Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1871-01-28
European War News.

The French loss in the battle Of st. Quentin
is stated by the German Emperor at $4,000
men. including 1000 captiyes. Faidherbe
with the remnant Of his army has retreated
upon Douay and Lille. This crushing defeat
has thrown the people in that section Of France
into a state of great excitement, and panic and
CONSERVATION precede the advance Of the Ger
mans. Gambetta, who seems indeed the soul
Of France, with felicitous suddenness has ap-
peared in Lille, and now fires the northern
heart with the example of his own blazing
enthusiasm. There is hope yet, he thinks,
and so he pushes forward the reorganization
Of the army of the north as he did that of the
shattered and disheartened army Of the Loire,
after its earlier misfortune.
The sorte on the German lines west Of Par
is on Thursday, made with a force Of 100000
men. was one Of the most brilliant that has oc-
CURED during the siege. and as it ended,
though emiuently successful at first, was one
Of the most fruitless. In a council Of the COM
mittce of defense the following day Trochu an
uouuced the opinion that if the hopcd-for as
sistance from without should fail, he would
deem it bis duty to surrender before the Ger
mans destroyed the public buildings aud fired
the centre Of the city. Commotion ensued-
Trochu rendered his resignation, which was
accepted, and military triumvirate formed.
Subsequently this plan was abandoned and
Gen Trochu was restored.
The French loss in the grand sorte from
Paris on last Thursday is officially stated at
less than three thousand men. Gen. Trochu
in an order Of the day pays a handsome COM
pliment to the bravery Of his troops on that
occasion
Absentees from the doomed city will be
somewhat startled at the report that the gov
eminent has authorized tie official invasion
and sacking of their houses of all provisions
and fuel left by them. This report has rather
a sensational air about it but it is not Who'll
ly improbable in view Of the significant fact
that deg meat Las gone up to a dollar a
pound
French dispatches state that the Germans
before Dion were defeated on Sunday by the
Garibaldiaus and forced to abandon their posi-
tons, suffering considerable loss.
A telegram from Versailles, under date of
the DIST inst, represents that Bismark has ex-
pressed the opinion that the capitulation Of
Paris was practically at hand, when 800 700
troops would be released to complete the sub
ugation Of France The writer Of the tee-
gram adds that it was believed at Versailles
that negotiations for the capitulation Of Paris
were in progress at the above date.
Bismark is also reported as having stated
that Gen. Bourbaki has been caught between
Won Wcrlcr and Mantcufrel, and thathe must
very soon surrender. In view Of the speedy
closing Of the drama before Paris, the German
premier seems 70 grow anxious as to whom he
shall treat with for peace He wants party
to negotiate with, lie says, not the nation.
The war news from other sources to-day is
generally mea-re and Of subordinate impor-
lance. The boubarllneut of Lougwy c1utiu-
ucs. and it appears that the destruction Of the
town itself is inevitable. The Prussiau cayal-
ny are advancing i'll the direction Of Hayre and
Cderb5urs. The failure of the Germans at
Dion on Sunday is confirmed