The Portland daily press., 1870-08-17
ALGERIA IN A STATE OF SElGE.

that prolOngatOn of the war exhausts his
forces His tactics alone show that we have
only to gain time to divert the Prussans from
their base of operations while defending our
ground inch by inch. The passage at arms
which took place yesterday under the guns of
Metz is the first act in the new drama. Eight
days hence the energy which has marked the
first operations of the invaders will have given
way to dscouragement and exhaustion. Our
fortified towns all hold out. Bitche, Pfalz-
bourg and Verdan are all defended by the
army and their inhabitants answer with their
gnns to the arrogont summons of the enemy.
The national defence but just commences.
Frenchmen are ready to answer the call OF the
country. See your national guards Of mobile
and volunteers who are on the way to the
Vosses. In the mountains there shall Prus-
SLAMS find their graves. They have asked for a
war of races and such they shall have.'
The Constitutional says that the plan oil con-
quest OF the Prussians cannot any longer be a
matter of doubt. The German empires take
advantage of the Hohenzolleru dynasty to in
augurate its policy of spoliation to French ter
ritory. In tho department which the chances
OF war have given to the enemy the King Of
Prussia commands at present as territorial
sovereign.
A decree has been issued by his Majesty, the
King of Prussia, and dated St. Avoid, abolish
ing all couscriptions in all French territory o.
cup.ed by German troops The Prussian Gov
erument, which pretends to be SO we'll posted
about men and things in Paris does not seem
to be very strong in Alsace, which will know
how to find means to rejoin the national flag
In the place Of conscripts all men,from is years
to 80 will rush to arms. Prussian journals
continue to send forth their insults against the
French nation. We underline these two words
because Berlin newspapers formally declare
that the war is made not only against the Gov
eminent but against the entire French people.
CITIES IN STATE OF sEIGE.
The Journal Official to day contains decree
declaring the cities of Cherbourg. Brest, L'Ori-
ent and Rochefort in state of seige.
THE REPORTED DEFEAT OF THE PRUssIANs
The Sub-Prefect at Verdan telegraphs as
follows:
16, 6 A. Mo news from Metz Nothing is
known to have occurred day. All day yes
terday the roar of cannon was heard between
Metz and Verdan. Persons who reached here
from that direction say that great battle was
fought, opening at daybreak. and that the
combat and had been completely defeated.
During yesterday morning, at the extremity of
my ACCOMPLISHMENTS, twentv-eight kilometres
from the Notifications OF Verdan, the enemy
has been seen directing his retreat to the
South.
Though this intelligence is transmitted by
authority of the Government, it has not as yet
been able to verify it, and it is. given to ihe
public under reserve by the Minister of the In
terror.
WAITING FOR NEWS.
Official confirmation of the news of a great
victory over the Prussians is impatiently await
ed. Great crowds have collected at the Bourse,
at the Ministry of the Interior and on the
streets.
Important news has been received from
Strasbourg to-day. The Prussians in that vi
cinity seem inclined to retire. Some shots
have been exchanged. The people of Stras-
bourg are determined to defend the place to
the last extremity.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CORPS LEGIsLATIF
to-day were exciting and important. Deputy
Keller said that for three days now troops had
been fighting and no news had been received
as to what had been accomplished. In such a
situation of affairs the Chambers could not
think of any other matters. The meeting of
the Corps must be permanent to await com.
munications from the Minister of the Interior
The Minister of War, Count Palikao, said that
he was not prepared to speak Of defeat that
the Prussians were said to have sustained, but
Of serious check, forcing them to retire and
forego their attempt to disturb the retreat of
the FIench army. He had no official dis
patches touching the events of yesterday, but
he had reports from reliable sources and might
state that the Prussians had been checked sew
eral times and were retiring toward CONNER
cy. He was full of confidence, but could not
at present enter upon the details. In few
days much greater force would be under the
command of Marshal Bazaine, the only and
true commander-in-chief.
The Minister then retired and deputy j.
Frenzy took the floor. In his remarks he re-
ferred to the Emperor's proclamation TO the
inhabitants at Metz as having created an un-
pleasant effect upon the public.
The speaker was here interrupted by ex-
pressons of disapproval and the tumult be-
came too great for him to be heard and took
his seat. The Chambe. then voted ON several
laws for the prosecution Of the war.
Deputy Fercasle announced to the Corps
that certain religious societies had placed at
the disposal of the French authorities their
houses of worship for hospital purposes.
La Patrie publishes an article saying that
false reports have been circulated to the effect
that no.arms are to be obtained for troops. La
Patrie afirms thai there is complete provis-
ion OF arms OF all kinds, and quotes the state
meDt made in the Chambers that the supply
OF guns was large and the quality excellent.
PARIS ITEMS.
council OF war to act on cases of Villette
rioters assemblies here to-day.
The officers of the Bank of France to-day
announce an arrangement of special service
for distributing coin to certain establishments
throughout France where employees are to be
paid.
The Gaulois says that the public is astonish-
ed to find dispatch announcing an engage
ment at Logqueil signed only by Napoleon.
That journal adds that it is countersiened by
Bazaine, but the latter name was suppressed
in the publication of the dispatch, which is
regular in other respects.
Seventy-five arrests have been made in the
Villette affair. 1t is supposed, however, that
many of these were mere vagabonds who were
not actually concerned in the disorders.
Edmund About, correspondent of the Mont
teur du Soir, has been heard from. He is alive
and we'll and will soon return to Paris.
Gen. Causade, commander at Lyons, has is
sued proclamation warning the people against
future disturbances, and announcing the read
mess of the authorities to repress them
Bishop of Luxembourg and several clergy
men have gone to Metz to administer consola
tion to the dying.
THE DISTURBANCES IN LYONS.