The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-23 00:00:00

Pans:—

"Paris, August 19, 1870.

"M. l'Ambassadour,—Your Excellency, inthe despatch
which you did me the honour to address to me yester-
day, inquires in the name of your Government-
1. Whether the delay of ten days, mentioned in the
notification of blockade inserted in the Journal Officiel of
the 17th instant, is to be understood as applying as well
to the entry as to the departure from enemy's ports
blockaded by the squadron of Admiral Fourichon. 2.
Whether the days of grace in question, being computed
to date from the 15th instant, embrace the 25th of
the present month, or otherwise. In regard to
the first question, I do not clearly under-
stand the doubts which your Excellency has been in-
structed to express to the Government of the Emperor.
Admiral Fourichon, in drawing up his declaration in the
terms recorded in the Journal Offidel of the day before
yesterday, has strictly adhered to the usages invariably
adopted in such a case, and especially to the rules practi-
cally enforced by France and England during the Crimean
war. Now, your Excellency will doubtless recollect that at
that period, as well in regard to the Baltic as the Black
Sea, the only relaxations in the rules of war which were
admittted in favour of neutral vessels had reference to thb
departure from blockaded ports.; and it is not within my
knowledge that a corresponding privilege has ever been
anywhere accordedin regard to the entry of vessels. Permit
me, in conclusion, to add that, so far as France is con-
cerned, the question does not embrace any imminent
danger to neutral vessels ; the principles laid down in such
matters not rendering liable to capture a vessel destined
for ablockaded port, unless, having been previously warned
by a cruiser, she should endeavour to force the line of the
blockade. In regard to the second question, M.
l'Ambassadeur, believe I may assure you that the term
of grace for leaving blockaded ports, understood in a legal
sense, embraces a clear day, that is to say, it does not
expire until the night of the 25th.—I have, &c.,
(Signed) "POE. DE LA TOUR D'AUVERGNE."

THE FRENCH FLEEI.
The Ostsee Zeitung publishes a despatch from Swine-
munde, of the 18th, to
clad of that six French
ships, including two ironclad frigates, two ironclad
corvettes, one wooden corvette, and a despatch
boat, passed there on the 18th. While in the offing
they sent ashore a lieutenant of marines, with the
notification of blockade, which was delivered to the bur-
gomaster and the English consul. The blockade would
take effect from
the 25th to leave the harbour.

THE DISTURBANCES IN THE PRINCIPAL
TIES.

A. telegram from Bucharest, of the 22nd, says that on
Sunday, at Plojeschti, an attempt was made to pro-
claim a Provisional Government, which was to consist of
General Nicolano Golesco as Regent, and John Ghika
and John Bratiano as Ministers. Numerous arrests were
made yesterday, both in this city and in the provinces.
Golesco and Candiano have already been arrested, and it
is expected that Bratiano will be taken to-day. The
measures of the Government were quickly and ably car-
ried out. The troops were sent to Projeschti by rail,
and behaved very well. Order has nowhere been dis-
turbed.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—This evening the fireworks
will be rendered additionally attractive by an enormous
pyrotechnic device representing the Bridge of Kehl, re-
cently destroyed by the Prussians. This set piece is the
largest ever prepared, surpassing even the device fired in
honour of the Vicomte de Lesseps in July last, which was
half an acre in area. The cascade of fire, great shells, and
illumination of park and great and small fountains, will
be given as usual. Auber's opera of " Masaniello" will
be played during the afternoon, and a military band will
perform for promenade.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF PHALSBURG.—A corre-
spondent of the Telegraph, writing from Blamont on Llio
16th, says :—" This morning, at daybreak, the bora-
bardment of Phalsburg was commenced ; the Prus-
sian guns, posted on a hill partially commanding
the town, made vigorous practice, keeping up a
slow but very accurate fire. Nearly every shell
took effect, scattering the tiles and smashing the
roofs of the houses in the devoted town. The enemy's
guns, few in number, but of heavy calibre, steadily re-
turned the fire, directing their shot principally against the
ammunition trains that were constantly arriving, and the
bodies of troops accompanying them. The French guns
appear to be admirably placed and masked; for, to judge
by the continuance of their fire, none had by evening
been disabled. But little damage was done to the invest-
ing force, only a few slight casualities occurring through
splinters of shells. The effect on the town must have
have been terrible, to judge by the way the houses
were knocked about, and towards evening a great
portion of it was in flames. Phalsburg, though very
small, is of great importance in the present case, ,as the
direct road runs through it, and it is therefore necessary
for the Prussians to obtain possession in order to avoid
having to make a considerable detour, and leaving an
enemy, on the direct line of their communications. If the
commander be some tough and stern old soldier who con-
siders it his duty to hold out as long as possible, regardless
of the-town and the inhabitants thereof, he may yet give
a little trouble; but its fall is, o; course, only a question
of time."