The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-19
THE WAR NEWS In WASHINGTON
Official Information-Ihe Prospects Of Eng
lands Participation In the War on the
Side Of Prussia Position Of Rus
Gia-General speridan to DO Sent
70 Europe to Report on tho War.

wAsnRaroN July Is, 1870.
KEmCENCE OF THE FRENCH AND PRUssIAN MINIS
TIERS.
Neither M. Paradol, the new French Minister, nor
Baron Gerolt, the Prussian Minister has received
any dispatches from Europe to-day. Each waits
with anxiety some 0fical information relative to
the progress OF events but each for the present has
to depend upon the newspapers for his information
BARON GERoLT INTERVIEWS ADMIRAL PORTER.
( Baron Gerolt had an Interview to-day with Ad.
mira Porter and expressed his views pretty freely
on the subject OF the war. He thinks both England
ana Russia will be drawn into the contest before
long, and on the side OF Prussia and that the result
VITA be the complete fall Of the Napoleon dynasty
and the accomplishment of Rrussla's long cherished
extension OF her dominion over the East. Admiral
Porter told the Baron that he had been study
ing the question very closely and that the
opinion at which he had arrived was that
England would he forced to join in the fight through
violation Of the neutral rights Of Belgium, which
France would find herself unable to respect as the
fight progressed. He considered that the reported
demand Of England that the neutrality of Belgium
and Holland should be guaranteed is only pretext
and warning to enable her at the proper moment to
throw her legOns into the field and to despatch her
war vessels to the assistance Of Prussia. Porter
has an idea that England and Prussia have secret
and navies together and thus destroy the navy and
commerce Of France and utterly annihiIate the Ma
poison family. He believes France will be obliged
TO enter Belgium and that that will be the signal
Tor England ana Russia to advance. Baron Gerolt
agreed with Admiral Porter In these views ana
said further that no thought after the war should
be terminated Prussia would back up Russia's de-
signs upon Consi antIpope.
THE GERMAN MAIL STEAMERS
Secretary Fish's request OF the French government
to allow German vessels carrying the United States
mails to enter Prussian aud French ports unmolest-
cd Is still causing good deal Of comment here. 1t
is thought that France may accede to the request
after ALL Of least some OF the authorities here are Of
that opinion, believing that the Emperor Napoleon
desires to adopt The most liberal policy in regard TO
the freedom Of the malls and private property 10
enemies ships. u
GENERAL SHERIDAN TO BE SENT TO EUROPE.
The President has decided to send General Sneri
dan to Europe to observe and report upon the opera
tons Of the conendIng forces on the Continent be-
sides two or three members Of his stan. Sheridan
VIII probably be accompanied by several officers re-
presenting the artillery, engineer and infantry
branches Of the service. He was telegraphed to-day
and advised Of the wishes OF the President and 10 Is
expected he will arrive here in few days and leave
immediately for Europe.
AMERICAN OFFICERS WATCHING TIE RIVAL FLEETS.
The Secretary OF the Navy has instructed several
prominent offlcers Of the navy now In Europe to
watch the operations Of the rival Meets Of Prussia
and France with view or noting and reporting any
new improvements in naval warfare.
TIE INErFIClENCY OF THE NAvY--ANorHFR INSTANCE
OF MISTAKEN gconoMY.
The failure Of Congress TO make any adequate ap-
preparations for the navy or to pass any measure
tending to make that branch OF the public service
more eflcient, 10 keenly felt by the Navy Depart
ment now, in view Of the unexpected complica-
lions which have arisen in Europe. 1t 10 estimated
that couple Of the first class Iron. cads Of either
Franco or England would be more than q match for
any half dozen vessels our navy. But, aside from