The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-12-05
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BY TELEGRAPH TO THE
PORTLAND DAELY PRESS.
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The War in Europe.



France.
PRUssIAN VICTORY AT BRIE.
LONDON, Dec. 4--5 P. M.-The fighting at
Brie on Sunday was very severe, the Germans
being exposed to steady fire from the French
forts, but at 3 o'clock in the afternoon the
French retired, leaving many prisoners. Brie
though abandoned by the French has not been
occupied by the Germans. The French wound
ed IN the hands OF the besiegers refuse to be
sent back to Paris. The German leaders are
losing confidence in consequence of recent
military events.
Prince George of Saxony, in dispatch to
the King of Saxony, states that Brie and
Champigny have been recaptured although
the French brought heavy masses into action.
He admits that the Saxons suffered grievously
THE FRENCH GAIN POINT.
Tribune special. The Tribune corresp pond
ent at Versailles 1st inst writes that the sor-
tie yesterday against the Wurtemburg division
east of Paris, between the Seine aud Marine
resulted in leaving the French in possession of
the village about Brie sur Marine. The Ger
mans say they must retake these villages at
any cost The French at one time occupied
the line on the right and left of Ovanes-
son. They were subsequently driven back
with heavy loss from this, their most ad-
vanced position. The Wurtemburgers were
supported by brigade Of the I'd Pomeranian
of the 9th corps. Both sides fought hard The
French were led by dsmounted officers of
high rank and showed something of their ira
ditiOnal fire. Had not the Wurtembergers
been very steady while being driven back, and
had not the Prussians arrived promptly to their
support the investment line might have been
broken. The French, in fact, merely gained
better foothold for future operations. Their
great want is space to deploy their forces.
A very hard fight took place the same day
i ~, .>cC ! l.oI
out against the 4th Prussian corps The attack
was repulsed and some prisoners taken by the
Prussians The loss of the French was heavy,
including seventeen officers. Frederick Charles
though not unsuccessful, is much hindered by
heavy roads and his army is fatgued by long
marches: To-day all is quiet on the southern
front of Paris.
The first shell fired into the city Yesterday
was from the Bavaran batteries near Chatil-
lon. This was accidental The Crown Prince
ordered the use Of no more guns at present at
such range. If the French try more sorties
there will probably be sharp attack ON the
outlying defences of the city.
Odo Russell continues to receive the most
emphatic assurance of the neutrality of Prus-
STA on the Eastern question.
A correspondent of the Tribune telegraphs
from Berlin Sunday afternoon that the King
telegraphs to the Queen as follows: No fight
ing OF any moment yesterday at Paris. The
French are missing their troops from Vincen-
mes. During the fight of Dec. I'd the French
lost 1900 prisoners, including one General and
twenty superior officers, besides seven guns.
The bombardment of Belfort has commenced
THE SITUATION CRITICAL
Nothing has been received from the aruy of
the Loire. The military situation among the
best informed circles is deemed critical Man
teutfel has been ordered to march to Paris 1t
is stated on good authority that Bismarck in
sists that he must and will retire from Office
unless the convention with the South German
States is adopted unaltered.
AUSTRIA PACIFIC.
The Tritune's correspondent at Pesth on the
lst inst. says Won Beust was before the budget
committee of the Austrian delegation today
and made peaceful address. He hoped for
the realization of a conference under necessary
guarantees and expected that the unanimity
OF the powers interested would secure
the integrity and independence of Turkey.-
He said all uncalled for meddling with Dues
tons concerning the reconstruction of the
German confederation was far from his
thoughts: The general aspect of the affairs of
the world required a country wishing to pre-
serve Its existence to observe caution and to
continue watchful, since the chances for peace
were always in proportion to the readiness for
resolute defence.
GRANvILLE's REPLY TO THE SECOND RUS.
SIAN NOTE.
A correspondent of the Tribune at st. Pc
tersburg Sunday afternoon says:-Granviles
reply to Gortschakoff's second note was deliy-
cred yesterday. 1t insists that Gortschakoff
admits by his answer that his position is wrong
IN law. 1t consents to conference only ON
the understanding that Russia withdraw the
original circular and her pretension to a right
to separate action and bring the proposition
before the conference anew to be decided uron
without previous pledges otherwise. The en-
bassy will be withdrawn.
The English think it Diplomatic victory.
The position is still delicate.
DEFEAT ACKNOWLEDGED.
TOURS, Dec. 4.-Gambetta announces that
the army of the Loire has discontinued it's for
ward movement, owing to resistance of the
enemy, who has concentrated large masses of
troops between Pithiviers, Arthe nay and Au-
gerville. The army occupied strongly en-
trenched position in I. which it will remain for
Ter opportunity is offered In the meantime
Paris is disengaged and will be able to act
more freely, not finding before him masses of
the enemy which it was supposed were going
to meet him, but which really remained north
OF Orleans. The march of troops through
Tours on the way to the front is incessant.-
The weather is intensely cold.
GERMAN EVACUATION OF AMIENs
LILLE, Dec. 4.-The. evacuation of Amiens
by the Germans is confirmed. The enemy as
they retired blew up the bridge. Nothing has
been heard OF Gen. Manteuffel, and there is
little doubt he has abandoned his march on the
north and is fastening with all his forces to
Paris.
MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY OF THE LOIRE.
TOURS Dec. 2.-[Friday night. The move
ment OF the army OF the Loire continues and
there are frequent encounters all along the line
without marked advantage on either side.-
Gen. Sonnis was wounded and taken prisoner
IN the advance of the 18th corps, which how
ever held its position. A second attack was
made on AUTH By Prussians and repulsed
with considerable loss to the assailants. The
enemy continues to retreat from the north.
Tours, Dec. 4.-Gambetta has gone to Or
eeus to consult with the officers Of the army
Of the Loire.
The battle on Friday in which the 10th and
18th corps were engaged, was protracted and
,anguinary, with great losses on both sides, the
Prussians using artillery.
The army OF the Loire will receive large re-
IG is rumored that Ducrat, who is still near
Paris has been reinforced and will speedily
take the offensive.
The Moniteur publishes circular to the
great powers, setting forth the cruelties COM
mitted during the war by the invaders of
France.
Great Britain.
PROTESTS AGAINST THE OCCUPATION OF ROME
LONDON, Dec. 4.-[Herald Special. 1.-The
protests were read in the Catholic
churches to-day: Henry Edward, by the grace
of God and favor of the Apostolic See, Arch
bishop of Westminster, to the cIergy, secular,
regular and faithful, of the diocese: Health and
benedction OF the Lord. Reverend dear brethren
and dear children in Jesus Christ, we hold it
to be our duty towards the head Of the church
against whom the government of Florence late
~ perpetrated an act of sacreligious violence,
and towards the church at large while the same
are assailed the providential safeguards of its
liberty and great principles of national Justice
and the same time were profoundly violated, in
nay own name and in yours to make this pub
tic protest against the siege and occupation of
Rome by the army of King Victor Emanuel.
who violates all rights on which the soyer-
eighty of States are based and possessions of
churches are guaranteed.
Dangerous as the example is to order and
the stability OF all civil powers, more danger
Gus still are the principles on which this act of
violence is being justified, not only in Italy but
in this country. It is alleged that national as
pirations of Italy justify the seizure of Rome,
that the temporal power of the sovereign Pom
tiff has been lawfully dissolved by plebiscite,
that the popular will transferred the sOver-
eighty of Rome to King Victor Emanuel. We
protest that these principles are subversive of
public morally, order and laws. To aspire for
that which is not our own is motive of all in
justice and in itself wrong. A doctrine which
teaches people that they may at any time cast
OIL rulers or change government by plebscites
or single of will is not sound, either in the
laws of nature or the precepts of revelations.
Nations kesindividuals;.a Fares bound by moral