The Sun.
London, England, 1870-11-11 00:00:00

FAILURE OF NEGOTIATION.

The Constitutionnel says that when the news arrived of
the failure of the negotiations relative to the armistice, it
was painfully surprised. The feeling of France on the
point cannot be doubted, for the people are only too
anxious to decide the double question of the war and the
Government. Better hopes had been entertained of the suc-
cess of the armistice, in consequence of the intervention
of the neutral Powers. The Constitutionnd considers that
the English Ministry used noble language in putting the
case before the Prussian Government. France nas more
cause to regret the delay which has been interposed in
the matter of her internal organisation than to deplore
the continuation of the war. The nation, is prepared to
continue the contest, but it cannot feel resigned to taking
no part in the great questions which affect its honour and
existence. It seems as if some fatality prevented a
national representation from taking place just when it is
most necessary.

ADVENTURE OF A. QUEEN'S MESSENGER.
Captain Robbins, Queen's messenger, nearly lost his
life whilst returning from Versailles. The Freeshooters
captured him, and doomed him to death. No argument
could convince them that they were in error in regarding
him as a spy. His passport and official papers were
produced in uain ; the enamelled Queen's arms and
running greyhound which Queen's Messengers wear were
produced in vain. He must die. However, an innkeeper
pleaded for him, and on his entreaty a reprieve was
granted until the morning, in order that the " spy " might
have a chance to say his prayers, write to his wife, and go
out of the world like a christian. They, therefore,
departed, warning the landlord that it would
go hard with him if the bird had flown when
they returned. "At 3 a.m.," says the correspondent, "some
of them came back ; they thought they had waited
long enough, and they thirsted for the messenger's blood.
The house was so full, the landlord said, that there were
two or three persons in every room, and they might make
a mistake and shoot the wrong man, and so he again put
them off till daylight arrived. Before it, Captain Robbins,
whose horses by this time had rested, was out of
the window and into his carriage; he was lucky
enough not to meet the freeshooters on the road
and reached a place of safety, . whence this
brief narrative of his adventures and perils was
brought to me by a sympathising colleague. Speaking in
all seriousness, Queen's Messengers, who at this time are
sent through the French lines, whether going to or coming
from the Prussians, perform their duty at the risk of their
lives. Captain Robbins certainly had a narrow escape,
and he seems to have shewn great judgment and cool-
ness under remarkably trying and dangerous circum-
stances."

M. FAVItE ON THE ARMISTICE
NEGOTIATIONS.

M. Jules Favre has addressed a circular to the French
Ministers abroad. He declares that Prussia, by causing
the rejection of the armistice, has once more proved that
she seeks only aggrandisement in the present war, regard-
less of the interests of humanity. M. Favre affirms that
Paris has shewn no sign of weakness during the siege,
attempts at sedition have ended only in strengtheu-
ing the position of the Government, by the imposing
vote of the plebiscite. M. Jules Favre demonstrates
that the re-victualling of the capital was a necessary coo-
sequence of the suspension of hostilities; an armistice
without that provision would have been a capitulation at
a given moment without honour, without hope, and adds :
By refusing our demand to provision Paris, Prussia rejected
the armistice. It is not only the Fra uch army, but the French
nation, that she seeks to annihilate when she proposes to
reduce Paris to the horrors of a famine. Europe de-
manded that France should assemble deputies to deliberate
upon the question. Prussia refused this assembly by
subjecting it to an iniquitous condition contrary to every
right. With regard to the Prussian accusation that
the French Government obliges Prussia to starve Paris,
Europe will judge of the value of such imputations.
They are the last feature of a policy which commences by
pledging the word of the Sovereign in favour of the French
nation, and terminates by a diplomatic rejection of every
combination which would allow France to express.her wishes.
Prussia, which perceives the odious character of her re•
fusal, seeks to dissimulate it under a disguise which can
deceive'no one. To ask us for a month's of our provisions is to
ask of us our arms—arms which we resolutely hold in our
hands, and will not lay down without fighting. We have done
everything that men of honour could do to stop this
conflict, but the issue from it has been closed against
us, and we can henceforth take counsel only of our
courage, throwing back the responsibility upon those
who systematically refuse all compromise. Let it be
well understood that up to the last moment the Government
of National Defence, absorbed by the immense interests
confided to it, will do everything in its power to render
an honourable peace possible. The means of consulting
France were refused to it, and it thereupon interrogate.l
Paris. All Paris, in reply, rises to arms to spew
the country and the world what a great people can do
when it defends its honour, its homes, and the indepen-
dence of its country.

The King of Prussia has appointed Lieutenant-Genera
von Lowenfeldt Governor of Metz.

A very odd paragraph appears in the Berlin letter of a
G erman paper. Count von Moltke, says the writer, has
sent directions 'for his house to be put in readiness,
as he expects to be at home in four weeks at the latest.

The official who sent the brusque telegram signed "Bis-
marck," declaring Dr. Russell's report of the conver -
sation between King William and Napoleon 111. at Sedan
to be an entire fabrication, has fallen into disgrace.
A charming villa at Flossbeck, near Altona, the pro-
perty of a widow of French birth, and a relative of the
late Marshal Niel, has been offered to and accepted by
Marshal Bazaine, who was expected to arrive shortly with
his staff of five generals and 106 officers.
All the original posts and milestones on the line of rai
from Forbach to Metz have had the French colours
painted over with black and white paint, The trial trip
which took place on the 30th ult. on this line bore with it
enormous quantities of black and white paint for this
purpose.

It is asserted that in the council of generals held at
Metz before the capitulation, fourteen generals were in
accord with Bazaine, being of opinion that the capitula-
tion must take place. Seven were of a contrary opinion,
among whom were Marshal Canrobert, with Generals
Deliginy, Cissey, and Ladmirault.
The Government Delegation at Tours has decreed that
all bodies of Freeshooters shall henceforth be specially
attached co a corps of the army in campaign, or at least
to a military division, where they can act in conformity
with the directions of the commanders. The Minister of
War will decide to which division the Freeshooters will
belong.

Professor R. G. Wells announces that he is construct-
ing at Bordeaux a large aerial machine for the French
Government, 175 feet in length and 50 feet in diameter,
but can find no one in that city capable of making a steam
engine suitable for such a machine. He therefore asks if
anybody in England can solve the problem.
The German waggoners attached to the army have ad-
dressed a petition to the King of Prussia, praying for dis-
missaL They urge that they have been employed ten
weeks with their vehicles 600 miles from home, that both
themselves and their horses are exhausted, and that their
agricultural duties are very urgent. Having failed in
their representations to the military authorities, they havo
ventured to appeal to the King personally.
General von Goeben, who commands the Bth Prussian
Corps, is the youngest leader of the rank in the service,
and has seen most fighting, So gluttonous is he for fight-
ing, that when there was peace within the borders of the
Fatherland, this modern Bayard was fighting in South
America, and again in the fierce internal strifes of
Spain. In this war he has borne the brunt of the hardest
fighting. At Spicheren and Courcelles his army corps was
first among the foremost.
The railway from Metz to Saarbruck is now closed to
civilian passengers, it being required for military convoys.
The French colours on the signal posts and other spots
have been effaced. - The railway from Remilly to Pont-a-
Mousson, constructed by the Germans in order'to enable
the traffic to be carried on without hindrance from the
garrison of Metz, is to be executed in a more substantial
and permanent manner, for, though now less necessary
than previously, it gives a shorter route between Saar-
bruck and Nancy.
The Echo du Luxemburg has received from persons
lately in Metz the most deplorable accounts of the
place and its environs. The department of the
Moselle is ruined for twenty years, the vines are for the
most part destroyed, and will produce nothing for six
years. Wherever the Prussians have passed they have
taken all that was transportable. The immediate neigh-
bourhood of Metz presents a deplorable spectacle ; the
villas are pulled down, and the gardens and plantations
laid waste. The journals of Metz have not appeared
since the capitulation.
The Bavarian mitrailleuses turn out a more effective
arm than their French rivals. The pieces were first
brought into action in the engagements of the 10th and
11th October, under command of Captain Count Thurk-
heim. Employed against infantry and cavalry, they at
once proved their deadly power, but their utility was best
established by the way in which they disposed of a French
mitrailleuse battery, which they silenced after a very few
shots. An additional advantage of the Bavarian mitrail-
leuses (constructed by Felbe) is their greater portability,
which makes their erection practicable almost on any
ground.—Continental Correspondence.
Hippophagists will rejoice to hear that in the course of
the last three weeks no less than 7,000 horses have been
converted into human food at Metz. On the 29th of last
month, just after the arrival of the German troops, the
bill of fare at the Hotel de l'Europe was as follows
Soup made of horseflesh ; boiled horse, with peas and
cucumbers; stewed (tame) rabbits ; fried horsesteak; and
for dessert; a bunch of grapes with a bit of seedcake.
However, hunger being the best sauce, and the burgundy
and nevet being genuine, the company is said to have
enjoyed this equine dinner most heartily.—Continental
Correspondence.
It appears that as late as the 3rd of September hopes
were entertained at Metz of an invasion of Germany. At

any rate a" Guide du soldat Francais en fAllemagne
was published there, copies of which were observed in the
booksellers' windows after the capitulation. It is a col-
lection of " travel talk " in French and German, suited to
the requirements .of an invading army. The French
soldiers, it seems, were expected to emyloy such pilrag.,ls
as " Clear out your furniture," " None of you in tul
room," "We shall kill those hens, ducks, pigeons'
"Bring us immediately so-and-so," &c. A German cor-
respondent remarks that the guide is equally adapted to
his own countrymen, as they have only to use the opP°
site pages.

A part of the Remington guns ordered by the CRY of
Lyons, for the equipment of the National Guard, We
arrived. They cost 200 francs each, but they are prepared
with great skill.- They can render excellent service,
as they are light and easy to load, and have a capital
range.
The Salut Public of Lyons says that the grain market
has been very animated. The other markets are crowded with
carts, but the peasants Jo not readily respond to the requests
of the Lyonese municipality to furnish them with provi'
sions. They prefer to keep something in hand, in order,
that they may, as they say, propitiote the Prussians on
their arrival. The municipality has given considerable
orders, to prepare the town in the event of a siege.
DESTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH ARMY.—More
eloquently than any elaborate description does the eat°
trophe that has befallen France appear from the following
table, shewing the positions of her regular infantry before
the war and now :
Taken Consequent
prisoners remain to
up to Oct. 29. France.

The French Infantry before the
War consisted of—
A. Guards—
Infantry Regiments ...
Rifle Battalion
B. Line—
Infantry Regiments ... 100 ... 94 ... 6*
Zouave Regiments ... 3 ... 3 ...
Rifle Battalions... 20 ... 20 ...
Light Infantry Battalions 3 ... 3t
Foreign Legion... ... 1
Turco Regiments ... 3 ... 3 ...
* Escaped because four in Algiers and two at Rome. Those
from Algiers are now with the Loire Army, the two others are
at Paris.
t Escaped because at Algiers.
In addition to the few Regulars left, the depot troops,
reinforced by numerous recruits and anciens militaimst
now form the nucleus of the French' forces.—Times.
ATTACK UPON" A CAPTAIN AT ROCHEFORT.—TiIe
ship Flora, from Rochefort, has reached Dantzic ill
safety. This is the vessel whose captain (Zielke)
was shot by the rabble before leaving the French
port. The following particulars of the murder have
been given by the mate of the ship, Mierau. Captain
Zielke was writing in his cabin, about half-past eleven
at night, and partially undressed, when he heard
a tumult on the deck. On going up quickly, he perceived
an armed crowd attempting to enter the ship, and the
mate trying to prevent them. A lively altercation took
place between the crew and the mob, which was composed
of. National Guards and men in blouses, all with
weapons. Scarcely had the captain appeared when
a shot was fired at him from the crowd, and
he immediately fell. The mate hoisted the,
pilot-flag, and a pilot came on board, who wen*
for a doctor, and reported the event to the North'
American Consul. The surgeon, on arriving, found the
captain still breathing, but he died very soon after. The
Consul drew up a formal report, and advised the mate to
leave the harbour immediately with the ship; A marina-
officer .came on board, and repeated the recommendation
of the Consul, adding that the mate would get no pilot W
go with him. He also asked to see the free pass which the
vessel had received from the French Government, because
it had brought a cargo of wood from the North Cape for
the French navy. No sooner was he gone, than the mate
gave orders to make all ready for sailing forthwith. The
ship has safely navigated these unknown waters, and
reached the port of Dantzic. The mate relates that while
he was in France—this was just after the catastrophe of
Sedan—even a Dane or Norwegian durst not appear in
the streets, as they would have been maltreated, on the
suspicion of being Germans.—North German Correspondent.
MOVEMENTS ' OF THE GERMAN ARMIES.
Writing from the headquarters at Versailles on the 3rd
instant, the correspondent of the Telegraph says : —The
council of war, to which additional moment was lent by
the presence of Count Bismarck, was convened for the
purpose, in view of the intractability manifested by the
"gentlemen of the pavement," of concerting measures
for the active prosecution of the war. The delibera-
tions, I believe, resulted in the definitive disposition of
the forces rendered available for offensive operations bY
the surrender 'of Metz, in the following manner : The
other division of the 2ndi (Pomeranian) Army Corps will
join the Paris army for good—one division is already
here. The Ist (East Prussian) and Bth (Rhenish)
Army Corps under Manteuffel, to march north-
wards, establishing its head-quarters at Soissons to
cover the rear of the Northern Paris investing
army, and, in time, to capture Rouen, Havre, &c.
The 3rd, 9th, and 10th Army Corps, under Prince
Frederick Charles—who will also have under his com-
mand the 14th Army Corps (Werder), Generals von der
Tann and Wittich's Divisions, Prince Albrecht's Cavalry
Division, &c. —to proceed straight on Troyes, and thence
on Bourges; in fact, to occupy and hold the line of the
Loire, beyond which it is not intended at present that
he should proceed very far. The 7th Army Corps
to garrison Metz, and reinforce the attacks upon
Verdun, Thionville, Mezibres, &c. ; in short, to make
tself " generally useful." This programme, if carried,
out, will render the isolation of Paris more complete and
hopeless, if possible, than it is even now ; and will, more-
over, furnish ample occupation for the Armies of the
Loire, the East, and the North. One of these three
hosts, by the way, is again left without a head through
the resignation of General Bourbaki, who, after
inspecting the materials of which it was composed,
absolutely declines to have anything to do with it—a
proceeding that has earned him the esteem of the
Germans, who profoundly despise the undisciplined
hordes of Francs-tireurs, rallying to the Death's Head
and Cross - bones, and deeming themselves to be
foes worthy of the German steel The decision
that these guerillas are to be treated as prisoners
of war, if captured, has not improved the temper of the
German troops d leur intention; and I fear that but little
quarter will be given them in action—that few prisoners
will be made among the irregulars, from the moment they
are classed as regulars, by Prussian, still less by Bavarian,
soldiers.
THE TOURS GOVERNMENT AND THE ARMISTICE.
—The correspondent of the Daily News, writing from
Tours, on the 7th inst., says :—The news of the rupture
of the negotiations for the armistice, however it may have
been unexpected in other quarters, has not taken the
Tours Government by surprise. M. Gambetta,
in whose person all the activity of that Government is
represented, has never ceased to act upon the assumption
that the war would go on. He did not so
far put himself in opposition with General Trochu and
his colleagues as to listen to the friendly representations
of the. neutral Powers, and to proclaim his dissent to an
armistice, which would really have assurred France
the benefit of the status qno. But it is within my
knowledge that a pigeon despatch sent by him to
Paris tendered his resignation, unless substantial
guarantees (and among others those suggested by
M. Dorian) were given that the armistice would not
be a snare. His pigeon was crossed by another
bringing the news that the Prussian terms were alto-
gether illusory, and had been rejected at Paris. One of
the published despatches says they were unanimously re-
jected, but I understand that Al. Gamier Pages and
M. Pelletan were against breaking off the negotiations-
However, the simultaneous resolution of the Govern-
ments of Paris and Tours is to carry on the war to the
last extremity. Count Bismarck, it appears, who is
now in possesion of all the railways which con-
verge upon Paris, refused to allow any of
them to be used for the purpose of revictualling
the city. "We want provision," he said, "as
well as you. You may use the ordinary roads,
and welcome." Now, seeing that the ordinary roads are
very much cut up ; that there are no bridges over the
river ; that for many miles all around -Paris there are
no provisions at all ; that draught horses are
scarcely to be had in all France, and that what
cattle are left have been driven hundreds of miles away
for safety, the conclusion of the Government was
that it would not be possible in twenty-five days to bring
to Paris anything more than an illusory amount of food.
Hence the resolution taken.
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