The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-10-08
FROM EUROPE.
Tho War.

The War.
The announcement in our last based on late
kilograms from London, that Russia had virtu.
ually declared war against Prussia, was certain.
ly premature. Russia is evidently arming, and
rate to indicate a purpose of some kind, but
there is no evidence that she contsmplates inter.
ference between Prussia and France. n. Theirs,
who had gone to St. Petersburg to intercede for
France, met with q very cool reception. A des-
patch says, His mission entirely failed. The
Emperor refused him an interview, while Cart
sshakoff said he could hold no official intercourse
with man whose svowed mission wa. 70 create
distrust and enmity on the par. of Russia to-
wards friendly power. Thiers expresses the
conviction that France has nothing to hope from
Russia"
Meantime the Prussians, amid frequent sorties
from the city, some more or less successful and
others easily repulsed, is slowly bu. surely
drawing Gordon around Paris that must make
ultimate surrender a mere question Of time. 1t
is not certain whether Prussia has yet decided
to lombard and carry the city by assault, or to
await the slow but sure process Of starvation.
Meantime Paris has no communication with the
outer world except by balloon, means by which
mail every few days passes between the b.lea-
guered city and the government at Tours. NJ
Alesander, who left Paris in balloon on Tues
day, reports the city admirably defended
100000 IRE behind the walls. These are we'll
armed and disciplined. The firing from the
forts has been 30 accurate that the Prussians
have been bstflsd in their attempts to erect bat.
teries. The city is perfectly tranquil. Nearly
all the shops are open a. usual, and the public
squares are occupied by troops, which are drilled
and exercised. At 10 o'clock in the evening all
the cafes are closed, and q constant watch is
kept during the night. The forts are supplied
with electric lights, which are found to be ad.
mirably adapted against surprises. There is
neither butter nor fruit to be had anywhere in
the city, and fresh meat will soon be scarce.
There is, however, no lack Of salt and provisions,
and the -four supply is sufficient for six months.
The garrison at Metz makes sorties every day,
but without important results. The French are
always driven back with loss. Marshal Bazaine,
10 command there, adheres 10 the Emperor. The
besieged are constantly sending up balloons.
The French fleet to the Baltic has returned
to Cherbourg.
There is nothing definite in regard to the ef.
forts Of other powers to bring about peace A
London deapatch Of the 9Th says:
Couriers are daily passing between London
and st. Petersburg and the Prussian headquar.
ters. 1t is believed that England and Russia
are paving the way for an armisti,e. It is re-.
ported that both the Mecklenburps will be in.
corporated into Prussia, the grand dukes to have
Alsace and Lorraine ceded to them in compen.
sation.
The Emperor is "enjoying" himself as a
guest OF Wilhelmshohe. He il in perfec,
health, surrounded by large retinue, and takes
daily exerlse on horseback, but receives no com
pany. .......
IrALY.-The 7leJescitum has been carried in
favor of removing the capital to Rome by nearly
unanimous vote. Aatonelli has resigned as
secretary of the state TO the Pope and Cardinal
Capazi takes his place.