The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-12 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EV EA ING , AUG UST 12, 1870

hedges, and obstructions, even to destroy all buildings.
But the despatch which announces this, though dated Mon-
day night, says that three days were alloWed for the
work of demolition. We should have thought this too
long a time to be given. The Prussian despatches of the
same date announce the occupation of St. Avoid by
their forces, and that their patrols extend to within be-
tween nine and ten English miles of Metz. Already a
reconnoitring party of Prussian Lancers had advanced so
far as to be driven back by French Hussars. Our French
correspondent tells us the Prussians have left Sierck and
Bouzonville. Unless the Prussians have strong need to
delay, the battle must be imminent.—Standard.
It is not yet clear whether the Prussians will seek to
turn the line of the Moselle, or will risk their fortunes on
a pitched battle in front of Metz. Iu the line of the river
Nied, with its two branches meeting a few miles west of
Metz, and the well-marked heights on its western
bank, the French have a strong position, which
the Prussians might think twice before assault-
ing, if it were seriously disputed by Bazaine's
forces ; while in the event of a defeat, the fortress
and its outworks are ready to receive the beater army,
and excellent roads in the rear lead to the line of the
Meuse, with the support of the bastions of Verdun. It
is possible that the Prussians might find it an easier and
less costly enterprise to use their great numerical prepon-
derance in outflanking the French line of defence on the
Moselle, by passing to the' northward and swooping
down towards Chalons, while the troops of Bazaine
were held in front of Metz by the central army,
and the Crown Prince operated on the right flank of
M`Mahon and Canrobert at Nancy—threatening to roll
up their forces on the left, and thus to cut them • off
entirely from Lyons and the south, as they are now cut off
from the Rhine. But such a plan of campaign
would be exposed to the dangers which, in 1814,
the greatly superior invaders of France encountered
from the blows of Napoleon, placed in the centre
of their converging armies and able to throw his
whole forces on the one or the other as opportunity
offered. Besides the Prussians have to fight against time;
not only because the organisation of their army
system prescribes as speedy as possible a prose-
cution of the campaign, but because the enemy
will put new men in line every day that
passes. The event of Tuesday at Paris the
prompt substitution of a warlike and vigorous
Ministry for the ambiguous and discredited Cabiud
of M. 011ivier—sufficiently proves that the FrenCh
people are resolved to make any sacrifice rather than
tamely succumb to the arms of Prussia. The measures
adopted yesterday—calling out 300,000 men of the soldiers
no longer liable'for service who belong to the classes of
1858-63, and levying all citizens who have borne arms—
cannot tell on the numbers or composition of the
French army for many days to come. But Trochu's
troops from Cherbourg, Douay's Corps from Bel-
fort, and the reserves drawn from Lyons, may in a very
few days be in line on the Moselle, bringing 80,000 or
100,000 excellent soldiers to the aid of the Emperor's
beaten army ; and the Prussian chiefs, weighing the
chances of the campaign, may reasonably prefer, with
their vastl3 superior forces, to brusquer 200,000 men now,
rather than outmanoeuvre 300,000 a week 'or ten days
hence.— Telegraph

_ME FALL OF THE OLLIVIER MINISTRY.
PARIS, WEDNESDAY.
The sitting of the Corps Ldgislatif was a memorable
event, and one that will live in the history of this country.
It may not equal in momentous consequences the convo-
cation of the States General in 1789; but it was certainly
the most important gathering of the national representa-
tives under the second Empire. Stormy beyond pre-
cedent, abounding with scenes of excessive violence,
and almost culminating at one time in personal
encounters, yesterday's sitting was nevertheless productive
of much important work. It changed the Ministry; it
made preparations for meeting the invasion of the Prus-
sians ; and, most grave of all, it seriously increased the
Emperor's heavy troubles. Indeed, wile4s he called toge-
ther the deputies for the express purpose of get-
ting rid of the 011ivier Ministry, which, having
accomplished its subservient mission, is no longer
useful, it is not easy to see why the ruler
assembled the Chamber. If he hoped to get any assur-
ance from the deputies at this grave crisis, that hope has
been disappointed. All Paris has been excited ,by trea-
sonable expressions in the Chamber. Never before was
the Emperor so openly defied in Parliament. When-
ever his name was mentioned, which was very seldom, it
was joined with a denunciation of his incompe-
tence, a demand for his recall, even a per-
sistently repeated request that he should be
supplanted, and. a committee of public safety govern

in his place. You will, no doubt, have learned the chief
events of yesterday, but.no brief description can tell you
all that can be found in the official report, and the official
report comes far short of describing the tremendous scenes,
especially that which occurred when M. Picard declared
that if the government would not give the people arms
they would take them.

A. few words will suffice to tell the purpose for which the
Chamber was called. M. 011ivier made a statement on the
general aspect of affairs, exhorting the deputies to
patriotism and unity in sight of the enemy ; and the
Minister of War (pro tem.) presented some urgent mea-
sures for increasing the strength of the army. The regular
yearly war contingent of 1870, fixed lately by law at
140,000 men, is to be called out as soon as possible ; and
the Garde Mobile is to be strengthened by the addition of
all citizens, sound and under thirty years of age, who are
not now enrolled in the f arce. Such was the purpose
for which the Chamber was called, but almost every
deputy who came down had another object in view. The
sitting had not progressed ten minutes before it became
evident that the House was governed by one fixed idea—
to get rid of the Ministry. It was clearly all over with
M. 011ivier. The last hour of the " Liberal Empire"
had struck. The Empire was going to be itself again.
The time had come for the Emperor to cast off his consti-
tutional Cabinet, like a lobster changing his shell ; and all
the Legislative Body were 'delighted to help him. Both
Imperialists and Republicans combined to ridicule M.
011ivier, to despise him, to overturn him. He had
not spoken half-a-dozen words before , he was
interrupted. When mentioning the great bra Very shewn
by the army, M. Guyot-Montpayrous called out, " Lions
led by asses." "Disappear, and it (the army) will con-
quer," roared that herculean legislator, M. Emanuel
Arago. «Any sacrifices, but without you," added the
same Red. t " Doubt, if you will, our capacity to hear
the weight of events," observed the premier, in one of his
best sentehces. " Yes, we do doubt it," Caine

from several Left benches. "It may be the last
time that I shall ascend this tribune." "We really hope
so, for the good of the country," interrupted the Left. M.
011ivier got out of his misery shortly, and then the 'Em-
peror had his turn. After fearful uproar, during which a
hand-to-hand fight seemed inevitable at one time, caused

by propositions to recall and supplant the Sovereign, the
Chamber came back to the Ministry, and its doom was
pronounced. It fell in utter disgrace, with scarcely half-
a-dozen supporters to vote in its favour.
It is a hard fate for AL 011ivier, notwitstanding

his many sins. After alienating his friends
on all sides 'by his outrageous flexibility of
principle, after remaining in the service of the- Empire
when some of his best friends had left it, and after the
terms on which he had consented to accept office were
grossly violated, he has been made a scapegoat. Upon
him has fallen the weight of errors .for which he was not
responsible. M. 011ivier, it may confidently be affirmed,
did nothing to bring about war.. Two or three days be-
fore the catastrophe came, he told several deputies' that
there would be peace. The Emperor did not consult him;
the whole affair was managed by other' more
favourite servants. It is equally certain that he had just
as little concern in the management or mismanagement of
the conflict. The idea of turning out this politician
because of Forhach and Woerth, is absurd. But some-
body • must be punished. The time for punishing the
Emperor had not come, it seems, on Tuesday. M.
Odliaier'•was,the object of general. !etestation. Hence
'his fate. .•

Emperor,.or Empress-Revntt, has obtained a
fine set of Miniiters in place of the Cabinet of January.
Palikao, or Cousin-Montauban, is a splendid acquisition—
a capital fellow fur blazing away at troublesome citizens,
clearing streets, carrying barricades, and all that kind of
thing. His history recommends him to the full : he is
able, reso..ute, and burdened with no excess of conscience.
It is the end and not the means that this gentleman
looks to. His behaviour in China, when he
turned his position as commander of the
French expedition to such good account by ac-
cumulating a fortune out of the spoils of the Celestials,
is one episode in a career which has little to recommend it
in general, but which bears high testimony to his fitness
for the post he has just taken. Of the remaining Minis-
ters M. Magne held the portfolio of Finance previous to
M. 011ivier's short reign. M. Cltiment Duvernois is an inti-
mate friend of the Emperor. He it was who moved the no-
confidence vote, sa that there can be little difficulty in

determining how dear M. 011ivier was to his Imperial
master. M. Duvernois becomes Minister of Commerce.
M. JerOme David is well known as the most obstinate
Imperialist in the Chamber., He is a fanatic worshipper
of arbitrary rule. He has always believed that nothing
could go wrong that was done by and through the Em-
pire, and there is every reason to think that he be'ieves so
still. Nothing need be said of the other members of the
Cabinet, who are kindred spirits for the most part. But
we don't mind them. Having to swallow Baron Jerome
David, we are prepared to take any dose. This is a war
Ministry, and its first business is to get the
Empire out of its troubles. If it does that,
all will be well. But supposing that the
Emperor does wriggle out, and this remarkable collection
of politicians remain in office, to what a pass will the
Liberal Empire have come In its worst days of abso-
lutism, personal government never had such a wretched
collection of subordinates. However, the great point is
not to discuss political qualifications, but to repulse the
enemy.

At the sitting of the Corps Ldgislatif to-day, Count or
Duke Palikao mounted the tribune, and read out the list
of Ministers. This has been the chief business of the day
so far as it has progressed ; but more uproar has taken
place. M. Granier de Cassagnac tried to explain a re-
markable utterance of his .at the sitting, the said utter-
ance being an assurance to the effect that if he were a
Minister he would deal out summary military law to the
members of the Left. But the deputies would hear no
explanation. They howled Cassagnac down with the
most noble impartiality.

No news has come from the frontier, except that huge
preparations are being made with the utmost rapidity to
meet the enemy at Metz. The surprising delay of the
Prussians is being utilised to the utmost. Paris
is comparatively quiet now. There were immense crowds
on the boulevards last night, aad excitement prevailed, but
no disturbances of moment. The sergents de ville
charged the crowd now and then, but this was done only
"to keep up the circulation." Altogether affairs have a
decidedly better look.

THE PRUSSIAN 4RMY.—The troops under Prince
Frederic Charles are all belonging to the Con-
federacy, and consist of five army corps, the
3rd ( Brandenburgers ), 4th ( Prussian Saxons],
9th (Slesvig-Holsteiners), 10th (Hanoverians), and
12th (Saxons). The First Army Corps is not
yet in the field, the Second is in Pomerania, ready
to oppose the landing of the French, and watching
the movemente of the fleet, and the 6th is in Silesia.
General Steininetz has therefore two army corps, or
60,000 men ; Prince Frederic Charles five, or 150,000
men ; and the Crown Prince two, which, with the
Bavarians, Wurtembergers, and Badeners, number also
150,000. 30,000 men are in Pomerania, and an
equal number in Silesia. Ther,e are also in the
North already about 100,000 of the Landwehr,
distributed along the line of railroad, which, as a glance
at the map will shew, extends along the whole seaboard,
generally following the line of coast, at no very great dis-
tance from it. By means of this line, troops can be easily
concentrated, or moved from point to point,
from Konigsberg to the mouth of the Elbe. The
Prussian forces in the field may therefore be
said to be in round numbers :- On the Rhine
360,000 ; in the North, about 130,000 ; and in Silesia,
30,000—total, 520,000 men. These will be augmented
immediately by the 30,000 of the Ist Army Corps,
making in all 550,000 men. It must be also remem-
bered that the " Landwehr " is being called out,
equipped, and organised with the greatest despatch, and
the available strength of the army increased day by day.
—Frankfort Correspondent of the Telegraph.
THE FRENCH LOSSES. French reporters of
Saturday's battle at Forbach have already informed us that
whole regiments on their side were cut, or rather shot, to i
pieces—that the Prussian fire, and the obssinate close
fighting of the Prussian men, actually rent battalions
into helpless shreds. We are, therefore, the better
prepared to believe the German account, which tells us
that Frossard's Corps was nearly broken up, that it
sustained extraordinary losses in killed and wounded,
and left many prisoners in the victor's hands—not
fewer than '2,000 having been brought in down
to Monday. It also appears beyond doubt, from
even French accounts, that, as we suspected, Frossard
was cut off from Metz, and had to make his way back
by a long and painful detour ; for we are now told, in so
many words, that he lost the direct road to Metz, and
was driven .south-eastwards, in the direction of St. Put-
telange, towards the northern Vosges about Saarwerden
and Petite Pierre. The Second Corps has now
got into temporary safety before Metz; but it must
have suffered much greater loss than the Emperor
admitted, in the confession that it had been reduced from
30,000 to 25,000. Every day chews that MacMahon's
losses also were understated ; for the Crown Prince's army,
continuing its march from the field of Worth, has found
all the villages crowded with the enemy's wounded ; and
the German computations—which we have not yet
foundhors
d et
combato e u untruthful—put ultohf ul ,
oco —Jou t
say
_nothingnb u m e of Frenchmen
of
r the
ststragglers
lers
who continued to be brought in even three whole days
after the battle. Thus we cannot reckon at less than
20,000 or 22,000 the total loss of the French in Saturday's
battles alone.—Telegraph.

MARKETS.

BIRMINGHAM CORN MARKET, THURSDAY. —At this
market to-day English wheat is from ls. to 2s. lower. Barley,

,cans, and peas were nominally unaltered:- The supply of Eng
ish grain was small. The transactions were few.

METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARKET, THURSDAY.—The
cattle trade to-day has ruled quiet, but Monday's enhanced rates
have been fairly maintained. As regards beasts the supply was
about average. Prime breeds were in request, at Monday's
advance, otherwise the trade was quiet. With sheep the market
was fairly supplied. Transactions progressed with a moderate
amount of activity, at about late currencies. Lambs

were steady. Cali,es were in moderate request, on
former terms. Yeasts have sold at from Is. 4d. to
ss. 6d. ; sheep, 3s. 4d. to ss. 6d. ; lambs at from
ss. 10d. to .6s. 6d. ; calves at from 3s. 4d. to ss. 6d. ; and pigs,
4s. 2d. to Is. Bd. per 81b. to sink the offal. Total supplies :
Beasts, 1,760 ; sheep, 14,580 ; calves, 674 ; and pigs, 70.
Foreign—Beasts, 500: sheep and lambs, 3,420 ; calves, 530 ; and
pigs, 55.

BRISTOL CATTLE MARKET, TIIURSDAY.—There was a short
supply of mutton at this market to-day. The demand was good.
Prices—best, 80. per lb.; inferior, 74d. to Bd. per lb. ; lamb,
80, to 9d. per lb. There was a short supply of beef at the
following prices :—Best, 725. to 745. per cwt.: secondary, 655. to
70s. per cwt. ; inferior, 635. per cwt.

COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE MARKETS, Timms-
DAL—Sugar : The demand dull, and prices in favour of pur-
chasers. Porto Rico sold at 325; and 355. for good middling to
fine, and 20s. to 265. 6d. for fine to good. Coffee : Fair parcels
of native Ceylon find buyers, chiefly at 465. for good ordinary.
In plantation kinds there is not much passing, but the
tone of the market is rather firm. Rice :—Slow
sale, except on lower prices. Saltpetre inanimate.
Cotton : The market improves steadily. Bales are
3s. Bd. up ; good fair Tunnvelly is worth lid. on the .spot.
Metals : - Foreign—tin firm. Straits, £l2B to £l3O ; Banca, £l3l
cash. Copper dull. Chili slabs, £63. Scotch pig iron active, at
51s. 4id. Oils :—Linseed has been firm, at 30s. ; London, 28s. 9d.

Hull, spot, 295. last four months ; rape unaltered ; cocoanut
steadier. Tallow :—The market is quiet, but prices rule firm,
at 455. spot, 455. 9d. to 465. last three months.

METROPOLITAN HAY AND STRAW MARKET, THURSDAY.

—There was only a limited supply on. sale at to-day's market.
The demand was active, at the annexed quotations :
Prime old hay, 120 s. to 1325. 6d. ; inferior ditto, 100 s.
to 1103.; prime new hay, 105 s. to 1158.; inferior ditto, 90s. to
105 s. ; prime old clover, 1355. to 1455. ; inferior ditto, 1103. to
1205.; prime new clover, 120 s. to 128 s. ; inferior ditto, 100 s. to
110 s. ;'and straw, 21s. to 325. per load.
BOROUGH AND, pvwFTNLDS, THIIRSDAY.—These markets
have been Moderately suppii4with potatoes. The trade has been
quiet; but prides have 'mew without change. English shawl,
1003. to 130 s, "; regentS, 110 s. to 130 s. ; and French, 80s. to 90s.
per ton. •

LIVERPOOL STOCK EXCHANGE, THURSDAY.—This Stock

Exchange is excited. Consols, 911 to '914 ; LondOti and-
Western Railway, 1241; Midland,' 1244 ; Great Western, 651 ;
Berwick, 1321; Erie, 174 to 174 ; Five-Twenties, 874.
LEEDS STOCK EXCHANGE, THIIRSDAT.—The markets are
weaker. Midland Railway, 1234 to 1244 ; Great Northern (A),
1231 ; Sheffield, 404 ; Great Eastern, 324 to 321; Erie, 174 ; Ber-
wick, 135 to 136.

GLASGOW STOCK EXCHANGE, THURSDAY.— Railways
Caledonian, 73; South-Western, 114 i; Great Eastern, 32k;
Great Western, 64i ; Brighton, 35k; North-Eastern Consols, 1341 ;
Trunk, 111 ; Canada, 131 ; City of Glasgow West Bank, 187.

,-- - -
LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, TfiLmSDAY.—Opening
report.—lmport, per bill of entry, 2,361 bales. There is again
a strong demand for cotton, the run being still upon American,
which is Very sea'•ce, and firmly held. Yesterday's prices for
all kinds are fully maintained, and 12,000 to 15,000 bales are
likely to .change hands.

MANCHESTER TRADE REPQRT, THURSDAY.—This market
closed 'yesterday very strong, and a considerable increase of
business was transacfed at an advance of 3d. per piece on goods,
and nearly id. per lb. on yarn. A large business has been done
for China, and offers for further large quantities are being made
at yesterday's prices, but sellers either asked a further advance
or preferred to look on. The home trade is improved, but for
printers' there is small inquiry, at previous rates.

BRADFORD TRADE REPORT, THURSDAY.—The progress of
the war, and the new aspect which events have been so rapidly
assuming, have produced a more cheerful feeling in this
market, although business has not materially increased.
Staplers, if they sell, are of course . obliged to ac-
cept prices considerably lower than before the war ;
but many of them prefer to hold, even though they do no
business. There are others who are either willing or obliged to
sacrifice, and they have done rather more to-day. Buyers seem
disposed to speculate a little on the chance of a . speedy peace
abroad, and a consequent improvemeqt of trade at
home. There is also for some descriptions a legi-
timate consumptive demand, and that .is increased
by the wire. Thus short wools are skin, and also most classes of
Down wools are saleable at nearly full rates. The export yarn
trade is almost completely stopped, some few offers come from
Russia, but merchants hold them back, and the prices usually
bid are below what spinners can take. In piece goods there is
more inquiry for home and America at lower prices.

BIRMINGHAM IRON TRADE. THURSDAY.—There was a
moderate attendance at the meeting of ironmasters to-day.
Trade remains in the same condition as last week. Of course
north country pigs are much lower than thoy were before
the outbreak of the war, but in other respects prices
remain about the same. The effect of the war has been
to produce temporary stagnation in every branch of the trade,
and so long as the uncertainty as to the final issue continues,

buyers will hold back their orders, and manufacturers will
make no more than they are obliged to make. This applies to
all branches. A decisive battle would immediately change the
aspect of the trade.
GLASGOW PIG IRON MARKET, THITRSD..Y. - Business
done at 51s. 3d. cash, rather buyers. At the close, sellers ld.
more.

CLYDE CRUSHED SUGAR MARKET, THURSDAY.—The
demand continues good. A considerable business has been done
at steady prices.
CORK BUTTER MARKET, THURSDAY.—Ordinary firsts, 1235.,
seconds, 1175.; thirds, 113 s. ; fourths, 1045.; fifths, 925.; sixths,
695. 18,80 firkins in the market. Mild cured, firsts, 1295.;
seconds, 1215.; thirds, 115 s. 1110 firkins in the market.