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

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.