Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-18
WAR SPLINTERS.

The cattle in and around Metz are dying by
hundreds from the rnderpest. The bodies
cannot be buried quick enough to prevent
| epidemics. Notwithstanding that hard frosts
have occurred these diseases are spreading
rapidly.
The government has decreed that all for
eign arms reaching France may be seized by
the authorities, and that the War Department
will assess the value, take possession of the
same and give an order for reimbursement.
Several officers who were made prisoners
on the surrender of Strasbourg have been al
lowed to leave for Switzerland on parole
General Ulrich is among the number. The
Gardes Mobiles, who are all natives of Alsace
are being sent to their homes. great num-
Der of foreigners are already f1ocking to
Strasbourg, but it is difficult to enter the town.
The new French coat of arms has made its
appearance. 1t consists of figure of Liberty
with the legend, sin the name of the French
People," On the reverse is a garland of
mixed oak and olive, with wheat ear in the
centre. There is also the inscription: RE
publique Franchise Democratique."
1t is said that the inhabitants of Alsace are
signing an address declaratory of their fidelity
to France. d.
ment of this war $4,000 foreigners have
sought refuge in Brussels. Hotels in that city
are crowded and lodgings can only be obtained
with difficulty.
A telegram from Tours says that two Baden
regiments at Versailles had mutinied, not
wishing to go under fire, and that rwenty-four
men were shoot.
The franc tireurs not being uniformed, the
Prussians do not regard them as regular sol
diers of France and shot them on sight.
When Napoleon was first apprised of the
foundation of Republican government at
Paris, he lost his usual reserve. 'There,"
he said, sis the greatest misfortune that can
beiall France! A Republic" And turning to
his captors he remarked: Snow, gentlemen,
we have the same enemies-you and l."
General La Mormora, on arriving at Rome,
issued proclamation to the people. He says
the pleJiscitum nobly crowns the national
edfice. He hopes and believes the Pope, as
the head of the Church, will exercise his
rights in perfect freedom. This feeling is
sacred but the national sentiment is none the
less sacred. He appeals to all to preserve
order and tranquility.
The generous and devoted conduct of Mr.
Felix Retard, the United States Consul at
Stras bourg, who was the only fogeign repre-
sentative retained in the city during the siege,
is the theme of warm eulogium by the London
journals He not only protected all foreign
residents, but when his premises were burned
down he took them to another, in the cellar
of which they were sheltered from the enemy s
fires, attended on them, with the aid of his
admirable wife, through the dangers of the
| bombardment and of the smallpox, which
broke out among the population, adding thus
new element to his anxieties.
A Berlin telegram says that from the
statements of prisoners and the contents of
intercepted letters it has been ascertained that
the garrison of Metz is composed solely of
Gardes Mobiles. The French army is en-
camped round Metz, and its meat rations dur
ing the past fortnight have consisted of moth
ing but horsefesh. They have no salt, bu,
abundance of broad and vegetables Vhare