The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-24 00:00:00

L SUN, LuNDON, SATURDAY, SEM:I:LIMBER 24, 1870.

an attack from France, and that we bring into the
power of Germany as a bulwark those fortresses with
which France has threatened us."

The second circular note is dated Meaux, 16th
September, and examines the circular note
of M. Jules Favre. Count Bismarck dwells
upon the fact that Germany had no desire
to mix herself up in the internal affairs of
France. "What Government France should select
is indifferent to Germany. The Government of the
Emperor Napoleon is at present the only formally
recognised one, and our conditions of peace are de-
pendent upon it. As long as Stras-
bourg and Metz remain to France her
powers of offence are stronger than ours of defence.
In the possession of Germany Strasbourg,_ and Metz
would gain a defensive character. Germany has
never been the assailant. France will re-
gard every peace now concluded only as an
armistice, and revenge herself for her present defeat
so soon as she feels herself strong enough so to do.
No disturbance of the peace of Europe is to be
feared from Germany, since war was forced upon us,
and we shall regard our future safety as the price of
our present exertions."

PRUSSIAN PRISONERS IN PARIS
TOURS, FRIDAY.
Several Prussian prisoners were yesterday led into
Paris amidst a demonstration of the mob.

The transmission of private telegrams has been
stopped throughout the department of the Loire.
The Council of the Department of Loire et Cher
have voted an appropriation of four million francs
for the defence of the department.

Poictiers has passed resolutions refusing to acknow-
ledge any capitulation made by Paris. The regi-
ments of the Garde of the Departments of the
Aube, Herault, Haute-Garonne, and the Eastern
Pyrenees, will form the army of the Loire.—Lonz-
bard Telegram.

PLUNDERING HOTELS IN
PARIS.

TOURS, FRIDAY.

The latest advices from Paris state that within the
last few days many of the hotels which had been
abandoned by the proprietors have been robbed of
all the silver, furniture, and statuary.
Within the last four days General Trochu and
his engineers have succeeded in accomplishing im-
portant measures of defence. Everything, including
the formidable artillery, is in order and readiness,
and the garrison and people await the attack with
great courage.
There is great excitement at Beauvais caused by
the approach of the Prussians.
Tvio persons armed with swords were arrested
yesterday at Valenciennes upon suspicion. A detailed
plan of the fortifications of Valenciennes was found
upon one of them.

200 WOMEN BURNT TO DEATH.

COLOGNE, SEPT. 23.

The theatre at Strasburg has been set on fire by a
falling shell, causing a terrific conflagration, during
which 200 persons, mostly women, were burnt.
An innkeeper of Duren and three Belgians em-
ployed at the mines of Stolberg, but wearing the
insignia of the Red Cross having been arrested and
taken to Coblentz upon a charge of robbing the
dead upon the battle fields. They are said to have
accumulated 750,000 francs.

GENERAL UHRICH WOUNDED.

HAVRE, THURSDAY.

The Journal du Havre says :—According to ad-
vices received from Strasburg, General Übrich has
been wounded in the shoulder and in the foot.
The defence continues with the same heroism. In
consequence of the efforts of the besiegers, General
Uhrich asked the defenders of the city if they would
listen to the proposals of the enemy, but the Stras-
burghers answered unanimously that the place must
be defended to the last man and the last cartridge.

PALIKAO EN ROUTE TO CASSEL
BRUSSELS, SEPT. 23.
Count Palikao passed through Liege last night en
route to Cassel.

M. Benedetti has arrived in Brussels.
TLC Princess Mathilde is staying at the Grand
Hotel.

The Prussian authorities, in consequence of the
great influx of strangers, have forbidden all circula-
tion on the battle-field of Sedan. No more of the
wounded will be permitted to be transferred to
Belgium.
A. case of guns for the French army has been
seized at Blan'ain.

TIIE ATTACK ON PARIS.

BERLIN, SEPT. 23, 10 a.m.

The Official Staatsanzeiger says that the southern
portion of Paris is commanded by the Prussian guns
on the heights of Sceaux, therefore, General Vinoy's
defence in that quarter, after his defeat near the
forts of Charenton and Bicetre, cannot be very
protracted.
St. Denis cannot be attacked without a regular
siege, and will probably be left alone.
Vincennes seems to be abandoned and under-
mined, the defences consisting only of masonry, ani
are commanded by the neighbouring hills.
Communications which have struggled through
from Paris represent the present of affairs to be far
from satisfactory. The Reds are more than ever
unmanageable, and fear is even expressed that dis-
sensions will arise sufficiently serious to ruin the
French cause. These desire all peace negotiations
to be broken off. Supplies are, of course, abundant
at present.
The German left wing has debouched far from the
south in advancing on Paris, in order to keep in
check the forces assembling at Lyons. For the
same reason it is most probable that the attack on
the city will be made from the south side. The
French have paid much attention lately to streng-
thening the north-east front, but have neglected the
south and the west.
The Etoile Belge says the interview between M.
Favre and Count Bismark was agreed to on the
part of the Germans only, because a refusal might
be inter preted as a desire to restore the Emperor.:

with Metz and Diettenhafen (?) and the whole.-of
Alsace. On the part of the Germans, the capitula-
tion of Paris is the condition upon which they will
grant an armistice.—Manchester Examiner.

INSURRECTION IN TURKEY.
BERLIN, THURSEAY7 6.1 G p.m.
The province of Trak, in Asia, has revolted
against the 'lurks.
The Russian. Government intends to take posses-
sion again of the Black Sea. A war is probable
between Russia and Turkey.—Manchester Examiner,

REVIVAL OF THE CANDIDATURE FOR
THE THRONE.
MADRID, SEPT. 23.
Signor Rivero has arrived at Quant Quinto.
At Barcelona there are 400 cases of yellow fever.
The Republican journals publish a manifesto of Senor
Orense, urging the formation of a Spanish Legion, to go
to the assistance of France. He says that the Hohenzol-
lern candidature is impossible, and that all Spain would
rise to repel it.
The Republican journals say that the question of the
candidature to the throne of Spain has been revived. •
Advices from Havana state that two filibustering
schooners, carrying arms, have been captured.

AMERICA.
(BY FRENCH ATLANTIC CABLE.)
NEW YORK, SEPTEMBER 22.

Gold closed at 1131 ; the highest quotation during the
day was 113 k, the lowest 113 a. Sterling exchange on
London, 109(. United States 5-20 Bonds, (1882), 114 ;
ditto (1885), 112} ; ditto (1867), 1101 ; ditto 10-40's, (1867),
107. Illinois Shares, 136 ; Erie, 22i ; Cotton, middling
upland, 18i. Petroleum, standard white, 261 Flour
extra State, $5 30c. to $5 50c. Corn, old mixed, 89c.

THE CAPE MAIL.
PLYMOUTH, SEPT. 23.

The Union Company's steamer Cambrian, from the Cape
of Good Hope, with 67 passengers, 23 sacks of mails, and a
large consignment of diamonds, has arrived. There was
great excitement at the Cape, in consequence of the diamond
fields turning out very rich. Large parties were leaving
Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and the rest of the towns
daily for the diamond fields. Some of the frontier towns
were almost depopulated. The plaster on a small home-
stead and craal adjoining Dultfontein was found studded
with small 'diamonds instead of sand. Many per-
sons were amassing great wealth. M. Pretorious,
the President of the Free State Republic, and
his Ministers, had temporarily left the cares of State
to become diggers in the diamond fields. The Satin gold
fields were proving more remunerative than was expected ;
but their attractions were completely eclipsed by the
diamond discoveries. Very heavy rains had fallen in the
colony of late, and numerous casualties and much
damage had been done by flooding the banks of the river
and town. Nearly the whole of the Malay cemetery was
washed away at Cape Town, and the contents scattered
over a considerable distance. The country crops were
looking very promising. The doings of a religious sect at
Wellington for introducing Mormonism were attracting
attention. Government interterence was advocated by
the colonial press on the grounds of cruelty, immorality,
and indecency.
Much surprise was occasioned by an order being re-
ceived out to provide accommodation for 3,000 troops, and
to retain stores that were being shipped for England.
Various conjectures were being made as to the cause of
the home colonial ministerial policy. A provisional Go-
vernment has been formed at the diamond fields with the
view of establishing a republic.

(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.)
CAPTURE OF A PRUSSIAN SHIP BY A
FRENCH MAN-OF-WAR.

A French man-of-war cruising in the Straits of Calais
yesterday morning made a prize of a Prussian brig, named
the Banneistin Walker, laden with oak, bound from
Londerham to Marseilles. She was taken into Calais
harbour in the afternoon by the crew of the French ship.

THE SUFFERERS BY THE LOSS OF THE
CAPTAIN.

A meeting in aid of the sufferers by the loss of the
Captain was held at Devonport yesterday, and very in-
fluentially attended. The Mayor of Devonport presided.
The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, Lord Eliot, General
Staveley, and Admiral Codrington were present. It was
decided to form a local committee to collect funds, to
investigate local cases, and to remit to the Central Com-
mittee at Portsmouth. £3OO was subscribed in the room.
Sir Edward St. Aubyn gave £5O ; Mr. E. St. Aubyn,
£2O; Mr. Lewis, M.P., £2O ; Sir Massey Lopes, £lO.
It was decided that if there was any surplus the money
should be applied in relief of similar cases.

THE EARL OF OARNARVON ON THE

WAR.
(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAM.)
The annual meeting of the Highclere Agricultural As-
sociation, of which Lord Carnarvon is the President, was
held yesterday at Eastwoodhay, a village beautifully
situated at the foot of the Hampshire hills, and six miles

from Newbury. The chair at the dinner was taken by
his Lordship, who was surrounded by the clergy, gentry,
and several df the farmers of the neighbouring parishes.

In responding to the toast proposed by the Rev. J. D.
Hodgson, Vicar of Eastwoodhay, Lord Carnarvon ad-
verted to a characteristic of the progress

of this society, namely, slow, but sure. This
motto, continued . his Lordship, was certainly- not
the motto of the days in which they lived. In no depart-
ment of the field of labour was this more marked than

in the department of war, and he was obliged to confess
with shame and sorrow that the implements for the de-

•
st ruction of human life, and the mutilation of the human
body, had advanced at a far greater rate than peaceful
instruments. It was about thirty years since that Sir

Robert Peel raised hie voice against the. great armaments

in Europe, but hkw wonderfully strucl would he be if he
could have se, n how they had since grown beyond
his denunciation. U'en. years -afterwards they

were promised an age of peaoe in the Great Exhibition,
but scarcely was the ground clear of than wonderful

building than the Crimean War broke out, Enumerating
the wars which followed, he came to the war now ragiwg
between Prussia and France. He thought no man could

be too cautious at this moment in speaking dogmatically
as to the terms upon which pease should be concluded.
For one he admired the prudent reticence which, in the
absence of the parliamentary sitting, the Press observed
as a whole on the subject. While they would deeply

deplore the carnage and horrors of this war, and desire
that their country might remain neutral, one
of the great lessons of this war, as of all tecent
wars, was to shew how difficult a task it was for
any country to remain neutral in any European struggle.

Not only did nice, delicate, and difficult questions of in-
ternational law arise, but they were even called in ques-
tion as to the sympathy which it was contended they
ought to thew to one or other of the belligerents. Medi-
ation was a blessed office. The work of peacemaker was
one that any Christian nation might look for-
ward to fill, but, on the other bands they
must remember that the chance of success in

mediation depended on the condition and circumstances
of the time. They were not competent here to form an
opinion as to whether mediation was possible ; while
he for one would suspend his judgment till he knew all the
facts of the case. lie would say there were such difficul-
ties in the path, for he was not disposed to quarrel with
the present Government because they exercised the office
of mediation with the greatest delicacy, caution, and
care. (Loud applause.) At the same time England coul
only speak with effect, at this time, with a strong forc
behind her. If she did so speak mediation
might under certain circumstances be possible, but if not
so backed and supported, their mediation became mere
words, and was the officiousness of a candid friend who
was certain to receive no attention from either of the two
parties. Referring to Mr. Lowe's recent able speech and
his remarks as to the two great lessons to be learnt
from this war—namely, the vast advantage of edu

cation even in military matters, and the vast
superiority of great national armaments over
mere standing, or, so to speak, mercenary armies,
Lord Carnarvon expressed surprise that his honourable
friend had not deduced this third lesson—how resistless
organised and trained troops were against hasty popular
levies, how sudden might be the collapse of Agreat nation,
and how vital, how absolutely essential were military
preparations when war could be declared at a week's
notice, and ba no less than .a month upwards of half a

million of men could be brought in arms: He
said with regret, and at the same time ()at
liberately, that he believed their country was at the
present moment wholly unprepared by laud to meet the

invader; they incited Urals houses, their cropek, their heed.%
but no one seeps to anticipate that in one single year—
yea, in one fortnight--houses, cattle, and all that was

valuable might be swept into absolute nothingness, and
yet that was the condition to which they would submit in
the event of war. As regards their men, they
were a mere handful. Indeed, they could not
put a third of the numbers in ;the line as
Belgium. With regard to their-reserve forces they were
not satisfactorily officered. 111-trained and worse armed,
there was no staff instruction amongst the officers, no
assemblage of brigade duty for the men, and there was
not a single regiment of Militia, or Volunteers which pos-
sessed a breech-loader, so that if sent to a valiant enemy
they would meet with absolute butclrery and destruction.
Not only were they disconnected, but they, were con-
trolled by separate acts and separate regulations.
Then, as to their forts, he believecl them to
be still unfinished, and in a great measure
not properly mounted with guns. Referring to the
Moncrieff which is said to be fixed in such a manner as
to keep the pm and gunner completely out of sight,
there was not one mounted., and as for torpedoes, which
were used with tremendous effect in the American war,
they had not one in store. Everything with regard to
the manufacture and supply of military Implements
was kept in one single depot, and that practically un-
defended in case of invasion. Not only was their cavalry
lower in strength than tt should be, but the horses, he
believed, would be insufficient, and many, far too young,
and most likely breaking down in the early part of the
campaign. Speaking of the defective organisation Lord
Carnarvon referred to the want of preparation in the Cri-
mean and Abyssinian wars ; and speaking of the Trent
affair, when troops were sent to Canada, he said it was
not, perhaps, generally known that absolutely our troops
could not have marched through that winter if they had
not been supplied with boots, through the kind offices
of the Emperor of the French, from the French
stores. (Applause.) Again, he knew a case where it was
necessary to organise hastily a military expedition, and
where not one single cavalry transport could be found.
All these defects in previous wars had been remedied as
they had gone on, but now they must recollect that mili-
tary arrangements were on a vastly increased scale. ;War
was gigantic, and above all the cause began and concluded
in a short space. He honostly believed that the defense
of this country lay in one single advantage, which fortu-
nately no bad administration could muddle, and which no
engineering skill could destroy, he meant in those few
miles of salt water which separated them from other
countries. The fleet was as efficient, probably superior,
to others ; at the same time, was it wise and prudent to
risk their safety when they had such gigantic forces upon
one single line of defence, and when a single gun might
possibly be invented which would destroy or paralyse
the strongest fleet ever launched? There were two alterna-
tives before them. One was more money, the other was
less money and more personal sacrifices and time. Under
the first head they might enlarge their army and improve
the whole system of supplies, and get rid Qf some of the
centralization which now existed, improve also
the volunteer service, and secure for it proper
discipline and effectiveness. He did not think
this could be fully done without 'introducing
some element of comparison, not servilely, as
the Prussian type, but organising with reference to the
national characteristics, constitution, life and temper. He
did not think Englishmen were likely to murmur, or
shrink from these sacrifices of personal convenience than
be well assured the sun of England was setting, and that
they were no longer worthy to tread in the footsteps of
their forefathers, or to hold to that heritage which they
had bequeathed. (Cheers.) The increased expense of
re-organisation would be well incurred ; it !would save
them from the risk of possible invasion,from the indignity
of living, as they now live, on the sufferance (of other
people, and would save the cost of the panics to which
from time to time they were subject in this country, and
that most expensive cost of hasty preparation. Whatever
was done let it be done quickly. They had the notes of
warning proclaimed by the Duke of Wellington and Lord
Palmerston. Now the voice of those great men were
hushed. The trumpet gave an uncertain sound, the
warder is no longer waiting upon the beacon, it may be
that the people themselves were asleep. He grieved to
think that the Government which did possess that which
ought to be responsible, rather discouraged than
encouraged action. Let them, however, be wiser
than their rulers and lay to heart the tremendous
dons lessons this great strife no man's progress had learnt
them, and prepare for anp contingency, no matter how-
ever improbable. If, on the other hand, they so stopped
their ears, and were so eaten up with the love of making
money, as to refuse to make personal sacrifices for their
own honour and most sensitive interest, then they were
deliberately throwing away what has been the work of
generations of peace, and deserved no pity when they
rushed upon calamities the extent no man living could
estimate. The noble lord resumed his seat amid loud
cheering, having spoken exactly one hour.

At a meeting of the Committee of Management
of the " Fund for the relief of the widows and families
of the officers and men who perished in her Majesty's
late ship Captain," held at the Royal Naval College,
Portsmouth, it has been decided to pay from the fund on
the Ist of October to the widows and families left all such
sums as would have been due to them from the Govern-
ment pay-offices had the ship not been lost. This decision
by the committee will give the prompt temporary help so
urgently needed in some hundreds of families,

- -
AN INTERVIEW WITIIATIIE EMPEROR.
A correspondent of the Standard has had an interview
with the'Emperor Napoleon, and he furnishes that jour-
nalwith the folloWing account :—" amaskEd what
was the predominant impression;-left on me by the con-
versation which followed, I reply7nnhesitatingly the
strong feeling of the Emperor with respect to England.
Almost the first words:that passed his lips were an ex-
pression r,;ratification at the numerous letters of con-
dolence and sympathy he had received ' since his
misfortunes' from persons who were perfect strangers to
him, and there was nothing on which he seemed to dwell '
with so much pleasure as on the advance which has been
made during his reign in the cordial understanding be-
tween the two countries. ' When I cattle to Paris,' he
said,. `there was still great remains of the old ill-
feeling ;' • and he dwelt with marked gratification
on the change that had since taken place. He was much
interested, too, in the condition of English feeling at the
present time, questioning me closely on the subject, and
expressing his regret at the tone:assumed by a portion of
the London press. The monstrous statement of his having
misappropriated some.fifty_millions of the army votes
seemed particularly galling to him. 'As if,' he
said, ' I could possiblyl,have done such a thing,
even if I 'had desired it.' He spoke most feelingly
also of the terrible catastrophe of the Captain,
expressino, the strongest sympathy, and dwelling
upoli some of the details of the accident in a
manner which shewed fully the interest he had taken in
it. The assistance given by England to his
wounded soldiers had evidently also made a
great impression upon him. Speaking of France,
and of the present condition of affairs there, his
tone—which in dealing with other matters had been
earnest but not uncheerful—saddened visibly, and
he sighed heavily as he spoke of the state of things
at Lyons and elsewhere, and of a,"4". not impossible
future in store for Paris. There was not the
slightest appearance of resentment in the way in
which he spoke of the changes that had recently taken
place, but a terrible foreboding of what might7come, his
whole air and manner forcibly recalling to every mind the
well-known lines—
,' Oh I my poor kingdom, sick with civil blows,
When that my care could scarce restrain thy riots,
What wilt thou do when riot is thy care ?'
I ventured to express a hope that all might yet go well,
and that, before long, we might see him once more at the
Tuileries. He sat for some moments silent, then, with a
sigh, turned again to me and said, 'No one can tell—no
. one can tell, sir, what may happen now."