The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-05 00:00:00

THE EASTERN QUESTION. •

A pamphlet is circulating in Russian diplomatic
circles urging that the time for a definite solution of
the Eastern Question has arrived. It is believed
that the production comes from a high hand.

RUMOURED DEATH OF VON

MOLTKE.

TOURS, OCT. 4 (6 P.M.)

The Marquis of Villeneuve Bargemont (?), ex-
Mayor of the Thirteenth Arondissement of Paris,
has arrived here, with, as is alleged, official confirma-
tion of the death of General von Moltke, who is said
to have been shot in his carriage by Francs-tireurs
last Z hursday on his way to Rheims. I have met a
gentleman who assured me that he had seen Von
Moltke taken out of his carriage at Rheims in a
dying state, wounded in the neck and head. I did
not, however, credit this story. At the same time,
it is quite certain that news of some kind, of a grave
Character, has arrived ; and the journalists here
have been summoned to the Prefecture. Another
balloon from Paris has alighted, and Ulric de
Fonvielle is said to have been on board.— Telegraph
Telegram.

TOURS, OCT. 4 (7 r.m.)

An authenticated rumour is circulated here that
the great Prussian personage alleged to have been
killed, and whose cod was said to have been borne
through Chalons and Toul, was General von
Moltke.

FIGHTING AT EPERNON.

EPERNON, OCT. 4 (10 A.m.)

Well-sustained firing has been going on since one
this morning on the heights of Epernon, in the
direction.of Rambouillet. Four shells have fallen
(A), the town.

12.35 P.m.

Nice.

The cannonade continues vigorously. • The result
18 not yet known. The Moblie and National Guards
are in ambuscade in all directions, and are behaving

FONTAINEBLEAU, OCT 3.
It is rumoured that there has been a serious en
gagement in the forest near Chailly.
MALESHERBES, OCT. 4.

Four hundred Prussians have occupied La Forte,
and are levying contributions on all the surrounding
?ht
country.
BELLEGRADee6i. 3.

A heavy requisition has been made by 120 Uhlans
at Boynes. There was an encounter this morning
at Nibelle and °bonbon.

TIE PRESENT STATE OF STRAS-
BURG.

STRASBURG, OCT. 4.
The city has assumed a new aspect since last
Thursday. The shops are all re-opened, and the
market, place is filled with buyers and sellers.
from the appearance of the streets it would be
inlPessible to tell that a siege is just over. The
ruined houses alone bear witness to the severity of
the ordeal the city has been subjected to, An order

has . been issued that French officers on parole
shall not wear swords in public, and must depart
by the' 6th October. The inhabitahts are ordered
to supply the German officers quartered cTi them
with the prescribed meals, along with two litres
of wine and five cigars. The soldiers are to have
in addition to their meals, half a litre of wine, or a
whole one of beer, or a quartern of spirits, and five
cigars, or a corresponding quantity of tobacco,
daily. The sums of money, munitions, provisions,
and other things which belonged to the French
authorities are very large. Many cannon were
spiked prior to occupation, but hundreds.
have been captured in good ' condition. The
arrangements for maintaining order are con-
tinued. The military alone are allowed to
leave their houses after nine at night. Postal service
was resumed on Saturday, preparations being rapidly
made to render the bridge over the Rhine available
for railway trains. It is expected to be open in a
fortnight. A new army is being formed in the vicinity
of Freiburg for the occupation of the south of France.
It will consist of 170,000 men, and will be directed
towards Lyons.---Daily News Telegram.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF
BITSCHE.

HOMBURG (PFALZ), OCT, 4.

The siege of BitsCho was taken in hand in the
middle of August. On the 24th four GO-pounder
mortars and five batteries of four 12-potinder
breechloaders each commenced bombarding the
fortress. On the 4th of September there was a
sortie against the besiegers, who consist of the
4th Wurtemburg and, two battalions of the
Bth Bavarian. The sortie was repeated on the
11th and 29th, in the direction of Freuden-
berg and Saspelscheidt. These attempts were
completely repulsed, with small loss to either
side. From the 11th to the 20th there
was a severe bombardment, which 'dis-
mounted several cannon, destroyed about 120
houses and the castle on the fort. After firing
20,000 shot .the besieging batteries became
disabled and were removed to Germersheil.
The Wurtemburgers were also withdrawn,
the Bavarians being left for the purpose of
observing. On Friday, Saturday, and Monday
the garrison made sorties, with cavalry and
infantry, protected by cannon, and destroyed bat-
teries and farms where the besiegers' outposts lay.
The fort is a perpendicular rock, like Gibraltar,
200 feet high, casemated, and nearly impregnable.
The garrison consists of 2,000 men. The peasantry
speak German, but there is an intensely French sen-
timent amongst them.—Daily News Telegram.

NEWS FROM TOURS.

TOURS, OCT. 4 (7 p.m.)

A circular has been issued by the Minister of the
Interior to the Prefects, ordering the stringent
application of the law calling out all unmarried men
between 21 and 40 years of age. The Mayors are
ordered, under pain of dismissal, to have lists ready
within three days of all individuals liable to serve in
their respective communes. _ .

A foreign legion, consisting of 1,500 volunteers,
left Tours yesterday evening for an unknown desti-
nation. •

The Secretary of the Papal Nuncio has arrived
here, after vainly attempting to enter Paris.
111. Thiers is shortly expected back in Tours to
assist the Government.

The Constitutionnel and Union express regret at
the resignation of Admiral Fourichon, and condemn
the action of the Prefect of Lyons, as tending to
produce great military disorganisation at the present
critical moment.

A state of siege has been proclaimed in the
Maritime Alps. There is a strong body of troops at

THE DISTURBANCES AT

LYONS.

LY._,NS, OCT. 3.

A declaration of the Prefect, explaining the ar-
rest of the Commandant Mazure, says that the
inertia of the military authorities had long filled
both the Government and the country with distrust.
The Government, therefore, had entrusted the
Prefect in Lyons with full powers. Mazure had
already been warned twice, and requested to re-
sign ; but in vain. The Prefect concludes by
recommending to the army the strict observance of
discipline.
When Mazure was arrested at the barracks,
immense crowds collected, shouting, "Drown the
traitor !" " Shoot him !" Richard, the chief of the
International Society at Lyons, and Saigne, the
two principal supporters of Cluseret, have been
arrested.

A. decree of the Prefect orders the dissolution of
all corps of Francs-tireurs, the men immediately to
return home to be incorporated in the Mobile Guard.
All those disobeying will be subject to the penalties
of military law.

THE INVESTMENT OF METZ.
SAARBRUCK, OCT. 4 (12.40 P.M.)

Sorties are made nearly every day, with feint
attacks from different points, but no important
results have followed. The French have always
been driven back with terrible losses, under cover
of the guns from Forts Queleux, les Bottes, and
St. Julie,]. Prussian casualties have been small.
During the past week there has been heavy cannona-
ding from Metz throughout the night to harass the
Prussian troops. Marshal Bazaine now declares
himself fighting for the Emperor. Balloons are con-
tinually sent up. A large Cavalry Brigade has
marched to Tours.— Times Telegram.

GENERAL DUCROT.

BERLIN, TUESDAY, (11.10 A.M.)

The Czar of Russia has conferred upon Baron von
Moltke the Order of Saint George, the highest mili-
tary decoration of Russia.
All round Paris trenches, rifle-pits, barricades,
and other temporary defences have been erected;
many villas, cottages, and park walls have been
looooled.
The semi-official Norddeutsche Zeitung says--
u General Ducrot was taken prisoner at Sedan, and
gave his word of honour not to fight again against
Germany, but he ran away to Paris. lie will be
shot if captured."
The Berlin municipal authorities have issued a
public appeal for relief to the sufferers at Strasburg,
which they call a venerable German city, and one
more to revert to France.—Tinzes Telegram.

GERMANY AND STRASBURG.
BERLIN, *Qcr. 4 (8 r.m )
The French prisoners taken at Strasburg have
already arrived at Stettin and other fortified places
cif East Prussia.

The chief of the magistracy of Berlin has issued an
appeal for subscriptions to relieve the distress of
the inhabitants of Strasburg, and has submitted
a resolution to the Common Council to grant a sum
of 20,000 thalers for that object. The Queen has
given her name for 1,000 thalers.
A dvices from Strasburg announce that measures
are beginning to be taken for the permanent posses-
sion of Alsace. Among other steps a garrison is to
be sent to Mulhouse.

ALARMING RAILWAY ACCI-

DENT.

ROUEN, OCT. 4.

accidentoccurred last night to a train con-
veying soldiers, near Critot, on the Amiens and
Rouen Railway, Fifteen persons were killed, 15
mortally injured, and 100 others injured more or
less seriously. • •