The Portland daily press., 1870-07-18
The Wnr News.

From Europe Saturday, shows that both the
French and Prussian armies are on the move
The French corps are concentrating at Stras-
bourg, on the Baden frontier, Metz and Mez-
ieres, near the Belgian line, strategic points of
value, all on roads to the Belgian provinces,
and from which the army can be readily con-
centrated upon one point Prussia is gathering
her troops at Treves, Caur and Mayence.-
Treves is about fifty miles from Metz, and a
battle somewhere between these points is i'm
minent. The French plan of action is said to
be to cross the Rhine with the main army be-
tween Strasbourg and the village of Bubae,
moving thence upon Stutgardt, the lett TO be
covered by corps to cross at point between
the stronghold of Metz and Pfalzburg. A corps
of observation has already crossed the frontier
in the Province of Moselle. The Prussian
force to repel the French, it is 1umored, will
move towards the French town of Nancy,
twenty miles from Metz, while the. second will
push for the old town Of Lapgues. These are
merely speculations, however, but will serve as
help to those who wish to follow up the
movements of the contending parties on the
maps.
france has promised to preserve the neu-
trality of Belgium, but as this is impossible, 70:
a large part of the Belgium territory lies be-
tween the beligerents, both Belgium and Hol.
land have modified their armies as measure
of self-protection. England, careful of the
rights of Belgium under the treaty, forbids
the occupation of Belgium by the French, and
it is said that she will interfere if Holland and
o1r = Al 4-
be difficult for her TO remain passive in the
struggle. Englands sympatbies are with
Prussia, now, and the action of France is de-
nounced by the Times as the greatest national
crime that has been perpetreted since the First
Empire. The Times also intimates that the
recovery of Alsace and Lorraine, containing the
modern provinces of Moselle and Lower Rhine
is the real intention of Prussia in the struggle
while it is as well understood that the restora-
ton of the line of the Rhine as the western
boundary of france is the object of France.
The declaration OF war by the Senate was re-
ceived in the french corps legislatif with ex-
element, and violent discussion followed.
M. Theirs pronounced against the declara-
ton of the government He said that France
had received satisfaction from Prussion and
war should not be made for mere formality
NJ. Olivier responded that the government
could not do otherwise than it had done.
Nj. Theirs again took the floor, and recalled
Mexico and Sadowa, and said that the govern.
ment had made another blunder. The major
ity interrupted the speaker, but he continued
amidst the greatest agitation.
When silence was restored, NJ. Gambetts
demanded that all the correspondence had
with Prussia be laid before the Corps Legisa
tiff.
Jules Favrc seconded the motion, asserting
that France could not make war on the an
| tbority of telegraph dispatches.
| The Minister of Foreign Affairs replied tina
| it was necessary to make war Immediately, THAI
Prussia might have no time to arm. If any
| other course was pursued he could no Longer
remain in the ministry
The demand for the correspondence was Ie-
jected, 164 to 81.
On reassembling in the evening the follow
ing projects of law were brought forward =
First, to call the Garde Mobile into active SER
vice; second, to authorize the enlistment OF
volunteers Tor the war; third, to issue de-
mand loan of fifty millions of francs in aid o.
the army, and sixteen millions in aid OF the
navy. They were all carried GAG to 10.
In the Senate, yesterday after M. Grammon
had finished his declaration, NJ. Souher asked
if any Senator wished to speak. Loud cries o
No! No! followed M. Souher then said: Gas
PRESIDENT of the Senate, I will state that the
Senate, responding for the nation, approves the
our hopes in Providence, and rely upon oul
courage for the triumph of our rights 3
1t is said that the French government some
time since placed squadrons in the West Indies
and on the fishing banks, in active service fol
the protection of their merchant marine. Thu.
the French vessels will not suffer much, while
the German steamer lines will be compelled
to suspend operations.
The reports from Rome are no less import
ant, and we await with anxiety further intell
gence. A Paris despatch says it is positively
ascertained that the French troops have beer
ordered from Rome, and that panic reigns in
the Eternal City. A Liberal uprising is i'm.
minent
In regard to Russia it is understood in Lon.
don that the most cordial relations exist be.
tween. Russia and Prussia, and that the nava1
influence of the former will be given the latter
in her forthcoming struggle with France
From cordial sympathy TO actual CO. operation
is but step with the Russian bear.