The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-20 00:00:00

THE CHANCES OF PEACE.

A Berlin letter in the Allgemeine Zeitung, which men-
tions the despatch from Spandau on the 12th of some
heavy siege guns for Paris, gives vent to a suspicion
which the German press has hitherto carefully refrained
from indulging in. "It must," says the writer, "be
concluded that the preparations for the cannonade of
the Paris fortifications are still unfinished, though
the contrary has for weeks been maintained
by the semi-official papers. Experts seek an
explanation of this partly in the badness of the
roads, partly in the fact that many of the guns
used at Strasburg and elsewhere have already become un-
serviceable. This disposes of the assertions already con-
tested by the Government organs that the bombardment'
of Paris hal hitherto only been delayed because military
and political considerations were constantly at variance at
headquarters. Those papers which thus increase the im-
patience of the public proceed also on the erroneous as
sumption that with the capture of Paris peace is insured.
In official circles such a delusion has long been dispelled,
and the diplomatists here were never deceived by it. It is
true that in the north of France peace is yearned for,
but in the west and south, where the devastating opera-
tions of the torch of war have not been immediately
felt, the desire for peace is nowhere perceptible, which
cannot be wondered at, considering that the South is en-
tirely governed by the "Red "party. In view of the
dangers with which the recklessness of the Southern Reds
threatens France, ideas of a Bonapartist restoration have
recently taken strong hold in the north, and in our politi-
cal circles it is deemed not improbable that Imperialism
will prevail over the Orleanist plans fostered by the Duke
of Saxe-Coburg. The Orleanists must be much stronger
than they are at present before their dynasty can be re-
stored, or before the Due d'Aumale can gain the presi-
dential chair of the French Republic."

AFFAIRS IN LYONS. •
LYONS, December 15.

The Municipal Council of this town has taken a strong
measure, which is also a very prudent one. It has dissolved
the national workshops, which had no longer a raison
d'etre since all public works are either concluded or
suspended, and they were only an arm always ready for
the agitators. It was necessary to face the danger boldly,
and this was done by M. Henon, supportd by the Muni-
pal Council. There were some slight disturbances in conse-
quence which the National Guard soon repressed. General
Treskow himself pracuises ruses de guerre. His summons
to the Place d'Auxonne was nothing but a feint to alloy
a small corps which left Dijon to reinforce the assailants
of Belfort to retreat from ReSures to Gray in safety. It
was feared that the French troops on the Jura
frontier would attack this corps. Officers of the
marines have just been appointed to the' command of
all the free corps acting in the Franche Comt4 which
required direction. A subscription is opened at Besancon
to present a sword of honour to Garibaldi. The hilt
represents the figure of the Republic crushing
under her feet a crown and sceptre. An ambus-
cade, under the command of Colonel Bourras and
his Vosges troops, has , succeeded in capturing
a detachment of 150 Prussians who had left Dijon to ler"
requisitions at Nuits. It is said Garibaldi has protested
at Tours against the formation in the East of France of
companies of Freeshooters commanded by officers of
marine, and not under his own direction. ►The
Prussians seem inclined to re-assume the offensive"
at Dijon, and are concentrating themselves there in con-
considerable force. The Badenese have re-occupied Nuits,
but were driven from thence by the freeshooters, and after
two hours' struggle departed, leaving 200 men on the
field and 20 prisoners. They retreated to Dijon with
pieces of artillery.

CARDIFF AND THE EDUCATION ACT.—Yesterday
morning the Cardiff Town Council declined by a majority,
of 14 to Bto apply for the formation of a School Board
for that town, on the ground that sufficient school
accommodation was already provided by voluntary
means.