New-York tribune., 1870-10-05
GENERAL FRENCH NEWS.

ALLEGED CowARDICE OF THE RURAL POPULA-
TIoN-TERRIBLE RAILWAY ACCIDENT-MANY
KILLED AND woUNDED-THE TROUBLES AT
LYONS.
TOURS, Tuesday, Oct 4, 1870.
Letters from different places dwell upon the
shameful cowardice of the population, who permit
few Prussians to strip them of everything Some of
the details are scarcely credible The people it is
said. forcibly drive away the Gardes Mobiles and
francs-tireurs who wish to defend them. The smaller
parties of Prussians treat the towns more harshly
than the larger bodies.
A terrible accident occurred between Rouen and
Amiens to railroad train laden with French troops
Fifteen were killed, Is mortally wounded, and 100
seriously injured
The Prefect of the Department of Rhone and
Lyons has published a proclamation in accordance
with the action of the Government lately taken, of
conferring plenary powers On the Projects. He
urges more exact observance of military discipline
He also dissolves the corps of francs-tireurs,
ordering them to Join the Gardes Mobiles. Disobedi
ence of the order is to be punished according to
military law Selone and the other chiefs Of the
International Society of Workmen have been arrested
at Lyons. Nazare the late Governor, has also been
arrested for supineness and insubordination. The
associates of Gen. Cluseret have been imprisoned.
1t is now certain that the order recently issued by
the Provisional Government for the arrest of Grand
perret and Benier, occasioned by evidence
found in the private documents seized at the Iull-
cries that both these were aware that the con-
spracy trial at Blois based upon evidence manu-
factured by the police
NJ Laurer the delegate here of the Minister OF the
Interior has sent letter to the Projects of the de-
partments in reference TO the election, in which he
saws that as regards the vote for members OF the
Constituent Assembly, what the Government DESIRES
above alfSse is perfect feedom in the exercise OF
theelectofal franchise
NJ Thiers says his representations to Russia were
confined to the placing of the Tours Government In
the most favorable light, and to a showing of the
risks of Prussian aggrandizement. lie made no
proposition whatever.
Many corps of Gardes Mobiles and sharpshooters
are arriving at Tours to receive the Chassepot gun,
the Government here having large supply. SX
thousand were issued to-day.
From all parts of France accounts are coming in
showing that the Snapshots now seriously an
moving the enemy.
An officer of the late Pontifical Army has arrived
here to organize a corps of Free Rifles Gen. Chan
dron is to have the command of the Fifteenth Corps,
now organizing here and at Bourges.
In Brittany the clergy are taking active lead in
measures for the national defense. This is also the
case in good part in the south of France The Gov
ernment is thus greatly strengthened and the dispo-
ston to respect the rights of the clergy is CORE
spondingly renewed
decree is published to-day absolving the en-
ploy6s of the Post Office Department from military
service The postal service continues irregular and
uncertain, so much that the official journal of the
Republic has been forced to make an explanation.
The Journal says much of the rolling stock of the
railroads has been captured, transferred to the
northern and eastern roads since the war COM
menced that there is not enough left to run trains
regularly