The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-18 00:00:00

THE KING OF PRUSSIA ON THE WAR.

The following is the King of Prussia's reply to an ad-
dress received from the Commercial Chamber at Hamburg:
—" With heartfelt emotion I receive at this moment a
telegram of the Commercial Chamber of to-day's date.
No one knows better than I, who had to speak the
decisive word, what sacrifices will shortly be required from
the whole Fatherland ; but the self-devotion expressed
by the Commercial Chambers the moment the honour of
Germany is at stake fills me with pride and tranquility.
On God's blessing all things depend, WILHELM REX."
An official decree has been published prohibiting the
exportation or transit of arms and ammunition. The
Minister of Copenhagen, and the Governors of Konigs-
burg, Stettin, Hanover, and Kiel have isseud a noti-
fications announcing that the Federal Council has
ordered in the event of the outbreak of the war with
France, that French merchant vessels which may be
stationed in German ports at the commencement of
hostilities, or which may subsequently enter such ports
before having heard of the outbreak of war, shall be
allowed to remain in such ports and to embark or disem-
bark cargoes until six days, to be reckoned from the out-
break of war, shall have elapsed.

GERMAN ENTHUSIASM AND CONTI-
NENTAL ENTHUSIASM.

The utmost enthusiasm prevails throughout Germany
against France. The whole of Germany is as one people
in arms to repel the insult offered to the national honour.
The North German Parliament has been ordered
to assemble to-morrow. The mobilisation of the
Prussian army is ordered, and also that of Bavaria,
Saxony, and Wurtemberg. From Belgium we learn that
the Government is taking energetic measures to preserve
the neutrality of the kingdom. Denmark, it is stated
in a telegram from Copenhagen, has determined to
remain neutral. In Holland and Switzerland
military measures are being adopted for the defence of the
neutrality of those States. Telegrams from Florence state
that an anti-French demonstration has taken place in that
city, cries being raised of " Down with France !" and
" Hurrah for Prussia!" In Paris and Florence the rumour
has prevailed that the French intend to withdraw their
troops from Rome. The rumour is, however, con •
tradicted by the Peuplg-Francais. The Italian Govern-

ment has been requested, it is said, by the French
Government to state what attitude it means to assume
in the present contest. Madrid advices state that owing
to the withdrawal of the candidature of Prince Leopold of
Hohenzollern. the Spanish Cortes are not now to assemble.

Lii Paris.

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, JULY 18. 1870.

destination. These three vessels are intended to bring
back to France about 6,000 men and 1,000 horses, and
before the month has expired it is expected that at least
40,000 men and 6,000 horses will be withdrawn
from Algeria. In the meantime operations are car-
ried on with unceasing activity in the dockyard
and arsenals of Toulon. The ironclad frigates Valeu-
reuse, Revanche, and Gloire have been fitted for service,
and these vessels, with the Magenta, wilt almost double
the present strength of the Mediterranean Squadron. In
addition to these vessels the paddle steamers Magellan,
Alogador, Panama, and Albatross have been prepared
for sea. The vessels employed for the protection of the
coast fisheries have been withdrawn, and their crews will
doubtless find employment elsewhere. The preparations
by land are equally active. The Electeur du Finisterre says
that the agriculturists are ordered to hold at the disposal
of the military authorities all horses in their possession.
The Gaulois states that since Wednesday afternoon 12,000
waggons have been dispatched by the Eastern Railway
laden with flour and biscuits for the frontier, and 254 cases
of surgical requisites were also forwarded express by the
same line on Wednesday evening. According to the same
paper the Eastern Railway Company had undertaken to
convey the whole of the troops at the camp of Chalons,
together with their horses, guns, ammunition, and stores
complete, to the frontiers within sixteen hours. Troops
have also been sent off by the Northern line. In 1
the ordnance department everything has been pre-
, pared, and some changes of distribution are to
be made for the first time. Each division of
infantry is to have attached to it three batteries
of artillery, instead of two as before. Engineer com-
panies specially devoted to telegraphy and the repair and
destruction of railways have been formed. The 4foniteur
Universal states that the Minister of War has taken all
the necessary measures for the mobilization of 100 batta-
lions of the Garde Mobile in the departments of the Seine
and of the Fast. "If war were to break out these batta-
lions, comprising nearly fifty thousand men, could be
called into active service, and be transported to the camp
at Chalons within less than a week." Marshal MacMahon
has left his command in Algeria, and is by this time in
Paris. Vice-Admiral Count Bonet Willanmez, who has
been given a great 'naval command, has left Paris
for Cherbourg. Lastly—most ominous symptom of all

M. Benedetti, French Ambassador at Berlin, is already

One very significant item of news in the Patrie ought
not to be overlooked. The Danish squadron, six ironclad
strong, is now at anchor at Constantinople ready to set
sail at the first signal.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(CENTRAL PRESS TELEGRAMS.)
THE NORWICH ELECTION PETITION.
The Norwich election petition is expected to be filed
this week.