marked by this station. Long before this can be published, the whole of the troops froth Thionville, from Bouzonville, and even frpixt Boulay, will have been closed to their right on Bening Merlbach ; and I pro phesy with little hesitation that to-day or to-morrow the left will advance from Forbach on Saarbruck and Neun kirchen, and the right from Bitsche on Zweibrucken and Homburg, turning the River Saar. The troops from Strasburg were being dispatched to Bitsche as fast as their legs and the rail could carry them ; those from Metz towards Forbach. By this time the Guard is pro bably on the frontier, if indeed the whole army is not iicross.—Staniard. THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVE ING, AUGUST 2. 18 70 IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. ROYAL COMMISSION. The royal assent was given to the Irish Land Bill, Exchequer Boads (21,300,000) Bill, the Consolidated (29,000,000) Bill, the Sugar Duties' Bill, the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, the Stamp Duty on Leases Bill, Land a number of other public and private acts. CALLING OUT THE MILITIA. Earl RUSSELL brought in a bill to enforce the Crown to embody and call out the militia.—After the Lord Chan cellor had remarked that the measure was introduced without notice being given to the Government the bill was read a first time, and the noble earl said he should move its second reading to-morrow. The Army Enlistment Bill passed through committee, and was reported with amendments. In reply to Lord Cairns, Lord Dufferin said that the additional volumes of the appendix to the Royal Commis sion on Primacy Education in Ireland would shortly be presented, but there yet remained portions of the appendix which required revision. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION BILL. On the bringing up the report of amendments on this bill Earl De Grey, in reply to a question from Earl Rus sell, said that the power given the Educational Depart ment with regard to inefficient school boards was that where there was neglect or default the department might order a new election, or, in case of default, nominate a board until another could be elected ; a mendments to provide for the inspection of voluntary schools by inspec tors, not her Majesty's inspectors; for the purchase of land by managers of public elementary schools, the re transfer of school board to managers and other matters having been made the third reading of the bill was fixed for to-morrow. The Annuity Tax Abolition Amendment Bill was read a third time, as was also the Sheriffs Scotland Act Amendment Bill. The Factory and Worshops Bill, which placed print and bleach works under the same kw as factories, was read a second time. The following bills were also read a second time : Local Government Supplemental BiH, sewage Utilisation Supplemental Bill, Vestries (Isle of Man) Bill, Extradi tion Bill, Turnpike Act Oontinuance Bin, and Sanitary Act Amendment Bill. The Earl of FAVERSHAM asked when it was intended to issue breech -leaders to the militia and volunteers. Lord NORTHBROOK said it was altogether ridiculous and untrue that there were only 30,000 Snider rifles in store, but he was sure their lordships at this particular time would not wish him to state the amount of military stores they at present possessed. The desirability of sup plying the reserve forces with Snider rifles had been con sidered, and 53,000 had already been issued, leaving about 30,000 to be armed. The yeomanry had also been armed with the Westley-Richards carbine, and steps would be taken to arm the volunteers with SniderS, but it would be necessary to have some guarantee that the rifle should be kept in good order. The Census Bill and the Petroleum Bill. were read a second time. Their lordships adjourned at five minutes past eight. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. The Speaker took the chair at five minutes to four o'clock. ROYAL COMMISSION. The Speaker went to the House of • Peers - --- - to hear the Royal Assent given to forty three bills, including the following :--The Irish Land Bill, Consolidated Fund (X 9,000,000) Bill, Ex chequer Bonds (1,300,000) Bill, Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, Sligo and Cashel Disfranchisement Bill, Sugar Duties (Isle of Man) Bill, Stamp Duties on Leases Bill, Dividends on Stock Bill, Salmon Acts Amendment Bill, Charitable Funds Investments Bill, Rents and Periodical Payments Bill, Ecclesiastical Patronage Transfer Bill, Magistrates in Populous Places (Scotland) Bill, Cattle Diseases (Ireland) Bill, New Zea land Guarantee Loan, Petty Customs (Scotland) Supple mental Bill, Liverpool Admiralty District Register Bill, INCREASE OF THE BRITISH FORCES. A supplemental estimate was laid on the table of the House for £2,000,000 to meet the expenses of 20,000 addi- tional men of all forces, which it had been decided to raise and maintain during irhe continuance of the war abroad. (Loud cheers.) referred to the law officers of the Crown. The law officers of the Crown have given their opinion, which we should adopt, that if colliers are chartered for the purpose of attending the fleet of a belligerent, and supplying that fleet with coal, for the purpose of enabling it to pursue its hostile operations, such colliers would become to all practical intents and purposes store ships attached to a belligerent power—(applause)—and if the facts were established, they would be liable to the operation of the English law, provided they were within reach under the provisions of the Foreign Enlistment Act, (Applause.) I need not say that it is the absolute duty of the Government—and they are acting upon that duty, when such a report arises, that immediate and searching inquiries should be instituted, so far as the Government are able, into the existence of any such case. (Renewed applause.) THE WAR ON THE CONTINENT, On the report of Supply, Mr. DISRAELI rose to call the attention of the House to the position of this country, mith reference to the war on the Continent of Europe. He remarked that before they dispersed there should be some notice taken by the House of the present critical state a affairs on the Continent of Europel Since he had been a merrier of the House he had witnessed the origin of several great European wars, and he would observe that ultimately much injury had been occasioned by the silence and reserve which the House of Commons, actuated by the most praise worthy motives had thought it necessary to adopt. To a Minister in such a critical state of affairs as at present, he believed there was nothing more valuable than an intelligent and discriminating sympathy of the House of Commons. (Cheers and " Hear, hear.") He appealed to Parliament in vindication of his policy, remembering that he was no longer influenced by those considerations, and the conveniences which were the necessary results of their usual Parliamentay discipline, but that he could appeal with confidence to a patriotic Parliament, that Minister, he contended, was in a strong and proud positions (Cheers.) But, speaking from experience in these matters, the right hon. gentleman said he was bound to say that the House of Commons had not in general ap preciated the situation in such a state of affairs, or the position of the Minister. They had thought that by silence they were aiding the Government, and it had generally ended that by that silence they had embarrassed it. (Cheers). After anxious consideration he had, said the right hon, gentle man, felt it his duty to make a few observation with the view of eliciting an explanation from the Government,which he could not help thinking, would be to the advantage of the public. (Cheers.) England should clearly understand its position with respect to the belligerent powers. Re ferring to the pretexts alleged for the war between France and Prussia, the right hon.. gentleman said they would have been a disgrace to the eigh teenth century, and he was certain that they could not influence any considerable body of men seriously in the age in which we now lives In fact the pretexts had now disappeared, and the cause was not now difficult to be known. The cause, indeed, of the present war might be ascertained in a great degree by the declarations which had been made by the most eminent statesmen of both belligerent powers. The right hon. gen tleman then referred to certain papers in the correspon dence which had already been published. He also alluded at some length to the treaty engagement of this country and Russia• in reference to the South German provinces. In conclusion he remarked that ° her Majesty's Government had announced its general policy, and he for one gave it his most earnest support. The policy of the Government was 4 policy o 5 neutrality, and the policy of Russia was a policy of neutrality, but when both Powers professed the same general policy, and both had a particular engagement, there they had the elements by which a policy of neutrality might at the same time partake of the degree of art active character, that its representation at the proper moment, might. lead to the restoration of peaces The first) object of a policy of neutrality was no doubt to protect our fellow-subjects from the calamities of war, and therefore their policy should not only be one of neutrality, but an armed neutrality. The right hon. gentleman then referred to the naval and mili tary strength of the country, suggesting the questions to the Government whether they were sufficiently strong to meet eventualities. He did not, he said, insinuate charges against the Government, but at such a moment as the present it was absolutely necessary that instead of vague descrip tions, they should have detail upon such vital points. The Government might under such circumstances appeal to the House of Commons, who would not criticise the estimates. They could now appeal to the House, which would feel that the estimates were brought forward with a sense of responsibility adequate to the oecasiou. In the course of his remarks Mr. Disraeli asked how the right hon. gentleman could reconcile with his duty to the country and the House to have during the last two years reduced the army, and banished the dockyard ernploy4s to Canada. In concluding his speech, the leader of the Opposition appealed to the House not to let them find themselves in the same humiliating position which led to the Crimean war, in which, he remarked, our army no doubt obtained renown, but to which, he asked, could any statesman look back save with feelings of a very blended character? That war might have been prevented if the Government of England had spoken with firmness. If the Government spoke with firmness and determination, he believed this country would not be involved in this war. More than that, he believed that the influence of England, especially combined with the influence of Russia, might speedily re store peace. The duty of the Government was plain, and that was, to declare in a manner which could not be mis taken that England would, as heretofore, maintain her treaty engagements, and thereby restore the rights and independence of nations. (Great cheering.) Mr. GLADSTONE, who on rising was received in a very enthusiastic manner, said : Mr. Speaker, I will endeavour to separate in the observations which it is my duty to address to the House the diplomatic portion and the his torical portion of the speech of the right hon. gentleman from that portion of the speech in which he has arraigned the policy of the Government with regard to military establishments. Now, as respects the historical review taken by the right hon, gentleman. I am not able to agree •with him In recollecting or assigning a period when the House upon the eve of European complications have embarrassed the Government by its silence. (Cheers.) Such is not my recollection of the year 1853 ; such is not my recollection of the course taken by the right hon. gentleman himself in the year 1853. This House is the only judge of the degree in which upon occasions of this kind it shall maintain reserve and rely upon the executive or in which it shall demand information, and claim to itself an immediate share in the conduct of affairs. In these matters the House is supreme. The Government retain, however, its own duties to indicate to the House, so far as its position renders it right, the degree in which they think the public interests may be served by reposing confidence in those who hold public office. Sir, the right hon. gentleman has said much in which lam able to agree with regard to the position of this country. He in the terms of lifs motion desires to know what is our situation relatively to the war which is now going on, and I answer that our situation has been that of a mediator between the contending nations. It is now that of a friend. (Cheers.) It has been the situation of a mediator ° unsuccessfully , but yet not officiously, because the inter vention which was undertaken by us was an intervention undertaken at the urgent appeal of France. But the right hon. gentleman with something short, I think, of perfect consistency, declares that the candidature of the Prince Hohenzollern for the Thvone of Spain lias really had nothing to do with this matter, and at the same time in another portion of his speech he treats it of such vital importance that he says he would have convicted us of total incapacity for holding the office we fill unless we had been aware long before it was publicly announced of the posi tion of affairs with regard to the Prince of Hohenzollern. (Cheers.) lam not able to take advantage of the scheme which the right hon. gentleman provides for me when he says that 1 at least must have known everything that was about to take place or was taking place with respect to that candidature, and I could not therefore have been taken by surprise. Sir, I perfectly hope that as regards that particular incident it did come to me in the nature of a surprise. (Cheers.) We must distinguish between that particular incident, and the state of things of which I so far agree with the right hon. gentleman as to think that perhaps we should regard that particular incident, and likewise the mode in which it was received, as a symptom. The high tension of feeling and the vast military enlargement in two great neighbouring nations s,..ss a state of things thet caused us great anxiety. At the same time, although it was not possible to contemplate it without apprehension for the future, those apprehen- SEIZURE OF ARMS IN IRELAND. On Monday morning (says a telegram from Cork) seven muskets and eleven bayonets, with a large quantity of bullets and cartridges, were found in Bath House, on the grounds of Mr. Maguire, M.P., at Ardmanagh Passage. Bath House had been disused for two years. It was clue to the road, and not visible from the dwelling-house. Access to it seemed to have been gained through one of the windows. STORM AT WEXFORD. A telegram from Wexford states that the vicinity of Blaekyeater was visited with a severe thunderstorm onMonday morning. Trees were riven in the centre, and a house was thrown down. A rick of hay at Ballyrooraw, and a stack of oats at Kellish, were burnt. Three horses and several sheep were killed. Many other casualties in the o;4trict have been reported as resulting from the storm, which was of short duration only. BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE. At the Cambridgeshire Assizes yesterday, Baron Channel! presided at nisi prius court, Where the principal case was an action for a breach of promise of marriage, brought by Ellen Bull the daughter of a farmer at Ely, against the Rev. Henry Robinson, of St. John's College, Cambridge, who has been engaged in tuition at Manches ter since 1864. The engagement commenced in 1864; and the letters were of the most ardent character up to 1867, when it suddenly changed on the part of the defendant, who subsequently offered the plaintiff 2250 to release him. Mr. Metcalf appeared for the plaintiff, and read a large number of letters which shewed the warmest of attach ment which evidently existed between the parties at first. After the case had lasted all day, the jury considered for about a quarter, of an hour, and returned a verdict of damages for plaintiff for 2350. ADMIRALTY CONTRACTS. Sir 3. ELPHINSTONE asked why the Admiralty, after having invited tenders for the supply of coal sacks, the quality of which should be of the best long hemp, ac cepted the tender of a firm who are now delivering coal sacks, the cloth for which, manufactured by Messrs. Baxter Brothers and Co., Dundee, is made of nothing but the refuse of hemp called tow. Mr. BAXTER said the facts as stated were altogether in accurate. No change had been made in the quality of the article supplied to the service, and all he had done was to break up a monopoly which had existed for some time. The hemp contract had been made with a person fully able to fufil all the conditions re quired, and the reason why one of the contracts sent in was not entertained was because there were doubts about it being fulfilled. lie might say thal such questions as that of the gallant admiral merely injured private indivi dtials without improving the public service, (Hear, hear). THE VOLUNTEER FORCE. Mr. ANDERSON asked the Secretary of State for War, if, in the present state of Europe, it was not expedient to shew more consideration for the volunteer force by at once intimating that five shillings would be added to the extra efficiency grant for the present year, leaving the new grant for officers and non-commissioned officers to come into effect as previously proposed. Mr. CARDWELL said that Government was fully aware of the importance of the efficiency of the volunteer force, and that they thought the mode they had proposed was the best way of effecting that object. INCREASE OF OUR DEFENSIVE FORCE. Mr. OSBORNE asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the present warlike aspect of continental affairs, taking into account the large armies brought into the field, and the sudden manner in which war had been proclaimed, it would not be advisable to lose no time in augmenting the defensive forces of the country by at once increasing the Militia, and adding to the effective strength, of the Royal Artillery. And whether efficient arrangements exist for enabling the regular forces, militia and volunteers, to take the field thoroughly equipped in point of arms, camp equipage, and 'commis sariat. Mr. CARDWELL said the supplemental estimate that had been laid on the table would shew that it was the inten tion of the Government to augment the forces of the country. (Hear, hear.) The Militia and Royal A:tilbary would o; cour se receive due consideration. He might, however, say that the Royal Artillery was in a most effi cient state. With respect to the 4ith Regiment, under orders for the Cape, it was not the intention to send that regiment to that colony. (Hear, hear.) COALING THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BALTIC. Mr. STAPLETON asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether his attention had been called to the report that the French fleet in the Baltic is to be supplied with coal direct from this country. Whether it would be consistent with neutrality to allow any vessels, either French,Eng lish, or others to carry coal direct from this country to a belligerent fleet at sea. And whether English vessels so engaged would be entitled to the protection of their country if the other belligerent should treat them as enemies, considering them part of the armament to which they were acting as tenders. Mr. GLADSTONE : The House has already been apprised more than once that there.is nothing in a general way to prevent the export of coal from this country, but if either belligerent capttire it, the question whether it is contraband of war will be a question for the consideration of the court of the captors. But my hon. friend calls attention tea particular case, and, although the export of coal is not generally prohibited, the exporters being warned that if coal be supplied to either belligerents they run the risk of capture, yet, of the case quoted by my hon. friend, which I can neither affirm nor deny, as I had no more knowledge of it than he has, that is to say, of knowledge derived from general rumour, the case presents itself in a somewhat different aspect, and in that form the question has been sions were of a character the naturalisation of which there was no reason to expect at any given moment. (Applause.) And if we were unable to foresee the future, if the diplomatic representatives of England were, like us, unable to see the in mediate future, they were in precisely the same condition as the Minister of France, for the Prime Minister of that country, exactly one week before the appeal was made, as a matter of peace and war, and life and death, to the British Gown - mu...a, on the 30th June declared officially that the political atmosphere had never appeared so clear. (Cheers.) Such are the contin gencies, and such are the vicissitudes of those events. But • I will not dwell upon them, because there are other matters more important to deal with. In-the character cif media tor, when the complaint of Franee was made, we so far admitted the justice of third complaint, though without ever admitting that it world have warrftated, in our view, a resort to arms, we thought for the sake of the peace of Europe, that, under. the whole of the circumstances of the case, the oandidatnre of the Prince Hohenzollern Should be withdrawn. For that purpose the British Government interfered, and my noble 'friend, aided by other similar efforts from other quarters, was success ful in procuring that withdrawal. ' I need not say that it was a deep disappointment to us When that candidature had been set before us as the cause of the existing state of things, and when that triuse was declared to have dis aPpeared, we fouiid that, notwithstanding, the horizon was not Clear. (Cheers.) We then endeavoured to -Improve the position of matters between these great countries by suggesting to France, which had given us a title to make such a suggestion, that she could not be jus tified kn demanding from Prussia au engagement which was to cover all the unseen contingencies of the future with respect to the Throne of Spain and the Prince Ho henzollern. We - represented to Prussia at the same time that it was but just that as the King had been associated with the candidature so he should responsibly and visibly associate himself with the withdrawal. On the side of Prussia that purpose wasgained, although thefirst reception of the proposal by Count Bismarck had notbeen favourable. On the side of France it was, as it were, put by in the occurrence of the incident to which the right hon.. gentle man has alluded in no inapplicable terms—the Incident of that supposed insult to the representative of France, and which has, so far as we have been since informed vanished into thin air. (Cheers.) Thsu, str, as a last attempt, we made an appeal to that protocol of Paris which we had aitiki v thought remained as a noble monu ment of some real advance In civilisation—(cheers)—as an acknovuledgmett of a public authority in Christendom which was to be entitled to exercise a control over the passions, the caprice —nay, over the strongest convictions even that might be entertained by particular Stat a 4s. That appeal was declined by France a 3 unsuitable to the case. It was received by Prussia with the declaration that Frduce had taken the initiative in the war, and that in such a state of circumstances it was impossible for Prussia to take the initiative in recom •mending rrfediation. So - we arrive at the outbreak of war, and the right hon. gentllman now asks us what is our position in respect to tire war. Sir, our pogilion ii, as he truly salt), that of a neutral. I shall presently except the words he uses when he says, we ought to Observe an armed neutrality. (Cheers.) So for as I know the histori cal meaning of that plass°, it is eminently unsuit able to the present circumstances. An iiifined neutrality, if I remember the instances to which it has been authori- tatively applied, imports a disposition of mind very much removed indeed from that which we hope we may still claim without reserve—of unequivocal friendliness to both parties in thy' unhappy contest. ('sheers.) After regretting that the right hon. gentleman had used the phrase "armed nentraliti;"' Mr. Gladstone commented upon the special selection whisk Mr. Disraeli had made of Russia as the Power which England might prpbably act in combination with. The Premier saill the recollection of the war with Russia had left behind' no traces which could for a moment prevent or discourage the co-opera tion of that empire for so noble and useful a purpose, and added that if he objected to the marked manner in which the right hon. gentleman dwelt upon it it was not in the lout upon the grourtd of anything width lre atliktned, but. rather that the pointeg 4election of that Power appeared to lint:fly that• ikey were not t i 9 seek the co-operation of other European States. The Premier referring . to Mr. Dinraeli's rewrks as to the Treaty of Vienna, and his statement that England and Russia alone of the great Powers of Europe were those in whose case the guarantee still remained ajplioable and binding, said he was sorry to say that he could not accom pany the right hon. gentleman in that part of Ms speech. The right hon. gentleman said—Mr. Gladstone appears to proceed upon a general view of the doctrine of guarantee more stringent than I for one am able to admit, more stringent than I know to have been admittell by the most eminent British statesmen of the century. I do not think it necessary now to ilivuire what is the pre _ .. doe position of guarantees embodied in the Treaty of Vienna with respect to Prussia especially. It is not necessary now to inquire how tap till% guarantee could remain applicable after the German Confederation has been dissolved--(cheers)—and after Prussia has under- gone a complete metamorphosis, and has obtained au • extension of territory involving the most extensive changes. But, above all, I am obliged to titer my protest against the doctrine which the itlzbt hon. gentleman propounded-in this portion of his speech. The First Minister of the Crown then remarked that nothing could have been ramie impolittb than a reference to the guarantee. Mr. Gladstone went on to observe that the Government had already taken steps as neutral by the in troduction of the by the Attorney-General, a,nd he re ferred at same length to other aspects of the neutrality laws. The Premier Dderred.to the manner in which the right hon. gentleman had arraigned the policyof the Go vern rnent in weakening, as Mr. Disraeli alleged, the defensive means of the country, and to his statement that they - _ were not compelled to retrace their steps. Mr. GIN:I- stone emphatically contradicted this allegation, while he referred with satisfaction to the fact that the Government had lessened the burdens of the people, he contended that there had been a husbanding and increase of the real available forces of the colitntry. In his concluding re marks Mr. Gladstone with considerable warmth argued that the previous Government discharged more artisans than the Liberal Administration. A discussion calmed, which la.,sted nearly till twelve o'clock. DOGGETT'S COAT AND BADGE. Five young watermen started from London Bridge at five o'clock yesterday to row to the Old Swan at Chelsea for Doggett's Coat and Badge. Their names were James Griffiths, Wandsworth ; John Westbrook, Legal Quays ; Richard Harding, Blackwall ; Richard Marston, Ber mondsey; and W. R. J. Banks, Rotherhithe. The coat and badge were left by Mr. Thomas Doggett, a famous comedian, who lived in the reign of Queen Anne, and are to be given annually for ever in commemoration of the happy accession of the House of Hanover, the family of her present Majesty, to the Throne of Great Britain. Second and third prizes are the gifts of Sir William Joliffe, as per his will, arising from the interest on £260175. 3d. Three per Cents Reduced, formerly £2OO South Sea Stock, viz., £4 17s. 9d. for the second, and £2 18s. 9d. for the third. The Fishmongers' Company give five guineas to the first man in addition to his livery and badge ; £1 11s. 6d. to the fourth ; and a guinea to the fifth and sixth, to say nothing of the bottle of prime old port which is always given to the victor at the first great banquet of the Fishmongers' Company next ensuing *eater the race. The young watermen row in broad-beamed old-fashioned, wooden-rigged boats, such being presumably the kind of skiff most in keeping with the semi-antique character of the bequest. Harding won by nearly a quarter of a mile ; Griffiths was second ; Marston, long after him, came in third ; Banks fourth.; and Westbrook fifth. The distance was traversed in thirty-four minutes. Nr. J. 13. Pyne, who was for many years Vice- Peesident of the Society of British Artists, dietitast-oweek in the-'7oth year of his age. His views of the English lakes and his Italian scenes are the works by which he is best known. Chang and Eng, the Siamese twins, and two sons, were among the 35 cabin passengers from Liverpool for New York on Saturday in the extra Cunard steamer Palmyra. The President of Liberia, his secretary, and a servant were also on-board. in Indian paper says that during the period be tween the beginning of June and the end of October, 1869, 92,989 persons are believed to h ave di e d of want and its attendant ills in the Gwalior State. During the same period nearly 400,000 animals perished. Lieutenant-General Viscount Templeton, K.C.13., to-day enters upon the duties of Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth and General Officer commanding the South ern military district, vice Lieutenant-General Sir George Buller, K.C.8., whose period of service is expired. • • • The North German Confederation stator-that among the contributions that have been already sent in for patriotic purposes are three large gold medals with the .bust of the Exnperor of the French, which were awarded as prizes at the Industrial Exhibition of Paris. The value of each is about 3,000 francs. A telegram from Bomb 4 informs us that in conse quence of the stotements of one of the prisoners, another arrest has been made in connection with the scuttling of the Aurora. . ' Mr. arvice 1 we /hole, with ,h the quate Ef the quite Cher, some The , the ling, .ous ) to ong tho vo-