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

FIGHTING BEGUN IN BADEN
PARIS, July 30.-Fishting between the
French and Prussian forces has commenced in
Baden. There are four Prussian army corps
on the Rhine. The enemy has mined the banks
OF the river. Families are leaving Baden for
Switzerland.
A German banker residing in Paris has been
arrested and three Prussian spies have also
been captured here by the police.
Al the Government arsenal in France 80 900
chassepots were turned each week during The
month OF July: In August Al, 900, in Septem.
Der $1,000 and 10 October 60 900 per week will
be manufactured.
Austria has given her sanction to the taking
possession OF Rome.
WAITING FOR NEWS.
PARIS, July 31.-Ths French War Office has
received no advices OF any engagement or
movement of troops in force up to o'clock
yesterday afternoon. The military of the army
is excellent.
THE sKIRMIsH ON TUESDAY
gave some idea of the comparative merits OF
the needle gun and the chassepot, though ow-
ing to the shortness of the affair the the test
was not complete. The Prussians commenced
ire at dist9nce of 800 metres, and their fire
fell short by 100 metres. The French fred al
most simultaneously, and some Of the Prus.
slams were killed.
Minister Olivier informed the representa-
tIves of the press, at an interview yesterday
on"s SuO OovOLuulCub WOuIO place. ~ IcSbriC-
tons on the publication of reports of accom-.
plshed facts.
POSITION OF THE ARMY.
The French army is placed as follows: - First
corps, Marshal Mcmahon, at Strasbourg
second corps, Genl. Trassard at St. Avoid
third corps, Marshal Bazainc, at Metz; fourth
corps, Gen. Count Ladmirolt, at Thionville
nth corps, Gen. DeFailley, at Bitche; sixth
corps, Marshal Carrobent, at Chalons; seventh
corps, Gen. Dovag, at Bejort; eighth corps,
Gen. Bourbaka, at army headquarters.
THE SECRET TREATY AGAIN.
M. Olivier had an interview yesterday with
the principal editors of Paris, during which he
explained the positions of the Government on
several questions relating to Prussia. He gave
the same explanation of the secret treaty pro
ject that Count Benedict had previously given
| relative to the measures taken by the Cabinet
some time ago to effect a general disarmament
He said that their efforts were merely inter-
mediary to those of the Earl of Clarendon for
like purpose. Bismarck had replied to the
Earl OF Clarendon that King William refused
absolutely to disarm. NJ. Olivier said he gave
the honor Of his name and that of his colleague
that no offer was made to Prussia than that
made by the Earl of Clarendon.
The Journal Official publishes Benedict;
| explanation Of the secret treaty affair. 1t is
we'll known that Bismarck made France an of
| fer, both before and after the war with Austria
| The substance of the offer was that France
| should take Belgium as compensation for the
| agrandzement of Prussia. The Emperor in
all cases declined the proposition. The very
moment the treaty of Prague was concluded
Bismarck again betrayed his desire to restore
his equilibrium, and made several proposal.
looking to the combinations affecting the integ
rity of the States bordering on Franse, and
during one of these conversations Bismarch
dictated to Benedetti this secret treaty projec
| which has just been made public, and which
Bismarck has kept ever since. This Accounts
for his hand writing. Benedict gave notice o.
the contents Of the proposed treaty to the EN-
peror's government at the time, but the propo
sition was promptly rejected. Benedict add
that the King OF Prussia was not favorable tt
| Bismarck plan.
Prussia.
| POPULAR ADDRESS.
| BERLIN, July 30.-At mass meeting heli
at C0lOgne to-day addresses wers adopted tt
| the King of Prussia, Germany and the Ger
man Americans, and especially to those of st
| Louis, expressive of thanks for their aid il
| this inpious war.
FULL TEXT OF THE SECRET TREATY.
BERLIN, July 31.-The Auzerger publishes
| circular addressed by Count Bismarck on thu
| 18th inst to the representatives of Prussia a
the courts OF neutral powers. The documen
| gives the following expose of the secret nego
tiations between France and Prussia:
Before the Danish war, says Bismarck, thu
| French legation at Berlin urged an alliance
| between France and Prussia for the purpose O
mutual ACKNOWLEDGMENT. France, anticpatip.
| war with Austria as consequence of the Dan
| ish war, made overtures relative to the restora
ton OF the Luxembourg frontier in 1914, che
acquisition Of Saarsbourg and Luden, whil'
ton on the basis Of language was not excluded
These propositions, in May, 1866, took tn,
form of a proposition for an alliance offensy,
and defensive, the original manuscript of which
is in the Foreign Office here. These PROPOSE
tions are as follows:
LIST, Should Congress of the powers assem-
BILE. Italy is to have Ventia and Prussia til
Duchies.
ID, Should the Congress disagree, an allianc
offensive and defensive will be made between
France and Prussia.
| Sd, Prussia is to open hostiities agains
Austria within ten days after the dissolutio
| of the Congress.
4th, Should no Congress meat, Prussia is t.
attack Austria within thirty days after th
signature OF the personal---very..
9th, Napoleon to begin hostilities agains
Austria as soon as Prussia begins dispatchn
10000 men during the first month across th
| Rhine.
9th, No separate treaty shall be made b
either power with Austria. When a ioir
treaty is made the following are to be the COZ
ditions:
First, Venetia is to go to Italy.
| Second, Prussia IS to select German terrtor
| at will for annexation; the number of iuhab
tants not to exceed 100000 of souls and ii
territory thus acquired is to become part
kingdom of Prussia without federal rights.
Third, France is to have liberal share
the Rhine provinces.
Fourth, A military and maritime alliance
to be made between France and Prussia.
which Italy may be party should she so d.
sire.
The programme, the circular states, was r
jected in June, 1866, in spite of the threaten
ing urgency Of France, and proposals were il
cessantly renewed with notifications, sacriti
ing Belgium and South Germany, but we
never seriously entertained of Prussia. FL
the sake of peace, however, it was tEougsl
. best to leave Napoleon to his decisions. \
word implying approval was returned. Fin
| was cOnnfad on To raunluti0nizA EranCa an