The Portland daily press., 1870-08-09
w AR NOTE s..
THE LONDON TIMES PLANS A CAMPAIGN.

THE LONDON TIMES PLANS A CAMPAIGN
| The London Times of Monday saws the posi-
| ton of the French army surrounding Metz is
| exceedingly precarious by reason of the terri.
| Bile reverses to Frossard's and McMahon's
| corps. The Crown Prince Frederick William,
with his great army, victorious in the recent
encounter with McMahon's Divisions near
Woerth, is fiercely pursuing the defeated
French, and rapidly pressing Mcmahon with
the intention of cutting him off from commu-
nicating with the Emperor, and by rapid
| movements to prevent the reinforcement of
McMahon and drive him to Nancy, thus talk
ing Metz in the rear, and making a clear way
for the German army TO march upon Paris
Gen. Won Steinmetz is pursuing the shattered
columns of Gen. Frossard, who has been driv-
en- from his last defensible position, and now
has only the open country before him wherein
to oppose his Prussian foes.
In case he should attempt to stay the march
of the latter, Prince Frederick Charles, with
the Prussian centre, may soon be heard of join
ing the other German armies to attack the
French central position at Metz, or Crown
IluCc l. ItuGiICh w llli5ul anu IT1UCe FT6uer-
lex Charles may leave it to Gen. Won Stein
metz to observe the movements of the French
army at Metz, while they throw themselves on
the Emperor's communications with the capt.
tai, and intercept his retreat in the direction of
Paris.
The Times says, in the present crisis the mo-
mentous question occurs, whether the present
condition of the Emperor's health leaves him
in possession of his ordinary faculties.
THE BATTLE OF woERTH
BERLIN, Aug. 7.-Dispatches from the Crown
Prince Frederick William of Prussia, giving
an official report of the result of the battle
fought at Woerth, near Hagenau, yesterday
states that the battle was fought between the
French right, under Marshal Mcmahon, and
the Prussian left, under the Crown Prince, he
commanding in person. Woerth Sur Sauer is
village of France, department of Bas Rhine,
- miles southwest of Wessemburg, and be-
tween Hagenau and Bitche. The French were
routed and driven back on the fortress of
Bitche, in the department of the Moselle.
THE sAARBRUCK BATTLE.
The advance of the French centre, compris-
ing the second corps under Gen. Frossard, was
defeated near Saarbruck. Frossard's corps be-
gan to retreat towards Metz ON Friday night
The heads of the victorious Prussan columns
which were following in hot pursuit of the re-
treating French, overlook them on Saturday
morning.
The French were formed in line of battle in
a strong position on the hill near Speicheren,
a ton to the west of Saarbruck in the direc-
ton OF Metz. Gen. Don. Hammer opened the
attack and advanced to the assault of the ere
my's position.
The guns of the French, posted upon the
heights, opened terrific canonade, which was
replied to by the Prussian artillery. AT the
sound OF the canonade, the divisions of Gen.
Barnekow and Lit. Gen. Stumnagel moved for
ward to support the attack of Gen. Van KAN
mer. Lieut.. Gen. Won Goeber then assumed
command of the entire Prussian army. and
continued the assault A tremendous fire was
then opened along the whole line, which con-
tinued steadily to advance up the heights.
AT the summit fierce contest took place,
but the Germans carried the position by storm
Notwithstanding most determined resistance
upon the part of its defenders
The Prussians followed up their victory, and
the French became dsorganized and were to-
tally routed and put to fight, being unable to
rally.
Bismarck issued dispatch announcing the
victory OF the Prussians, and the capture of
5000 prisoners, 100 of whom were of ficers.
Lieut.. Gen. Won Geber reports that several
hundred of Gen. Frossard's corps were taken
prisoners. The loss CT the Prussian assapItinp
column was very great, while that of the rank
and file of the French was still greater. Gen.
Frossard, when retreating after the late en-
gagement near Haguenau, left in the hands of
the Prussians the entire baggage in an en-
campment Of two divisions of his command.
Gen. Steinmetz (Prussian) says of the bat
tie of Saarbruck: "The fight was opened on our
SIDE by the 14th division, subsequently rein
forced by artillery and cavalry. A fierce and
bloody struggle ragged along the line between
Saarbruck and Forbach, lasting until night
The nights of Speicheren were carried at
the point OF the bayonet and the enemy thrown
back on Forbach. Meanwhile the 18th divis
ion had advanced from Vecklenger, taken
Rossel and reached Forbach at niehtfall. when
the broken divisions of the French army were
being driven upon that point. Here the bag
gage and camp equipage Of the two divisions
and many prisoners were taken.'
THE POPE FRIGHTENED
Advices from Rome state that the French
disasters cause profound terror, and that the
Pope has asked Eugene for Just one ship to
defend him from the Italians, now organizing
for an attack on the Papal dominions and au-
thorty.
AGITATION IN PARIS.
The greatest agitation prevails in all the
'i.'es oil France, especially in Paris. The patri-
QUO ardor OF the populace is intense The
"arde Rationale and Garde Mobile have asked
PERMISSION to join the army at the front. that
they may participate in active movements for
the defence of France. Dispatches from ,ho
Emperors headquarters Sunday EVENING stoto
that Marshal Mcmahon, COMMANDING the First |
Corps, is concentrating his scattered torces
He has also opened communication with Gen |
De Failly, commanding the Fifth Cofps. lately |
located at Bitche
The Prussian armies, which have been close |
ly pressing the retreatng commands of Gems. |
McMahon ard Frossard, have ceased their pur- |
suit and the main body of the German forces |
has occupied st. Avoid and encamped there.
A council of French generals have discussed |
the question of transferring the French from |
Metz to the camp of Chalons.
SEIZURE OF SPECIE.
Fourteen millions of francs were seized by
the police of Paris last week, belonging to |
Hirsch, Raphael Bierschaffsheim,
and other Jewish bankers. 1t is asserted that
the seizure was suggested by the authorities of
the Bank of France. The financial circles of