The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-07-23
FO Il e IGN..
THE WAR.
The Battle of FO7'b0ch.
The Neutrality of the Baltic in
Question.
Indications Of an Approaching
Fight.
AN AMBIGUOUS CIRCULAR,
A Report that Russia and South Germany
are fr France.
Position Of the Prusstan Arnay.
the RCEsrER RACES.
FUNERAL OF NJ. PARADOL.


l. rCNGhAA Or Ms fAhAOOEs
France.
THE BATTLE OF FORBACH.
| LONDON, July 22-Tbe details of the affair
at Forbach, variously reported as battle and
skirmlsh between the customs patrol, pub
| lIshed to-day, state that two regiments of
french Huzzars and body of Urlaner Ger
| man troops, commonly armed with lances met
on the frontier. The French troops imme-
dlately made preparations to receive an attack
AT length one of the Urlaners came forward
and the French allowed him to approach, re-
garding him as deserter expecting q parley.
On coming near the Urlaner fired at the COM
mander OF the French, missed his mark, then
turned and fed amid shower of bullets.
THE NEUTRALITY OF THE BALTIC.
PARIS, July 22.-The Monisea;r, a ministerial
organ, to-day denies that Spain has concluded
an alliance with Fra ace. Spain will remain
neutral. The M0niteur adds concerning the
demand of Prussia for the neutrality Of the
Baltic Sea, that any support of Prussia in this
demand VIII be regarded as an act of hostility
to France as the Baltic is destined to play an
i'm portant role in the war.
THE POPE AND THE GALLICAN CHURCH.
Henry Martin, the celebrated French his
torian, publishes a long article in the Steele
this morning taking the ground that France
ought to break with Rome, seeing that the ex-
travagant pretentions of the Pope are fatal to
the liberties of the Gallican church,
1t is reported to-day on good authority that
Gen. Prim lately met with Prince Leopold on
the French-Spansh frontier.
sKIRMIsHEs BETWEEN THE ADVANCE GUARD
PARIS. July 22-6 P. M.-The evening Jour
nails report that there were several skirmishes
yesterday between the advance guards along
the line of the frontier, but give no details. It
is extremely difficult to obtain intelligence
from the seat OF war as correspondents are
strictly forbidden from approaching the army.
The authorities OF Strasburg no longer permit
strangers to ascend the steeple of the Cathe-
dral because the movements of the troops on
both sides can be seen from that point Quar-
ters are preparing for the Emperor and staff at
Strasburg. The number of volunteers who
have enlisted for the war is $1,000.
FEMALE VOLUNTEER NURSES.
Many ladies offer their services as nurses for
the wounded. While in the service they will
wear costume similar to that of the Sisters
of Charity.
SANITARY MEASURES.
The general council of the Bank of France.
by advice OF the Government, have voted to
give 100000 francs to the Sanitary Society," and
resolved to continue the salaries of all employ
ees called into military service, whether in the
army, reserve or garde mobile.
Vessels have been sent to Newfoundland to
notify French fishermen of the declaration of
war.
CHARGES AGAINST THE BAvARIAN MIN iSTER
The journal Official reprints from the Journal
de france the serious accusation against Count
Bray, the Hawaiian minister. He is charged
with misleading the Bavarian Chambers by
announcing that the French troops had invad-
ed Bavaria, and it is alleged that BY this false
hood he succeeded in forcing the Chambers to
vote the required SUBSIDY
The municipal election in France will be
held August 9Th.
AN AMBIGUOUS CIRCULAR.
The Journal Official publishes a circular of
tie Minister OF Foreign Affairs, dated July
list and addressed to the Diplomatic agents Of
France at foreign capitals. The circular men
TONS the explanation made July 18th in the
Chambers to the Senate in regard to the rapid
events OF negotiations in which, as fast as we
redou0led our efforts to preserve peace, secret
designs were developed of an adversary resolv-
ed TO render peace impossible. Whether the
Berlin Cabinet had judged war necessary for
the accomplishments of their projects against
the self government of the German States or
was nardly satlshed at having established in
the centre OF Europe military power formid-
able to all its zneishbors.-t had wished to
turn to account the power already acquired BY
displacing definitely to the advantage of Prus-
STA the international equilibrium. The pre-
meditated intention to refuse US guarantees
which were indispensable to our security, as
well as our honor, showed itself to be the
strongest evidence on their conduct of the me-
gotiations The circular then mentions the
candidature of Prince Hohepzollern and de-
clares that the Berlin Cabinet hoped to place
the Prince on the throne of Charles V. by sur
prise, believing that Europe would accept the
accomplished fact and that France in spite of
her temporary displeasure would hesitate to
oppose the expressed will of the Spanish people
who were friendly to her. The French gov
eminent informed of the danger from this in.
trigue did not denounce it to the representa-
tlves of the people and to foreign powers. All
have felt that Prussia was alone in her I'M
scrupulous policy, and that knowing herself to
be without the support of common right she
has nevertheless sought to impose upon
Europe further abuse of so dangerous
an extension OF her influence France
took up the cause Of the balance of
menaced like herself by the disproportionate
aggrandizement ofione Royal House. In doing
so she has not placed herself in opposition to
her own maxims and policy or those of the
great powers The circular cites as proof the
cases of Belgium, Greece and Naples, and the
refusal OF the great powers to allow any of
their Princes to mount those thrones. The
circular then mentions the withdrawal of Ho-
henzollern, the refusal of Prussia to give guar
antees and the incidents which have followed,
adding that France ought to demand the quar-
antees since Prussia had already given her
word that HOhenzolern should not mount the
throne of Spain. When in March 1869 there
had been question of his canddature, at that
time the French minister at Berlin told the
King that no Prussian could reign in Spain
Count Bsmark replied that France need not
concern herself at a contingency SO improbable
and Herr Won Thile, Prussian, under secretary
of foreign affair, gave his word of honor that
dohenz0ern was not and could not be can
didate. If assurances thus solemn cannot be
relied upon diplomatic intercourse must cease
In repudiating such pledges, Prussia challenges
France, who now only demands in view of
previous regeneration that the former renun-
citation of her design be made real and perma-
nent. The circular concludes by declaring that
history must assign to Prussia the responsible
ty for war which she had the means of avoid
ing, and which while she affects to deplore she
has rather sought, and adds, "under what cir
cumstances has she done this? 1t is when
France for four years past has RETAINED with
almost exaggerated scrupulOusness from in
voking against her the treaties concluded un-
under the medietion of the Emperor, but to
which she has failed to give voluntary support.
Of all the acts OF this government which has
only thought of the means of freeing herself
from the obligations of the treaties even while
signing them. Europe has been witness.
Let Europe pronounce upon the justice of our
cause.
ADDRESS OF THE CORPS LEGISLATIF TO THE
EMPEROR.
The Emperor came to Paris to-day and re-
ceived the corps legislatif at the Tuilleries.
President SCHNEIDER, in the name of the corps
Sir:-The corps leaislatif has terminated its
labors. 1t has unanimously voted oil subsidies
and all the laws needed for the national de-
fence, thus giving signal proof Of its patriot.
ism. II it is true that he who declares war
but he who causes it is the real author, there
will be but one voice among the nations to-day
the responsibility upon Prussia who, madden
ed by unhoped for successes and encouraged by
our patience and desire to presere for Europe
the benefits of peace, has conspired against our
| security and attacked our honor. In such a
| case France knows her duty and hec ardent
hopes follow you the army, which, accompanied
by your SOD, you take command behind you
ana behind our army SO accustomed to carry
| the high standard of France is the nation, re-
| NIT without uneasiness. The regency to your
| august spouse. She will unite with the au-
thoriSy her great qualities to insure the farce
| given by the liberal institution inaugurated by
| you. The heart of the nation is with you and
| the army.
The Emperor replied as follows: Messieurs-I
experience great satisfaction on the eve of my
departure for the army in being able to thank
| you for the patriotic cooperation you have
| given my government War is legitimate when
| it is made with the assent Of the country and
the appreciation of its representatives. You
are right in recalling the words of Montesquire.
| The true author of a war is not he who declares
it, but he who renders it necessary We have
done all that depends on US to avoid it and