The Sun. — London, England, 1871-02-08 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE SUN OFFICE, 8 A.M TETE WAIL PROLONGATION OF THE ARMISTICE. BRUSSELS, February 7. • A. prolongation of the armistice is expected. Ac cording to advices from Verssailles, the English Cabinet has instructed Mr. Odo Russell to support any steps that may be taken by M. Jules Favre for such an object.—Telegraph Telegram. THE BOMBARDMENT OF BELFORT. BERLIN, February 6, 6.20 p.m. Belfort is still being vigorously bombarded, and is expected to surrender shortly. February 7, 5.20 p.m. The Posen Corps d'Armee is being completed. II will occupy the Champagne country after the con. elusion of peace. All the Paris papers received here demand revenge on Germany at some future period,—Times Telegram.. The following telegrams come through Reuter's agency RESIGNATION OF GAMBETTA. BORDEAUX, February 6. MM. Arago, Gamier-Pages, and Eugene Pelletan, Members of the Paris Government, have arrived at Bordeaux, bringing with them a decree signed by all the members of the Government, which annuls that of M. Gambetta, by which certain classes of electors were disqualified as candidates. Nr. Gambetta has issued a circular to all the Pre fects and Sub-Prefects, stating that, in consequence of the above measure, he has this day resigned his f unctions. February 7. M. Gambetta's resignation was sent in yesterday, and was accompanied by that of the whole staff of his Cabinet. It is asserted that M. Allain-Targe, the Prefect of the Gironde, and M. Ranc, the Director of Public Safety, have also resigned. At the request of the members of the Govern ment of the National Defence, who have just ar rived from Paris, the Director General of Telegraphs has transmitted to all the Prefects a decree, dated Bordeaux the Gth, abrogating that of the 31st ult., issued by the Delegate Government, which dis qualified certain classes of candidates who are eli gible according to the decree of the Paris Govern ment. The last mentioned decree is declared to be iu full force. 31. Pinard has arrived here. LILLE, February 6. TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN FRANCE. SIXTY PERSONS KILLED AND ONE HUNDRED WOUNDED. TOULON, February 5. A frightful accident has occurred in France on the railway between Bandoz and St. Nazaire through the explosion of a waggon load of powder. Seve ral travellers and carriages were smashed to pieces. About 60 persons were killed, and 100 were wounded. THE MANSION-HOUSE RELIEF FUND. PARIS, FebruarS 4. Yesterday, fifty railway waggons, laden with pro visions, arrived in Paris, bearing the folloveieg incription :—" Gifts from the City of London to the City of Paris." TIM PRUSSIAN LOAN. BERLIN, Feb. 7, Evening. A decree dated the 27th January is made public to-day, ordering that the amount to be raised by loan in accordance with the law of 21st of July, 187 0, shall be increased from 80,000,000 thalers to 45 )000,00 thalers. REPORTED INSURRECTIONARY MOVE MENT IN ALGLRIA. BRUSSELS, February 7 (8.50 p.m.) The Irancais asserts that an insurrectionary movement has broken out in the province of Con litantine. ,The Gazette de France espouse s th e cause o f M . ` - larabett a against M. Jules Favre in the matter of t he armistice. THE ELECTIONS IN FRANCE. BORDEAUX, February 6, Evening. Zile Gironde expresses its doubts as to M. Jules illitott having ever in his possession the electoral 4ee ree of the Government of P a ri s w hi c h h e wan t e d t ° impose upon the country. Al. Gambetta has written a letter refusing to au thorise the Republican Co mm itt ee o f th e Gi ron d e t 0 put down his name on the list of the candidates 'of the Gironde. The Committee, however, maintains : 8 name on the list which compri ses 14 p ersons , am ong whom are MM. Jules Simon, Steenackers, .2 14 r6 Lavertujon, Clement Thomas, and M. Four `4ll,(l, the M a y or o f B or d eaux . • Sirniot has written a letter in which he de nee to accept a trust which would_ require his , bB cribin g t o d ec i s i ons th a t h e cou ld no t conscien tl°naly approve. T he list of the Committee of the Republican W o pa lnio ganda contains the names of MM. Fourcaud, Gambette, and General Faidherbe ; that of b e I ndependent Committee those of MM. Thiers, Adrien Bonnet, and General Paladine des - L - 4 11 1 . 44, 6. The Alsatian Committee of th e L ower R ik , l4B favours the election of General G a rib a ldi, an d Rik, Valentin, Enghelard, Chatrian, and Si e bi e k er . tet e C ommittee of the Lower Pyrenees advises the of Admiral Jaureguiberry, St eenac h ers , an d tiee t ere ; and the Committee of the Charente Info re(: brings forward M. Aurelien Sch o l as a fitti ng A i tlate to rep resen t th e e l ec t ors i n t h e N ational 'entbly. THE FRENCH SOLDIERS IN SWITZERLAND. special commissioner from the French Govern a'ent Et tra ..! , Adolphe Gaiffe, has arrived here to the 11,„e with the Swiss authorities for supplying TZ'' ai lts of the prisoners interned in Switzerland. fr ol „", e 'lumber of French who have cm , sed the ttte . "er exceeds 50,000. Berne presents the appear -1,e(1r1 garrison t own , an d i s ' crow d e d w i t h i n f antry ,rs, chasseurs, an d cu i rass i ers. " Transatlantic Mail steamer Vile de Paris hi t . arrived with a large cargo of arms and ;Lamm- LILLE, Feb. 7. fit i 8 st a t ed that the Municipal Council of Rou lull has resolved to disregard the Bordeaux decree, wi th t(t)he a ccept as Nalid a ll vot i ng papers inscribed a kbett a. Q n ames of candid a t es di squa lifi e d b y M. A7: 3 e4II ) MENT OF NATION GUARDS. th e N'cl'ee has b een i ssued by the Government of 4,117,,ti0nal Defence, ordering the regiments of the of Paris 1534 N ational Guards. callei the Regiments Aliw itt t, to be disbanded, and entrusting the tlee ree er of tile Interior with the execution of the THE FRENCH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, All the candidates proposed in Paris have presented themselves to the electors on a peace programme. Monarchists and Republicans equally advocate with _ _ energy the peace platform. The Democratic delegates of the arrondissements of the Pas de Calais have presented a list of a candi dates, headed by the names of Jules Favre and General Faidherbe, and have issued the following manifesto to the electors : " The events of the hour cry aloud to the candidates for their National Assembly to comprise the profession of faith in two words. Our list is a protest against the politics and the decrees of the Bordeaux delegation. ' Social union is our motto. This will tell you that we shall use all our efforts to conclude an honourable peace, and defend against revolution the great principle of order and liberty on which society reposes. To those who shall audaciously say to you ' Let France perish rather than " our " Republic,' you will reply with us Vive la France !'" Letters from Metz give the following list of Re publican candidates for the department of the Mo selle : Noizet, Pistor, Bouchotte, Bamberger, Mayer, Vacca, and Jacques. Some of the defenders of Bitche, Longwy, and Thionville will be addel to the list. M. Chevalier, Republican prefect of the depart ment of La Sarthe, having been dismissed from his office by the Provisional Government at Paris, came to Le Mans in the capacity of Commissioner Extra ordinary of the Delegate Government of Bordeaux to conduct the elections to the Constituent Assem bly. The Prussian authorities, however, compelled him to leave. A despatch has been forwarded to the German officials, ordering them to abstain from all censor ship of French journals during the period of the elections in the districts occupied by the German troops. Many journals which had ceased to appear are being again published. The Bordeaux authorities forbade a meeting which was to be held on Sunday evening at the Louis Theatre, and the approaches to the theatre and the Prefecture were consequently guarded by pickets of National Guards. THE RETREAT OF THE FRENCH ARMY OF THE EAST. BRUSSELS, February 7 (Evening). The Independance Beige of this evening publishes the following telegram from Lyons, dated February 4 :—" General Cromer effected his retreat from Pontarlier, in the direction of Gex, through Fan cello, but on acconnt of the bad state of the roads he was obliged to abandon 40 guns, which he pre viously spiked." A LOAN FOR PARIS. PARIS, February 6, It is announced that the firm of Rothschilds will next week introduce into London and Paris a loan of 200,000,000 for the city of Paris at 85k. Messrs. Rothschild have made a request to Count Bismarck to permit the participation of subjects of the North German Conferation in the loan. REPUDIATION OF THE BORDEAUX DE CREES IN THE PAS DE CALMS. BOULOGNE, February 6. The Democratic delegates of the arrondissements of the Pas-de-Calais have presented a list of candi dates, headed by the names of Jules Favre and General Faidherbe, and have issued the f.)llowing manifesto to the electors : "The events of the hour cry aloud for the candi dates to the National Assembly to comprise their pro fession of faith in two words. Our list is a protest against the politics and the decrees of the Bordeaux Delegation, Social union is our motto. " This will tell you that we shall use all our efforts to conclude an honourable peace, and defend against revolution the great principles•of order and liberty, on which society reposes. To those who shall audaciously say to you, Let France perish rather than our Republic,' you will reply with Vivo la France !' "—LornbardTelegrams. 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I ken), 50 'La P i tc hf o rk, - which sca e 0 um as - in by a ge edthe C c 4 in b o, 3tiCe 3'lo° b ; it ba s lip v- ige of sco ia i testinaan v hich he is 'oet, tinguishea nea rll ring ( „ r al Las been decA ; °l le , tO - 0 a nd iri v; ;1 1 00 te, Mr. t o 6d. Pc, r 0 0 i' t e rer cel l " t. uction t a li , 1 5 u ntil .111.7 tA-;s9 A l4l , ) tioo e f s prepa,r oe ck i ieP erViCe Vws tural la „,14 L ij ot ritiov , -a cv - 5 6,4 11-selecte oco to with a de c oc t : 4- v heavy 00 0 e r Co., e ,60 :pps . th ca THE ARMISTICE, A telegram despatched on Sunday evening from Vierzon, by the general in command of the 25th Army Corps, announces that he has, in conformity with the Convention of Versailles, evacuated the Loir-et-Cher, and has fallen back beyond Vierzon, which must remain as neutral ground. The general adds, that strategically and morally he regrets such a movement, which deprives the French, without fighting, of the line of the Loir-et-Cher, and permits the enemy to advance 20 leagues further southwards. THE FRENCH TREATY OF COMMERCE The Libert4 states that ➢I. Dorian has announced his intention to withdraw provisionally from the Treaty of Commerce with England. ANTI-PEACE PROCLAMATION BY GARIBALDI. Garibaldi has issued a proclamation to the inhabi tants of the Cote d'Or. It utters the usual condom_ nation of priests and the rich, "enervated by twenty years of luxury," and concludes thus : It is useless to think of it, and to give way to hopes of peace which could only be slavery disguised. Peace, as Bismarck wishes it—that is to say, with France on her knees, France transformed into a province of the holy Empire of Germany, which shall not be done, and he who would counsel it would hand his name down to the exe cration of posterity. Ile who would counsel this infamous peace would be torn to pieces like the corpses with which it has pleased William to cover the soil of France are devoured by dogs and vultures. The Cote d'Or, justly called the Coast of Iron, must set an example to the sister populations, and prove to them that the invaders only devastate the countries whose population have not the courage to resist and drive them out. ITALY AND TUNIS. CONSTANTINOPLE, February 6 (6 50 p.m.) The Porte has drawn the attention of the Italian Government to the irregularity committed in breaking off relations directly with Tunis without previotni communication with the Porte. The Italian Government, while admitting the rights of the Porte over the Regency of Tunis, justifies itself by a reference to precedents. FLORENCE, February 7. In the sitting of the Chamber, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, replying to a question from Signor Machi relative to the dispute with Tunis, said the Italian Government approved the conduct of the Consul, and had demanded guarantees for the future from the Tunisian Government. The negotiations are still pending, and the Government of the King would persist in its just demands. ITALY. FLORENCE, February 7. The Committee of the Chamber of Deputies on the Financial Conventions with Austria held a sitting to-day, when Signor Sella gave explanations on the subject, and pointed out the advantages of those Conventions. • THE ROUMANIAN AGITATION. CONSTANTINOPLE, February 6 (3.20 p.m.) An Army of Observation is being sent to Shumla on account of the present disturbed state of affairs in Roumania.—Times Telegram, MIiNISTERIAL CRISIS IN AUSTRIA. An autograph letter of the Emperor Francis Joseph relieves Count .Totocki and his colleagues THE SUN LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8 3 1871. in the Cis-Leithan Ministry of their functions, and appoints Count Hohenwart to be Minister of the Interior, with the mission of forming a new Cabinet. HUN GARY. The session of the Austrian Delegation was closed on Monday. The Chancellor of the Empire, in his closing speech, said that the Emperor had sanctioned the Budget for 1871, as agreed upon by the two delegations, and had com missioned him to thank the delegation for their un wearied activity. The Chancellor, in conclusion, said that he hoped when at no distant period the delegations again met the appearance of affairs in foreign countries would be less sad. THE GERMAN TERMS OF PEACE. By special despatch from the headquarters of the Crown Prince of Prussia, Versailles, February 5, the correspon dent of the Daily News sends the following :—The ques tion of revictualling Paris, of sending moderate members to the Bordeaux Assembly, and of the future form of Government in France, are the great questions of the day. As to the first, it is stated on French authority that there is bread enough in the city to last over to-morrow. From February 6 the Parisians will depend upon what comes in from day to day. They will hold the elec tions on the Bth, in utter dependence on the good faith of Germany, and the conditions of the armistice. As regards the second question, France seems inclined to moderation. The addresses pnt forth within the German lines or in a city like Paris, which may he soon within those lines, are not, perhaps, conclusive of the national tone. But es far as they go they are moderate enough. Men will be sent to Bordeaux who accept the situation with all its drawbacks, and are willing to treat as becomes the defeated side. If in the question of the future Government of France difficulties arise, many people about the German headquarters have an idea that the t hiperor Natioleoii has still a chance. Other§ think the Duke d'Aumale the coming man. The GciVel-nment of the National Defence has so far failed as to leave the field open to rivals. It is a great point for the French in any case to know what they are expected to yield. The German demands must take the form of an ultimatum, to reach Bordeaux with • sufficient vigour. Of course the Armistice will be prolonged if France accepts the peace preliminaries on the German basis. It will be impossible to complete the negotiations between the meeting of the Assembly and the 19th, when fighting may possibly be resumed at mid-day. The German arrangements for overrunning France from end to end, should she refuse to submit, will be terrible effective. The temper of . the German troops will be very stern should the French pursue the struggle. Several thousand sheep and cattle enter Paris to-day ; bread also to a considerable anTount, and some fuel. It is thought that by the 10th there will be sufficient fuel in the city to remove immediate anxiety. One very probable report makes Bismarck ask for Alsace and Lorraine, except the strip west of Nancy ; five mil liards for war expenses ; two best French ironclads ; and the destruction of the Paris forts. Should the French again resist and be beaten, Bismarck will demand a larger amount for war expenses, ali the ironclads, and either an addi tional slice of territory in France or some French colonies. Further resistance also entails prolonged foreign occupa tion, and great interference with domestic affairs. With their usual energy the Germans are pre paring for a prolonged war. Though they feel almost sure that the end of the war has come, they are arranging everything to march against Lyons and Bordeaux. Should warlike counsels prevail among the French, fresh reinforcements will be called from Germany. The troops already in the field will press quickly forward- The complete conquest of France will at once be taken in hand. THE STATE OF PARIS, In a communication from Vel'sdiiies ; Ole iandard cor- respondent remarks :—AII declare that the bombardment was a perfect failure, and had nothing to do with hasten ing the capitulation ; as, however, every refugee one speaks to has had an escape from the splinters of a shell. only less wonderful than that of the next person one talks with on the subject, it is difficult to know what to believe. Famine may have been the immediate cause of the surrender of the city ; but it Is probable - that if the garrison had not become utterly demoralised and if the bombaf:Juient of St. Denis had not been followed with► signal suceesg, the 33,000 horsed remaining would have been discussed before the terns of peace. All agree in lauding the discipline. intelligence, and bravery of the sailors, on whom devolved the defence of the forts. The men of the French navy have shewn throughout this war that in marching, skirmishing, and iu every other quality that tends to make a perfect soldier, they were not surpassed by any troops in the French army. The patriotism they have evinced might have shamed their comrades in the sister service. When driven back into Paris after their unsuccessful sortie, many bronzed tars have been seen with tears in their eyes. Some soldiers may have wept also ; the dif ference lay in the predisposing cause. Love of France made the sailor weep ; love of wine the soldier. A ' captain in the Dairy who eotntuanded the fort of Montronge shot hiteself on Sunday Motning, pre7 ferring death to the humiliation of surrender ing a stronghold still capable of defence. Un happily, accounts reach us daily I may say hourly—of the internal state of Parisi and the order-loving, well-to-do people in the capital look forward to the elections, which are to be held on Sunday, in fear and trembling. The Communists may succeed in dis turbing the public peace, but I doubt any really serious consequences resulting from their impotent frenzy. If matters do become desperate, some picked corps from the German army may be sent into the city. A Parisian to day told me that a very large number of his fellow-citizens would like to see the Prussians enter Paris. These are actuated by different motives; some desire it as affording security to their property ; some others, who have seen enough of their steel and iron, are now anxious to feel Prussian gold ; and a very large number wish it that they may gratify the inordinate passion of Parisians for sight-seeing by witnessing a grand military display. Papers from England bear out what I had heard about the restoration of the Empire. Many here talk of it as an impossibility, and gave that the far sightedness of Bismarck has in this instance been blinded by the want of sympathy' in his cha racter. All allow that, in the Notth at least, the Republic is doomed. I myself firmly belieVe that the Emperor will return, and that he will be welcomed by all those whose welcome is worth having. Every thinking man in the country must see that what France now wants is peace ; and, much as the Legitimists and Orlean ists may wish to see their star in the ascendant, they are not blind to the confusion that would ensue by their pushing the claims of either at present. If France decides unanimously against the Empire, the diffi culty might be met by offering the Crown to the Comte de Chambord on the condition of his nominating the Comte de Paris his successor. This ar rangement would, at any rate s have the advantage of effecting a reconcilliation between the rival Royal Rouses of France. I cannot believe that the horrors of a civil war are to be added to the miseries which are already almost more than unhappy France can bear. " There is no chance of peace,' I hear the people say ; " the south of France will continue to fight for the Republic." For which Republic ? I would ask. Vol- that of Bordeaux, of Lyons. or of Marseilles ? And who are going to fight? The inhabitants of the large French towns have shewn that they object to being shot, and the landed gentry and peasantry in the south of France are not remarkable for their Republican tendencies. GAMBETT A'S DECREES. Writing from Paris February 4, the Daily News COT respondent observes i—The great talk of to-day is G am ,betta's pr . oclamation, and the decree which disables the Bonapartists from sitting in the National Assembly. The proclamation is certain to unsettle many minds, and to do Much harm. Frenchmen in defeat like to think they have been betrayed. A French defeat is always, if possible, represented as a victory ; of., if that be impossible, as a stooping to conquer ; a glorious check ; a victory deferred ; a " victory unaccomplished." But if, after all, it be absolutely im possible to call it victory, even a victory in disguise—if the word defeat must be allowed, then it becomes necessary to show that the defeat is not the result of weakness, but only of treachery. Somebody or other is always a traitor. The surrender at Sedan was treachery Napoleon was the traitor. The capitulation of Metz was treachery— Bazaine was the traitor. The fall of Paris is treachery— Trochu is the traitor. The proclamation of " the young Gambetta" will give much puffy aliment to those Frenchmen who are slow to acknowledge defeat and love to imagine such treachery. Fortu nately, the Government have a despatch from M. Chaudordy, dated the 16th January, that is, three days before General Trochu's last sortie, in which he writes from Bordeaux—" We cannot have any more illusions, and the frightful necessity of the capitulation of Paris is inevitable." The capitulation of Paris, therefore, was recognised as a necessity at Bordeaux even sooner than in Paris itself. Unhappily, at this time, when we are close upon the elections, and every minute is precious, the proclamation of M. Gambetta and the decree of disa bilities may do an immense deal of harm, which there will be little time to counteract by the decrees which the Government are sure to issue in opposition. The feel ing in Paris among sound Republicans is very strong against M. Gambetta, who by his violence does as much harm to the Republican idea as M. Rochefort him self. PARIS, February 5. Not only is the decree of M. Gainbetta annulled, but he himself is also denuded of authority as a Minister— either of War or of the Interior. He cannot be deprived of his position as a member of the Government. Ile was by acclamation on the 4th of September last, and again by the pldbiscite of the 3rd of November, appointed among the Eleven who were to hold the reins of government in France. That position he holds of the people, and he cannot be deprived of it save at their command. But the Government of Eleven dele gated to various persons, some among their own number, some beyond their circle, the direction of various ministerial offices. Thus, General Le Flo has been appointed by the Government of which he is not a member to administer the War Office in Paris, and M. Dorian to administer the office of Public Works. They hold office so long as they command the confidence of the Government, and at any moment they may be deprived of it. M. Gambetta has in this way been appointed Minister of War and Minister of the Interior at Bordeaux ; and he is now deprived by the Government of his double office. He has ceased to be Minister, and his acts as Minister have ceased to have any authority; but, for the reason above given, he does not formally cease to be a member of the Government—the eleventh part of it. The people of Paris are exasperated at his arrogance and incapacity, and will not bewail his fall, least of all when they come to know all that is yet to be told as to the fate of Bourbaki's army. This is the sth of Febru ary. How long is it since you have known the truth in London ? The people of Paris are as yet in blessed ignorance of the 70,000 prisoners made by Man teuffel. The correspondent of the • Telegraph thus writes from Paris February 4 :—I scarcely know how to write about the proclamation of M. Gambetta and the decree which is annexed to it. Can these two documents be real or are they forgeries? If they are facts then M. Gambetta and the Bordeaux Delegation must be even more mad than any one has thus far supposed. These gentlemen are, in that case, more tyrannical than the Empire. They coolly establish a list of proscription ; they decree what the French code calls mort civite ; they ostracise a large number of men, all of whom have filled re sponsible positions in the country ; and they adopt these monstrous measures simply because they see that the population is slipping out of their hands and is going to vote against them. What a pretty example they are setting by this act ! Some day, wren a Monarchy governs France once more, these gentlemen cannot complain if a decree should be issued ordaining that no man who has ever said that he is, or was, or would be, a Republican could fill any office whatever in the State. Where would M. Gambetta be to-day if the Empire he hates so much had put into execution a similar law against himself ? He had no word hard enough for the desptoism of Napoleon, but Napoleon never treated France as M. Gambetta treats her now. It has been reported that the French Government has notified to England its intention of suspending the Ti eaty of Commerce. I learn this morning that the idea was brought before the Council of Ministers by M. Dorian ; but it was considered that it would be - discourteous and ungenerous proceeding to adopt a step of such a nature at the very moment when England is subscribing to the French Reiief Fund, and is cordially and heartily doing her very best to prove her sympathy with France. The scheme was therefore entirely abandoned. The Countess Beauchamp has been suffering from an attack of pleurisy during the last fortnight at Madres field Court, Great Malvern. Her ladyship was consi dered much better on Thursday. The Countess of Stan hope is staying with her daughter. Mr. P. Albert, of 504, New Oxford-street, Lon don, states that a daring robbery from his shop window has lately been committed. A man, dressed as a sailor' smashed a plate-glass window with a hammer, and abstracted some valuable rings, &c., at half-past five in the afternoon. FRENCH GRATITUDE. Commenting on the despatch of provisions from Eng land to Paris, and French public opinion thereon, the special correspondent of the Daily News thus writes from Paris, February 4 :—" There never was a people so illogical," thinks the Frenchman. " They were all against us in the beginning of the war ; and now they are all in our favour, sending us these provisions. Of course, they have a reason for it. They want our help in that Black Sea business, But what fools they were not to foresee that they would want our help as against Russia ; and what selfish fools they are to care for us only so long as we can be of immediate use to them. Well, we will thank them for their victuals, which we will eat with a will. No doubt the coming hams and cheeses are good. But spite of ham, and spite of cheese, the English and French alliance is at an end." It is not merely the ignorant Frenchman of the streets and boulevards who declares the English and French alliance at an end. Even educated men Who lean to English views—such as M. John Lemoinne—say the same thing ; and it is doubtful if any amount of comestibles sent over from England now will change the opinion. For, in truth, if you will read the article in the O f ficial of this morning, you will see that the Government seem to regard the provisions coming from England almost as a right— only a fair return for all the hospitality exercised in Paris. The Parisians, it must be observed, have a very lively sense of their own hospitality. They are always talking of Paris as the most hospitable of cities, for no other reason that I know of except that it has the most hotels and the most tempting restaurants. The fact is, that Paris is irritable just now, and does not at all like the idea of being in any way indebted to England. There are thousands upon thousands of Frenchmen who imagine that the Anglo-French alli ance has been a one-sided benefit for England, and that especially the Treaty of Commerce has been an injury to France and a great gain to perfidious Albion. The result is, that the Government here is strongly urged to abrogate the Treaty of Commerce, and M. Dorian, who has entered upon the duties of Minister of Commerce in the absence of M. Magnin, has even, we are told, proposed to give the proper notices to the English Government by which the treaty may be annulled at the end of a year. Whatever be the real opinion of the French Go vernment, I believe it has decided not to adopt the views of M. Dorian. At the present moment, when England seems the only Power in Europe which is dis- posed to help France, and when the Minister of Commerce, M. Magnin, has gone off to Dieppe to meet the convoys of food coming from England, it is considered ungracious to propose the abrogation of the Treaty. M. Pinarl has arrived at Lille. Belfort is still being vigorously bombarded, and is ex pected to surrender shortly. Prince Frederick Charles has gone to Versailles to con fer with the Emperor William. The whole of the French merchant ships are leaving Portsmouth, the Motherbank, Cowes, and Southampton for their respective French ports. THE ISTHMUS OF DARIEN.—The United States Darien Expedition has discovered a practicable canal route, of which the summit elevation is 300 ft. Lord Justice Mellish has been suffering from an attack of gout ; but we have much pleasure in stating that he is better. Mr. Henry Chaplin, the well-known sportsman, and M.P. for Mid-Lincolnshire, has resigned the master ship of the Burton Hounds. The fund for purchasing a testimonial to be pre sented to Mr. Alderman Balls,l ex-mayor of Cambridge, and leader of the local Conservative party for the last thirty years, has just closed with over £220.- We understand that Mr. Mitchell Henry, who has twice contested Manchester, is a candidate for the representation of Galway, in the room of Viscount OUR COTEMPORARIES—Thia Morning Burke. SPA.—In a valley near the frontiers of Prussia lies, half hidden by foliage and hills, one of the prettiest little towns on the Continent ; and although it only boasts of some five thousand inhabitants, it is the gem of Belgium, and the fashion able resort of its notabilities; and not of them only, for when the season is at its height, titled and distinguished visitors crowd every avenue and every rendezvous. Not only Princes of petty States, ex-Potentates, or the Counts and Barons which crop up so plentifully on a foreign soil, but the men of mark in society ; the statesmen, warriors, and leaders of their respec tive countries. The great men o f great Britain are amongst the number, for they gladly brace up their faculties and re-invigorate their systems at this health-restoring spot, after the fatigues of Courts, Parliaments, an d S es sions. The roulette - table has its votaries, but the waters are more omnipotent still strongly impregnated with iron, that, needful auxiliary in renovating enfeebled constitutions ; and those who esteem the waters too nauseous are glad to meet with that delicious substitute—the " Elixir de Spa." This holds high rank as a table liqueur, possesses a delicate perfume and exquisite flavour, and being distilled from the flowers and plants of the district, is at the same time greatly prized for its tonic, digestive, and gently stimulating qualities. The manufacture of this liqueur forms the chief part of the staple trade of Spa, which may be said to consist of the important Distillery of Messrs. Schaltin, Pierry, and Cie, the inventors of the Elixir de Spa, and the manufac turers of ornaments in the pretty Spa wood. A "petit verre" of the Elixir de Spa is the favourite prelude in Belgium to a ~d ejetther ft la fourchette," in order to give zest to the appetite, for which purpose it is equal in efficiency to the nauseous absinthe ; and the burly Flemish burgomaster's admirable dinners are usually capped with a wee glass of this invigorating native cordial, which is universally pronounced to be the best of Table Liqueurs. It may be obtained through your wine mer chant.—Wholesale DepOt —SCOTT BROTHERS, 8, Duke-street, Adelphi, London. THE CONFERENCE. The Conference on the Treaty of 1856 met yesterday at one o'clock the representatives of all the Powers ex cept France being present. The sitting was continued till late in the afternoon, and was then adjourned to a day to be hereafter fixed. THE AMERICAN MINISTER TO ENGLAND. General Schenk's departure for EnBlair' is being delayed, to await the results ,of the conferences at Washington, held between Sir W. Rose, Sir E. Thornton, and prominent members of the Congress and of the Cabinet. The Senate has confirmed Mr. John Cramer's appointment as United States Minister to Den mark. (CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.) THE LORD•LIEUTENANT ON THE CONDITION OF IRELAND. At the Lord Mayor's banquet in Dublin last night, the Lord-Lieutenant referred to the increasing prosperity of Ireland. The country, he said, was free from agrarian crimes. They were still perpetrated in one or two dis tricts, and if not repressed soon, further restrictive mea sures would have to be adopted. There were still needed reforms in the Poor La,w, in labourers' cottages, in the railway system, and in the sanitary laws. SUSPECTED FOUL PLAY. The remains of a man named Henry Long, engine fitter, Sheffield, were found yesterday in the roots of a tree in the river Don, at Attorcliffe, near Sheffield. Since the 26th of December, when he went to attend a dog race at Attorcliffe, no one had seen deceased. The appearance of the body indicates that considerable violence had been used towards the dead man. An inquest will be held to-day. FLOUR FOR FRANCE. At the Liverpool Corn Market this week about 30,000 sacks and 4,000 barrels of flour have been sold for export to France. THE ASSAM' ON A CAPTAIN. The proceedings in the cause of Poynter v. Porter, in which a captain in the army seeks to recover a large sum as damages for injuries and indignities inflicted on him by a gentleman in a fit of jealousy, were resumed in the Court of Common Pleas, Dublin, yesterday. The defendant, who during his examination exhibited great emotion, acknowledged the assault, but pleaded provoca tion. The hearing was adjourned. MORE SOLDIERS FOR JERSEY. Orders have been received in Jersey from the War De partment, directing that inquiries shall be made with the view of determining what additional number of troops can be accommodated in the island. Seven hundred others are, should there be sufficient accommodation, to be sta tioned in the island. The strengthening of the fortifica tions is also understood to be under consideration. THREATENED STRIKE AT SHEFFIELD. Some few days ago a strike was threatened in the Shef field file trade, in consequence of some of the masters having given notice of a reduction from the scale of prices. The men held a meeting at which it was resolved to re sist that step. .The dispute has now been ended by the masters withdrawing their notice. THE CONTROLLERSHIP OF THE NAVY. An unexpected hitch has occurred in the arrangements with respect to the office of Controller of the Navy which we yesterday described. The appointment was, until a recent period, tenable for terms of five years ; and, if this rule had prevailed up to the present time, Sir Spencer Robinson's office would become vacant during the present month. In 1868, however, the Controllership of the Navy was associated with the office of Third Lord of the Admiralty, which Sir Spencer Robinson holds under patentfrom the Crown ; and which, therefore, can only become vacant by the resigna of itg occupant, or by the withdrawal of the patent. Sir Spencer Robinson, we are informed, has not resigned, and does not intend to resign the offices of a Lord of the Admiralty and Controller of the Navy, at the present time, when the questions connected with the construction and loss of the ship Captain are likely to engage the attention of Parliament and the country. —Daily News. RETURN OF HER MAJESTY TO WINDSOR. Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses Princess Louise and Beatrice, and Prince Leopold, attended by the ladies and gentlemen of the suite, left Osborne yesterday afternoon after luncheon, en route for Windsor. Her Majesty and the Royal Family embarked on board the Queen's steam yacht Alberta, and crossed to Gosport, where her Majesty was received by the principal officials of the port. A special train was in readiness by the platform of the private station, under the charge of Mr. Williams, superintendent of the South-Western line, in which her Majesty left Gosport, passing via Bishopstoke. Here the Royal train was transferred to the care of Mr. Grierson, general manager of the Great Western line, and over the narrow gauge of that line her Majesty proceeded via Soutbcot Junction, Reading, Twyford, Taplow, and Slough, arriving at Wind sor at 5.50. Orders were received at Windsor from the Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief, to receive her Majesty at the station of the Great Western Railway with military honours. Shortly before the time fixed for Her Majesty's arrival, a guard of honour of the Ist Batalio Coldstream Guards, consisting of 100 rank and file, headed by the band of the regiment, under the command of Colonel Hawthorn, Captain the Hon. H. Legge, and Lieutenant Sawle, who carried the Queen's colours, left the Infantry barracks, and were drawn up in front of the royal waiting-room, and received Her Majesty with a royal salute. The Queen, who appeared in excellent health, immediately drove to the Castle. This is the first time the Queen has had a guard of honour since the death of the Prince Consort. COLONEL BERESFORD, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS. Last night a crowded meeting was held at the Bridge House Hotel, Southwark, for the purpose of hearing Colonel Beresford's annual address to his constituents. The chair was taken by Dr. Jones, who claimed for their repre sentative a fair and impartial hearing. Colonel Beresford, who was received with great applause, before entering into a statement of the votes he had given during the last session, said a few words with reference to the war. No nation has ever entered into such a great war so utterly unprepared as France was, and the disasters that have fol lowed were a sufficient answer to those who advocated the reduction of armaments. He reviewed the votes he had given on the Education Bill, which he considered a most beneficial measure, and one which now rested with the ratepayer:, to properly carry out. In answer to uuestiond put to him, he said he would certainly vote for the dowry to the Princess Louise, though at the same time he must state that he did not approve of the alliance, for if once a princess is allowed to marry below the rank of a prince there would be a precedent for a prince to marry below the rank of a princess. He would certainly vote for a bill for the better inspection of mines and protection of miners. He would assist Mr. Mundella with a bill to place trades unions on a better footing. He would vote for the abolition of the truck system. He could not say what he would do in reference to any. Sabbatarian Bill, but he was opposed to interfering with the liberty of the subject. He could not say that he would interfere in any way with the Duke of Cambridge,for he did not think that a more competent man for the head of the army could be found, and he was of opinion that he would make a far better War Minister than Mr. Cardwell. He was in favour of the equalization of the poor rates, and is vice-president of a society the object of which is to secure that object. On the motion of Colonel Payne, a vote of confidence was then carried by loud acclamation, and the meeting by a large majority pledged the member their future support. An opposition speaker endeavoured to obtain a hearing, but the chair man at once vacated the chair. GAMIIE'rTA'S RESIGNATION. The Times thinks that M. Gambetta's resignation is a. hopeful indication of peace and unanimity in France.. He has done whatever could be done for war and distinioW, and he has failed. His retire• opens better protpeets for his distracted country. We see, indeed, nothing Stirprising in this auspi cious announcement. Notwitlietaittlinfr occasional fl ashes of that fiery eloquence to which he ha d accustomed the French public, it was evident the War IVlinister was shrinking from the responsibility of a foreign and civil war at the same time The truth is M. Gambetta did not know what length the country, or any party in " it, would go with him. He was aware that his power had -hitherto been grounded on delusions which the surrender of Paris and the re-establishment of free inter course betWeett the Capital and the provinces would promptly dispel. ()Pen War with his former colleagues was more than he Could Venture upou f and when he pub lished his obnoxiOna decree upon the elections, exclud ing all men except those of Repnblican convictions, he did not actually impugn, but affected simply to ignore, the previous act of the Paris Government: He could not help perceiving that the extreme Democratic faction, on which alone he could reckon, was formidable at Bordeaux rather by its noise than by its actual strength. Gam betta being gone, there is no reason why France should not be herself again. His discomfiture gives the nation a chance of re-asserting its sovereign rights. In the Universal levelling of all institutions, the result of a desolating War, a fair field will be opened for common co-operation in the reconstruction of the social edifice. Alsace and a partof tontine are a grievous loss ; but, with out it France Would perhays have continued to belong to a Napoleon, to a Gainbetta--to any one rather than to her self. All the information which reaches us from France, and especially from Paris, points to that revulsion of feelings to the longing for Peace almost at any price, for which men with any political foresight were prepared. The people, we are told. are sick of the old refrain, " Mourir pour la Pattie." They are content to live for their country, and they will try to make it such a country as it may be possible for a happy orderly, and pro receive people to live in. In the opinion of the Standard, the resignation of M. Gambetta, dictated by the most patriotic and praise worthy motives, has come not a moment too early. His recent proceedings must have convinced even the most fanatical admirers of that energetic person of his unfitness to be charged with the destinies Of France at this crisis. He issued his edicts in as sublime contempt of the liberty he professes as though he were despot of France. He assumed to have the right of dictating to the electors whom they shall choose for their representatives, and he had already anticipated their decision. As if he had not been irre gular enough before, he effected a revolution within a revolution. He set up a Govern ment of his own at Bordeaux, and defied the orders of the Central Comn.ittee of the National Defence. This is surely the crown of all the calamities which have fallen upon France in these her evil days. As though it were not enough that she has a foreign war upon her hands, here is a civil war at once, into which she is thrust if M. Gambetta continues to be backed up in his disloyalty by the southern cities. The double prospect of humilation at the hands of the enemy and of internal discord is enough to drive all patristic Frenchmen to despair. What prospect can be more dismal for a nation than that which France had before her eyes twenty-four hours ago ? Between the two Governments of Paris and Bordeaux what chance was there of her emerging with anything like honour out of the hands of her ruthless enemy ? What hope of saving even what is left by the German conquerors? This new confusion into which she had fallen through the ill-starred Republican zeal of M. Gambetta is precisely the very opportunity for which the soul of Bismarck must have longed. Here we have, at last, not only Paris, but all France, getting ready to " fry in their own fat "—one section of the Government denouncing another—the official decrees of M. Favre and his colleagues suppressed in the official journal of the Gambetta triumvirate—and M. Jules Simon engaged in a fruitless attempt to stick his bills on the walls of Bor deaux. What could be the end of this mad, perverse conflict but more loss and humiliation to France, more spoil and profit to Germany ? THE EVE OF THE SESSION. The Telegraph says :—The programme of the pre sent session will be filled, for the most part, with the arrears of the past ; some of the deferred ques tions will certainly provoke keen debate, and debate occupies time. Thus, if members really wish to over take the unfinished tasks of last year it is indis pensable that they should speak less and do more. We have no desire to curtail the legitimate freedom of debate. But it is surely unnecessary that speaker after speaker should insist on addressing the House when lie has nothing to say which has not been said better, or at least as well, by previous speakers. All that we object to is the unnecessary waste of valuable time when there is so much to be done. Mr. Cardwell's proposals will naturally occupy the lion's share of the session ; but the Government will introduce other important measures which solicit an early settlement. Of these the Ballot Bill will claim attention We do not anticipate that the principle in voked in that long controverted topic will meet with any serious opposition, though some sharp fighting may be expected over the details. The University Tests Bill should of course pass into law this session ; and we must be prepared for an obstinate resistance in every stage. Even now a section of 3D. Gladstone's followers will probably advocate a more sweeping change than the Cabinet is prepared to recom mend ; and, whatever reaction of sentiment the Con servatives may expect on other questions, they can hardly hope for a turn of the tide on this one. The days of tests are irrevocably numbered, even though Oxford should never have the privilege of en• rolling a son of Lord John Manners among her alumni. The Licensing Bill will probably rank in importance after the measure on Tests—at least in the sensitiveness of the interests which it touches. The session is also likely to witness another attempt to pass an Education Bill for Scotland, and the Game Laws can hardly escape discussion, if not a satisfactory settlement We may probably add a Merchant Shipping Bill to the list, and the recommendations of the Royal Sanitary Commission can scarcely be neglected. The Lord Chan cellor, too, has not been idle during the recess, and we wish him better success than the occupants of the wool sack are wont to achieve in their attempts at legal re form. After its six months' holiday, the Daily News remarks, Parliament begins to-morrow its six months' work. The session opens under circumstances of peculiar difficulty to the Government. The public mind is uneasy, and all political parties are in a critical mood. When the members of both Houses took their leave of Westminster, in the drought and heat of a - most unusual summer, the public interest bad already shifted from domestic questions to the foreign war. During the whole of those six months the nation has been a pained and silent spectator of the most gigantic struggle in history. Our legislators went home with the expectation of a short war and a speedy peace ; they have returned while the war is still uppermost in all men's thoughts and is only suspended by a temporary armistice, with the question of peace hanging in the balance. The position of our own foreign questions will bear a somewhat congratulatory reference. Good temper and self-possession have dissipated the cloud which so suddenly gathered in the East, and if the Black Sea Conference has not finally settled the difficulty, it is pro bably in a fair way of settlement. The Wes tern difficulties are not in so satisfactory a state. But a new American Minister is about to appear in London, and there is a prospect, though distant a t present, that he may succeed where others have failed, and may effect a permant settlement of all outstanding disputes between us and our American descendants. We have learned something since Par liament broke up for the holidays. We have learned fthat the time of great wars is not over, that wars of aggres sion may still have the steady support of a great people, and that a military system like our own, but infinitely more perfect than our own, may crumple up like 'card board before the onset of an armed nation. We have learned, too, that a new military Power is rising to ascendancy in Europe, and that nations still measure their influence in the world's affairs solely by the force they can bring into the field. Hence has arisen a demand for an efficient system of national defence. Mr. Bruce's Licensing Bill will not be likely to rouse any great pnpular feeling, but the Ballot Bill may once more shew the public that a great popular movement has put a strong popular Government in power. There will be some fighting on foreign questions ; but it is on these domestic questions that the great events of the session will turn. The Government needs that the three great Reform Bills of the session— the measures affecting the Army, the Universities, and the elections--should be conceived in the fullest spirit of Liberalism if the Ministerial majority is to become as compact as it was at first, if the support of the count r y i s t o continue as enthusiastic, and th e Ministry itself is still to be the strongest which the present generation has seen. five itly ion. e is the able the and The lling it in sion, Ades i eclat the auues dera ly in- .RIS.