New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-18
NETWORK, MONDAY, JULY Is, 1870.

country especially if France intended to assail
them before making formal declaration OF war,
and informing this Government OF the fact lie
said, in this connection that this Government would
do all it could to prevent this calamity, but that we
had no power right to protest against OF prevent
it, if done, in all cases, three miles from our
coast, &c.
Shortly after NJ. PrevosP aradol had left the White
House. yesterday, Baron Gerolt the Prussian Minis
ter, made his appearance, and bad short interview
with the President and Secretary Fish. The subject
of the conference was the safety Of the different
German lines of steamships, &c. The President re-
GREETED very much the state OF affairs, but had no
right to interfere. The Baron said that he
had informed the owners and agents of
these steamers that war had begun, and
suggested that the running of their lines be
suspended. He said however, that he felt sure that
they would probably disregard his warning, think
ing, perhaps that France would not attack the
merchant marine without full proclamations, &C.
The Secretary of State regretted the passage by
Congress Of the act to regulate commerce, for its
failure left the Administration poweress. The
Secretary said that the fact of large
amount of stock in these steamers being
held by Americans did not change
the matter. They were North German bottoms, and
could not therefore come under our flag. Baron
Gerolt explained himself to several gentlemen as
much pleased with the kindness shown by the Presi-
dent and Secretary of State in his various interviews
recently held with these officials. He said that he
had received number Of dispatches, but nothing
that he could communicate to the press except that
several French fleets had left for unknown desina-
tons, and that hostilites had doubtless begun on
the Rhine by this time.
Yesterday afternoon the French Minister officially
inf Of hat
ment had ceased peaceful relations with Prussia,
and that declaration of war would be promul-
gated. This official announcement was transmitted
to the President by Secretary Fish,
Vice-Admiral Porter said, yesterday, that it made
no difference whether the German steamers carried
mails not it would not be necessary for TO
contract with the Cunard or Inman lines. He said
there was plenty of private enterprise in the cOun
try if our Government would only foster it. He in
sists that the matter will be all right and that the
mails will be duly carried, and in good shape and
speed and under our own flag But he does not tell
the secret, and how it is to be done, as yet.
The Postmaster-General has consulted with the
President on the subject and will make public
plan, in the early part of next week, by which our
foreign mails will be carried in own vessels
that is if the present contractors fail to comply with
their contracts.
LATER.-All the North German steamship lines
having ceased running foreign mails are stopped
in Baltimore and New-York Postmaster-General
Creswel is now engaged in efecting temporary
arrangement with the Cunard and Inman lines of
steamers, to carry our mails. Several American
parties have put in propositions to carry the mails in
vessels under our flag. These will receive proper
consideration at once. In the meanwhile it is
thought certain that mails will be carried by the
English lines.