The Hawaiian gazette., 1870-09-07

LONDON, July 9sth
special correspondent Of the New York Tribune
at Metz on Sunday night sent the followIngiettsr.
containing the first clear statement of the French
position and plans:
l left Hagenau near the Rhnel on the Goth, tax
ing the train by line which leads past Bitche and
saarguemlnes to Metz Along this line warlike pre-
partitions of every kind are to be seen. passed
field batteries, parked and complete, In different
shutting places, until got tired of looking at them
We saw more than one single party of horsenen
and one whole regiment walking along the highway,
which, just before arrived at the vosges Mount
aims, parallel with the rails. The regiment
seemed in the highest spirits as they waived their
hands and spurred their jaded steeds into trot.
We arrived at the Vosges in the afternoon about4
o'clock This range Of hills, which takes its rise
near Belfort runs parallel with the Rhine until it
slopes down to the lowiands about Cobentz and
Mayence, where the Strasburg Btche and Metz lines
pierce the range. The Vosges have always been
considered the second line of defense Of France on
the East There is society called the French IRE
neries Of the Vosges, which, on a small scale bears
some resemblance to our volunteers. As self
organized force 1t seems contrary to the military
genius Of France. They have always been consid-
cred in an amusing light by the French journals,
which are now, however, expressing astonshment
at finding that the bands of the vosges are seriously
demanding permission to elect a General to COOP
crate with the regular forces.
After winding for some time through defle, be-
fore we had altogether discussed the western slopes
Of the Vosges arrived at Bitche asmall fortified
place. We passed camp after camp, many OF them
small, but everything evinced that they the out
laying parts of huge force. From Bitche to saar-
guemlues is about 20 miles; and throughout this
distance of 20 miles, or 90 miles in ALL the line con-
stantly approaches within few miles ofthe frontier
between Bitche and Saarguemines, their numbers
have evidently inspired the French confidence but
beyond the latter post, 1t clear that the line
(Which, as it leads from Metz to Btche s Just now
ofextraordinary mporance,) was carefully plcketed
OF course l only saw portion OF the precautions
taken but could observe that at important points,
such those where roads crossed the line there are
camps of cavalry and artillery combined. These
were evidently placed to support the videttes and
pickets, which guarding the frontier from sur
prise. When we got abou. 80 miles west ofSaargue-
mines, the aspect of affairs became tamer and We
did not camps oftener than In ten miles,
and only passed at the stations occasionally trains
laden with supply material and personal goods; but
the line from Strasburg to some distance beyond
impressions not likely to be effaced by stronger
ones. fear cannot reduce these impressions to
writing; but some faint idea may be conveyed by
imagining crammed railway line in which all the
trains were filed with soldiers cheering and being
cheered; the stations lined with sympathizing spec
tators; trucks laden with guns in such numbers
that ceased to take interest in them the roads,
when they could be from the trains encumbered
with cavalry and lastly, for the very least twenty
miles between Btche and saarguemines, 1t was so
thick that could hardly make out whether l was
passing through one several camps. An abund-
ance of food, forage and wood stored along the
line. This last puzzled me until l found that this
portion of the French railroads supplied with
coal from the Prussians mines, which, II Is feared
the Prussians will food before abandoning. But
feature struck conspicuous by its absence;
there was but little show of baggage or baggage
imals. 1 saw, also none Of the droves of cattle
which might have been expected to be seen with q
large army.
Dispatches received from Thionville, sierck Q1
miles north of Thionville), st. Avoid, Metz and
Btche, state that the army has commenced to move
to the frontier. The Imperial Guard has already
started 1t is now thought certain thatthe Emperor
designs closing in on the Prussans between Thion-
vile ION the Moselle), and Weissenburg (near the
Rhne), throwing an army on the German side Of
the Rhine This army is composed of three corps,
commanded by Generals Failley, DouDai, and Mac
Mahon. An attack will be made by the Baltic fleet
on Stralesund north of Berlin.
France denies the authenticity Ct the secret treaty
said to have been offered to Prussia.
METZ, August g.
Yesterday, when the heights OF saarbruck were
occupied, battery of Atrailleuese played upon
the enemys position in presence Of the Emperor.
He ordered the officer in charge not to fire unless it
was necessary, IS the Prussans were hidden in the
prairie; but afterwards, detachment Of the enemy
was seen the railway at distance Of 1000 met
res, and was fred at and left half their number
the field. The second detachment met the same
fate: after which the enemy feared to appear. The
prisoners taken confess to the superiority Of the
/ French guns.