The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-25 00:00:00

THE WAR.

REPULSE OF THE PRUSSIANS

The Prussian troops on Saturday advanced as far as
Carling, but were vigorously attacked and repulsed by
French foot Chasseurs. At the same time a regiment of
mounted Chasseurs made a reconnaissance on Prussian
The Prussians appear to be assuming the

territory.
offensive.

PROOLAMATION

OF THE

EMPEROR

NAPOLEON TO • THE FRENCH PEOPLE

The Emperor has addressed the following noble and
spirit-stirring proclamation to the French people :

Frenchmen,—

There are certain moments in the life of peoples when
the national honour, 'violently excited, imposes itself
with irresistible force, dominates all interests, and alone
takes in hand the direction of the destinies of the
country. One of those decisive hours has sounded for
France. Prussia, to whom both during and since the war
of 1866 we have shown the most conciliatory disposition,
has taken no account of our good wishes and our
forbearance. Launched on the path of invasion she has
aroused defiance, everywhere necessitated exaggerated
armaments, and has turned Europe into a camp where
nothing but uncertainty and fear of the morrow reigns.
A. last incident has come to show the instability of inter-
national relations, and to prove the gravity of the
situation. In presence of the new pretensions of
Prussia we made our protestations to be heard. They
Were evaded, and were followed on the part of Prussia
by contemptuous proceedings. Our country has re-
sented this with profound irritation, and immediately
a cry for war resounded from one end of France to the
other. It only remains to us to confide our destinies to the
decision of arms. We do not make war on Germany,
Whose independence we respect. Let us wish that the
peoples who compose the great Germanic nationality may
freely dispose of their destinies. For ourselves we demand
the establishment of a state of affairs which shall guar-
antee our security and assure our future. We wish to
conquer a lasting peace, based on the true interests of
peoples, and to put an end to that precarious
state in which all nations employ their re-
sources to arm themselves one against the
other. The glorious flag which we once more unfurl
before those who have provoked us, is the same which
bore throughout Europe the civilising ideas of our great
revolution. It presents the same principles, and inspires
the same devotion.

Frenchmen,—l place myself at the head of that
valiant army which is animated by love of duty
and cf country. It knows its own worth since it has
seen how victory has accompanied its march in the four
quarters of the world. I shall take my son with me
despite his youth. He knows what are the duties which
his name imposes upon him, and he is proud to bear his
share in the dangers of those who fight for their country.
May God bless our efforts. A great people which defends
a just cause is invincible.

NAPOLEON.

BLOWING UP OF THE BRIDGE AT KEHL.
The following official telegram has been published in
Paris :

"STRASBOURG, July 22.—The Prussians blew up the
abutment on the Baden shore of the bridge at Kehl at four
a.m. to-day.

" The explosion was terrific. The bridge turrets were
destroyed, and the debris thrown as far as the French
shore."

[Strasbourg was connected with Kehl by a bridge of
boats and a very fine railway bridge. The destruction of
the bastions of the railway bridge will prevent the French
from restoring the communication. Strasbourg is the
central fortress of that portion of the Rhine which runs
between France and Baden and forms the frontier. It lies
on the left bank of the river, at the point where the 11l
falls into the Rhine.]

THE FRENCH FORCE ON THE FRONTIER,

The five army corps echeloned on the frontier consist
of 340 battalions of infantry, 140 squadrons of cavalry,
and from 90 to 100 batteries of artillery. There still
remains in France of regular troops available for service
160 battalions of infantry, 140 squadrons of cavalry, and
130 batteries of artillery.
The whole Imperial Guard under General Bourbaki
Was to be concentrated at Nancy on Friday. No troops
are now left in Strasbourg. It is occupied by the Mobile
Guard. Three camps of infantry, cavalry, and artillery
are established at Metz, at which place there is also a
great concentration of war material. Many, regi-
Ments have left Paris for Cherbourg. The sixth army
corps is in course of formation at Chalons. No head-
quarters has yet been fixed upon for the seventh corps.
It is composed of troops from Algeria, and is ex-
pected to form either a reserve or a corps for disem-
barkation on some point of the Prussian territory.

THE DUKE OF GRAMONT'S CIRCULAR.
The following statement has been published at
Berlin :—" In reference to a circular of the Duke
of Gramont, alleging that the Chancellor of the
North German Confederation had declared the candi-
dature of a Prince of Hohenzollern to be im-
possible, and that the Under-Secretary of State, Baron
Thile had pledged his word that such a candidature did
not exist, both the Chancellor and the Secretary
declare officially and in their private capacity
that not a single word on the subject has ever passed be-
tween either of them and M. Benedetti, either officially
or in private conversation, since they were first aware of
the fact that the offer of the Spanish Throne had been
made to the Prince of Hohenzollern."
The Paris papers applaud the proclamation issued by
the Emperor. The enthusiasm for war is on the increase
throughout France, as shown by the large number of en-
listments, and by the enormous amount of subscriptions.
The Presse denies the assertions of Count Bismarck and
Herr von Thile, and states that M. Rouher, when pro-
visionally Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent a despatch to
Berlin declaring that France would never consent to the
accession of a Prince of Hohenzollern to the Spanish
throne.

An Imperial decree dated yesterday declares the session
of the Senate and Legislative Body closed.

ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA AND ITALY.

The St. Petersburg Offittal Journal of yesterday con-
tains the following :—"The Imperial Russian Govern-
ment has made all possible endeavours to avert the out-
break of war. Unfortunately the rapidity with which
the warlike resolutions were taken rendered our efforts
for the maintenance of peace abortive. The Emperor is
resolved to observe neutrality so long as Russia's interests
are not affected by the eventualities of the campaign.
The Russian Government undertakes to support every
endeavour to circumscribe the operations and diminish
the duration of the war."

The Florence Officiq Gazette of last evening announces
that the Italian Government has received notification
that war is declared between France and the North Ger-
man Confederation, Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Baden, and
Hesse. The Gazette recalls the obligations of steict neu-
trality which are incumbent upon Italian subjects,
and the penalties incurred by any infraction of the
law.