The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-02 00:00:00

corner.

THE CAPTAIN-GENERAL OF CUBA.—American
papers state that General Valmaseda had assumed com-
mand of the Island of Cuba. The ex-Captain. General,
Be Rodas, left on the 15th for Spain.
There is a characteristic story of General Man-
teuffel's " liberality " at Rouen. The general sent for a
barber, who consequently attended upon him at the inn.
The general next sent to the innkeeper for a napoleon,
and gave it to the barber for his services.
FRENCH WAR VESSELS OFF NEW YORK. Among
the documents in the correspondence of the State Depart-
ment accompanying the President's Messa,,e is a despatch
from the Secretary of State to Mr. Washburne, relating
to the presence of French war vessels at the entrances to
New York harbour and other harbours on their coast.
The Secretaty says nothing had come to his knowledge to
justify him in saying that the hospitality offered by the
United States' Government to the armed vessels of both
belligerents had been abused, but the presence of armed
French vessels so near the ports would injuriously affect
the commerce of the United States. These representa-
tions Mr. Fish made directly to M. Berthemy, owing to
the tardiness of communication with Paris, and the French
Minister laid before the State Department a letter from
the commander of one of the French vessels at New York,
in which the latter stated that he had put in under stress
of weather and for repairs, having no intention to watch
for the German steamers.

COLLIERY EXPLOSION.—A. serious colliery explo-
sion occurred on Friday evening at the Mear Hay Col-
liery, near Longton, Staffordshire, belonging to Mr.
Sparrow, by which seven men—Thomas Reece. senior,
Thomas Reece, junior, Noah Hawkins, Henry Hollins,
William Ball, John Holmes, and William Mason—wero
more or less seriously injured. The management of the
colliery seems to have been almost faultless. The venti-
lation has been perfect, and gas has never been discovered
in the pit; so that the men were allowed to work with
naked candles. Early in the morning a fireman examined
the workings, and reported the pit to be safe before the
other men commenced operations. Between eleven and
twelve o'clock, however, there was a fall of roof, and the
gas generated in the " waste " became suddenly libe-
rated, and coming into contact with a naked light caused
an explosion. Several men, immediately upon disco-
vering the presence of gas, threw themselves down,, and
were saved by the good ventilation of the pit. The seven
men who were injured were taken to the Longton College
Hospital.
COURTS-MARTlAL.—Lieutenant Joseph Edward.
M`Neale, of the Royal Marines, serving on board the
Northumberland, was tried by court-martial on board the
Royal Adelaide on Saturday for desertion. Prisoner had
leave for twenty-one days, and at the expiration of that
time he did not return. He pleaded guilty, and called
Captain Carrington, of the Narcissus, with whom he had
sailed for eighteen months in the Caledonia, to
give him a character for attention to his duties during
that time. After some consultation, the prisoner
was ordered to be dismissed the service. A second court
tried Daniel Burgoyne, ordinary seaman, of the .14-01;
court, for desertion. The prisoner waitried at Portiall;
some since for insubordinaon, and sentenced to nul
months' imprisonment. He was waiting on board his slog
for an order directing to what gaol he should be sent, nn
"
on the 17th of December he broke away from the sentrYci
hid himself in a cutter, which Was going ashore,
escaped. The Court sentenced him to twelve month
imprisonment, to commence at the expiration of his 134
vious sentence, and ordered him to be dismissed
service.

SECOND EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, 2.30 P. M.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THE WAR,

FIGHTING ON THE LOIRE.
REPORTED FRENCH SUCCESS.
BORDEAUX, January 1.
General Chanzy telegraphs to-day from Le Mans
as follows :
" General Jouffroy repulsed the enemy yesterday
on the left bank of the Loire, capturing an excellent
position in front of Vendome and making 200
prisoners. This offensive reconnaissance was vigor-
ously conducted by General Jouffroy, and brilliantly
executed by our troops."—R'euter's Telegram.

The following telegrams are from the Manchester
Guardian :

THE SINKING OF ENGLISH SHIPS AT

DUCLAIR.

BORDEAUX, Friday Evening

The Courier de la Gironde publishes a correspon-
dence which it states has taken place between Mr.
Odo Russell and Count Bismarck relative to the
sinking of English vessels at Duclair. Mr. Odo
Russell wrote to ask for an explanation, and the
reply was that by the law of nations Prussia had a
light to stop the navigation of the river. The
captains of the vessels seized had been offered pay-
Inent for their property, but the offer had been re-
jected. Count Bism-trek apologises, and states that
he is willing to pay all damage. In a second letter,
Mr. Ode Russell, expressing satisfaction at the tone
of the reply, asks for further explanations.
The Germans have precipitately evacuated
Auxerre.

THE CAMPAIGN IN THE EAST.
BRUSSELS, Sunday.

To counteract General Bourbaki's movement east
Ward, the German forces at Thionville, Verdun, hill
One or two other places, have been reduced suffi
eiently to form a strong corps, which has been sen
to support General von Werder.

AUSTRIA AND THE GERMAN EMPIRE.
BERLIN, Suuday.

Count Beust's answer to Count Bismarck's friendly
despatch respecting the union of North Germany
with the Southern States was presented hcre on the
29th ult. According to report, it slightly alludes to
the Treaty of Prague, but does not discuss its bear-
ings on the now constitution of Germany. Its tone
is very conciliatory.
An additionnl force of Prussian force artillery of
the strength of about 7,000 men is on its way to
Paris for the bombardment. The whole number of
the besiegers guns of all calibres is about 1,500.
The occupation of Mont Avron produced a slight
improvement ou 'Change yesterday.

ILLNESS OF COUNT BISMARCK.
VERSAILLES, January 1.
The capture of Mont Avroa proves most im-
portant.

There is great discouragement in Paris.
Seventeen officers were found in Avron, killed by
Prussian shells.
General Trochu admits that despondency prevails.
Count Bismarck is not well.
The distribution of the first-class decorations of
the Order of the Iron Cross to officers and private
soldiers is going on.
It is still frosty weather.—Times.