The Sun. — London, England, 1870-07-23 00:00:00

FRIDAY. last night, n the front hirty down numerous i had been were very 3 phalanx So the ; and, con p in the all dissolve ;lose prox mpants of so well as Lem know five, we , and we ►e Edu- Irked to ries and public Even f us I rejection is object ccluding calls the lot have iucation iginally r which Estate se, half mem he com- If relief, of the he has ;, Mar- Ang in Adam ralbot, of th© e room olford, in the I Lord ,use of 3 been n Her Vice ., late to the with lesty's inder. Ast of f Ma- esty's mder ist of ronin, THE WAR. SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR N APOLEON. The Emperor received the members of the Legislative Body yesterday. The President, M. Schneider, addressed his Majesty as follows : Sire,—The Legislative Body has terminated its labours, after voting all the subsidies and laws necessary for the defence of the country. Thus the Chamber has joined in an effective proof of patriotism. The real author of the war is not he by whom it was declared, but he who ren dered it necessary. There will be but one voice among the people of both hemispheres, throwing, namely, the responsibility of the war upon Prussia, which, intoxicated by unexpected success, and encouraged by our patience and our desire to preserve to Europe the blessings of peace, has imagined that she could conspire against our security, and wound with impunity our honour. Under these circumstances France will know how to do her duty. The most ardent wishes will follow you to the army, the command of which you assume, accompanied by your son who, anticipating the duties of maturer age, will learn, by your side, how to serve his country. Behind you— behind our army, accustomed to carry the noble flag of Prance—stands the whole nation ready to recruit it. Leave the regency, without anxiety, in the hands of our august Sovereign, the Empress. To the authority commanded by her great qualities, of which ample evidence has already been given, her Majesty will add the strength now afforded by the liberal institutions so gloriously inaugurated by your Majesty. Sire, the heart of your nation is with you, and with your valiant army. The Emperor replied :—I experience the most lively satisfaction, on the eve of my departure for the army, at being able to thank you forthepatriotic support which you have afforded my Government. A war is right when it is waged with the assent of the country, and the approval of the country's representatives. You are right to remem ber the words of Montesquieu, that " the real author of war is not he by whom it is declared, but he who renders it necessary." We have done all in our power to avert the war, and I may say that it is the whole nation that that has, by its irresistible' impulse, dictated our de cisions. I confide to you the Empress, who will call you around her if circumstances should require it. She will know how to fulfil courageously the duty which her position imposes upon her. I take my son with me ;in the midst of the army he will learn to serve his country. Resolved energetically to pursue the great mission which has been entrusted to me, I have faith in the success of our arms ; for I know that France has risen to her feet, and that God protects her. MANIFESTO OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. The Due de Gramont has addressed a circular to the French representatives abroad, dated on Thursday, with the object of proving that the candidature of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern had been mysteriously promoted by Prussia in the hope that France would be obliged to accept it as an accomplished fact. The circular states, " Already in 1869 M. Benedetti ha informed the Prussian Cabinet that France could not al low that a Prussian Prince should reign over Spain. Count Bismark declared to M. Benedetti that France had no cause to concern herself about a combination which he himself considered unrealizable. Herr von Thile (the Prus sian Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs) gave his word of honour that the Prince of Hohenzollern was not and could not become a serious candidate for the throne of Spain. If the sincerity of such positive official assurances could be suspected, diplomatic communications would cease to be a pledge of European peace, and would be but snares. In drawing back unexpectedly from pledged words, Prussia addressed to us areal challenge. We were therefore obliged to insist in order to obtain the certainty that the renunciation was this time final and serious. It is but just that the Court of Berlin should bear in history the re sponsibility for a war which it had the means to avoid, but which she really sought. Under what cir cumstances has Prussia sought this struggle ? It is When France for four years has given proofs of her moderation and constant abstention, with a scrupu lousness which was, perhaps, exaggerated, from in voking against her the treaties concluded under the 1 Mediation of the Emperor himself, but the wilful forgetfulness of which is shown by all the acts of a Go- vemment which had thought already to free itself of its engagements at the very moment of subscribing to them. Europe was the witness of our conduct, and could compare it with that of Prussia. May it pronounce to-day upon the justice of our cause. Whatever may be the fate of the battle, we await without uneasiness the judgment of our contemporaries as well as that of Posterity." THE EMPEROR'S DEPARTURE. It was believed that the Emperor would leave last even. jug for the army. His head-quarters are fixed at Nancy. Gen. Lebceuf left od Thursday. OPERATIONS OF THE FRENCH ARMY. General Lad:nirault, the commander of the Fourth Army Corps, has arrived at Metz. Accord- mg to letters from the frontier, operations will not perhaps commence immediately upon the Emperor's arrival, but will be undertaken in conjunction with the Movements of the corps to be disembarked on the enemy's territory under General Montauban. Admiral Mautac has been appointed to survey thenorthern coasts. His head-quarters are to be at Dunkirk. THE FRENCH GARDE MOBILE. The Garde Mobile is called out in all the departments of the country. All alike must serve ;no substitutes are allowed. This service will take a great number of the young men of Calais from their business occupations, and will seriously affect commercial establishments. In one instance the two partners of a lace factory and their clerks were called out and had to march to join their respective corps. The Calais route to Brussels and Germany is still open throughout. PRUSSIANS CROSSING THE SAAR. A telegram received from Mertzig states that several Squadrons of cavalry crossedthe Saar on Thursday morning on a r econno i tr i ng exped i t i on on French territory. There we re signs of an immediate advance of the main body of the army. THE NORTH GERMAN PARLIAMENT. - - In the North German Parliament on Thursday the Loan / 3 1 was passed. Count Bismark then thanked the members, in the King's name, for the rapidity and Unanimity with which they had voted the supplies ; and the House adjourned until the 31st December, 1870 Dr. Simeon addressed a few words to the House, and said ,—" The labours of the representatives of the People are for the present at an end, and the work of arms will now take its course. May the blessing of the Almighty God descend upon our people in this holy war Long live King William, Commander-in-Chief of the German Army !" THE PRUSSO-RUSSIAN ALLIANCE. The France and the Peuple Francaice state that the Prussians will occupy the line from Coblentz to the Rhine, and that their movements generally indicate de fensive plans. A meeting of the Americans in Paris was held here to to form a committee to act with the International Sanitary Association and the French Volunteer Association for the succour of the wounded. Dr. Thomas Evans, the chair man, subscribed 10,000 fr. The French journals protest against the proposal to• neutralise the Baltic. General Douay died yesterday of apoplexy while on his Way to assume the command of his army corps at Belfort. Dr. Bamberg, the Consul-General of the North German Confederation, left Paris yesterday. The Peuple Francine possitively contradicts the rumours of a Prusso-Russian alliance, and says that the feeling of the Czar towards France is perfectly friendly. The French Minister still remains at Baden. THE PRUSSIAN MINISTER AND THE PRESS. Count Eulenburg, Prussian Minister of the Interior, has sent the following circular to all the journals in that ldngdom :—" I respectfully request all editors to abstain from inserting or publishing,'after this day, any commu nication, however insignificant it may appear to them, relative to the movements of the troops." AUSTRIA AND BAVARIA, The papers publish advices from Munich, according to which the Austrian Government had asked the Bavarian Cabinet for an explanation in reference to the stopping of railway communication between Passau and the Lake of Constance. The Austrian Government requests the ab rogation of those measures which prejudice the general commercial interests of Austria, especially those which shall have reference to the Lake of Constance. NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENTS WITH THE FRENCH ARMY. The Official Journal repeats the order of Major-General Lebceuf that no journalist will be admitted to the head quarters of the army of the Rhine or any other corps. A service of news will be organised at the outset of the e ataPaign. The French Ambassador Prince de la To d'Auyorgue has arrived in Paris by way of Italy. THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING , J GLY 23 : 1870 The number of volunteers enrolled in Paris amounts now to 15,000 men, and in the, rest of France to 85,000. The Garde Mobile is being rapidly organised. THE NEUTRALITY OF BELGIUM. The official Moniteur Beige publishes a notice reminding the public of the penalties which the law prescribes for any act that would compromise the neutrality of the country. The Government has issued a circular an nouncing that reassuring declarations have been received from the belligerents as regards the respect that will be paid to Belgium's neutrality. A telegram from Portugal says it seems certain that the Portuguese Government made some advances to Dom Fernando with the iew of influencing him to accept the Spanish Crown. The Dom, notwithstanding this, abided by his refusal. The Imperial printer is preparing a miniature French printing-office, to be despatched to the seat of war. It will be installed at headquarters. The whole " firm" is said to be very ingeniously organised, and comprises a good fount of German characters. Eight 'ompositors and two pressmen will form the working staff. A letter from Verviers says :--"An enormous balloon has been seen in the north-east, oscillating between Herbesthal (Prussia) and Dolham (Belgian frontier). The balloon approached the earth several times, and in the car were seen two men with telescopes." This was no doubt a balloia de reconnaissance. The French used one in the Italian campaign. THE SITUATION IN PARIS. PARIS, THURSDAY, The Journal Officiel comes out to-day with an impor tant notification. It is to the effect that the subjects of Prussia and the South German Powers, who are at present in France or any of the French colonies, will be allowed to continue their residence, so long as their behaviour leaves no ground for complaint. But those who are now out of France, and desire to enter the country, cannot be allowed to do so. A special permission will be required in such a case, and this will be given only in exceptional cases. Trading ships which are at present in French ports, or which may enter them in ignorance that a state of war exists between France and Prussia, will be allowed thirty days to make good their departure. They will re ceive safe conducts, which will convey them to their des tination. Also, such vessels as may have taken cargoes in hostile or neutral ports to convey to France—they having laden previously to the declaration of war—will not be subject to capture; and after having disembarked their cargoes in the ports of the Empire they will receive safe conducts for the return journey. These regulations are not so favourable as had been looked for. Count Beust proposed to France and Prussia to adhere to the principle established in 1866, whereby merchant vessels not carrying contraband of war were allowed perfect im munity. The Prussian Government consented ; but France has not been willing to agree, and hence this note. The difference in the naval strength of the two countries no doubt accounts for this refusal of France. Apart from its direct importance, it is worthy of remark that this modification is made to apply to Prussia and " her, allies," which signifies clearly enough that France now recognises the South German States as belligerents against her. Indeed the fact that Bavaria, and the other three small countries will fight on the side of Prussia is now admitted to be beyond dispute. The Go vernment here is acting throughout on this assumption. For instance it has just inquired at the Baden capital whether the army of the Grand Duchy will employ explosive bullets in the coming struggle, for when the Convention of St. Petersburg, by which most of the European States bound themselves to refrain from using these missiles, was drawn up, Baden declined to adhere to it. The Government of that little country has, however, replied that it will not use explosive bullets, and that it never intended to do so. If there could be any doubt as to the attitude of the South-German provinces, these significant little interchanges would set the ques tion at . rest. But there never was any doubt—scarcely even after the first day. The papers here reckoned that the discontent supposed to exist in Hanover and south of the Mein, would have a substantial effect ; and no doubt a diversion on the part of the Hanoverians would be of great value (it may be as well to add that there is not the slightest symptom of anything of the kind taking place); but with respect to South Germany it may be doubted whether the French Government is not better satis fied with its hostility than its neutrality. Of course the force at the command of Prussia will receive an increase of some moment from the now well organised contingents of these States. But the opportunities of attack for the French, and the difficulty of defending the German territory, now become much greater. Had Prussia been the sole enemy, the only territory open to the assault of the French arms would have been the small strip of country fifty miles long where the two countries join. By the participation of South Germany this assailable line is made four times as long. The Prussian frontier adjoining France is very strongly fortified. The 150 miles of Bavarian and Baden frontier is much less efficiently defended. Rhenish Prussia is provided with the most complete network of railways. In South Germany the railway system is not nearly so good. In short, the invasion of Germany can now be effected by the French army with the greatest ease. At Stuttgard the French Minister has been informed that Wurtemberg will take part with Prussia, and he has in consequence received his passports. In Bavaria a commission of the Chamber of Deputies reported in favour of an armed neutrality; but this advice was not listened to, and the war supplies have been voted. From Darmstadt we learn that the principal minister of Hesse, Herr von Dalwigk, hitherto notorious for his anti-Prussian views, has declared for the great German Power. The Chamber has voted a loan, and a war supply. In the Corps Legislatif to-day the deputies are engaged in voting a few measures relating to local matters. It is said that the session will be immediately closed, and the Chamber indefinitely prorogued within a day or two at most. Such a proceeding will give rise to angry, though unavailing, protests on the part of the Left Deputies. To close the session at this period, and carry on the war without the representatives of the nation being able to say a word respecting it, is a fine stroke of despotic policy, and serves as an appropriate finishing touch to the whole of the grand combination by which the Emperor has once more got the upper hand of the French Liberals. It has been a fine series of manoeuvres. First Napoleon represented himself as averse to any liberal concessions ; then he began to regard them after the manner of a half convert, doubtfully, and with many backward steps. Soon the conversion appeared thorough and sincere. The work of Liberalising the empire went on rapidly, conces sions were made to the Corps Legislatif, the old Ministry were turned out, and 011ivier and his companions came in. Speedily did we find out the true meaning of "the Liberal Empire." We soon discovered that the most arbitrary measures were still kept in force, and that acts of despotic authority utterly out of keeping with anything like Parliamentary Govern ment were matters of everyday occurrence. The two ablest of the Ministers, Daru and Buffet, found that whatever the Liberal Empire might be, it did not realise their anticipations, They retired. Then came the Plebiscite. After the Plebiscite comes the war. The situation is completely in favour of the ruler who has managed to dispose of his adversaries. Half his old opponents have been bought to his side ; those who refused to be bought are weakened by the defections; the Plebiscite once more invests the sovereign with abso lute authority ; war is declared ; the representative body votes necessary money, is then shut up, and the work of conquest goes on without interruption. In all this there can be no difficulty in seeing the evidence of one continuous design. There, remains but one more step to be taken, and the campaign of political strategy termi nates : Prussia is to be beaten. It is true that the risk of failure in this last enterprise will be considerable, and that the crash, if Prussia wins, will be great. But the prize of victory is so splendid —a new lease of power in France and the control of the fortunes of all Europe —that the hazard seems worth running. Poor Prevost Paradol ! He was one of those who be- lieved in the Liberal Empire, accepted service under it, and afterwards found their position untenable. Here the news of his death has caused the most painful sensation. Even the excitement of war does not divert public sympathy. Although the intelligence is sparse, and the cause of his suicide not given, nobody here doubts that this decla ration of war, so much opposed to the interests of liberty, convinced the great journalist that in so easily accepting office under the personage whom he had opposed so long, he had built his house upon the sand. Of war news there is next to nothing. The only item of the slightest consequence is that the Prussians who have assembled between Saarbruck and Treves have retired on the fortresses of Coblentz and Mayence, that is to say, instead of guarding the immediate frontier, they are occupying a similar line on the bank of the Rhine. Thus the country will be left open to the attack of the French, who will not be resisted until they have penetrated to some distance on German terri tory. Among the rumours of the day it is said that Prussia has proposed that the neutrality of the Baltic Sea should be agreed to between the contend ing parties. It is amazing that such reports should gain credence. Of course it is not likely that France could hear of a proposal which would deprive her of a leading point of advantage, nor is it likely that Prussia would make such an offer. That these statements should secure publica tion is another proof of the recklessness of the Paris press. The papers here will print positively anything. Marshal Le Bceuf has got the important appointment of Major-General to the Army of the Rhine. He first gained distinction as a captain at the siege of Constantine, where three other distinguished Marshals of the Second Empire also preferred their claims to renown. He was an artillery officer, and directed the left of the French batteries before Sebastopol. He afterwards had the command of Kinburn given him. In November, 1854, he was made general of brigade ;in 1857 general of division . During the Italian war he had the chief command of the artillery, and at Solferino in particular he distinguished himself by his skilful movements. In August, 1869, on the death of Marshal Niel, General Le Bceuf took the portfolio of war. He still retains it, but in his absence with the army of the Rhine Vicomte Digean, General of Engineers, will take his place. THE FRENCH FLEET. CHERBOURG, WEDNESDAY. Here the maritime Prefet, Vice-Admiral Roze, is pushing matters vigorously forward, and he is heartily seconded by his subordinates. There was need for exer tion, for the only ships in readiness at either Brest or Cherbourg when hostilities were first talked of were the ironclad frigates Gauloise and Flandres and the corvettes Jeanne d'Arc and Thetis. Fleets are not got into crder so rapidly as regiments, but Vice-Admiral Bouet-Willaumez, the commander of the Baltic fleet, will find, on his arri val here, which is immediately expected, the Surveillant, Guyenne, Savoie, and Ocean, all iron-clad frigates, as well as the guardship Rochambeau in readiness. In a day or two the Taurean and the Invincible will be added to this number. The Surveillant is to be the flag ship. Men are wanting at Cherbourg, but provisions and munitions of war are plentiful. No Prussian vessel is likely to shew itself in these well guarded waters. The French fleet is to be divided into two, one division, under Vice-Admiral Penhoet on board the Savoie, the other under Rear-Admiral Dieu-donne, on board the Gauloise. Vice-Admiral Bouet-Willaumez, on the Sur veillante, will be, as stated above, at the head of affairs. The Ocean, a fine frigate, will remain at Cher bourg, for the service, it is said, of the Minister of Marine himself. Some excitement was pro duced in Cherbourg on the 19th by the report of a loud cannonade, and all sorts of rumours were at once afloat. It soon appeared, however, that three of the ironclads had been trying their new artillery. POPULAR FEELING IN GERMANY. BERLIN, WEDNESDAY. The last few days both here and in different parts of the country have been given up to preparations for the war by the troops, and public demonstrations on the part of the people. There can be no doubt that Prussia wanted no war, expected no war, and has been taken to someextent unawares. But every effort is being made to remedy the error. The troops are being mobilised with great rapidity, and sent to the front ; and all along the border towns the preparations are going forward with the utmost speed. It is probable that the German army will not be accumulated in sufficient force to offer decisive resistance should the French invade Rhenish Prussia next week. In that case it will retire upon.the fortresses, and main tain defensive operations until the whole strength of the German array can be sent to the front. This will not re quire long. The Prussian army is so admirably organised that a very little time serves to put it on a war footing, and though Count Bismarck would have been glad of a few days' notice, no serious danger is apprehended from the slight advantage gained in point of time If the French had to deal with an unprepared army, the con• sequences might have been more doubtful; but the Prus sian force is quite prepared; all ,that remains is to bring its divisions together. It is in the matter of concentration, and that only, that the ' French will have any advantage. The Magdeburg Gazette states that on the evening of the 13th inst., before the news of war came, General Moltke, in harmony with the Minister of War, Baron von Roon, declared that Prussia, kas far as the organisation of its army, its arms, and its resources are concerned, has never been in so good a pesition to carry on war with a prospect of success as at present. He added that he was fully in formed as to the progress of armament on the part of France. The Bank Gazette says it can state that Counb Bismarck has expressed equal confidence of success. Whilst the authorities have been making ready for war, the inhabitants of this and other German cities have joined in a series of meetings to display their spirit on be half of the Fatherland. There can be no doubt as to one point. From Paris we hear that the inhabitants have displayed great enthusiasm for war : they re j o i ce in war for its own sake. Nothing of the kind has been known in Germany. All through the country these gatherings have expressed their sorrow at the rupture of peace, and their indignation at the conduct of the French. At Berlin, Munich, Stuttgard, Bonn, Cologne, Magdeburg, even at Hanover and Schleswig, the same scene has taken place. Never before has the Teutonic people displayed such complete unanimity. In Hanover especially both the, press and the people have manifested a spirit the very reverse of what w as fondly expected of them by the French. A day or two ago a great meeting held in the Hanoverian capital, and attended by more than 6,000 persons, unanimously adopted the following resolution : " We, the citizens and inhabitants of the town of Hanover, declare that, in the unjust war now waged by France against Germany, we will support the cause of our country in word and deed, with our property and with our blood." One resolution will do for all the meetings in Germany. dust by the Great Napoleon, as with the discharge of a double thunderbolt. The disastrous retreat was some thing appalling. Saxony was overrun by the victorious grand army—Magdeburg was taken--Berlin was entered in triumph by the conqueror, who visited the Palace of Potsdam and took possession there of the sword of the Great Frederick. THE GOVERNMENT AND NEWSPAPER CORRES PONDENTS.—At critical moments such as the present it is of importance to correct misstatements which at any other period might be left to find their natural level amongst the ridiculous rumours too readily circulated by those whose carelessness or self-esteem make them dupes, if not authors, of fiction. A contemporary on Thursday so far forgot his manners as to accuse the Cabinet of " ser vility " to France, and ventured oh the statement that " It has been decided in the Cabinet that no British offi cer, either on full pay, shall have leave to go to tie seat of war, for fear his presence should excite the susceptibilities of the French Emperor." We have reason to believe that the question of permission to English officers to accept the position of newspaper correspondents was never submitted to the Cabinet. Officers willing to proceed on such missions have to request leave of absence from the Sovereign. The responsible adviser of the Queen, the Secretary of State for War, has taken on himself, without any reference to the Cabinet, to refuse such leave: His reasonsmust be obvious. Without pretending to be in the confidence of the War Office, we may certainly assume that in the present very anxious position of public affairs officers are needed at home to assist in the duties of an army that is by no means too large for the calls that may be made upon it, and we may also imagine that there can be little excuse for permitting gentlemen in receipt of either full pay or half pay to employ the time paid for by the taxpayer in the earning of other emoluments. We can also readily sup pose that in a war which so nearly, almost dangerously, concerns us, the Secretary for War would be unwilling to incur the chance of revelations from either camp being, rightly or wrongly, attributed to the pen of the officers of the army of a strictly neutral nation. But, whatever may have been the motives of Mr. Cardwell for the course which he has chosen to pursue, the subject has never been laid before the Cabinet, and the unworthy suppositions of the Times are entirely unfounded.—MorningPost. OUR COTEMPORARIES---This Morning WHO IS TO BLAME ? The Times remarks that there is one question which the Circular of the Duc de Gramont must provoke among neutral Powers, especially the Powers who were parties to the Convention of Paris. What is there in these alleged causes of offence which removes them from the category of differences upon which, in accordance with that Conven tion, an appeal should be made to arbitration before war is invoked ? Napoleon 111. said yesterday he had exhausted all the means of peace, but he must nave for gotten one that his Ministers had rejected. If any sub stantial injury was ever done, it was repaired. Prussia tried to injure the security of France, but as scon as France was roused gave up the attempt. Prussia, wounded the honour of the Empire, and when the offence was detected abandoned it. This is the statement of the French case, and the conclusion is a de mand that Prussia shall promise never to dream of such intrigues again. It is obvious thai if Prussia were as in sincere as is alleged the promise would be worthless ; but when the issue is thus narrowed there seems to arise just such a case as was contemplated in 1856 for the intervention of third parties before whom the offences of the past might be proved, and from whom judg ment might be obtained upon it. If the State, condemned by the verdict of the arbitrators, refused to accept it, the other might proceed to action backed by the real judgment of contemporary nations, and the Times cannot avoid the conclusion that a refusal by either party to use this process implies some doubt whether the result would be favourable to him. , The Daily News says the Germans are the most highly instructed people in the Old World. In the vast army which is now arrayed to meet the invader, there is not a private soldier who has not learnt by heart the records of the disastrous time of their subjugation. The memory is still fresh of the dark days when a French general, with liberty on his lips, and " independence" in his proclama tions, delivered up their homes to a licentious soldiery, their cities to spoliation, their properties to pillage, and after impoverishing the rich proprietors and traders by forced requisitions, enrolled the peasantry in his armies and hurried them away to perish amidst the Russian snows. It is not against the French people they are marching, but against the invader of their own soil and the disturber of their own peace, and they are conscious of being thrice armed in having their quarrel just, and in the sympathy of civilized nations, while they combat for the freedom and repose of Europe. The Post believes the struggle which we are about to witness has long been anticipated. So near has it some times approached that both a Conservative and a Liberal Ministry take credit to themselves for having been active in averting it. The danger was, however, only postponed, and, if once again diplomacy had succeeded in staving it off, none but the most sanguine could have dared to allege that real peace existed in Europe. Suppose we ourselves had tolerated the an nexation of Belgium, a French-speaking people, to France—that France had negotiated a secret military treaty with Holland, and finally attempted to place a prince connected with the Bonaparte family on the Throne of Portugal —our own temper and frame 'of mind would be not very far removed from that fierce anger which impelled French statesmen to such impassioned language as that which the French Premier and Foreign Secretary addressed to the Chambers. The Standard says:—" A very large if not the chief part of the responsibility for the terrible slaughter we shall soon have to record falls upon the Prussian Government. The formal declaration of war has, of course, proceeded from the French Government. The more the Standard learns of the negotiations which pre ceded that declaration, the more strongly the question forces itself upon us, whether the provocation and the challenge to that war did not arise from Prussia. Considering that King William must have been perfectly aware, and that Count Bismarck, whom he consulted, must have known it even more clearly, that the Hohenzollern candidature would unless the assent of the French Government had been obtained beforehand, be extremely offensive to France, and had yet, with the knowledge that the French Govern ment had not accepted it, authorised the candidature there was a plain and clear obligation upon the King of Prussia, assuming him to have had the slightest desire to maintain peace, to have associated himself gravely and distinctly with the withdrawal of the Hohenzollern candidature. The Duc de Gramont says that so far back as 1869 M. Benedetti informed Count Bismarck that France could not submit to the elevation of a Prussian Prince, i.e., of this very Prince Leopold, to the throne of Spain, and that the Prussian Premier said that there was no reason to think such a candidature possible. At a later date it is averred that Count Bismarck's locum tenens gave his word of honour that the Prince could not, and would not, become a candidate for the Spanish throne. ; Is it surprising that, under these cir cumstances, the French Government, which but a fort night before believed in the maintenance of the peace it had sacrified so much to preserve, should ha,ve felt indig nant—should have considered itself tricked—when the candidature of the Prince was announced. Upon the showing of the Prussian Government itself it made not the faintest exertion to avert this conflict ; upon the showing of the French Government it deliberately challenged the struggle. The Standard will not pretend to say now what is the , exact measure of the responsibility of the Prussian Government in this Hohenzollern business, but will be glad if its official organs will rest a little from the compilation of patriotic articles, and say whether the confidential person who refused the Spanish throne for the Prince of Hohenzollern some months ago, was, or was not, a distinguished Prussian official. LATEST INTELLIGENCE GREAT FIRE AT LAMBETH, SIX LIVES LOST. This morning (Saturday) about half-past three o'clock a most disastrous fire happened in Waterloo-road, at Hill's furniture establishment, about three doors from the brigade fire station, from which place instant help was ob tained. From the nature of the stock the flames made rapid progress, and although four Lambeth turncocks, all re3iding in the neighbourhood, drew forth abundance of water, as also from the Vauxhall and Southwark Com panies, nothing, however, could prevent the flame from reaching the upper floors, where Mr. and Mrs. Hill, with their seven children, were sleeping. Mr. Hill and wife (recently confined) as also the infant, in charge of a neigh bour, were rescued, but unfortunately six children were found burnt to death in their bed , .. Their names are as follows :—James Hill, 14 years ; Catherine Hill, 12 ; Thomas Hill, 10 ; Emily Hill 8 ; John Hill, 6 ; and Esther Hill, aged 4 years. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE WAR. On 'Change at Liverpool more steadiness in business was exhicited yesterday. A patriotic address from the Germans at Liverpool has been sent to the King of Prussia. Over 3,000 barrels of pork have, it is reported, been purchased for France. The Hamburg American Company's mail steamer Holsatia," concerning the safety of which much anxiety was displayed owing to the re ported presence of a French frigate in the Channel on the look-out for her, has arrived in Plymodth Sound. While detained off Scilly Island by a dense fog, she was warned by the pilot who had been instructed to look out for her, and, creeping up the Channel inshore, neither saw nor heard of any foreign ship of war. She will remain in Plymouth instead of proceeding to Cherbourg and Ham burg. She brings 300 passengers, 10 of whom have landed herein accordance with previous intentions, and remainder are at present on board ship awaiting means of conuey ance to the continent. The Aolsatia had 250,000 worth of specie on board. It is announced from Ply mouth that large numbers of men in the Royal Marines hove been drafted from that town for various ships. The Admiralty have abandoned the intention to fit out another flying squadron for service abroad, and have ordered the flying squadron now out, under the command of Admiral Hornby, to return to England with all speed. There are reliable indications in Devonport and Keyham dockyards that the discharges will immediateb, cease, more men be taken on, and some new vessels commenced in addition to that already ordered. It is thought new gunboats will be built to replace The con tract-built Baltic gunboats, which are now all sold or useless. A frigate flying French colours has been seen repeatedly to-day cruising near Eddystone, off Plymouth Sound, probably lying in wait for Prussian ships, of which there are five now in Plymouth Harbour, sugar and corn laden, waiting a chance to run round to Bristol. Neither French nor German Consuls at Plymouth have yet received in structions as to how Prussian ships in or making for British ports will be dealt with by France. The German Consul for the port of Shields has been specially autho rised to forward to Germany all North German subjects liable to military duty, as well as those who may volun teer for active service. Several captains of North German ships in the port are dismantling their running gear, laying their ships up, and sending the greater part of their crews home for war service. , The consul has been authorised to pay a reward of £3 to any fisherman or pilot who may warn any North German vessel bound to ports where they are liable to capture by their enemy's cruisers. This reward will not apply to vessels bound to British ports, and within three miles of the British coast. THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. SERIOUS ACCIDENT. There was a visible falling off in the numbers admitted yesterday morning to the Royal Agricultural Show, at Ox ford, the ten o'clock return shewing a total of 3,641. The weather continues exceedingly sultry. Several persons were rather seriously injured on Thursday, by the upset ting of a three-horse omnibus returning from the show. No accident has happened in the machinery department. The show closes to-night. THE CAMPAIGN OF 1806. Napoleon the Great in 1806 established his head quarters at Bamberg, in Bavaria, and united his army on the Regnitz. The King of Prussia thought that by marching on the Mein he would be able to interrupt the Emperor's line of operations on Mayence and stop his movements, and he accordingly sent forward the divisions of Blucher and the Duke of Weimar. The line of opera tions of the French army, however, was no longer through Mayence, but extended from the fortress of Kronach, situ ated at the entrance to the mountains of Saxony, to Forcheim, a strong place on the Regnitz, and from thence to Strasburg. Having nothing to fear from the offensive march of the Prussians, Napoleon proceeded in three columns—the Left by Coburg, under the Dukes of Montebello and Castiglione, this force consisting of the fifth and seventh corps d'armee ; the Centre, where the Emperor himself was as Commander-in-Chief, proceeded by Kronach and Zettliz, this force being composed of the first and third corps d'arm6e, under the Prince of Eckmiihl and Marshal Bernadotte, being accompanied also by the Imperial Guard and the cavalry reserves ; the Third, advancing through the district of Bayreuth, marched by Hoff, and was com posed of the 4th and 6th corps d'arm6e, under the Prince of Moskowa and the Duke of Dalmatia. The Prussian army between Weimar and Neuchatel, already in motion towards the Mein to support its advanced guard, was stopped! Cut off from the Elbe and Berlin, all its maga zines taken, it only became fully sensible of its danger when its situation was already desperate. Thereupon, although so near Magdeburg, and in the very heart of its own country, and only two days march from the Elbe, it was completely beaten, cut off, and unable to effect a retreat. Not a man of that old army of Frederick escaped except the King and a few squadrons of cavalry, who succeeded with difficulty in reaching the right bank of the Oder. The trophies of that day were the capture of more than 100,000 men, with hundreds of gans, and stands of colours. This was the great victory of Jena, fought in 1806, on the 14th of October. Meanwhile, upon that very same day, the Prussians were being defeated in another direction by the French, under Marshal Davoust, on the battle field of Auerstadt. During the night which followed those two disastrous defeats the remnants of the Prussian forces retreated in great disorder— meeting at last in' this flight, which they continued in more and more chaotic con fusion. The King, in the midst of this appalling rout, narrowly escaped being taken prisoner. The Prussian monarch, on that astounding day, was prostrated in the WHO PAYS FOR WAR. The Telegraph avers it is the working class that has to pay, with blood, with tears, with suffering, and house hold agonies which find no separate record though, their mass is terrible, for the sin and the insanity of international war. Most obviously must this be the case on the Prussian side in the impending contest ; for there the carrying of arms is not a special profession. All Fatherland obeys a law which makes her sons soldiers of the first, the second, or the third line of defence ; and when the mandate summons them it turns the entire land into a barrack, and puts an absolute end to the arts of peace, in favour of the arts of war. Happy is the poor family which, at a distance from the cruel scene has as yet no worse tribute to pay than a pinched meal and the sight of hungry little faces at the breakfast table. In Germany or in France the trumpet of war fills all the land with the misery of farewells, sad, but stern and resolute ; the fathers, the boys, the brothers, lovers, and husbands are called away, many to be mangled by the needle-gun or the Chassep3t, many to die miserably ; the survivors even all to return poorer by the cost and damage of the conflict. War has been often described ; but who has described the face of a busy land suddenly smitten by this King's evil of " glory " and the " balance of power " the workshops silent, the tools rusting, and fields unploughed, the homes unguarded, the lonely wives, the weeping, frightened children, the stinted meals, and' the dreadful expectation of battle news which is all the talk by day, all the dream by night? This is whn+ lies in the rear of war—more mournful, more pitifi.. almost than the frightful storm of death raging in its van. THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. The Theological Institution Committee met yesterday morning, the President in the chair. The report, which was read by Dr. James, stated that there were 44 students at Richmond, 69 at Didsbury, and 39 at Headlingley ; total, 152. The treasurer, the Rev. John Farrar, re reported that the income was upwards of £6,000. When all the returns had been made, there would probably be £l,OOO balance in hand. Isaac Holden, Esq., had paid £153 for teaching the students elocution. The Conference had granted annual collec tions which had met all wants. The Rev. Charles Prest, in moving the adoption of the report, spoke of the great fitness of students far home mission work. The report was seconded by the Rev. E. Nye, who regretted that he entered the ministry before the advantages of the institution were enjoyed. Mr. Bunting supported the )esolution. Dr. Rigg urged that young men requiring considerable study in English should not be classed with young men in higher studies. Dr. James referred to considerable gifts of books as prizes at Didsbury, and hoped that the gentlemen present would do the same for other institutions. The Rev. William Arthur moved a vote of thanks to the governors and tutors ; and spoke of the importance of students becoming powerful expositors of the Word of God. The institution served to discover unfitness in men who have left. Christopher Gabriel, Esq., London, seconded, and Mr. Vickers, Leeds, supported this resolution. PRUSSIAN INTERESTS IN FRANCE. FOREIGN OFFICE, JULY 22. _ __ Mr. Hammond presents his compliments to the Editor of the Sum, and is directed by Earl Granville to inform him that her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has trans mitted to this office a copy of an official declaration of the Imperial Government, of which a translation is enclosed herewith " PARIS, July 20. " The Emperor has determined, on the suggestion of his Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that the sub jects of Prussia and of the allies affording her armed assistance against us, who are now in France or her colo nies, shall be allowed to remain as long as their conduct affords no ground for complaint. " The admission into French territory of subjects of Prussia and her allies, is from the present date subject to special authorisations, which shall only be granted ex ceptionally. " With regard to the enemy's merchant vessels now in the ports of the empire, or which may enter them in igno rance of the state of war, his Majesty has been pleased to order that they should be allowed a period of thirty days to leave those ports. Safe conducts will be given to them to enable them freely to return to the ports to which they belong, or go direct to their port of destina tion. " Vessels which shall have shipped cargoes for French ports and on French account in the enemy's or neutral ports previous to the declaration of war, are not subject to capture. They may freely discharge their freight in the ports of the Empire, and will receive safe conducts to re turn to the ports to which they belong." DEATH OF THE HON. FRANCIS CHARTERIS. We regret to announce that an accident, terminating fatally, occurred yesterday to the Hon. Francis Charteris, eldest son of Lord Elcho , at his father's residence, 23, St. James's-place. Yesterday morning he rose at his usual hour, and gave directions that his break fast should be prepared. Some time afterwards he was missed, and search beings made he was found in the apartment to which he had gone with a terrible wound in the head, apparently inflicted by a bullet from a revolver. The bullet had passed below his right eye and lodged in his head. His left side became rapidly para lysed, and he ceased to breathe in the course of the after noon. The precise circumstances under which the shot was fired are uncertain ; but medical opinions afford ground for the supposition that the occurrence was acci dental. Mr. Charteris was only 26 years of age, having been born in 1844. Surgeon-Major Wyatt, of the Cold stream Guards, was called in, and remained throughout in attendance ; but from the first there was, unhappily, no hope of recovery. The death of Brevet-Major A. Strange, 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment, while on his passage home from Australia, has been officially reported. The gallant major saw some service in New Zealand. We believe we are right in giving a positive con tradiction to the report that the Emperor of the French intends withdrawing his troops from Rome or Civita Vecchia.—if eekly Register. Fever is still on the increase in Liverpool. Last week the number of cases in the workhouse hospital was 227, this week the number is 255, as compared with 89 in the corresponding week of last year. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. • LATEST BETTING AT THE WEST END. R4Y, Mnight. In no particula rs were th e night's proceedings at id variance with the day's price list, nor could we find any fresh animal that was backed for more than a few sovereigns for the Stewards' Cup. Toby seemed in better demand perhaps than any other for the Stakes. CITY. BETTING—FRIDAY. STEWARDS' CUP. 9to 1 agst Tabernacle (taken) 100 to 8 agst Albuera, (taken and offered)" 100 to 7 agst Vandenhoff (offered) 100 to 6 agst Ida (taken) 100 to 6 agst Heather Bell,(offered) 25 to 1 agst Lady Sophia (taken) 25 to 1 agst Moorlands (taken) 25 to 1 agst Bosworth (taken) 25 to 1 agst Knutsford (taken) • 30 to 1 agst Adelaide (taken and offered) 33 to 1 agst Hawthornden (taken) 33 to 1 agst Typhoeus (taken) 33 to 1 agst Lord of the Valley (taken) 40 to 1 agst Podesta (taken) 1000 to 20 agst Maid of Athol (taken) GOODWOOD STAKES. sto 1 agst Capitaliste (taken and offered) Bto 1 agst Toby (offered—take 100 to 12) 9to 1 agst Indian Ocean (taken) 10 to 1 agst Prince Henry (offered—take 12 o 1) 10 to 1 agst John Davis (offered) 100 to 7 agst Miss Sheppard (taken) 100 to 6 agst Paganini (offered—take 20 to 1) 20 to 1 agst Sweet Sound (offered) 100 to 3 agst Chivalry (taken) 50 to 1 agst Sulphur (taken) PLACE BETTING. 25 to 10 agst Toby (taken) 3 to. 1 agst Miss Sheppard (taken) , 6 to 1 agst Paganini (taken) GOODWOOD CUP. 70 to 40 agst Sabinus (taken and offered) sto 1 agst Siderolite (offered) sto 1 agst Pero Gomez (offered) ST. LEGER. 2to 1 agst Kingcraft (offered) Bto 1 agst Palmerston (offered) BELTING AT MANCIIESTF,R—TituRsDAY. STEWARDS' CUP. 100 to agst Albuera (taken) 100 to 7 agst Badsworth (taken) 100 to 6 agst Lady Sophia (taken) 20 to 1 agst Ida (taken) 25 to 1 agst Tibthorpe (taken) 25 to 1 agst Morphia (taken) 25 to 1 agst Lord of the Valley (taken) GOODWOOD STAKES. 9to 1 agst Capitaliste (taken) Bto 1 agst Indian Ocean (taken) 8 to 1 agst Toby (offered) 10 to 1 agst John Davis (offered) 100 to 6 agst Paganini (taken) 100 to 6 agst Miss Sheppard (taken) 100 to 6 agst Prince Henry (taken) 100 to 6 agst Sweet Sound (offered) GOODWOOD CUP. 5 to 1 agst Pero Gomez (taken) KINGSBURY MEETING-FRmAy. Way-Down-Harroway-Plate. Three-quarters of a mile. Mr 11. May's Hammerton, by Colsterdale—Greylock, 5 yrs, lOst 71b (in 51b ex) (W. Reeves) 1 Mr Porter's Emerald, 4 yrs, list (Mr. Boyton) 2 Mr 0. Perry's Royal Princess, 4 yrs, lOst 31b (in 51b ex) (Mr. Bambridge) 3 • Partisane and Trifle also ran. Won by three lengths. The Handicap Claiming Race. 'Dane-quarters of a mile straight. Mr Beadman's Agnes, by Chevalier d'lndustrie—Hip podamia, 3 yrs, Bst 21b . (Clement) 1. Mr J. Mumford's Romance, 3 yrs, Bst . (Hudson) 2 Mr G. Clement's Maggie, 4 yrs, Bst 21b (Bench) 3 Billy Pedder, Abbotsford, Lady Kew, and Desert also ran. Nirc n easily by three lengths. Kingsbury and Middlesex Handicap. Six furlongs and 200 yards, straight. Mr Sherwood's Thundercloud, by Thunderbolt— Duchess of Newcastle, 3 yrs, 6st 61b ..... . ...(Rowell) 1 Mr Elyott Bowers' Witchcraft, 5 yrs, 7st 71b (in 71b ex ) (car 7st 111 b) (Butler) 2 Mr E. Rickard's Nelly (h b), 4 yrs, 6st 41b ...(Powers) 3 Derby Day, Surgeon and Red Rover also ran. Won by a neck. The Flying Plate Handicap. Half a mile. Mr Arnold's Zacchwns, by Stockwell—Feu de Joie, 3 yrs, Gst 121 b (Newhpuse) 1 Mr W. G. Bennett's Sunflower, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (F Webb) 2 Mr Graham's Glen Rosa, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b • (Hunt) 3 Rodomonte, Contempt, April Morn, Verity, Jersey, Ambush gelding, Miss Thackeray, Hobson's Choice, Crawler, Miss Plausibl e , T wo by H onours, P ussy Cat, Satinstone, Maid of Perth, Fiction colt, Clara "Webster filly, Luna, and Sour Grapes also ran. Maiden two year old plate. Five furlongs. Mr. Wright's South Durham, by Lambton—Georgina, Bst 101 b Clement 1 Wyatt 2 ,Marsh 3 Mr. England's Sir Lionel, Bst 51b Mr. Hale's Republican, Bst 101 b Won easily by six lengths. The Claimin g Plate, half a mil e s t ra i g h t. Mr. Haro!d's f by, Grimston—Thais, by Ki ng o f rumps, 2 yrs, 6 141 b... Newhouse 1 Mr. G. Crook's Pleasant Girl, 2yrs, 7st 21b... F. Webb 2 Mr. W. Ford's Light Cloud, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b...... Marsh 3 Christine, Actress, Desert, Masquerade, Lazzaroni, Nellie Grey, and Cantiniere filly also ran. Won by three quarters of a length. The Scurry Handicap Sweepstakes, three-quarters of a mile. Mr. G. Clement's April Morn, by Caterer, dam by Annandale—Miss Parkinson, 4 yrs, 9st 21b...Clemen t 1 Mr. Porter'f Hobson's Choice, 3 yrs, 7st 41b . Rowell 2 Mr- Guard's St. Theodor e , 3 y rs , 7st 61b Kenyon 3 Contempt, Verity, Expansion, Lady Kew, Fiction c. and Oakapple also ran. _ Won by a length. BETTING ON THE COURSE. GOODWOOD STAKES. 4to 1 agst Capitaliste (taken) Bto 1 agst Toby (taken) 12 to 1 agst Sweet Sound (taken) 50 to 1 agst Prince Henry (offered) STEWARDS' .CUP. 14 to 1 agst Tabernacle (taken) 20 to 1 agst Maid of Athol (taken) 20 to 1 agst Albuera (taken) 20 to 1 agst Badsworth (taken) 20 to 1 agst Allbrook (taken) 25 to 1 agst Vandenhoff (taken) GOOD \VG 'OD RACES. The Goodwood Cup, value tion of 20 sovs each; h ft. subs. (Weights calculatec Age st lb Knight of the Garter 6 9 10 Pero Gomez ... 4 9 7 Brigantine 4 9 3 Siderolite Border Knight 4 9 0 Starter ... Morna Sabinus Champion ...... 3 7 7 Muster 100 Boys, added to a subscrip- Two miles and a half. 33 [ up to July 21.) Age st lb Nornianby 3 7 7 Recorder Musket Chawbacon Bonny Swell 3 7 7 Sweet Sound Patd Sunshine Hester ......... .. 3 7 3 Restitution Argyle Havre races take place on grand meeting is expected. he 24th and 25th of July ; a GOODWOOD STAKES.—Capitaliste left Chantilly on Wed nesday last for England. Cerdagne and Satanstoe, en gaged in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood, left Compiegne on Thursday. STOPPAGE OF MORPETH RACES.—The Duke of Devon shire, acting trustee for the Earl of Carlisle, has refused to allow the Morpeth race committee to hold a meeting on the famous racecourse at Cottingwood. There will, therefore, be no races at Morpeth this year ; but applica tion is to be made to the town c ounc il for leave to hold two days' meeting on the common in April next.—Northern Daily Express. The Italian brig Carolina was burned on the 26th of May, whilst on her way from Genoa to Buenos Ayres. Some of her passengers and crew were rescued, but 130 were missing. About eleven o'clock yesterday, an explosion of detonating powder took place in one of the departments of Woolwich Arsenal, by which one man was so seriously injured that his recovery is rendered doubtful. ROYAL ARSENAL, WOOLWICH.—The Continental war is leading to gradually increased activity- in the manufacturing establishments in Woolwich. The gun factories have an order for the manufacture of 50 bronze muzzle-loading nine-pohnder field guns, and overtime is being made in the carriage dopartment, and girls and boys taken on in the cartridge department. Little or nothing is doing at Woolwich in the way of re cruiting. The thirteenth report of the Inspector of Reforma tory and Industrial Schools in Great Britain was issued yesterday. It states that in the past year the cost per head for the English boys' schools was the highest at the Hants Reformatory. The cost per head for the English girls' school was the highest at the Warwickshire Refor motory at Coventry. -he number of offenders, boys and girls, under 16 years of age, in England and Wales in 1870, is recorded at 10,314, as compared with 8,029 in 1860. INTERNATIONAL ExuiriTioN AT CORDOVA.—We are requested to state that goods intended for the Inter national Exhibition to be held at Cordova in October next, by decree of the Government of the Argentine Re public, should now be immediately despatched from this country in order to be in time for the opening. Tlie necessary documents to ensure admission duty free, to gether with particulars as to shipments, &c., can be ob tained from Messrs. J. M. Johnston and Sons, of Castle street, Holborn, to whom any further applications for space must be addressed. [itors. n-st., stoke Aug. box- lmer- 1-sq., is of ocial the Lions [ im-