The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-25 00:00:00

THE \VAR.

THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

(BY BALLOON MAIL.)

PARIS, OCT. IC.
A somewhat questionable discovery has been made near
Lagny. The copy of a report to the King of Prussia has
been found in the locality. It proposes to isolate Paris so
that the country will group itself round another centre,
to place Napoleon 111. at the head of the provincialgroups
and to treat with him and the province for an indemnity in
kind. Taking the last official statistics of the empire as a
basis, the indemnity would amount to 4 million cattle, 10
million sheep, 1 million horses, donkeys, or mules,
50 million hectolitres of corn, 10 million hectolitres
of wine, 1 million hectolitres alcohol and brandy. The
value of this indemnity would be about 4000 millions, and
represent from 20 to 22 per cent of the agricultural reserves
in the country. The delivery of this indemnity could be
effected within a month. Next, to treat separately with
Paris for 1,000 millions in money, siege of Paris to be raised
as soon as the indemnity be paid, and one-fourth of that
to be furnished by the provinces be delivered. Prussian
troops to retain possession of Alsace and Lorraine
until the whole indemnity be delivered, which
could be done in a month or five weeks This
is all very interesting, but, is it true? The contents
of the document are rather too good to be genuine. The
Germans want much more than a mere indemnity.
We have been enlivened by a small row on the subject
of news. There has lately been an incursion of
visitors into the city, and the Parisians aro
alarmed at the sign. General Burnside has been
through the lines here, and held conversations with Jules
Favre ; and Colonel Lyndsay entered on the 13th. The
Parisians believe that the Government would not nego-
tiate unless the position had become more unfavourable,
and they, therefore, look upon these pourparlers as a
simple indication that some fresh disaster has
occurred. Now it happens that the Government, almost
for the first time since the investment, received news
three days ago, and, moreover, somebody connected with
La V6ritd ascertained that such was the case. In fact,
Colonel Lyndsay brought with him on the 13th a copy of
the Standard and other papers. Yesterday, La Write
called upon the Government to give the public the benefit
of this intelligence. Had they really received any papers,
and yet suppressed the contents? Was it true that the
true that the Red Republic had been proclaimed at Lyons.
Was it true that an armistice had been proposed? Was it,
&c., &c. The Government at first appeared disposed to
disregard these inquiries, but to-day the Journal ()Aid
publishes extracts from the Standard and other
English papers, as well as the French pro.
vincial papers. The whole affair, both the re-
ceipt of the news, and the news itself, is a muddle
and a mystery. The Government affirm that they received
the Standard, but did not publish it because it was
notoriously hostile to France, and its news bore the marks
of prejudice. But how about the extracts in the provincial
papers which appear to-day ? And, moreover, if
it be really the Standard that is meant, it h
notorious that the London Conservative journal is
most favourable, and, not hostile, to France. It
is even fanatical in its devotion to this country. If it
contains news favourable to the Germans, we may be sure
that it has not been inserted through prejudice. With
respect to the intelligence itself, we are informed that the
French have thoroughly beaten the Prussians near
Orleans, whereas from other sources comes the news that
the Prussians have, with equal thoroughness, beaten the
French. Similar trouble do we experience on the subject
of peace or an armistice. Whether General Burnside
has, or has not, brought a letter from Couut Bismarck
about peace, whether Favre has or has not made further
overtures, are matters concerning which the most lively
incertitude reigns.
The general aspect of the city remains as before. The siege
is marked by few incidents, and altogether is becom.
ing dull. The plan of General Trochu is to wait
until the troops get in really good condition before attempt-
ing any very serious operations, and this object is being
rapidly attained. Every day the men become more and
more soldierly, nor does the confinement and inaction of
the siege at all affect their discipline prejudicially.
They are kept well in hand, and every day
gain more and more of that machine-like
obedience, which is the characteristic of the
veteran regular. The National Guards do not all im-
prove. Some of them are in fact tired of the business,
but there is a large residuum which will soon be ready for
mobilization. The danger of being starved out is the real
one. That consummation must come at the end of no
very long period, and already is the diminution of rations
so considerable as to be the reverse of agreeable. With
abundance of food the Germans could never, many ex-
cellent judges firmly believe, capture this city.
The announcement that Garibaldi is at Tours is received
with enthusiasm.
Many of the citizens having escaped service in the
National Guard, notices have been issued calling on all
not enrolled to appear. They will be formed into veteran
corps, for service in their arrondissements.
A petition to the Government is in course of signature
by the Garde Mobile, demanding the confiscation of the
propertybelonging,to:the Bonaparte family, and that of the
Church, and that all ecclesiastics between the ages of 22
and 25 be forced to enter the Garde Mobile, as also the
Aires of every religious order.