The New York herald., 1871-02-04

nave received tue I0llowing despatch
from the New YORK HERALD correspondent
at Versailles, dated January 81. Your cor
respondent writes =
QUIET OCCUPATION OF THE FORTS.
By fifteen minutes past three o'clock on
Sunday afternoon the French had completely
evacuated all the forts surrounding Paris, and
forty-six regiments of Germans Immediately
took possession of them. BY ten minutes
past four o'clock the colors of the German
empire foated over all the forts The occu-
patton proceeded very quietly. There was
no undue exultation on the part of the victo-
rious soldiers, and no signs OF evaporation
exhibited by the defeated French.
CONDITION OF FORT MONT DU vALERIEN.
Some batteries of field artillery entered Fort
Mont du Valerien, the keys Of which had been
given to the Germans by three French officers
remaining in charge. The defences of the
fort were found in good order, but the barracks
were very dirty. Three houses had been
burned during the bombardment by the Ger
man shells. Later in the evening the field
artillery and the infantry took up their allotted
line outside the enceinte. The heavy guns of
Fort Mont du Valerien, pointed against the
Prussian position, had been elevated to such a
degree that it was found necessary to make
holes in the dry ground under them to obtain
sufficient depression for trial of their range on
the Gorse wood and windmill, from the battery
directed against St. Cloud, which fired good
deal during the siege.
A dropping fire, In the direction of Paris,
was heard at Versailles at four o'clock this
afternoon. As might be imagined it created
some excitement, which, however, was
speedily allayed when it was learned that it
came from q few Frenchmen, who had come
out of the city, gaunt, hungry looking and
clamorous for food
A SCENE OF DESOLATION.
Utter destruction is the only term appli-
cable to ST. Cloud. The gardens of Vancres-
som are much injured Under the fort all the
houses were damaged by the German shells,
excepting those purposely demolished. at
the beginning of the investment many people
continued to ride close up to the plateau on
which Fort Mont du Valerien stands The
whole coountry now, with the exception of
a few sheltered places, bears the appearance
of bowling wilderness.
THE ELECTIONS.
The elections for members of the National
Assembly will take place in Paris on the 9th
and in the departments on the sth of Feb
ruary. The votes will be taken by scrutin de
lsste in each department. (This is the ordi-
nary ballot. The voter presents ticket con-
tanning the names of the candidates he desires
to vote for.) All the detailed conditions laid
grossly in favor of the republicans now in
power. Seven hundred and iity-three dele
gates for all of France will comprise the
Assembly.
THE FOOD QUESTION IN PARIS.
Although the French Army Of Paris are
prisoners Of war; the soldiers will remain
within the walls Of the city till the close of the
armistice. AS consequence the number of
mouths to feed remains the same as before the
capitulation One of the conditions of the
surrender being that no food shall be supplied
Paris from the districts occupied by the Ger
man armies, it follows that all supplies must
be brought from points outside of that region
Of country.
STARVING VILLAGES.
There is heavy fall of snow at this writ
ing, rendering it almost impossible to get aid
for the starving inhabitants of the villages
around Fort Mont du Valerien. Energetic
attempts are making. however, as the people
are in desperate condition.
GENERAL MATTERS.
A war contribution of eight millions ster-
ling ($4O, 600, ,Ooo) has been levied upon Paris
and must be paid by the l2.h of February.
Tomorrow February y persons will be
permtted to pass in and out of the city on
special passes.
An open letter post will be Immediately
organized. the mails passing through the
imperial headquarters at Versailles.
Communication with Paris Rcstricted-The
Postal service-Liusited Transportation
Sunerin In Paris.