The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-08-01

Luxembourg failing, France repeated hef for.
mer Propositions, making the specifications
clear in regard to the acquisitions of Belgium
py France and South Germany by Prussia
Inese last propositions were promulgated Dy
Count Benedict himself, and it is improbable
that he wrote them without the authority OF
the Emperor, as they are the same which were
made four years ago under threat OF war as
the alternative of their refusal. ANY one ac-
qualnted with these antecedents mist pave
known that had Prussia acquiesced in the selZ
ure of Belgium France would soon have found
another Belgium in Prussian territory.
THE BATTLE AT sAARBRUcK.
SAARBRUcK. July 31.-Early this morning
large force of Bazine's division and four pieces
OF artillery advanced to this position apparent
,,Y with a view of dsledgipg the russians;
Iney met a force OF volunteer guards who had
taken position mile and a half from Saar.
oruck. The Prnssians attacked the enemy
with vigor, and after sharp fight the French
were repulsed and retreated. leaving one gun
and losing twenty men. The Prussans lost
eight men.
Great Britain.
sPECULATIoNs ON PRUssIAN ARMY MOVEMENTS
LONDON, July 3O.-It is now thought that
the Prussan army proposes to cross the hnine
from Baden into France near Huninque, TWO
miles below Basel. There is much activity IN
German military circles to-day. The Erench
press, regardless of politics. praise the Emper'
or's address to the people.
THE PRICES OF BREADsTUFF5
and other articles at Paris are nearly the same
now as on the eve of the Austrian-Prussian
war.
ENGLAND's POSITION IN THE WAR
LONDON, July 31.-At dinner given by the
Lord Mayor of London to Her Maiesy's min
listers Saturday evening, Mr.. Gladstone spoke
OF Ergland's position 10 the war as folows:-
'The first idea of England was neutrality; her
second inn for
neutrality is not indifference, nor is it selfish
isolation. 1t is dictated by the necessity OF
mitigating the evils of war, confinieg them
within the smallest possible circle and OF re-
tanning the power to intervene at the proper
moment. Nothing will! be done 10 forfeit the
friendship OF either partp, and nothing will be
omitted to weaken their confidence, so that we
may avail ourselves of the first opportunity for
ranewins our efforts at mediation in the quar-
rel, which is the most mournful and miserable
ever witnessed by mankind.
The excitement over Engand's position con-
tinues, and the Government policy is de.
nounced. 1t is thought that the Government
will introduce supplementary war budget.
There are rumors to-day of fighting in For
BACH
LoFDoN, July 3l.-Our special correspondent
writes from Saarbucken on Wednesday that
the French and Prussian forces we're in sight
of each other, and that on passing through
Creusemach he found that the English resi-
dents fled from the place from fear of the
French, the British government refusing them
protection. t
The French at Forbach are $1,000 strong
The number of the Prussian force at Saar-
bucken are not given. but there is no apparent
probability of any severe fighting there imme-
diately. The French are not ready, and hos
tilities commenced on the 21st of July. A flu
sileer shot the first Frenchman who has been
killed in the war. Continued skirmishing has
been goine on since Saturday.
The destruction of the French railway at
Bitche was complete. The viaduct was blown
up. The Prnssian forces are partly armed
with new and lighter gun with shorter bar
rel and smaller bullet, with the same needle
arrangement. The Bavariars tried the chasse-
pots two years ago but preferred the needle gun.
During the recent skirmishes the Prussians
were able to fire quicker than the French
The cavalry are splendidly mounted.
The same correspondent writes that the rail-
way destruction at Btche was extremely i'm.
portant. The line runs from Forbach, Sane
guemines, to Hungary, and thence to Stras-
hnur