Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-09-05
THE WAR.
PAKIS 10 BE DEFENDED TO THE

Important items of war news received here by
cable last night:
SURRENDER ANNOUNCED IN PARIS
PEOtLAMATION OF THE MINISTERS.
PARIS, Sept. 4.-The council of ministers have
Issued the following proclamation to the French
People:
Ty: After three days heroic struggle sustained
by the army OF Marshal McMahon against three
hundre d thousand of the enemy, forty thousand
men have been made prisoners. General DE
MImpflen; who took command Of the army in
place of Marshal McMahoD, who was badly
wounded, has signed the capitUatlon.
This cruel reverse will not shake our couage.
Pans to-day is IN a complete state OF defense.
The military forces of the country will be organ
iZcd In few days. new army Will be under
tue ais of Paris and another army is forming
on the banks of the Loire. Your patriotism,
your union, yOGr energy, will save France. The
Emperor has been made prisoner in the struggle.
The government is in accord with the public
boweIs, and will take all measures required by
kaO, Cheyereau, RigraHlt, DE Gerouilly, Jules
Frame, DE la Tour D'Auvergne, Grande Per-
ret, Clement Duvernois, p. Magne, BusSon
BillOult, Jerome David, OF the cJuncil of min
listers.
STATEMENT OF THE FRENCH MINIS
TER OF WAR.
In the Senate yesterday, the Minister of War
said =" We have learned through various
unofficial channels that Marshal BaZaine has
failed in his recent attempt to free himself from
the hostile armies which held him shut up
Il Al
King of Prussia himself could not help render
ing Justice to the valor of our soldiers.
Marshal Mcmahon, alter endeavoring to
join Bazaine in direction OF the North, was
obliged to retire. In the environs of Sedan
there were several days fighting, with alternate
success andreyerse. But we cOntended against
spite OF the most energetice efforts the attempt
seems to have terminated In an unfortunate
manner for our ARMS"
"Other advces of Prussian origin are still
more unfavorable, but do not appear to US wor-
thy of credit in all cases and the government
Is not willing to give them the appearance OF
authenticity by communicating them to the
public.
"Our reverses affiict us. 1t is impossible for
MS to witness, without deep emotion, SO much
courage and 50 much devotion rendered unayail-
ing. But this spectacle, far from taking away
our energy. augments and redoubles it. Stree
the present cabinet came into power it has
drawn from France all that her resources could
yield. and they still remain so strong that with
little energy and the help OF the nation we may
yet have the last word. Let US hope that God
will help US and drive the enemy from our SOIL
Jerome David added to the above by stating
that the detences of the capital were in the best
condition, and according to competent judges
were capable OF resisting all efforts of the enemy.
Let Us defend Paris on the walls and in the
streets, and, if il must be, We will bury ourselves
under its ruins.
SENSATION IN THE CORPS LEGISLATIF.
In the Corps Legislalit a statement of the sit
uatiOn similar TO that made in the Senate was
given. jules Favre declared 1--WE are unani-
nous for defence until death. [GTeat applause.l
Ii is time that complanceS should cease, if We
wish to repair our disasters lie concluded by
attacking the imperial power, and proposing to
place extraordinary powers ia the hands OF Gen.
Trochu. Count Paliako and the Chamber pro-
THE DECISIVE BATTLE.
LONDON, Sept. St Special to the New York
Herald. "A special dispatch has been received
from Sedan, via Bouilion, September %. mid
II ght. which says The die L. cast 80 far As McMa-
hons fine army and the fortunes of the En-
r.Nr,na I - fNusth Ernva
have already teiegIaphcd briefly the facts OF
the battles OF Tuesday and Wednesday, each
day lighting being terrific. The result at the
close OF each day was favorable to the Prus-
slams. Thur Isday. daylight, showed the French
force reinforced and occupying strong elevated
POSITION from Baziiles, extending down the rail
road to DOuZy, and thence tOMairy, on the liue
OF the MouZon railroad. AT O'Clock the Prus-
SLAMS II commenced the battle, making simulta-
neOus attacks on the French front and left flank.
Fighting at first was confined TO artillery, both
armies firing necessarily, the French evidently
having a weaker force OF guns than the Prus
slams. At noon fierce attack was made by the
Prussian infantry at DOuzy, with the design of
breaking the French center, but after tremeu-
dOus lighting the Prussians fell back. A pause
seemed TO take place at ore O'Clock, the firing
being less incsssant, but il was only the prelude
OF yet iiercsr assault. Attwo O'Clock stimuli
taneous movement was made along the whole
Prussian line, the infantry charging the French
guns. AT three O'Clock the French line, which
had previously stood firm, wavered, and immc-
diately thereafter broke. The battle then be-
came "A rOut. Mcmahon il reported to have
been seriously wounded during the last attack.
The roads nov presented 4 terrible aspect.
TIE French left everything flying in every di-
rection, and throwing away their arms. The
upon cutting of their retreat towards Belgium.
The Prussian trOeps used the bayOnet with ter
rible effect. Night closed on the routs and pur-
suits. leaving the Prussians gathering in large
numbers around Sedan.
THE SURRENDER
The Emperor remained at Sedan throughout
the battle. At half past two O'Clock a message
was sent to the Emperor at his headquarters
advising him TO fly TO Belgium, but the Empe-
ror was too i'll TO undertake the journey. This
morning the Prussians prepared to attack
Sedan, which was not in a condition to resist.
At j. o clock party OF officers, beaded by Gen.
Wimpflcn, left Sedan, bearing a flag of truce.
1t was received by the Prussian advance guard
and conducted to the rear of the Prnssian head
quarters, where the General formally surren-
dered the French army and fortress to King
William. The French party also bore letter
from Emperor Napoleon to King William
stating he desired to surrender himself, not
having any command. Formal capitujatjon
took place at half past one.
NAPOLEON GOING TO MAGDEBURG.
1t is said that the Emperor will be sent under
strong escort TO Masdeburg, but his destina-
tion is secret Magdeburg is a fortified to VII of
Prussia, eighty miles west of Berlin, on the
banks OF the Elbe. 1t is one OF the strongest for
tihcatiUns Of Germany.
FURTHER DETAILS-NAPOLEON LET
TER TO THE KING.
LONDON, Sept. 3.-The special correspondent
OF the Tribune telegrsphs from the Kings head
quarters at Nendres, near Sedan, Friday: "The
battle OF Sedan began at six O'Clock in the
morning Of September ist. Two Prussian corps
were in position on the west Of Sedan. having
got there by long forced marches to cut off the
French retreat TO Mezieres. South OF Sedan
was the first Bavarian corps, aud east, across
the Meuse, the second Bavarian corps. The
Saxons were on the northwest with the guards
was with the King throughout the day on
hill above the Meuse, commanding a splendid
view of the valley of u e Meuse and field.
After tremendous battle, the Prussiaus
having completely surrounded Sedan and the
Bavarians having entered the fortifcations Of
Sedan, the Emperor capitulated at $50 D. m
His letter to the King of Prussia said:- /
cannot die at the head Of my army lay NV
sword at the feet of your Majesty
Napoleon left Sedan for the Prussian head
quarters at Vendres at Z O'Clock in the morning
September 2. McMahOn's whole army, COM
Prising one hundred thousand prisoners, capt-
ulated without conditions. The Prussians had
10000 men engaged or in reserve, and the
French 10000"
REPORTED SURRENDER OF BAZAINE.
LONDON, Sept. SIT is reported that ur IN