The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-27 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

SUN OFFICE, 8 A.M.

THE WAR.

SEIZURE OF ENGLISH SHIPS.

HAVRE, Dec. 20 (5 p.m.)

The Prussians have seized six-English vessels at
llti Clair, on the Seine, and have scuttled and sunk
them in order to impede the navigation.
_

The Prthsions fired upon the crews, turned them
adrift to sleep on the ground, and robbed them of
money and other property.
The vessels bad disehargel coals under Prussian
permits, and were taking in ballast to return.

EVACUATION OF NUITS BY

GERMANS,

The latest intelligence from Lyons states that the
Germans had evacuated Nuits, leaving many dead
in the neighbouring vineyards. General Cremer's
loss is under 1,200 altogether. It is stated that the
German loss is four times greater.

The German effective strength in France is esti-
mated at 000,000 men, of whom 250,000 are before
Paris. The German troops have at present ',100,000
sick, and have lost, since she beginning of the
campaign, whether in battles or in the hospitals.
800,000 men.
Great confidence is felt at Lyons as to the power of
the French resistance to turn the scale against the
invaders.

THE- BATTLE NEAR AMIENS.
The King has sent a telegram from Versailles,
dated December 25, to Queen Augusta. It states
that General Manteuffel defeated the enemy on the
23rd inst., near Amiens, but details are wanting.
Nothing serious had occurred, but masses of the
enemy still bivouac before his eastern front. In
order to cover his retreat, the enemy yesterday
attempted several offensive movements against Gene-
ral Manteuffel, but was repulsed.

FRENCH ACCOUNT.

GENERAL FAIDHERBE'S REPORT.

The following despatch from General Faidherbe
has been received by the Government at Bordeaux :
The enemy engaged us in battle on the 22d inst.
from eleven in the morning until six in the evening.
We held favourable positions on a tributary of the
Scmme between Daoura and Conty.

During the day villages were taken and retaken.
At five o'clock ovr success .was complete, our infan-
try having repulsed the enemy at the point of the
bayonet. Between five and six o'c!ock the Prus-
sians, taking advantage of the darkness, re-occupied
some villages in the valley.
Our troops behaved splendidly, and bivouacked on
their positions.

BALLOON NEWS FROM PARIS.
News has been received at Niort from Paris by a
balloon which left the capital on the evening of the
22nd instant. No fighting had occurred on that day.
A. few shots had been fired in the direction of the
heights of Avron. Fresh operations appeared
imminent. Paris was calm, and confident in the
future. The French loss during the fighting of the
previous day is estimated at about 800 killed and
wounded.

THE BOMBARDMENT.
BERLIN, December 26 (5 p.m.)

The attack on Paris, so long delayed by the diffi-
culties of transport and by various other considera-
tions, is at last about to begin, this time in reality.
It is probable that the guns of the besiegers will be
directed against three, or more probably two, of the
outer forts; the Ist of January is now fixed as the
day.

THE FIGHTING BEFORE PARIS.

INIARGENCY, December 24.

A furious French artillery fire from midnight
until this morning was concentrated on Le Bour-
get. Last night was the third that the French
troops have bivouacked where they stood in line,
the thermometer being twelve degrees below
freezing point. A great attack was expected this
morning, but it has not taken place.