The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-07 00:00:00

THE WAR.

, -
INSIDE; PARIS BEFORE THE SORTIES.

(BY BALLOON MAIL-FROM THE CORRESFONDENT OF THE

CENTRAL PRESS.)

PAths, November 28

The preparations for a great effort before the walls of
the besieged capital have been incessant during the last
few days. The war companies of the National Guard
are all ready, and they continue to embrace every oppor-
tunity for exercise. They now march out and do duty in
the detached forts, like the Mobiles. Altogether there are
now 200,000 men outside the gates, ready to
fall upon the enemy on some point, or other.
This host is massed chiefly at two points, but where the
final effort is to be made no one is both able and willing
to tell. A junction with the army of the Loire is with-
out doubt the object aimed at. But we all expect that
the first onset will commence to-morrow. The ambulance
corps has received orders to be in. readiness at 5 11.111.
All last night the artillery kept up a constant roar. Two
thousand rounds were fired from the forts.

In spite of the excitement caused by these expecte 1
conflicts, the food question continues to occupy our serious
thoughts. It may well do so, for pricey are rising steadily.
Chickens now average from 16 t) 1;1 each ;
geese from C 2 103. to Cl ; a large turkey
212 ; eggs about one shilling each. These are
indeed famine prices. Potin, the will-known grocer, has
been arrested. In his cellars were found, amongst other
articles, 1,714 hams, concealed with the intention of being
kept back until a heaVy price could be obtained for them.

He was taken to the Maza Prison.
By a requisition made by the Government on the Bth
all the milch cows in Paris are now at the disposal of th 3
State. There is . a surprisingly large number of
them. The owners were allowed to keep their
animals, but they were enjoined to declare them,
and the absolute right of disposing of them re-
mained with the State. In consequence of this
injunction 4,217 were declared. The number not de-
clared, declared after the prescribed period, or for whom
sufficient food is not assured, is in all 1,720. These have
been condemned, the Government paying for them as
butcher's meat.

Jules Ferry has required the mayors of the twenty
arrondissements of Paris to institute an inquiry, and report
with respect to the custom of feeding horses with bread
and to the abuse of provisions, which has during the past
few days been the cause of public uneasiness.
In the Nouvelles appears the following :—" It is
declared that a general, commanding near Paris, towards

the west, has taken the unmerciful,. but absolutely neces-
sary and just, resolution of having two or three girls of
bad conduct, who have audaciously and notoriously served
as spies for the enemy, shot."
Some English newspapers have entered Paris ; the
Government required that they should be given up and
the contents not made known to the French journals.
Yesterday morning the gates.. of Paris were closed to all
persons except troops. In spite of all precautions, spies
have got out hitherto. The Government is re-
solved to increase the difficulties in their way.

NOVEMBER 29TH.

All is animation and hope thi3 morning. The city is
mad with_ excitement, as well it may, for we are now fully
aware that the great effort is about to begin. Trochu has
issued a proclamation, which is posted on all the walls,
and which declares the resolution of France to resist,
and throws the responsibility of the blood about to be

shed upon the I;eads of those whose detestable
ambition tramples under foot the laws of modern civil►sa-
tion. General Ducrot has also issued a proclamation to
his troops. I subjoin it in full : •
" Soldiers of the Second Army of l'aris,—The

moment has come to break the iron circle which
has enclosed us too long, and menaces to stifle us in

slow and painful agony ! On you has devolved the
honour of attempting this great enterprise. You will
shew yourselves worthy of it, I have the conviction. With-
out doubt, our commencement will be difficult. We shall
have to surmount serious obstacles ; it is necessary to
look them in the face with calmness and resolution, with-
out exaggeration, without weakness. The truth is this :
from our first steps we shall find touching our advanced
posts implacable enemies, rendered audacious and confi-
dent by too numerous successes. There will be a
vigorous effort to be made, but it is not above your
strength. To prepare your actions the foresight of the
man who commands us in chief has accumulated more
than 400 cannon, of which two-thirds at least are of the
largest calibre. No material obstacle can resist them. You
will be more than 150,000, all well armed, well equipped,
abundantly provided with ammunition, and, I have the
hope, all animated with irresistible ardour. Conquerors
in this first period of the struggle, your success is assured.
for the enemy has sent to the banks of the Rhine his
most numerous and best soldiers. The heroic and happy
efforts of our brothers will keep them there. Courage,
then, and confidence ! Bear in mind that in this supreme
struggle we shall fight for our honour, for our liberty,
for the salvation of our dear and unhappy coun-
try, and if this motive is not sufficient to inflame
your hearts, think of your fields laid waste, your
families ruined, of your sisters, your wives, and your
desolate mothers. Let this thought make you share the
thirst of vengeance !—the inward rage which animates me
and inspires you with contempt of danger. For myself, I
am resolved, and take oath before you, before the whole
nation, I will not re-enter Paris unless dead or victorious.
You may see me fall, but you will not see me recoil.
Then do not stop, but avenge me. Forward, then ! for-
ward ! and may God protect us !
"The General-in-Chief of ail 2nd Army of Paris,
" "A. DUCROT.
" Paris, 28th November, 1870."

A third proclamation, signed by all the members of the
Government, is published. It particularly oxhorts
the citizens to abstain from all thought of civil discord.
The forts have cannonaded all night, and severe fighting
is going on to-day in several directions,

FRENOJ ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT

SORTIE.

The Paris correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette sends
the following by ballOon post, dated November 30th :
" The cannonading was resumed this morning at
1 a.m., and at an early hour the French made
another desperate dash on the Prussian lines.
The papers have been forbidden to give any account
of what has taken place, and the most confused rumours
are current. There is official news that General Ducrot
at the head of 50,000 men has managed to force his way
through the iron girdle, but to what extent is not men-
tioned. Seven hundred men belonging to a Saxon regiment
laid down their arms. and have been sent to Vincennes.
The fighting must have been terriby severe, judging from
the rapid dischairges of artillery which continued all day
long, and shook every window pane in Paris. The
vicinity of the south-eastern gates of Paris was crowded
all day long with men, women, and children, anxiouFly
waiting for .news of the strife. It was one of those
painful pictures which engrave themselves on the
memory."