The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-09
France.
THE CASUALTIES OF WAR

| France.
THE CASUALTIES OF WAR
PARIS, Aug. 8.-The Journal Official con-
tains the following dispatches:
Metz, Aug. z, $50 a. Mn the battle of
Saturday, near Reischoffen, McMahon's chief
of-staff, Gen. Colson, was shot by the Marshal's
side. General Rovoult is among the missing.
Our artillery suffered heavily Marshal Nc
Mahon is now in communication with Gen.
F-illey. Metz is preparing for a vigorous de-
fence. The general commanding the fortress
has ordered Germans and strangers to provide
themselves with pvrmis,ivn Of residence.
The Journal says the relations of the gov
eminent of the Emperor with foreign powers
continues everywhere satisfactory and believes
the late events are far from prejudicng the
government. This state Of affairs renders
more significant the fact that what the gov
ernments desire in common with France is the
maintenance Of the European equilibrium
THE LEGISLATIVE BODIES coNvoKED
An imperial decree has appeared convoking
the Senate and Corps Legislatif to- morrow.
THE DEFENCEs OF PARIS.
The report of the Minister of War, APPROX
ed by the Emperor, is published in the official
journal. The Minister says: Existing circum-
stances oblige us to prepare for the defence of
the capital and to garrison it with fresh troops:
and allowing those which the Emperor keeps
under his command to contend in the open
country against an enemy emboldened by his
hrst success TO the point OF marching on Paris,
But Paris is not to be taken unawares. The
exterior forts received their ornaments some
time ago and already We have commenced to
arm tie walls around the city. A state of
siege HIS been declared to facilitate the execu-
ton of certain works which will be com m enc
ed to- morrow Thus the interior forts are in a
condition to sustain regular siege, and in a
few days the entire circuit of walls will! be
found in similar condition. Neither strong
arms nor devotion of the Inhabitants will be
wanting for this task. The national guard
will defend the ramparts which it will have
helped TO render unassailable. Forty thous.
and nen taken from its ranks and added to
the present garrison will be more than enough
to make an active and vigorous defence against
an enemy occupying an extended line. The
defence of Paris then will be assured; but
there is point not less essential. 1t is the
necessity of filling up the VOID in our army.
ments still at our disposal in France and Alge-
ria, with the fourth battalion of each of our
hundred reg iments, including those members
who belong to the Garde Mobile, aud with a
portion of gems d'arnas, we may easily put into
the field 10000 men. Besides this call for
the class of 1869 will give US $4,000 men who
in month will become real soldiers. But for
the struggle we can also employ the entire Ma
tional and Mobile Gardes companies of France
and the frcure who are everywhere asking to
be organized. Here we have 400, 900 men, and
finally counting on the Garde National SEN
dentaire France can then arm 1900, coo de-
tenders. Their arms are ready and million
re still in reserve.
DETAILS FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE CAPITAL,
A decree has been issued ordering the Garde
Rationale of Paris to be detailed for the de-
fence of the capital, and the notifications will
be placed in condition to resist an attack
AN ADDITIONAL LEVY.
A project of law will be issued to the Cham
bers Incorporating in the Rationale and Mobile
Gardes citizens under 30 years of age who are
not actually members.
RUMoRs OF GREAT BATTLE AT METZ
LONDON, Aug s.-French dispatches to-day
represent that actual hostilities are momentar-
lily suspended, but rumor prevails that the
Prussan armies have concentrated and
battle is raging before Metz.
The Pail Mall Gazette says the result of this
battle means the triumph of the Prnssians in
the war. The German press generally consid-
er the French loss irretrievable, but there are
three French corps which have not yet been
under fire.
NEW LINE OF DEFENCE.
The movement of retreat for the purpose of
concentration has been effected and new line
Vosges.
A GENERAL BATTLE
in front of Metz is considered probable to-mor-
row. The Prussians are moving by forced
marches in that direction. The defences of
Paris are officially reported as nearly ready to
resist the heaviest assault, and it is said that
10000 men are ready to fill up the ranks OF
the army in the field, and that the arming of
all adults is contemplated.
GEN. BAZAINE APPOINTED CoMMANDER-IN-
CHIEF.
PARIS, Aug. 8.-Letemps this evening an
nounces that Marshal Bazaine has been ap-
pointed COMMANDMENTS Chief and Gen. Trochu
Major General of the army. Leboeuf retires.
La Patrie says the ministry have determined
to create national committee with power to
act under all circumstances arising from the
war.
1t is reported by La Pays that the regular
garrison at Paris has been largely increased.
Some of the Deputies of the Left met at the
hall of the Corps Legislatif to-day, and while
there great crow surrounded the place shout
ing for arms.
released.
People are assembled in great numbers on
| the boulevards, and there is much agitation,
| but as yet there has been no disorder.
Americans here are receiving their passports.
PROCLAMATION FROM THE MINISTER'S.
The ministers have issued the following
proclamation:
Frenchmen We have told the whole truth.
It is for you now to do your duty. Let one
| shout come from all; from one end OF France
to the other Let the people vie with eaoh
| other in sustaining the great cause Some OIL
our regiments have fallen before overwhelming
numbers. The army has not been defeated.
| To the fortunate audacity of the movement lei
| us oppose tenacity Let tie inhabitants of al
| parts of France, not subjected to the burden Of
| war, rush to the assistance of their brothers in
the east. Let France be united. Heaven
| bless our arms.
TERRIFIED GOVERNMENT.
NEW YORK, Aug. S-The following is specia
to the Tribune:
London, Aug. 8-The news from Paris hour
ly grows more serious. None but official &C
counts can come by telegraph. 1t is from let
tiers and Paris journals that all intelligence
must be gathered. The declaration of tn
state OF seige does not repress popular demon
STATIONS and it is very doubtful whether tn
Government has force to keep order or pu
down any considerable demonstrations. Re
publicaps believe that their hour approaches
and Paris at this moment is likely to ris
against Napoleon as to arm against Prussia
One of our correspondents writes on Sunda
evening that the rage, fury and disappoint
ment of the Partisan population at fndin
there had been a series OF defeats on the Frenc
soil instead of the easy military promenad
which they expected is beyond description
We already feel in state of seige. All th
kiosks on the boulevards are shut at IL O'Clock
Something serious, which I cannot fathoi
now, has taken place, for all the cafes on tn
boulevards are shut. could not get irol
boulevard Mons Mariene to the boulevard DC
Italians l shall endeavor to telegraph thl
l & l. ~ in that