The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-05

sperioI Teiosrams from the Seat Of War.
During three days-from the ID instant to
yesterday morning, inclusive--we published
series Of special kilograms from Europe, in
which we reported the existing situation at the
seat of war, some Of the more immediate con-
sequences Of the struggle and the probabilities
of peace. Our special correspondents, writing
| by telegraph TO London and thence through
the Atlantic Cable to this city, supplied q
variety Of valuable news matter which Occu-
| pied many columns of the HERALD Avoiding
rhodomontade, the sensational, puff and silly
and groandless conjecture and inference, they
set forth the facts as they existed at the
place Of date Of their telegraph letters respect
lively, leaving it to the educated and independ-
ent mind Of our free citizen readers to draw
the conclusions which their own Judgment
would direct.
In our issue Of the I'd inst we announced
specially and ahead the probable failure Of the
armistice negotiations which had been
attempted between Prussia aud France, not
withstanding the delivery by General Burnside
| in Paris Of q quasi executive message from
| King William, in which were Swallowed forth
the bases ON which his Majesty was disposed
to found plan Of arrangement preliminary TO
peace The prominent point embraced in this
despatch was the proposition to permit the
holding Of a general preliminary election in
France, the assemblage of the French Lcgisla-
ture and the taking Of national constitutional
expression by vote on the peace question.
Our pages brought joy during the same time
to many an anxious household and troubled
family in the United States by presenting to
the home members list OF the names of the
more prominent Americans who had Just been
permitted to leave Paris and pass through the
Prussian siege lines. The mind of the nation
at large was cOnsoled and encouraged by our
special exhibit Of the diplomatic action which
was taken by Minister Washburne to effect
their liberation by application to the Prussian
Commander-in- Chief for permission to insure
their egress, as well as Of the position which
he assumed towards NJ. Jules Favre in order
to render the German compliment Of its con ,es-
sion Of useful and immediate avail
The general situation which prevailed in
Paris on the night previous was specially de-
scribed by cable kilograms in the HERALD on
the Sd inst. The kilograms embraced the novel
and unexpected fact Of the institution of a
press prosecution by the government of the
republic in the person of M. Portals, setting
forth evidence of desire on the part of some
of the members of the French Cabinet to re-
store the system of newspaper censorship and
the stranglng of journalistic comment by the
application of that magisterial gag which was
such favorite, and in the end fatal, instru
ment in the hands of Napoleon. Here, again,
in this special despatch, we were afforded an
opportunity Of attesting the moral force
Of American disinterestedness. Immedi-
ately after the arrest Of NJ. Portals, and
while he was still held for an examination in
court, an American gentleman Of this city
publisheda letter in La Veritf, the offending
| journal, in which he himself assumed the en-
tire responsibility of having supplied the news
matter which was printed in its pages and
held in this shape as constituting breach Of
the press law. NJ. Portals was set free in
consequence
Sorties in the field, the result of French
council Of war, the Prussian preparations for
bombardment of Paris, with the calibre and
range Of their great guns, were described and
set forth the same day. Then, again, we gave
ample special details of the circumstances
which attended the surrender Of Metz. The
treaty Of Metz was reported cer6atim. The
spoils Of war which fell into the hands of the
Prussians in the once great fortress were emu
merated and the French prisoners classified by
regimental roll.
The arrival of several Americans from Paris
in London was specially mentioned.
| From Berlin we had an expedition of the
Prussian executive position as it's likely to be
held against Great Britain in her attempt at
neutral interference, as set forth in Earl Gran
| ville's dispatches; and this we regard as a
| point of very great interest in our special
| chronicle of the war and its present conse-
quences.
| Our correspondent in Hamburg informed us
| specially, also on the Sd instant, of the extra
ordinary demonstration which was made by a
squadron Of vessels of the French navy against
few German luggers and fishing smacks of
that port, besides noting the alacrity with
which the citizens Of the good old free town
stood to arms for the defence Of the coast line
should the enemy attempta landing
Yesterday morning we gave special review
| of the war situation in general, the prospects
in the field and the hopes of the neutral Cabi-
nets. Paris was presented to our readers,
with its supply Of food diminishing hourly, Its
economies in the distribution of horse flesh
and all its increasing social exigencies. Peace
was also spoken Of The idea, it must be con-
fessed, was dim and shadowy, but it came as 9
| CLEAN of sunshine amid the doubts, distrac-