The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-05
France.


PARIS IGNORANT OF THE DISASTER.
PARIS, Sept. 3.-No official information has
been received here to day from the armies in
the northeast. The battles of the past few
days are generally considered indecisive,
though the losses on both sides have been very
great. A majority of the journals look upon
an attack on Paris as impossible now that the
Russians have not been abs to leave with Nc
MahOn and their immense forces in their rear
Paris, with the formidable preparations she
has lately made, would require all the force.
The Prussians could hardly hope for even par
tial success without cxerting their utmost
strength. 1t is we'll understood now in Ger
many that Paris, instead Of making peace, will
defend itself to the last extremity; fact
which will account for the Pruss ian change oil
plans. 1t is ascertained that the enrolment OF
men between the ages of Is and 35 will in a
few days give force of 100000 to the national
army. The ministry has instituted a commit
tee OF savants who will act in concert with the
military authorities for the purpose Of apply
ing IN defence of Paris all the latest results
made known Of chemical destructive agents.
The news that a French army corps bad en-
tered Baden and had destroyed the railroads
and telegraphs in every direction is fully con-
f1rmed. All the cattle from the Bots de Bou-
logne have been brought into the city.
e FRENCH VICTORY CLAIMED ON FRIDAY.
The Moniteur positively refutes the assertion
that Humbert, PRICE Royal of Italy, has felic-
tied Prussia on her trinmphs over the French.
Prince DeJoinville, writing yesterday, from
Belgium, says: The battle continues; we have
taken 20 canen; Bazaine marches towards Nc.
Mahon. Vive IN France
PARIS STILL INSISTS THAT ALL GOES WELL.
The La Public to-day say that rapid commu-
nicat'on between Paris aud the armies operat-
ing in the north and east is still lacking
From private information received we may
state that the accounts of the Prussans are
greatly exaggerated and in some instances to-
tally false. Bazaine and Mcmahon have
fought for and obtained favorable Positions
They are fully supplied with provisions and
arms and it is supposed that they we're fight
ing to-day. Severe measures have been taken
against General Failly for incompetepcy. Mil
itary authorities here have given permission for
the sale of chassepots to the members of the
garde mobile, many of whom purchase at their
own cost and return their inferior guns to the
authorities. By this means an immense null
titude have been armed.
Workmen are being Incorporated into the
garde rationale.
The Gaulois denies that the Emperor re-
turned to Paris, but was privately advised by
Trochu to 60 back to the army.
A number Ofarrests was made to-day of en-
plOyes of the gas companies of the city who are
Prussians
The apartments of Prince Napoleon in the
Palace Royal have been prepared for wounded
French soldies
FROM sTRAsBoURG.
The Gaulois gays one of the deputies from
Strasbourg who managed to escape from that
city has furnished the Ministry with details oil
the seige and the strength of the besiesing
forces.
RECRUITING FOR THE ARMY.
The Montenr announces that the Alsatians
are enrolling en- masse in the army. At Lyons
large bodies of sharpshooters have started for
the frontier. Volunteering is general in the
south of France. This sentiment pervades the
entire country. Peace is impossible whilst
single Prussian stands on French soil In
Brittany the volunteers are nearly all large
and hardy men.
SHADOW OF THE IMPENDING DISASTER
In the Corps Legislatif at the last session,
M. Palikao said that from unofficial news he
concludes that Bazaine, after vigorous sortie
was obliged to retire again near Metz. Suisse
quently battle occurred between Mezieres
and Sedan, in which Mcmahon was at first
victorious and at last obliged to retire before
overwhelming numbers. The junction of the
armies was consequently not accomplished.
The situation is grave but not desperate.
THE STRATEGIC MOVEMENTS.
BERLIN Sept. g.
A Letter from Metz dated ID, gives the follow
ing information: Since the engagement at
Gravelotte twelve days have passed without
giving the French opportunity to leave the
saddles. An army in such case is necessarily
demorazed and unable to oppose the Ger.
mans and prevent their securing chosen posi-
tions The beleagured army with its numer-
GUS wounded, garrison and refugees must ag.
gregate two hundred thousand souls Fevers
are are necessary consequence and accom-.
panied with want and suffering. Bazaine
|
to relieve this misery. That hope has been de.
stroyed by the Prussian movements The first
thought OF the Prussians was that Mcmahon
was fastening to the defence of Paris, but il
was also feared that he might be hugging the
Belgian froutier march secretly back to Metz
where Bazaine was c"oped up and attack the
Prussians in the rear with the co operation O
Bazaine: hence the advance of the Prussian:
| in three great columns sweeping an extended
| line Of Belgian frontier from along the Meus,
to the Aube, effectually shutting out McMahor
from Metz. 1t was the belief on the part o
the Prussians that Mcmahon had gone from
Rheims northwards to the Belgian border. Thi
impression was confirmed by the following cir
cumstances: A Saxon cavalry regiment il
the north overlook a regiment of chasseurs d
Antique. The Saxons Immediately gave battl
and after short and sharp encounter defeate,
the others. The chasseurs were found to be
portion of General Failly's corps of Mem ahon'
army. From this the proximity OF Mcmahon
army was inferred.
THE ENGAGEMENT OF FRIDAY,
LONDON, Sept. 3.-The Tribune's special co,
respondent te;egraphs from Thionvllle thi
morning that the two battles fought yesterda
were bloody but decisive They begun at fiv
| In tho morning and lasted until three in tn
afternoon. Mcmahon was repulsed. Th
Prussians made the attack, firing incessantl
aid furiously until half past 3, when the irin
cessed and the Prussans attacked with tn
bay.net and Mcmahon was driven across tn
Meus en- route, it is believed for Sedan. Tt
surrender of Mcmahon is confirmed by mes
sengers nd by number of Germans. The Ell
envy areAn force near the frontier. Two hui
dred Offices of the SSth regiment of the lin
: who arrivedat Florenville this evening, admi
ted McMahoHs retreat but knew nothing abor
, his surrenderAt Sedan.
, REroRrElsuRRENDER OF BAzAlNE.
Especial to Heald. lit is reported that upo