The Sun. — London, England, 1871-02-06 00:00:00

e diffu words, by the rvellous ch this tence is wealth eplieas, dctured as the as the mterfeit oes Art, science, ties now now of of the ne more npses of ►oks and ;ogether 3praised t half-a -3 to the aluable. ::t which ccasions, rait from rpiece in d by the er in the 'le lovely terior, it y or the nd. For Le round- er could anner in e Earl of riot as is LS a peer, lges and Another ce is here ;ling the f Greuze, Joshua's randyck's ous other s diversi tographs. )pearance s. It is utors in- ticism as interests t Art as 6bly takes practical volumes. languages linear, or ular. It is for the wim with r putting a flagrant legalising Starting requisition [l, another or at any He has Iks with a ches. 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German I; secondly' rules : and any studen t e plan h ere. ct acidity, 3° a langu 34e. of tuition' will 10 11 BS. from ev" arably rit° lch ag e , : -ar supP e Bright is A Februs''' oing fortolif %don AA 0 convent s o f citizeno., as f Brit I it status ''' alder Cit?cfrir )r Ja ln „, 3l or cl is 3 he 14 ,f Loners i s f r om ejecta, tba t - r gait Irskhl e ill .lianie n.o. o 3 gle a drea er the a , er, : Co the P'.° ur leactersell noudAr throl sv very . 18 enco'frof r adoPl- t i,s• s heet of „utO tad ace° THE WAR. BERLIN, February 4: The following telegrams come through neuter's agency:— THE ELECTIONS IN FRANCE. BORDEAUX, February 3 (7 p.m.). I\l. Gambetta issued instructions .to the prefects yesterday respecting the elections to the National Assembly. He requests them to give the most stringent orders to the mayors to carry out his decree of the 31st of January, and not allow certain catego ries of persons to stand as candidates. COUNT BISMARCK'S NOTE TO M. GAMBETTA. BORDEAUX, February 4 (10.30 a.m.) M. Gambetta communicates the fJlowing docu ments :—" I received yesterday the folio • ing -telegram from Versailles February 2, evening ; To Gambetta, Bordeaux.—On behalf of the free dom of the elections stipulated by the armistice, I protest against the regulations emanating in your name (sic.) to deprive numerous categories of French citizens of the right of being elected to the Assembly. Elections carried out under a system of arbitrary oppression, cannot confer the right s w hi c h the Armistice Convention recognises as possessed by freely-elected deputies.' 66 BISMARCK.' " M. Gambetta appends the following remarks We said that Prussia, to satisfy her ambition, calculated upon an Assembly into which accom plices and flatterers of the fallen dynasty, and allies of Count Bismarck, might enter, thanks to the brief interval preceding its election, and the Material difficulties of all kinds which stand in the way. The decree of exclusion issued on the 28th ult. has failed those hopes. The insolent pre tensions of the Prussian Minister to interfere with the constitution of a French Assembly affords a most striking justification of the measures taken by the Government of the Republic. The lesson will not be lost upon those who have any feeling left of 4 tional honour. « GAMBETTAI 1 . EAMBETTA AND THE ELECTORAL DISABILITIES. BORDEAUX, February (4 a.m.) The following document has been communicated tO the Moniteur :_t , M. Jules Simon, a member of t he Government of Paris, has brought to Bordeaux all electoral decree at variance with that issued Th e the Government s itti ng a t B or d eaux. ;she Gove r n men t o f P ar i s h ave b een i nvested I °l ' the last four months, a n d d epr i ve d o f a ll know ;edge of the feeling s of th e p rov i nces . M oreover, 1 118 a prisoner of war. Besides, there is no reason ehew that had it been better informed it would not hav e agreed with the Government of B or d eaux ; ° r that in the mission entrusted in general terms theM. Jules Simon to pr ocee d w ith th e e l ect i on 1, Paris Government intended to settle absolutely !Pt' definitively the particular case of electoral ri di sabiliti es . Under these circumstances, th e ' t evernm en t of Bordeaux thinks it its duty to maintai n i ts d ecree. It ma i nta i ns i t despite the 1 eln elletrances and interference of Count Bismarck b 1 the internal affairs of France ; it maintains it on b ehalf of th e h onour an d i n t eres t s o f F rance. A 't:/eber of th e G overnment o f B ordeaux w il l l eave th day to acquaint the Gover nmen t o f P ar i s w ith q e real state of things.—(Signed) CREMIEUX, hqk Alit ETTA, GLAIS-BIZOIN, FoLTRICHON, Escu -- - IMPORTANT MEETING AT BORDEAUX. BORDEAUX, February 4 (9.30 a.m.) k t .4 l _ crowded public meeting was held last night 14 .7 6 Louis Theatre, at which it was resolved to p r . ' ' 6 a great populsr demonstration, which is to IThesent an address to M. Gambetta demanding b a ; f e , t her he will accept the Presidency of the Com te of Public Safety, and perform his promise 4 408 ecnte the war to the utterm os t. T o t hi s q t cfla the p eop l e w ill requ i re a wr i tten reply ot th e speak ers d ec l are d th e cap i tu l at i on of Paris k 4, ji , ll ding on the pro v i n c e s ; s t rong l y con d emned p to 4108 Favr e an d th e C onvent i on of Versailles ; 414411/iced against the el e cti ons , an d ma i n t a i ned 1 33 , the salvation of the country was only possible `% lxi til e immediate c ons tit u ti on o f an energet i c 1 44 niittee of Public Safety, crushing all at tiitB at reaction, and g i v i ng a v i gorous i mpu l se At ilt c War. Th e principal speaker was Colonel staff , , an Englishman, and an officer of Garibaldi's OF JULES FAVRE TO COUNT BISMARCK. In add ition VERSAILLES, February 4. 4e tlon to hi s protest, the text of which has %O N Pready sent from Bordeaux, against the elec tit,"oree of Al. Gambetta, of the 31st ult., Count 4 also at the s a me ti me , a dd resse d t m: n g e r note o f s i m il ar purport to M. to- c i a e * A reply f rom the latter has been received 1 434 R in whi c h M . Favre consents to abolish the "l bet o ta. of freedom o f e l ec ti on l a id d own by M. ils rATEST INTELLIGENCE. SUN OFFICE, 2 P.M. THE ARMISTICE AND CONDI TIONS OF PEACE. BERLIN, February 3. On the eve of the capitulation of Paris England pointed out to the Powers the expediency of taking au active interest in the restoration of peace, and re commending to Prussia the concession of lenient • terms to France. To facilitate the requisite negotiations the Powers were asked to sand instructions to their representa tives in London. General Podbielski announces that during the armistice official military news will only be published in the case of extraordinary military events occurring, —Times. The Emperor of Russia has congratulated the Emperor William on his new dignity, and has, at the same time, recommended that lenient terms of peace should be accorded to France. It is rumoured here that Count Bismarck has proposed to M. Jules Favre that he should purchase Luxembourg and transfer it to Prussia, retaining Metz in consideration. The return of the Emperor to Berlin has been in definitely postponed. Garibaldi is expected to make an early return to Caprera. BRUSSELS, February 4. M. Gambetta will probably cancel the decree relating to the electoral disabilities; but in no case will the Comte de Paris accept a candidature. The chances of the Orleanists in the Departments of the North are much improved by the attitnde of M. Gambetta. Private letters from the North of France give details regarding the lists of candidates at the approaching elections. So far there are two competing lists—one Monarchical and one Re publican. In the first occur the names of Thier4, Lambrecht, Plichon, Jules Brame, Kolb Bernard, Des Routoure, De Melun, &c. In the second list are Testelii., Pierre Legrand, Catel Veg,hem, the Mayor of Lille, &c. There is some talk of a third list, of an eclectic character, to be composed by a fusion of the two others.— Telegraph. THE CONDITIONS OF PEACE. IMPERIAL HEAD-QUARTERS, VERSAILLES, February 5, It is officially stated that Germany does not intend to acquire through peace with France any possessions either in India, Asia, or any Transatlantic country whatever. BERLIN, February 4 (10 p.m.) According to letters from Versailles, the German army which has stood before Paris will, on the con clusion of peace, make its triumphal entry into the French capital. Until the war indemnity is paid, Champagne will continue to be occupied by the Ger mans. The sth Colo is even designated already as the corps of occupation. The German military authorities do not give passes to enter Paris. A tribute is paid to the readiness and courtesy shown by the Paris officials and officers in the settlement of questions of detail. GARIBALDI AND THE FRENCH ASSEMBLY. BORDEAUX, February 3. General Garibaldi, replying to the invitation of the President of the Municipal Commission of Nice, has consented to become a candidate to represent that town in the National Assembly. He says—" I accept the candidature of my country, proud of the choice with which it, honours me." Delegates of the Republican committees in all the towns of France are arriving at Bordeaux. THE REVICTUA LUNG OF PARIS The Northern Railway Company of France pub lishes a notice, announcing that the state of that line does not yet permit of. the conveyance of pro visions to Paris. Workmen are engaged day and night in repairing the line with every possible des patch. THE FRENCH ELECTIONS IN THE NORTH. Several public meetings have been held at Lille in view of the elections. Perfect order prevailed. A meeting was to be held at the Grand Theatre, to draw up a list of the candidates of the Democratic party. The Echo du Nord announces that General Faidherbe has declined to present himself as a candidate, but that M. Testelin has accepted a nomination. MARSHAL MACMAHON AND COUNT BISMARCK. Marshal Macmahon has sent the following letter, dated Wiesbaden, the 21st January, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs : " Your Excellency,—Count Bismarck, in his Circular of the 9th of January to the diplomatic agents of Germany abroad, asserts that in the battle of Woerth several German soldiers were wounded by explosive bullets, and he accuses the French army of having made use of them. Count Bismarck has been led into error, and the fact brought forward by him cannot have happened, as the corps which was engaged in the battle of Woerth was not provided with a single explosive bullet. I certify this with a thorough knowledge of the case and I request you to be good enough to contradict Count Bismarck's allegations.—l remain, &c., MACMAHON." THE FRENCH WOUNDED. The Journal de Bruxelles contains the following : "The French Government having demanded that the wounded, who are very numerous in the towns of the department of the North, should be allowed to be conveyed through Belgian territory, the Belgian Government has granted the desired per mission, and a train with wounded has been sent from Maubeuge to Valenciennes, through Qui4vrain and Mons." THE ENTRY OF THE FRENCH INTO SWITZERLAND. BERN; February 4. Up to the present 66,000 French troops have entered Switzerland, 50,000 crossing the frontier near Les Verrieres, and 16,000 near Vallorbes and Sainte Croix. The Germans continued hostilities yesterday and the day before. There are more than 2,000 wounded in Neuenburg. In consequence of the scanty apparel of the French soldiers now in Switzerland, the Swiss Federal Council is said to have asked the French Government to send over articles of clothing for them. VERSAILLES, February 4. After the French Army had been driven back towards the Swiss mountains, an engagement was fought on the 31st ult. for the possession of the junction road of Lac de St. Poix, when, with small loss on our side, 1,500 prisoners were captured. On the Ist of February we advanced on Pontarlier and took the town, after an obstinate fight with the rearguard of the enemy at the junction road of La Cluse, where to cover his retreat he bad taken up a position, supported by the forts and defended by mitrailleuses. The junction road was forced on the evening of the same day, with a loss on our side of 400 men. Of the enemy about 4,000 were captured, many arms, and several hundred French provision waggons. From the time of the fight at Pontarlier until the 2nd inst. about 15,000 prisoners were made, among whom were two Generals, two eagles, and 19 guns, as well as important stores of arms, clothes, and provisions, were taken. THE EASTERN QUESTION. ST. PETERSBURG, February 3. According to reliable information, an understand ing has been arrived at at the Conference in refe rence to the question of the navigation of the Danube. This question is being treated apart from the Black Sea question, in order to make it appear not to be an object of the Conference, but as an affair which is treated by the repre sentatives of the Powers. Thus every attempt to bring other questions before the Conference will be prevented. As regards the Danube question, an understanding has already been arrived at on all sides. The European Commission remains in force. Neither England, Germany, nor Russia have any objection, and the Porte also has given its consent. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) ACCIDENT AT A CIRCUS. At a circus in Manchester, on Saturday evening, at which 3,000 children were present, some boys, passing against the balustrade of the balcony, caused it to break, and half a dozen of them fell amongst the children in the lower part of the house. Five of the boys received slight injuries. FIRE IN MANCHESTER. On Saturday night the spinning warehouse of Messrs. Shaw, Jardine and Co., was completely destroyed by fire, the damage done being estimated at £50,000. THE ADMIRALTY FRAUDS. The court martial for the trial of Charles Townsend steward of the Inconstant, on twelve charges of fraud and conspiracy with the contractor for the supply of fresh beef, was resumed on Saturday. Woods, the foreman to the contractor, was cross-examined, and admitted having received a promise that he should not be prosecuted. He adhered to his previous statement, that the prisoner told him, if he was questioned, he was to shew a book in which were false entries. This witness was closely examined as to the entries in his books, and some of his replies were unsatis factory. James Curtis, contractor, proved having refused a certificate from prisoner in December, just before Christmas, when he came to him and said he had his monthly receipt, and asked him (Curtis) to settle with him. He told him he was too busy then, and prisoner then said he had not the receipt with him. Curtis then sail he had becn paid for more beef than was supplied ; but he could not state the exact amount. In cross-examination Curtis said he had never paid prisoner any money, or entered into any agreement with him to do so. The Court then adjourned until to-day (Monday). PROVISIONS FOR PARIS. Provisions for Paris are being furnished from the Royal William Victualling Yard as rapidly as possible. On THE SUN LONDON, MO Saturday evening the ovens in the establishment were set to work buscuit baking, and were kept busily going throughout the whole of yesterday. The baking staff being deficient, every man and boy in the service who has ever been employed in that department has been temporarily restored to it. The Valorous left Devonport for Sheerness to-day to embark supplies of food for the French capital. THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY. The Enchantress, with Mr. Childers on board, still re mains at DevDnport, owing to the very unfavourable state of the weather. THE BISHOP OF EXETER ON EDUCATION. The Bishop of Exeter preached a sermon in hi, Cathedral yesterday on behalf of the National Education Union. His lordship urged the importance of combining religio . us with secular instruction, holding that there was no times in which religion could be so successfully taught as in early life. The Government, while extending the means of education in the country, had thrown off all responsibility in connection with the religious element. As to the wisdom of that step he would express no opinion, but it was evident that an in creased responsibility had been thrown upon Christians, all of whom ought so to unite that religious instruction would be placed on an equality with any other education given, so that while the intellect was being cultivated the spiritual faculties might be cultivated also. FIRE AT SHEFFIELD. THE LATE MR. T. W. ROBERTSON, Mr. Thomas William Robertson was only forty-two years of age, having been born on the 9th of January, 1829. He was educated at Spalding in Lincolnshire, and in Holland. He wrote a number of dramas for the minor theatres, but none of them brought him much reputa tion. His first great success was achieved at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, where he pro duced " Society" in November, 1865. This piece was fol lowed.by " Ours," which was brought out at the same house in September, 1866. In 1867 " Caste " was pro duced at the Prince of Wales's, " For Love" at the Holborn, and "Shadow Three Shaft" at the Princess's. The latter, however, was a failure. Since then Mr. Robertson has written a series of dramas, including " Progress," " School," "Dreams," and "M. P." His last piece, " War," was produced at St. James's, about three weeks ago, and met [with doubtful success. Mr. Robertson was a contributor to Fun - and other -comic periodicals, and also contributed articles to several of the leading daily and weekly journals. Her Majesty the Queen will hold a Council at Windsor Castle on Wednesday next. We are authorised to state that the Queen will hold a Court at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, the 21st of February, to receive the Corps Diplomatique, her Ma jesty's Ministers, and other official personages, with the ladies of their families, who will receive notifications of her Majesty's gracious intention through the Lord Chamberlain. The Queen will hold Drawing Rooms at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, the 23rd of February, and on Tuesday, the 28th of March, under the usual regulations. Sir Roderick Murchison, we regret to state, re mains in a delicate condition, but little improvement having taken place during the last week. Among the horses sold at Tattersall's during Lord Henry Bentinck's sale last week was an Irish colt, which was purchased by an American for £650. The Echo du Parlement publishes a telegram from Versailles, stating that General Garibaldi is said to have demanded to be included in the armistice. Miss Rose Cullen, one of the most ladylike actresses of the day, and who is employed at the Strand Theatre, is seriously ill. She fainted twice on the stage the other night. We understand Colonel Bowyer, the respected Worshipful Grand Master of the Oxfordshire Lodge of Freemasons, lies dangerously ill at his seat, at Steeple Aston, Oxon. The Lord Chancellor entertained a party of her Majesty's judges and counsel, with other distinguished guests, at dinner on Thursday, at his residence in Great George-street. Lord Granville, as Leader of the Government in the House of Lords, has issued cards of invitation for a full-dress dinner on Wednesday next at his residence in Bruton-street, Berkeley-square. CRYSTAL PALA C E.—Half-a-Crown Day.—Satur day, February 4, 1871.—The admissions by season tickets were 5,075 ; ditto on payment, 760 ; total visitors, 5,835. •" The Oxford Undergrad," a new serio-comic song, the words of which are by the son of the late Mr. Plow man, reporter, of Oxford, and the music by J. Batchel der, has made its appearance and bids fair for a share of popularity. A meeting was held in Dublin on Thursday to take steps for establishing a branch of the Irish National Education League. Resolutions expressing approval of united and unsectarian education were adopted, and a committee was appointed to prosecute the movement. There is very little business in Westminster Hall, both Q.C.'s and stuff gownsmen are complaining of the paucity of work. To compensate for this, however, there is more than the usual amount of business before Parlia mentary Committees. We are informed that there is no foundation for the telegraphic reports that General Fleury and M. Conti have been on a special mission to England. It is also untrue that the Empress has left Chislehurst for the Continent. After his return home, General Sheridan can lay fair claim to be one of the best travelled of all his country men. It is estimated that he has already passed over 25,000.mi1es in his European tour, which is now drawing to an end.—American Register. Professor Joseph Winlock, of Harvard University, and Professor J. R. Eastmore, of the Naval Observatory at Washington, both of whom belonged to the eclipse expedition, are at present in London, but will sail for home in the course of a few days. An underwriter has written a long letter to the Times advocating the employment of professional " aver age adjusters." He thinks that the committee of Lloyd's should appoint an examiner of claims, to whom all dis puted cases might be referred for his report. THE LATE LORD HENRY BENTINCIL—Mr. G. Cavendish Bentinck, the residuary legatee under the will of the late Lord H. Bentinck, will receive about £200,000. The late nobleman made no prov;sion for his servants, but Mr. Bentinck has settled a pension on Lord Henry's oldest grooms ; he has also made the valet of the deceased a present of £lOO. TxE CHußca 00IgGIVESS OF 1871.—The Church Congress of the present year is to be held at Nottingham, and meetings of the general committee, with Bishop Mac kenzie at its head, are being held. They have agreed "that reporters be excluded, and that the secretaries be requested to communicate the results of the various meet ings to the papers ;" " that no one shall be invited to take part in the proceedings of the Congress who has been finally condemned by the law." THE DEFENCES OF LONDON.—We believe that active measures are about to be taken for strengthening the defensive positions round LondOn, and others lying between the metropolis and the coast. For so me years past an item has regularly appeared in the Army Esti mates for expenses incurred in surveying and planning these positions, but the work has been carried on in a sluggish and apathetic manner. The recent events on the Continent, however, have caused the authorities to turn their attention more closely to this important question, and Major-General Sir F. Chapman, the Inspector- General of Fortifications, has been instructed to submit, without delay, plans for a complete defence of the ap proaches to London. — United Service Gazette. A serious fire broke out on Saturday morning at the works of Messrs. H. and C. Chester, horn merchants, West-street, Sheffield. One portion of the works was entirely gutted, and the workmen's tools and stock are destroyed. The damage is roughly estimated at £2,000 to £3,000. THE LEICESTER CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE. A meeting of the Leicestershire Chamber of Agriculture was held in Leicester on Saturday under the presidency of Mr. W. U. Heygate, M.P. It was resolved, after considerable dis cussion, on the question of weights ,and measures, that this Chamber expresses its agreement generally with the resolutions recommended by the joint committee of the Central Chamber of Agriculture and the International Decimal Association, which reported last July on th e subject of weights and measures, with the exception that the cental of 1001bs, be substituted for the kilogramme. It was also decided to request the Central Chamber to continue its efforts for the repeal of the malt tax; while it expressed the opinion that in any future remission of taxation the malt tax should be the first to be considered by the Government. MAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1871. NEWS FROM HAVRE --- From Havre, February 5, the special correspondent o the Standard writes :—Politically the situation is distress ingly complicated. The Government in Paris are one way, and M. Gambetta, at Bordeaux, is another. As though that were not sufficient, M. de Bis• marck, who might have been supposed have enough on his bands without tampering with the internal politics of France, now puts in his oar. The Paris Government had issued a decree respecting the elections which makes everybody eligible. M. Gambetta, as you know alrealy, has issued a decree exclipli:l7 from the representation every man who may have beau a:: official candidate, or who may have held office under the empire. We are now favoured with a copy of a telegram from Versailles, to the effect that Count 13ismarck "protests against" this interference of M. Gambetta with " freedom of election," and notifying that Germany will not recognise the authority of a Representative Chamber elected under such restrictions. The result of all this is that it is difficult to make out which the Government of France really is. Is M. Jules Fevre in Paris the ruler of the country, or is it M. Gambetta m Bordeaux, or is it M. de Bismarck in Versailles ? I fear that the wily Prussian has played his cards only too well. It appears to me that he has not the slightest intention of bringing about the con clusion of peace, but, on the contrary, that he means to avail himself of the want of union which prevails be tween the rulers in Paris and their so-called delegate in Bordeaux to compass his sinister design—the utter over throw and annihilation of France, trusting to anarchy to complete the task already more than half performed by foreign war. This attempt on his part to interfere with the elections is one of those insults which Frenchmen will never put up with, and his insolent telegram to Gambetta •will make of that rashest of politicians the national representative of France. As to the armistice convention, the full text of which we only receive this day, all I can say is that I cannot understand how any French statesman could have signed a document so exorbitant. The idea of giving up to the Prussians the whole of the Lower Seine with the exception of a narrow angle of territory between the Seine and the sea, thus enabling them to take possession of three of the chief Channel ports which they never claimed to have occupied—viz., Dieppe, Saint Valery, and Fecamp—is so preposterous as to suggest the idea that M. Jules Favre's mind must have given way tempo rarily when he signed it. As regards the left bank of the Seine, the document is drawn up with inconceivable carelessness. It is therein stated that the Prussian line commences at Pont l'Eveque on the coasts of Calvados, whereas the little town is upwards of twelve miles from Honfleur. The armistice convention thus enables the Prussians to turn the truce to account, by making the preliminaries for a regular siege of Havre. People here are very justly excited and indignant on the subject. How this will end I cannot pretend to divine. In this town the authority of Gambetta is utterly undisputed. Further north I believe the re verse is the ease. The Prussians hold the chief port through which Paris can be re iictualled, and it would seem that the reason why they were anxious to do so was to enable them to threaten to cut off the supplies from Paris, as a mode of coercing the country into com pliance with their revoltingly exorbitant claims. I fear that for a longer period than is generally supposed the French capital will not be at Paris, but Bordeaux. OUR C OTEMPORARIES—This Morning THE DEMANDS OF BISMARCK. The Times, commenting on the amended terms of peace, says :—The magnitude of the War Indemnity said to be demanded from the vanquished nation naturally struck the imagination of a commercial people. Ten milliards of francs, or £400,000,000, form an overwhelming total. It would be impossible to raise, and it would, therefore, be idle to demand it. The sum is now corrected. It is not ten milliards, but something like eight that may be asked. Four milliards were demanded in November, and the amount now deemed necessary may be taken at double that figure. 1 nstead of £400,000.000 we must read £ 3 20,000,000. There can be no greater exemplification of the enormous amounts thus spoken of than the fact that the difference between them, though in itself a sum that would strain the resources of France most severely to raise, is a fleabite compared with either of them. The difference between infinites vanishes in relation to each. II a man, ordered to take up and carry on his shoulders half a ton, looked blankly at the overseer, and was then told that eight hundredweight would perhaps suffice, he would feel that the relief was a mockery. A fine of £320,000,000 means a levy of more than £8 per head for every man, woman, and child in France, and this demand, it must be remembered, comes on the back of local indemnities and requisitions. The penalty inflicted on Paris last week of eight millions sterling was itself £4 a head ; so that Paris, after being exhausted by the struggle of defence, is called on td submit to a total indemnity of £l2 a head. We need not recall the illustrations that have been already given of the impossi bility of supposing that France could raise by any process such a sum as £400,000,000; it is enough to repeat that they apply with no perceptible modification to the difficulty of raising £320,000,000. All that we learn from Versailles amounts to no more than this -that Germany will demand something in excess of France's power, and will, perhaps, be content when the utmost that can be obtained has been secured. Weighing the terms corrected as means towards the restoration of peace, we cannot but be disquieted about the immediate future. There is as little promise of peace in them as in M. Gambetta's extravagant decrees, THE POLITICAL DISSENSIONS IN PRANCE. We have now more hope of the results of the elections, the Daily News remarks, since all over France they are to be free as they will be in Paris. The division in the Government of the National Defence had thrown everything into confusion. No nation in history has ever been called on to elect a representa tive assembly under such conditions as those in which France will vote on Wednesday next. It is chaos trying to create a cosmos ; a tangle without paral lel in European history trying to unravel itself. M. Gam betta's self-willed course was likely to have thrown the whole of M. Favre's arrangements out of gear. M. Gambetta had practically made himself dictator, for his three colleagues at Bordeaux are only his echoes. At a stroke of his pen he had disqualified, or attempted to disqualify, for election nearly all the public men in France, excepting those of his own party. He has lectured his colleagues, complained of them to the country, hinted that the disaster of Bourbaki's army is their fault, and has publicly set them at defiance. There are now two Governments of the National Defence—that of M. Favre at Paris, and that of M. Gambetta at Bordeaux. Their quarrel has brought the common enemy upon the scene in the shape of a protest from Count Bismarck against M. Gambetta's interference with the elections. The terms of the armistice, perhaps, jnstify this protest; and M. Favre has consented to abolish the restrictions which were laid down by his col league. More than half the confusion of this crisis originates in the necessary mixing up of the ques tion of peace or war with the question of Government. M. Gambetta, we fear, confounds his party with his country. If the old parties are united, so much the greater the need of Republican union, and the misfortune of Republican division. The one thing France cannot afford is division. If even the Government of the National Defence is divided, how can the De fence hope to stand ? If the Republican leaders give an uncertain sound, whom shall the people follow? With two Republican Governments and two capitals, France is more likely to lose her unity than to keep it ; and - the only hope of the future seems to us to !be either in the Paris Government inducing its recalcitrant col leagues to resign, or in a combination of the old parties saving the country from ruin by overthrowing the Repub lic. A Republic divided against itself does not even de serve to stand. The Standard observes :—Unless the members of the Constituent Assembly, which within a few more days is to meet at Bordeaux to decide on the momentous issue of peace or war,, be chosen under such con ditions as shall render them, at least in appear ance, a full and fitting representation of the country on whose future they are to decide, the result of their deliberations must needs be not only futile but mischievous, and that to an extent almost too terrible to contemplate. M. Gambetta's attempt to silence by force every one who cannot be trusted to support his own views of policy and his own grasp of power is an outrage upon the whole of Xurope. It renders worthless, not merely from Count Von Bismarck's point of view, but from that of every sane and honest man throughout the world, the decision of the Assembly whose convocation has been purchased at so heavy a cost. It places France, helpless and distracted with intestine discord, at the feet of her victorious foe. It gives an excuse to the timid and paralyses the bold among the Neui,ral States, whe dare not if they would afford their countenance to a course which may involve France in ruin against her own will, and who would not if they dared involve themselves in possible war and bloodshed only for the sake, not of aiding an imperilled ally, but of delivering her over the more helplessly to the mastery of Revolution and anarchy. The issue before the Constituent Assembly is as simple as it is momentous. It has to deal with but one single question—the question whether under the circumstances in which the country is fit t ition t s o oneawthfciht its s w v p i l e ac to e ri d o , us andi in invader face y ofthe k i n n will decide upon the acceptance of peac e or th e renewal of m a th co war. We do not yet know for certain what those terms are. Still less can we form an idea to what extent even such as may eventually be offered may prove susceptible of modification when discussed by an Assembly speak ing authoritatively in the name of France, and backed by the influence, even if not by the material aid of the Neutral States, which in such case could scarcely be withheld. But this much we do know. The Assembly which is to decide upon such a question as this must be an Assembly not only which shall speak in the name of the nation, but which shall have authority so to do. With that authority France may, we think, look hepefully to the conclusion of peace on fair and honourable terms, or, failing them, may rightfully demand, and in the present temper of the Neutral States, not improbably obtain, the assistance of Europe, against her arrogant and overbearing foe. Without it she can only fall more helplessly and more hopelessly than ever into the abyss of ruin and despair. The Telegraph says :—M. Gambetta has thrown down the gauntlet to Count Bismarck, as well as to the Govern ment of Paris. and Francs seems on the brink of civil war. The "Reds" of Bordeaux have held a meeting 5,000 strong, and have urged the Dictator to accept the presidency of a Committee of Public Safety. Now, what ever such a body might fail to do, it would certainly fight a entrance. If the past history of France affords any guidance in the present crisis, a Committee of Public Safety would equip armies as long as it could find gold or print assignats. If it deemed a Reign of Terror necessary to bring victory, it would as unflinchingly resort to that darkest of French expedients as M. Gambetta has resorted to the weapons of absolutism. Count Bismarck, as he has already indicated, and apparently with the full approval of M. Jules Favre, would, of course, refuse to recognise the authority of the Assembly which M. Gambetta seeks to summon. If he saw the right of free election denied, he must be expected again to let slip the dogs of war, and months of terrible strife might elapse before the conclusion of peace, or even of an armistice, would be practicable. This precious breathing time is therefore imperilled by Gambetta ; if he once set loose the "Reds" of Lyons, Bordeaux, and Marseilles, which he can do by utterirg one tremendous word, civil strife is inevitable, and Count Bismarck must negotiate, not with a nation, but with an anarchy of warring units. There cannot be a doubt that, in such a case, he would go with proposals of peace to the Regency of the Empire, on the ground that it is the only legal Government. And, if driven to that resource, he would not leave the work incomplete, but would arm the Empire with the means of restoring its authority over France, and there fore of fulfilling a compact with Prussia. Fully 300,000 Imperialist soldiers are prisoners of war in Germany. Part, or all, o f th at great disciplined host might be placed at th e command of the Empire under th e , leadership of Gen era l s so a b le and Imperialists so un flinching as Bazaine and Canrobert. In such an event the work of havoc might be completed by the armed citizens of France. Thus, Gambetta is playing into the hands of the very men whom he seeks to exclude from the National Assembly, and is risking the chance of a 8C414- partist Restoration. THE UNITED LAND COMPANY, LIMITED (This Day.) The annual meeting of the shareholders was held this afternoon at the Norfolk-street office, Viscount Banelag h in the chair. The minutes of the last annual meeting having been compared, and the advertisement convening thq meeting read by Mr. C. L. Gruneisen, the secretary, the subjoined report of the directors was substituted : "The directors, in presenting this their annual report of the operations of the. United Land Company, Limited, for the year ending the 31st of December, 1870, have again the gratification of submitting to the shareholders a satisfac tory balance sheet. A summary of the annual return of income and expenditure, and of liabilities and assets, chews the following results : " Ist. The sale of plots of land on the company's estate: in various counties amounted during the past year to £39,176 ls. divided over the following properties, viz.:— Brighton, Sussex (East), £137 • Clapham Junction, S urrey (Mid), £2,342; Enfield, Middlesex, £627 ; Forest Gate, South Essex, £5,922 Is. ; Fulham Fields, Middlesex, £581; Hammersmith, Middlesex, £2,087; Havant, Hamp shire (South), £7,955; Hendon, Middlesex, £394 ; Holloway, Middlesex, £2,834; Hereford, Herefordshir e , £304; Ipswich, S u ff o lk (East) £728; Kilburn, Harrow road, Middlesex, £1,078 ; New Ferry (opposite Liverpool) Cheshire (South) £1,045; Oxford, Oxfordshire, £lO4 ; Portsmouth (No. 2) Hampshire, (South) £3,632 ; Red Hill, Surrey, (Mid) £65 • Sundown (No. 2) Isle of Wight, £522 ; Stafford, Staffordshire, (South) £451; Welling borough, Northamptonshire, (North) £1,957 ; West Hill, Wandsworth, (Putney Common) Surrey, (East) £4,021 • Willesden, Middlesex, £2,167 ; Wood (green (No. 2, Tottenham), Middlesex, £120; Worcester (Henwick road), Worcestershire (West), £102; total sale of land for the year, as per balance s h ee t, £39 , 176 ls. The estates referred to in the balance sheet remain at the net. cost, plus only the proportion . of the outlay for works, redemp• tion of tithe, &c., on the plots in hand ; the other ex. penes of every kind having been charged to the profit am] loss account. " 2nd. The purchasers' loan accounts have been in creased by £34,815 7s. 3d. during the year, while the repayments in th e same per i o d amounted to 223,524 9s 5d The balances due to the company on this account nov amount to £51,053 sd. " 3rd. The whole of the year's working expenses interest on calls in advance, the interim dividend, nut interest to the Conservative Land (Benefit Building) Society are provided for out of revenue. " 4th.. The sum of £750, being the balance of preliminary expenses, has been now paid off, and the account is conse quently closed in the company's books. " sth. The £3OO specified in the balance sheet, received as premium on new shares, taken as part payment of an estate purchase, has been carried to the credit of a 'con tingency fund,' under the articles of association, and as the directors have been enabled to add to the said sum of £3OO an amount of £7OO out of revenue, this ' con tingency fund' will be seen , as per balance sheet, to be £l,OOO. `• 6th. After providing for the foregoing charges, the directors have much gratification in reporting that there is a balance to the credit of profit and loss of £4,236 18s. ; out of which they can declare the usual dividend of 5 per cent. per anaturn, for the y ear en di ng 31 s t o f D ecem b er, 1870, and in addition thereto, declare a bonus of 3 per cent. per annum oh the called-up capital (23 per share) for the same period. "The shareholders therefore will be paid a total dividend of 8 per cent. per annum, free of income-tax, for the year ending the 31st December, 1870, leaving a balance to be carried over to the next year's Profit and .Loss Account. " Of the 25,000 shares issued, the numbers taken up to the end of the past year were 22,891, on all of which £3 per share has been paid up, leaving 2,109 shares unallotted, of the last issue, on the 31st of December last. "The retiring directors by rotation are :—Sir Lawrence Palk, Bart., M,P. ; the Hon. Robert Bourke, M.P. ; Colonel Brownlow Knox, all of whom are eligible for re election, and offer themselves accordingly. " The Auditors, M essrs . Johnstone, Cooper, Wintle, and Evans, Accountants and Public Auditors, of 3 Cole man Street Buildings, E.C., a l so re ti re, and being eligible forge-election, tender their services for the ensuing year. " The Directors have reason to congratulate the share holders on the success of the past year, the last six months of which have been of such an unsettled character fox Commercial and Financial undertakings. With the pur chases, however, of land from the various classes who have Building Advances from the old Conservative Land Society, a good demand for plots, either on ground-rents or on payment of the purchase-money of the freehold, has been sustained, and the increasing value of the co-opera tion between the parent society, and the present company has been proved." (LEFT SITTING.) TIIE PROVISTONTNO OF PARIS. The special correspondent of the Daily News at the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia forwards the following by special despatch : VERSAILLES, February 2. Some anxiety is felt here in regard to the provisioning of Paris. The capitulation was only just in time, for it is found that there was less food by several days' supply than the French authorities supposed. They had imagined they would leave off with a safe margin of bread at any rate between the people and starvation ; but it now appears that even bread may give out before the end of this week. The Emperor thinks the case so serious as to warrant sending in six million rations from the German stores from Lagny, and relaxing the rule about the purchase of _ provisions at ri distance by the French in one of the articles of the Con vention. Thus instead of being debarred from pur chase in all the territories occupied by the German troops, the French Government will be able to enter several mar kets not far removed from the circle of the siege opera tions. I belief Corbeil will be one of the points to which I allude. There are great flour mills there which will be most useful at this crisis. What with the rations sent in by the Emperor and the' modifica tion of the Convention, and the opening of the rail way lines to the south, north, and west, we may hope that soon Paris will be out of danger ; but the fact that such danger exists, that the Parisians have so early eaten their last crust, explains the yielding up of the forts so long before they were made untenable. Stray supplies here and there in the city ; barrels of salt meat in one fort; cases of sardines and bags of biscuit in another ; could not prevent the city, as a whole, from being stitrved into surrender. The line of demarcation has been quietly drawn round Paris, and a chain of tierman sentries watch the Parisians from five hundred yards outside the enceinte. The French, on their side, keep guard at the city gates. Nothing like free intercourse is established yet between Paris and the suburbs. It is understood to be rather the wish of Jules Favre than of M. Bismarck that this blockade should be maintained. Jules Favre is probably anxious to keep away outside influence until after the elections on Sunday next ; and the German authorities are very careful about granting passes to enter the city, which may seem like an infrac tion of the French right to keep out strangers during the armistice. Neves theless, scores of people run the blockade both ways. The foreign residents who could find a carriage to take them and get permit from the French have had no great difficulty in passing the Ger man lines, whilst Frenchmen and foreigners have disap peared from sight bound citywards, and by hook or crook have got through the gates. Those who have just come out say that the sufferings, privations, and discouragement are very great. All the excited feeling of the recent struggle has died away into bitter regret that things could not have been otherwise ordered by the men in power. There is more danger from famine than from the mob, and those who know Paris well think the elections will pass off quietly. The people will have leisure to reflect calmly on the state of affairs, while the French authorities collect their cannon, arms colours, &c., to hand over to the Germans. There wi remain a force of twelve thousand regulars, and between three and four thousand douaniers, Garle Republicans, &c., to preserve order in the capital. The soldiers and sailors of the garrison will slide gradually to the condition of prisoners of war, and be ready should France decide on further resistance, to start for the German fortresses. I find that the Germans still think that whatever happens they are to march through Paris. In the event of the renewal of war they naturally will take possession of the city, and do as they please about marching through ; but in the event of peace this wish of theirs will raise a delicate point for negotiators. VERSAILLES, February 3. Mr. Blount, English Consul in Paris pro tent., came out yesterday by special train to Versailles to see Mr. Odo Russell. After an interview with that gentleman he returned to Paris. It is understood that one subject of their conference was how to facilitate the, departure of English people wishing to leave the city. To day there was an exchange of wounded and unwounded prisoners, so that the Germans in the hands of the French garrison have been brought in and given over to their friends.. They came by train to Versailles. The revictualling of Paris is proceeding somewhat slowly, and as the Emperor has declared that he can do no more for the people than give them six million rations already supplied, it behoves the French authorities to be prompt in their measures. The distress in, the city is very great; but, as I said before, those who know Paris well feel sure the people will not resort to acts of violence. The Parisians accept their sad position quietly. Jules Favre has positively declined to send a representative to the Black Sea Conference. No peace negotiations can be proceeded with between France and Germany until the French Constituent Assembly has met at Bordeaux. The revenue cruiser Mocassin, according to Nature, has been supplied with a new marine drag, that is, one of those substitutes for an anchor, which will, it is said, effectually prevent a ship's drifting even in the heaviest weather. It is the intention to supply all vessels in the Revenue service with them. THE STATE OF FRANCE. In a communication from Versailles, February 1, a correspondent of the Standard •says :—France lies prostrate among the ruins of her homes and graves of her children ; but she is not crushed. Her heart beats but slowly now, feebly as a little child's ; but it beats still, and that is life. Envied in her glory, forsaken in her sore travail, let it not be said that we have no compassion for her now. Let us rather staunch her wounds with shreds of the gifts she has bestowed on us with a bounteous hand, sprinkle her brow with drops of hope, and let the pure air of freedom play upon her pale fair face. Soon shall we see the warm southern blood mantling through her veins ; her eyes, whose glance has held a world in check, reflect once more the daring soul within ; her lips shall pour forth song anew, and France will again stand before us the pride and embodied grace of Europe. The armistice comes 1 into force in the provinces from to-day ; not an hour too soon, God knows ! I confess to hoping that the war is at an end, and that ere three weeks are over a peace honourable to both countries will have been concluded. But if it cannot be—if the dogs of war, maddened by their bloody revels, refuse to be again leashed up, there is little doubt that the rest thus afforded to France is invaluable to her armies. In these Ido not include the National Guards, those whom the mere feelings of a hus band or a father should, one would have thought, have inspired with bravery, have in too many instances shewn themselves the veriest poltroons. Trochu adds another to the long list of French warriors whose fame, earned in many battle-fields, has been sacrificed to the cowardice of the scum of the people. The report about Bourbaki was too true. He is however, not dead, though his life is despaired of. Nothing is yet known as to who is to be his successor, but from the position the Germans hold his command must de volve upon one of his generals, as it would be an infrac tion of the armistice if a commander were sent from some other part of France. It is at any rate to be hoped that Garibaldi will not be appointed to the vacant command. He has failed even as a leader of his own partisans, and it is hardly to be expected that he will gain the implicit trust, without which success is impossible, of the soldiers of France. The Imperial residences seem to be following the fate of their owners. The Palace of St. Cloud has been a heap of ruins since October ; the Chateau de Malmaison was destroyed shortly afterwards ; and yesterday the favourite residence of Prince Napoleon, at Meudon, was, despite the efforts of a strong detachment of German artillery men, utterly consumed by fire. A shell is supposed to have fallen within the building some days ago. Left unnoticed, it did not explode till yesterday, setting the chateau on fire, and although the air was still the flames spread with fearful rapidity. The communication with Paris by rail has, I find, been conceded, and the repairs to the lines are being worked at night and day. Nor, indeed, is any time to be lost, for the Parisians, although their gates are open, are still in danger of perishing from hunger. It must be remembered that within a radius of thirty or forty miles round Paris the country has been utterly devastated. Gabel—the famous gend'arme in Offenbach's Genevieve "• '—was killed at Sedan. INCREASE OF ROYAL ARTILLERY.—SIX new batteries are to be immediately added to the Royal Horse Brigades, and there are to be twenty new field batteries. An order has been received at Woolwich to the effect that 3,915 men of all ranks will be added to the regiment. MUNIFICENT DONATION. The Warrinyton Guardian, announces that Humphrey Nicholls, Esq., of Manchester, has given the rector of Warrington £7,500 for the Clergy Widow and Orphan Fund, Manchester and Chester diocese, making £lO,OOO within a few years. The Irish Church Temporalities Commissioners are sitting day after day to consider applications, chiefly from curates, for an acknovriegment of their vested interests. They have rejected all claims arising from appointments made since the passing of the Act. Rivalling Chelsea, Bayswater is to have a theatre. The Victoria Hall in Archer-street, is to be transformed into the Bayswater Bijou Theatre, Mr. Worboys being the lessee, and Mr. W. J. Sorrel the acting manager. The regular dramatic season will not commence until Easter. General Schenck declined the banquet tendered dim in . Cincinnati, saying that he is so busy with prepara tions for leaving for England that he cannot even visit his home in Dayton, Ohio, and that he has considered it best not to accept any public demonstrations before his departure. The motion for debate at the Oxford Union Society on Friday night "that this House, while sympathising deeply with the heroic resistance of France, deprecates any attempt at armed intervention on the part of Eng land," was rejected, after a long debate, by a majority of two. The motion next Thursday is—" That the works of Charles Dickens are not entitled to a place in the first rank of English Literature," moved by Mr. C. E. Bick more, Ch., Ch. BRIBERY AT SCHOOL BOARDS.—At Bideford, allegations of treating and bribery have been made in connection with the School Board election. A meeting of the inhabitants has been held, at which it was decided to memorialise the Education Board to institute an inquiry. Pending such inquiry, the rector, who was one of the successful candidates, declines to sit on the Board. THE CONFERENCE.—There is no doubt that the conduct of Turkey in connection with the Eastern Con ference has provoked considerable dissatisfaction in offi cial quarters. The Turks all along have been lacking in earnestness, and some say in good faith, although perhaps their practical indifference to the Black Sea question has facilitated the settlement which will shortly be arrived at. —Scotsman.