The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-09 00:00:00

THE WAR.

THE FRENCH PROVINCIAL PRESS ON
THE ARMISTICE.
The Journal de Marseille urges the separation of the
Bordeaux Delegation from the Paris Government. It
says :—" If we only consult the impulses of patriotism
we shall see in the armed protest of Bordeaux against
Paris nothing but the expression of the national feeling.
But if the citizen may suffer himself to be
thus carried away by the love of country, the publicist
and the politician has an imperative duty to fulfil, and
that is to point out the immense danger which
would arise from the struggle between the Central
Government o Paris and the Delegation at Bordeaux.
It is difficult to believe that a legist, a statesman
so eminent as Mr. Gambetta, would wish to incur such
a responsibility, and we are confident that when details
and explanations are given, his ardent patriotism and the
good sense of the people, will spare France the evil
result.
ThePerigord thinks the best consolation for the troubles
of the present is to be found in the firm reso-
lution to spare no exertion to recover from this
fall, and to labour unceasingly to resume France's
position in the world. The Government has an arduous
task before it, but will find a powerful assistant in the
Assembly which is to meet at Bordeaux on the 15th. It
may fairly be supposed that if the Government had fore-
seen that the popular representatives would so
soon be assembled it would have been less
hasty in dealing with the important question of the im-
movability of the magistrates. The Perigord adds, "We
do not share in any degree the apprehensions of those who
fear, or who affect to fear, that the national honour will
be in danger in the hands of an Assembly. In every age aud
in every country the representatives chosen by popular talf-
frage have in the great national crises risen to the height of
their task. Ours will not derogate from this law. They
will have to preserve them alike from weakness and
from blind passion, that feeling for the dignity and the
interests of the country, which a time of public misfortune
has at least the privilege of restoring to full strength.
Tho Breton Union says : We are ignorant of the condi-
tions of this armistice, and we cannot consequently
criticise them. But the fact of a suspension of hostilities
is important, as putting a stop to the abnormal situation
createdby the Delegation of Bordeaux, from which extrica-
tion seemed difficult. M. Gambetta, whose dic-
tatorship has been so oppressive and so pain-
ful, finds himself doubly disowned.
_He decreed
" War h outrance ;" and peace is in contemplation.
He protested against any appeal to the country, and the
electors are convoked to choose a National Assembly.
The necessary work of restoration begins. The great
nation could not be always on the verge of anarchy.
She is now to decide on her own fate, and to avenge her-
self on those who, under the pretext of saving her from
the Prussians, have kept her for more than four months
under the yoke of incapacity, presumption, and terror.
The Journal de Saone-et-Loire exhorts the people above
all things to be dignified. " Let us not ex-
hibit either a passion for peace, which would
be cowardly, and would weaken our negotiators, nor a
passion for war which would be blustering, and would
alienate the sympathies of Europe. At this moment they
will be ours if we continue to deserve them. Let our
attitude be firm, calm, courageous, and without provoca-
tion. Let it be understood that we hope to put an end
to the horrible slaughter which is decimating our adver-
saries as well as ourselves, but that if we are forced to go
on, we have yet blood and gold ready to be spent for
France.
The Message). de Toulouse exclaims, "No humiliating
peace ! War until we can obtain honourable conditions or
victory ; but also no dictatorships and no revolutionary
measures. This is what France wants, and M. Gambetta,
we are certain, will decline the overwhelming respon-
sihility which it is sought to put on him. The formidable
inheritance of Denton does not suit his honesty, and
France will not at any price have parodies of '93.
The Journal de la Vienne says : For our part
we do not doubt that a peace as honourable, and as little
injurous as is consistent with our misfortunes and our re-
verses, will result from the deliberations of the future
Assembly, provided that the electors, in the choice of their
representatives, and the deputies in their votes, abandon
all interests all considerations, all partialities for the one
exclusive object—the moral and material regeneeation of
France.
The journal de Maine et Loire says that Foam will be
called upon to decide on peace or war, and this is the chief
thing to attend to. It matters very little what opinions
are-held by M. Gambetta and his friends, we want to
ascertain the sentiments of France. No doubt the
armistice will lead to peace, to an end of the
horrors and misieries of a war which for many reasons it
has become impossible to continue. It also indicates the
termination of that humiliating and senseless dictatorship
which pursued its hurried course detween the
north and south of France, and which during
four months has only exhibited its uselessness, its
folly, its astounding incapacity, and its idle dreams.
Tho question arises, if this projected peace will be a
French one. The man who has undertaken to carry on
negotiations at Versailles is Jules Favre, who formerly
broke off the negotiations at Ferrieres, and who since
then rejected the compromise of M. Thiers, but has he not
been conquered in spite of the energy of his patriotism,
and the heroic efforts of the Parisians ? Has not Paris
also been discouraged by the defeats and the disasters of
M. Gambetta? We must confess the truth, what pains
us deeply at the present moment is the conviction that
the Versailles Treaty can only be one of those Treaties
which all people have had in the course of their history,
but which France must sign with tears in her eyes and
rage in her heart. There is such a thing as necessary sacri-
fices, but the heart revolts against them, while reason may
urge their acceptance. Will not these sacrifices, which we
hardly like to think of to-day, and which we fear to know
to-morrow, make lost France forget the glory of Paris?
We are, at any rate, certain that if M. Gambetta has not
succeeded in preserving the integrity of our territory.
Paris, at least, has saved our honour.
The Gazette of Languedoc protests against the language
of Gambetta's proclamation as injurious to France. Is
the policy of M. Gambetta, it asks, the question of the
hour ? No, it is the policy of France, the will of France,
when consulted, before which all other wills must incline
and be silent. M. Gambetta says France must have an
Assembly which is determined' to carry on the war, and
no doubt we shall have an administrative pressure worthy
of the clays of the Empire. We have often said, and we
must say again, that full information must be had before
the national will can be expressed. France, mistress of
her destinies, will decide for peace or war, and the indi-
vidual will of M. Gambetta will matter very little.

SEVEN MONTHS' CAMPAIGNING.
In the present war twenty-three battles have been
fought, their order being—Weissenburg, Woerth,
Spicheren, Pange, Mars-la-Tour, Gravelotte, Beaumont,
Sedan, Noisseville (before Metz), the three battles of
Orleans, Amiens, Champigny and Brie (before Paris),
Beaugency, Bapaume, Vendome, Le Mans, Bel-
fort, St. Quentin, and the, great sortie against
St. Cloud. At Gravelotte nearly half a million
of men confronted each other—viz., 270,000 Germans
against 210,000 Frenchmen. At Sedan there were 210,000
Germans against 150,000 French, and in the third battle
of Orleans 100,000 or 120,000 Germans against 200,000 or
240,000 French. The disparity of numbers was greatest
at Mars-la-Tour and Belfort. In the former 45,000 Prus-
sians fought from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m., at first against
160,000, and by noon against nearly 200,000 French. In
the latter nearly 30,000 or 36,000 Prussians and Badeners
confronted 90,000 to 120,000 French. The three battles
before Metz—Pange, Mars-la-Tour, and Gravelotto- shew
the largest losses on both sides, the loss of the Germans in
the second being 600 officers and 17,000 men. Of all the
battles during the past century, only the storming of
Planchenoi in the battle of Waterloo, Borodino, Eylau,
and Zorndorf can rank in the same category with the
battles before Metz. There have been 49 engagements,
some of them resembling battles, and 20 successful sieges,
including Paris, the first stronghold in the world, and
Metz and Strasburg, fortresses of the first rank. Only
Belfort is at present besieged, while Bitche is invested and
Maubeuge, Givet, and Cambrai are masked and watched.
—Kid Gazette.

THE QUESTION OF PEACE.
It is semi-officially stated at Vienna that the Austro-
Hungarian Government and those of the other neutral
powers look upon the Franco-German War as now prac-
tically decided, and are consequently strongly averse to a
prolongation of the struggle. It is their earnest wish that
France may not adopt the policy of desperate
resistance advocated at Bordeaux, but rather that she will
show herself disposed to make peace. As for Prussia,
they hope that she will in her own interest shew some
consideration to her adversary, and accept such terms as
may make the peace a lasting one. "It must be the
desire," says Warrens' Correspondence "of all intelligent
politicians that an incurable wound should not be opened in
the heart of Europe. That the vanquished n such a war as

this must make heavy sacrifices for the restoration of
peace cannot he avoided ; but unless the conqueror will
be moderate in his terms, he cannot hope that after the
conclusion of peace those peaceful feelings will be mani-
fested which alone can secure the ultimate success of his
victories. " Eastern Budget.

A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette has passed
through a great part of Central France during the last
few days, and he represents the state of feeling about the
elections as one of utter indifference. In the country
districts the Republic is much disliked, but the Republi-
can candidates are supported by the officials, and are
likely to win. Of Nantes the writer says :—" As to or-
ganizing anti-Republican candidatures, very few seem to
dream of it, and even those who do are apparently unable
to do more than dream. ' There is no time,' is the plea
put forth, and such being the case, they fold their hands
with the apathy of hopelessness. The majority, I am
convinced, will not vote at all."

TIIE DISTRESS LN* PARIS AND THE
NEIGHBOURHOOD.
A very influential public meeting was held at the Man-
sion House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor,
in support of the fund now being raised for
the relief of the starving population of Paris
and the neighbourhood. The chief magistrate ex-
plained what steps had been taken in the matter
by the committee, who had expended over £50,000
out of the £60,000 which had been received by them. The
Bishop of London urged the meeting to look at the ques-
tion as one of fact, the fact being that two millions of our
fellow creatures were suffering from hunger, and as they
were within our reach it was our duty to make an effort
to relieve them. He protested against the unjust, in-
iquitous, and wicked war on the ground that it was a war
of conquest from beginning to end. The
Bishop of Winchester made a powerful appeal
for help. He said that all wars of conquest must be un-
righteous wars, but he cared not as to who was to blame,
for the continental struggle. He preferred not to rest the
claim for help upon that which was a weak point, but
upon a ground about which there could be no difference
of opinion—namely that a great evil existed, and they
were capable of dealing with it. Archbishop Manning,
Mr. Crawford, M.P., Mr. Kirkman Hodgson, M.P., Sir
John Lubbock, M.P., and Sir Francis Goldsmid, M.P.,
were among the speakers, and several resolutions were
adopted, an appeal to the province for help being also
agreed to.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.
An order has been issued from the A rmy Medical De-
partment directing an examination of c,...lidates for com-
missions in the Medical Department of the Army, to be
held in London on the 20th inst. About 36 appointments
will be offered for competition.
During the passage at Portland of one of the large boats
belonging to H.M. ship Hercules, from the shore to the
ship on Sunday afternoon, a gust of wind caused it to
capsize, precipitating about 20 sailors in the water. For-
tunately the accident was observed from the ship close at
hand, and assistance instantly sent to the scene of disaster.
All were picked up, none the worse for the ducking they
had had.
It is understood that in the coming financial year a con-
siderable sum will be taken in the estimates to provide
Harvey's torpedoes.
Commander Frederick Harvey lately applied to the
Admiralty for promotion, and has been informed that his
invention gives him no claim beyond other officers.
The flying squadron, under the command of Rear-
Admiral Beauchamp Seymour, arrived at Funchal on the
24th ult., and after remaining there two days resumed its
cruise.
Two of the Indian relief troopships which have been
stationed on the " Indian side" have been ordered to
return to England via the Suez Canal at the end of the
present troop season. Each vessel will call at Port Said
and Malta, and bring time-expired men and invalids.
It is reported that no officer of the Engineer Volunteers
has this session presented himself at the Chatham School
of Military engineering. Last year only one went
through the complete course.

THE MEMBERS FOR SOUTH DURHAM.—The/
meeting of the South Durham Liberal Association I'o
held at Darlington, on Tuesday, Colonel Scholfield Prs
siding ;at which the members fop the division, Mr. J. •
Pease and Captain Beaumont, met with au enthusiasti°
reception. Earlier in the day the hon. members receivea
a deputation from the Liberation Society. They both
declared themselves in favour of the principle of disestw
blishment, but considered the time had not yet come for
carrying such a measure. A deputation also waited oo
the hon. gentlemen to elicit their opinions on the Coir
tagious Diseases Act. Both hon. members expressed theme"
selves disposed to suspend their judgment until the report
of the Royal Commission is issued, but in the meantioo
they pledged themselves to oppose any extension of tll°

Act.
THE NONCONFORMISTS AND THE BIRMINGIO3I
SCHOOL BOARD.—A large meeting of Nonconformist
school managers was held at Birmingham on Y
Tuesda
night, Alderman Manton presiding, to consider Avilst
course should be pursued in regard to the School Bora.
It was resolved that the responsibility of religious congre;
Rations for the elementary education of the people 13°'
new ceased ; that managers of Nonconformist schoolsil
advised to offer school buildings to the School Board °"
nominal rents for a limited period, on condition that Oil:
gious teaching in those schools be confined to Bible reacl;
ing without note or comment ; that the Nonconforral
Committee endeavour to arrange for a united offer of sile
school buildings to the Board, and that a memorial to the
Board be prepared protesting against the proposal to 1.3e1/1
out of the rates fees for children attending denomination
schools.
PREVALENCE OF SMALLPDX.—The ~fl
General's last quarterly return shews the alarnn
manner in which smallpox has increased. In the f`PO
quarter of 1870, 405 persons died from this disease ;
in
second quarter the number increased to 446 ; in the tl'.
to 500, while the last quarter there were no fes4,lo
than 1,229 victims. Since the close of
year the disease has made rapid strides, and th re
te.ve
to assume still more formidable proportions if repreo
measures be not adopted. It is worthy of notice tbatl„
the 196 deaths from smallpox which occurred last vv
118 cases were " unvaccinated." Of the 755 deaths ff°o
smallpox which took place in London during the last ,pg
weeks, 348 were among children under five, and 196 01"
persons between five and twenty.
THE ARTILLERY Hocus Pocus.—The 44 iners',oo,
in our artillery forces turns out to be a pure de1,11)0t
There are, indeed, to be twenty new field batteries, ~04
eight are to be got by bringing the lst brigade of garitti
artillery from North America without relief 'te3
garrison batteries of the 14th brigade are to be won° it,.
and turned nto field batteries ; and it iS
tended to reduce the establishment of all garrisea4t)
gades from eight to seven batteries, so that the
battery is to become field artillery. There is an aPP',t
increase of twenty field batteries, against which 1,011:00,
set a real reduction of almost the same Lnumber.---Ir`
Standard'
t-., •
[ADVERTISEMENI.]-11oHoway, s Ointment an
Indisputable Facts.—lt cannot be too frequently iorbe eli
on the sick that the merits of these remedies 110'04
and are, acknowledged in both hemispheres, and feworo9
presume to impugn the experience of the whol4o, .
Testimonials from all parts vouch for their en' ioin
curatives in overcoming abscesses, swellings of tile ore
enlargements of the glands, cutaneous eruptioniloooo
ulcers, and in allaying inflammation and pain in
r ft
tism and gout. It heals by cleansing all it comes,re.
tact with, and promotes a sound and permanent °tell'
removes all obstructions to the free circulation thq,;ec
minutest vessels, and repairs mischief by constant',
ing pure blood.

BIRTHS. fr-
On the Gth inst., at Snaresbrook, Essex, the Ni4'a °f J
Charlesworth, Esq., of a daughter. , „ rl,
On the sth inst., at 6, Lancaster-gate, 11-Y"c-'l'
wife of Archd. Bullock, Esq., of a son.
• MA_RRIAGE S. trori,
On the 7th inst., at St. Mary of the Angels, 13A'cleiv,.,
Montague Barron, Esq., of 7, Kensington-01.0;
race, Hyde-park, to Edith Adelaide, eldest clstl'lol
Sydney Kennedy, Esq., of 39, Cleveland-s(lOre'
park. son,:
On the 4th inst., at St. Paul's, Deptford,
ant PIT) Vfil
William Carrell, Esq., of Southsea, Hs, of ll'
youngest daughter of Thomas Norfolk, Esq.'
ford, Kent.

Or'
DEATHS.
On the 7th inst., Samuel Heath, Esq., The
tel
1.1115'
ton, near Rugby, aged 78.
On the 6th inst., at Havering Grange,
Charles Hope, Esq., aged 63 Roraforo,

cf,
130/11a.05°
London : Printed by GIDEON ACL AND by •If •
No. 112, Strand, Printer and P
in the Publis hea °.oot°
THE SUN Office, No. 112 Strand,
re
Savoy, in the County of IVliddlesex.
Thursday, Fehruary 9, 1.87/.