The New York herald., 1870-08-22
IN PRUSSIA.

Diplomatic Efforts - Negotiations in Flor
ence-The Neutrality Lcague-What Says
Russia s-Erance Bidding High for nm Ally
Espiona3o-Skirmishing- Long and Bloody
Campaign-At Saarbruck.
BERLIN, August A. 1870
While active hostllities, at least upon a grand
SCALE have hardly as yet commenced, public atten-
ton Is naturally engrossed by the drift diplomatic
negotiations likely to take, and the neutrality or
otherwise OF the larger Powers. The centre of at
traction at the present moment to be Florence:
for there the future positions OF Italy, Austria and
Russia forms the important subject OF consideration,
and fully occupy diplomatsts. II is said that the
former two Powers the eve OF forming an alli
ance OF neutrality, and will declare any territorial
alterations casus beH
The great bugbear appears to be Russia, who,
while silently arming commits herself TO no definite
policy, thereby leaving the other Powers in con-
slant state of apprehension. Notwithstanding the
semi official assertions that, owing TO the personal
efforts Of the Emperor Of Russia his brother Emperor
or Austria had bound himself TO stand aloof yet
the anxiety Of Prussia has not been auieted as Is
shown by the Fifth and sixth army corps still being
In Silesia instead OF their being pushed westward.
VAST NEUTRAL LEAGUE.
Not In the headquarters of both vast armies we
ing ones, but rather to the negotiations pending
between Vienna and Florence on the one hand, and
Florence and Paris on the other. The league OF
neutrality now In embryo, Is said also to include
the Sublime Porte, which would give 1t at once an
offensive character In the eyes OF Russia. The great
question: however, appears TO be, how far
the Austro- Hungarian views coincide with the
FrancoItaIian, and there are unquestionably great
difficulties to overcome. All these matters are as
yet enveoped in great mystery.
The great gun, Count Bismarck, now being at the
Kings headquarters II is curious TO think that the
wires are occupied day and night transmitting to
him the various combinations In their different
stages and trying effect that difficult OF mat
ters-namey, basis Of armed or non.armed neu-
trality acce ptable TO both parties In the field.
BEUST's MISSION TO ITALY.
Count Beust. whom l still think incapable Of
plunging Austria into dangerous course OF action
has despatched Count vitzthun to Florence on
mission, it is said, to warn Italy against too WILL
ing ear to the wiles Of France. DplOmarists, you
know, Will not trust another further than they
can see and 1t Is evident that Beust fears Franco
Italian alliance at the expense OF Austria. That
France is prepared to make every sacrifice to pro-
cure Itay's alliance is aDundantly proved by the
evacuation Of Rome Indeed, looking at her so.
lated position, she is positively compelled TO seek
c0ate oue colte alliances and that delicacy Is OBJ
served in such proceedings has been sufficiently
shown by the recent Benedetti- Bismarck disclosures
FRENCH ESPIONAGE
The numerous arrests that have taken place
during the last fortnight throughout Germany OF
French spies and the documents found upon them
have brought to light regular network OF espion-
age, with which this country mas been surrounded
for some time past by the French police. Regular
returns have been furnished to the French govern
ment respecting political pasn ana nod military J., AFFAIRS ana
provinces and the principal forresses the Rhine.
Ii Is not TO be wondered ut that the Prussans should
have lately resorted TO reprisals, and we DO know
OF military intelligence bureau established In this
city, where regular counter system has been
organized.
sKIRMIsHING ON THE FRONTIER.
As TO the skirmishes on the Prussian, Baden and
Bavarian boundaries, they have become daily 0c-
currence, and, as In such cases. where two enemies
in close proximity are naturally desrous OF testing
each others force have resulted IN but little loss
into an engagement and the victory claimed bv
each. Blowing up small bridge, destroying a
yadac reConnSltGs OF small parties resulting
horse, FORM as yet, the whole budget OF news.
LONG AND BLOODY WAR.
Both Commanders-in- Chief, King William and the
Emperor vi the French, have expressed their con-
vction that the present war will be prolonged one.
Alas 1t looks but too probable On the part OF the
Prussian King it certainly sensible TO say to his
people that rapid successes similar to those IN 1866
hardly TO be expected In the present campaign
adversely.
THE NAvIEs.
Nothing important mas Deen neard as YET as TO the
operations OF the enemys feer though II is by this
time securing the waters OF the North Sea and the
Baltic, ana you may soon receive some interesting
accounts from your special correspondents In that
portion OF the theatre OF war.
SAARBRUCK.
Oncfal news published at four O'Clock P. M. gives
an account of the attack upon Saarbruck by the
enemy on the morning Of Tuesday, the I'd inst.
There was but one battalion OF the FOrtieth infantry
in that Prusslan town, an open place. not intended
TO be held nor TO be exposed to bOmbardment.
The French must have expected TO meet strong
forces, as they attacked with three divisions and
twenty-rhree guns The Emperor and his son are
supposed to have arrived at the scene at eleven
O'Clock A. NJ, and by two P. NJ the Germans retired
in good order, evacuating the town and taking up q
first heroic deed" of the French army has been duly
blazoned to the world, the taking OF Prussian town
by Storm but Its importance will considerably dwin-
die when IL becomes known that 1t was almost vol
unfairly abandoned by the Germans, whose whole
force consisted Of one infantry battalion and small
detachment OF horse (alG'iS, stationed there as an
outpost only.
Another government despatch states the German
loss on the I'd INST to have been two officers and
seventy men only, the result OF an attack OF over
whelm1ng numbers who made the most OF their
chassepOts and mitraeuses. The loss OF the French
IS not known. On the evening OF the same day a
strong detachment OF the enemy crossed the Doun-
dary east OF Saargemund at Relnheim, hrlng on the
German vdettes, without hitting anybody; they
withdrew. however, at night.
In all these sEirmishes, says the 0fclal report,
"the behavior Of our troops was excellent"
PARIS TOLD OF DEFEAT.