The New York herald., 1870-08-01
ENGLAND.
SPECIAL TELEGRAM 70 TIE HERALD.

SPECIAL TELEGRAM 70 THE HERALD
Popular Agitation on the War POlicy-Whnt
is the PositiOn Of the Nation s-Russia
Looking TO ItaIy-News from the Fieid-A
Sharp Action-Rcpulse OF the French, with
Loss.
LONDON, July 3l-5 P. NJ.
The public excitement on the subject OF Engand's
positon-what it really is just now and what IL may
be--ln the war between France and Prussia conti-
nues unabated. 1t is becoming more intense in
deed. The policy Of the Queens government on the
subject Is generally denounced outside of Parlia.
ment and indeed by many members OF the Legisla-
ture.
Ii thought that Premier Gladstone will introduce
a supplementary war budget to the House OF COM
mons, in view OF the critical aspect of European
affairs.
There are rumors prevailing here of fighting
having taken place between the French and Prus-
SLAMS to-day in the vicinity OF Forbach.
special telegram from St. Petersburg received
In this city to-day states that Russia intends to de-
mand In Florence specific declaration OF the policy
OF Italy with regard to the war; and also to collect
copies Of the Official instructions which have been
given to the Minister OF King Victor Emanuel at the
Court OF the Gar
telegram dated at Saarbruck on the 3oth
inst, in the afternoon, states that at an
early hour on Saturday morning q large
force of French troops, belonging to Marshal
BaZaine's army, aided by tour pieces OF
artillery, made an advance towards that place. ap-
parently with the intention Of dislodgng the Prus-
sans On the march the French were met by
force OF the Prussan Guard and volunteers which
had taken up position distant about one and a half
miles from Saarbruck.
The Prusslans attacked the enemy with vigor
sharp fight ensued, during which the French were
cad fl,a oil ,a
from the field leaving one of their guns in the hands
of the Prussians.
The French lost twenty eight men besides the gun
| The Prusslans lost eight men.
| The Situation mt saar brucisen and Forbach--
Army Operations Before the Slxirnlish.
LONDON, July 81, 1870.
special correspondent writes from Saar
brucken, on Wednesday, that the French and Prus-
sian forces are IN sight OF each other ana that on
| passing through Creuznach lie found that the Eng
sh residents had fed from the place from fear of
the French, the British government refusing them
protection.
The French at Forbach are $1,000 strong The
numbers OF the Prussian force at SaarDrucken are
not given. But their is no apparent prob ability of
some fighting there Immediately. The French are
not ready, hostites being commenced only on the
2lst OF July.
A iusileer named Kraus shot the first Frenchman
who has been killed in the Continued skir.
mishing had been going on since Saturday.
Prussian patrol went some distance beyond the
border, finding enemy. On the same day some
French cavalry were repulsed, losing an officer and
thirteen men.
The destruction Of the French railway at Bitsch
was complete, and the viaduct was blown I'D. The
Prussan forces are partly armed with new and
lighter gun with shorter barrel and smaller bullet
with the needle arrangement.
The Bavarans tried the chassepots two years ago
but preferred the needle guns During the recent
sklrmishe, the Prussians were able to fire quicker
than the French. The cavalry are splenddly
mounted.
The writer states that the railway destruction at
Bitsch was extremely important. The line runs
from Forbach and Sarreguemines to Haguenau,
thence to Strasbourg.
The order TO destroy given on the 18TH to pre.
vent sudden concentration OF the French from the
south. Accordingly a small number or picked men
OF the Fortieth Uhans started under the command
of Lieutenant Won Voigt, for Zwelbruckeu, the
nearest German town to the French viaduct.
AT Zweibrucken the engineer, with mines and
wOrkmen, awaited the cavalry On Tuesday they
sent of thirty cavalrymen with mines and carrying
the necessary materials; but on this night and also
on the following one the French outposts were too
aCCVe OT tletu dIlu tney nau 10 retlre unsuccessful
Premier GIadstOne's Speech on the War Crisis-
The National Power Of Defence.
LONDON, July 81, 1870
The Right Honorable Premier Gladstone during
the course Of his speech at the Lord Mayors banquet
after alludng to the home situation regretted his
inability conne his retrospect topics OF peace
He as led, in the name of wounded humanity and
grieying civilization and religion, could anything be
more deplorab!e than the sight OF nations OF the
highest civilization with institutions nearly perfect
famous In every department OF history and the
admiration OF the world, rushing into conflict and
mutual slaughte.. The issue difficult to state
or appreciate, and intelligent mind could suppress
its horror at the spectacle.
Mr. Gladstone then spoke of England's position in
the war as follows 1.-THE first idea OF England ts
neutrality Her second idea Is preparation for the
worst. Her neutrality is not Indifference nor Is It
selfish isolation 1t Is dictated by the necessity OF
mitigating the evils OF war Of combining them within
the smallest possible circle and or retaining the
power to intervene al the proper moment. Nothing
viii be done forfeit the friendship either party
and nothing will be omitted to retain their conf
dence, 80 that we may avail ourselves OF the first
opportunity for renewing our efforts at mediation in
O quarrel the most mournful and miserable ever
witnessed by mankind"
WHAT PEOPLE IN AMERICA SAY.
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The Beliigerents-Famliy Antecedents and