The Portland daily press., 1870-08-04
Two Prussian Gunboats Captured.

LONDON, Aug. 3, 10 A. M.-Saa rbrucken was
taken by the French this morning. Loss on
both sides slight.
ONE ACCOUNT OF THE AFFAIR
The following details of the affair at Saar.
brucken have been received here: The e nht
began at II o'clock yesterday forenoon. The
French passed the frontier in force and the
Russians were driven from their strong posi-
ton by the sharp artillery FIRE of the French.
The latter remained masters OF the position,
which they won without serious loss. The
Emperor and Prince Imperial witnessed the
conflict and returned to Metz to dinner
THE FRENCH VERSION.
METZ, Aug. 2-The French troops passed
the frontier at II O'clock. They Immediately
encountered the Prussians strongly posted on
the heights commanding Saarbucken, which
was carried by a few battalons. The capture
OF the town instantly followed, the artillery
compelling the Prussians to evacuate it in
great haste. Gen. Fressard, with one division,
defeated three divisions of the enemy The
buildings in Saarbrucken caught fire from the
French artillery and half of the town was de-
stroyed. Mitreailleurs were used for the
first time and it is reported to have worked
wonders. The Emperor on his return to Metz
after the battle, sent the following telegraphic
dispatch to the Empress.
Louis has received his baptism of fire. He
was admirably cool and little impressed. A
division Of FrOssard's command carried the
heights overlooking Saar. The Prussians
made brief resistance. Louis and were in
front where the bullets fell about u.s. Louis
keeps ball he picked up. The soldiers wept
at his tranquility. We lost an officer and ten
men. The city Of Metz was illuminated last
night in honor of the victory"
After the retreat of the Prussans the French
did not occupy the place. The Empress with
her neices went this morning to the chapel of
Notre Dame des Victories, to offer prayers for
the safety and success of the Emperor and
Prince Imperial.
THE PRUSSIAN ACCOUNT.
BERLIN, Aug. 3-The following official dis
patch was published yesterday:
"A small detachment stationed at Saarbuck-
en- were attacked by three French divisions
and after sharp action the position was aban-
doned, the Prussians falling back on their sup
ports. The loss was trfing. The prisoners
report the arrival of the French Emperor on
the bank OF the Saar at II o'clock this morning
THE MITREAILLEURs.
METZ, Aug 3.-Yesterday when the heights
OF SaarDuck were occupied battery of mtre-
allleurs played upon the enemy's position in
the presence of the Emperor and Prince I'm
perlal. The Emperor ordered the officer in
charge not to fire unless it was necessary. hut
afterwards a detachment of the enemy was SO
near the railway, at a distance of 1900 metres,
aud was fired at and left half their number on
the field. A second detachment met the same
tate, after which the enemy was forced to re-
euC. luc pTiSOu6rS taken C0Qt6SS the SuDprlOr.
ity OF the French guns
HARDsHIPs OF ARMY LIFE.
LONDON, Aug 3.-The Prussian troons in
the field suffer from the nsufficiercy of camp
eqnipage. They have no shelte. tents, and
large bodies OF men are compelled to sleep on
the ground without protection from the in
c,emency OF the weather A constant ex-
change OF shots is going on between the sharp
shooters AL along the line and ammunition
squandered.
THE ARMY TO TAKE THE OFFENSIVE.
LONDON, Aug. 3.-An immense entrenched
camp is being prepared between Frankfort
and Mayence. The Berlin correspondent de-
clares that the Prussian aImy is ready to take
the offensive and carry the war into France.
HUMILIATING CONFESSION.
LONDON, Aug. SIT is generally admitted
by the French that their hesitancy bas sacri-
have overwhelmed Germany, but France is
now compelled to act mainly on the defensive.
ANOTHER sKIRMIsH.
PARIS, Aug. 3.-The advanced posts of Mar
shall Bazaine's corps had brush to-day with
the enemys sbarpshooters. Several of the
latter we're killed. The French suffered no
loss.
TEE VALUE OF sAARBRUCH.
The Figaro claims the victory at Saarbruck
as one OF great Importance The Emperor
wished to gain possession of SaarbrGck because
it commands the valley OF Saar and the rail-
way to Treves. The latter cannot be of any
service to the enemy.
Advices from Basic aunou ice that large
force of Wortemburg troops had arrived in
fall of English Consuls is considered at Basic
as certain sign of the Intervention of Eng
land.
NvvAL BATTLE.
A combat is reported to have taken place on
he Baltic, during which two Prussian gun
boats were captured.
THE POPE ACCEPTS THE SITUATION |
LONDON, Aug. st is reported from Rome |
nat the rope accepts the situation, ard has |
a negotiation with the government |
Vt King Victor Emanuel. Papal committees |
n France, Ireland, Holland and Belgium are |
making great efforts to raise recruits for the |
Pontifcial service. |
THE EVACUATION OF ROME.
PARIS, Aug. 3.-The Monteur saws all the |
engagements for the evacuation of Rome have
,een terminated between France and Italy,
me latter government will issue declaration l
ewing renewed force to the September conveu- |
ion. The affair may now be con sdered as |
egulated to the satisfaction of all parties inter-
.sted
Great Britain.
DUTCH OPINION OF THE AFFAIR.
LONDON, Aug. "a telegram from Amster- |
lam confirms the report of the French exploit |
1t Saarbruck, but calls it a coup de theatre to |
act on Paris, and not military success. The |
russians regarded Saarbruck as a position |
without military value aud entrusted it to Only |
.wo companies.
THE PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. |
NEW YORK, Aug 3-The following 8 a
'pecial to the Tribune:
London, Aug 3-The disappointment at Mr..
] ladstone's failure to make positive declara- |
ion to protect Belgium on Monday night seems |
ar more general and even more Indignant than |
yesterday described it. Throughout his speech |
he House had an air of painful waiting, chang |
ng at IFS close to one OF unsatisfed expecta- |
ion. To-day the people are no longer silent. |
The liberals and conservatives complain bitter