Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-24

LONDON, Jan. 28.-The line of battle before
Paris on the 18th reached from Moutretout TO
| Lacelle, and the French numbered 100 900, sup
ported by powerful force of artillery.
Trochu, in his report, says: "The day which
commenced successfully did not terminate as
we could have wished. The enemy, at the first,
was surprised, but, subsequently, concentrated
| great masses of artillery and infantry and at
three O'Clock in the afternoon, our left reCeded.
! We resumed, at nightfall the offensive, but
were unable TO hold the heights which we had
taken. The struggle was sanguinary. We have
asked for an armistice. The Germans have re-
| fused the French request for an armistice to
bury the dead before Paris, because the applica-
| ton was merely verbal. The out posts have,
however, mutually facilitated the removal of the
wounded"
tits said that the garrison of Paris would not
renew the attack upon the Germans, because
| Trochu was appraised of Chanzy's defeat.
| Private letters from Paris state that the last
meeting of the council of defence was stormy.
| Urgent demands were made upon Trochu for
| grand sortieS. The general proposed to resign,
and the council appointed Vinoy, Frebault and
| Clement Thomas triumvirate to replace Trochu.
| Subsequently, however, the council receded
from the responsibility of changing the plans for
the defence of Paris, and Trochu was fully sus-
| tanned.
A correspondent of the Telegraph reports that
the only effect of the bombardment upon the
city has been the destruction of some old houses
and woodyards, and the German fire, lately, has
| been harmless.
Paris advces of the 18th represent that Favre
| is seriously III. The victims Of the lombard
ment in killed and wounded already numbered
thirty-nine children, forty-nine women, and
| SeYenty-two men.
A World special says: "Advices from Paris
| state that, at the council on Friday, Trochu an
nounced his opinion that if hope for assistance
from theoutside should bedisappointed, it would
| be his duty to surrender before the Germans de-
stroyed the public buildings and fired the center
of the city. The civil members of the council
disagreed with Trochu, and he resigned; but he
| again accepted the command, after hot quar-
| rel. The spirit of the populace is still I'M
| daunted."
Jan. 23-2 P. M.-Advices from inside Paris,
| 21St, have been received. Great dissatisfaction
and dependency prevail in consequence of Gen.
Irochu's failure in his last efforts to break
| the lines of the enemy. 1t is reported that a
large and available force of artillery and infan-
| try reserves took no part in the actions. Tro-
chu's policy is loudly denounced, as weak and
| temporizng.
The bombardment of St. Denis is progressing
| tayOrably. The fort is almost sienced Several
fires, in the town of st. Denis, and also within
the walls of Paris, were observed to-day.
| FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE SoRTIE.
| VERSAILLES, Jan. 20-Herald special: Great
excitement exists throughout the German
| lines. The sortie yesterday has already been
officially reported at headquarters. 1t was the
| last desperate attempt of the French to break
their tolls. During the assault on the German
entertainments, many French leaders displayed
reckless bravery, urging Their men desperately,
but without effect. In some instances the
French fought with fury, evidently heightened
by strong drink and other causes, but all efforts
OF the leaders were in VAN. The French, after
firing, turned and fled, or dropped to the
ground, aud threw away their arms. The first
dash, early in the morning, was made from
the direction of the Bots de Boulougne toward
the entertainments opposite Fort Montretout,
and was successful,
The Germans fell back from their positions,
which were held by the French till evening. An
immense mass of the French kept pouring out
evidently concentrating for an attack upon ST.
Cloud and Versailles. There was tremendous
commotion here. Large bodies of picked troops
were moved to the front, and, amidst the roar
OF the guns of Fort Valerien, a general attack
was made along the lines to the west and
southwest. The advancing columns were met
by a steady fire from the battery of SevreS,
which, while adding to the roar, kept up a con-
slant shelling on the bois de Boulougne. On the
retreat of the French lines, the German troops,
IN several instances followed them up, attack
ing their former position at Montretout. The
whole French force withdrew upon the slopes of
Eaieren, under shelter of the guns of that fort.
report is current that Trochu has asked for an
entire armistce, but this is doubtful.
The Germans granted q temporary truce for
the purpose of gathering the wounded, and Off
GERS on duty at the outposts say that large
masses of men, dimly observable, with lanterns
and stretchers, were occupied during the whole
night at the mournful work. To-day the air is
filled with rumOrs of a capitulation. The gen.
eral feeling is that the end is close at hand, and
news of the entire defeat of Faidherbe and the
probable humiliation of Bourbakps army
strengthen this belief.
Tomorrow morning parlementdire will be
sent to Gen. Trochu, with information of Faid-
herbe'S defeat. The prisoners captured yester-
day concur in the statement that yesterdays
sortle was the last desperate effort of the be-
sleged. They say the men were disinclined to
night, and that they were actually driven to the
front, like sheep to the slaughter. An order,
issued by Trochu before the sortie, notified the
army that Sll soldiers retIeating or Sinking
would be shot. special guard was placed in
the rear to carry out the provisions of this Order
The troops We're all supplied with extra food
and liquor. 1t is believed that the assault will
be renewed when the weather becomes clear,
but the result can be no longer doubtful There
is nothing for the troops in Paris but additional
slaughter, unless the present failure should lead
to equalization,
FROM LILLE.
LONDON, Jan. pa dispatch from Lille Dist
reports the utmost CONSERVATION, and women
and children are flying from the city. Troops
are arriving in pitiable state. Gambetta has
arrived at Lille, and delivered an address before
the enthusiastic throngs of people, in which he
advocated resistance to the enemy to the bitter
cry for peace at any price. He repudiated any
intention or desire, on his part, for dictator
ship; urged the people and army to do their
duty, and prophesied final triumph for the
French arms.
Gambetta, in another speech at Lille OK
pressed confidence in Faidherbe, to which he
added that the general would continue his re-
sistance to the enemy, and must, in tue end, be
successful. Gambetta also announced that
fresh levies are to be raised for the armies of
France trg Nunro fba Of
great enthusiasm among the people.
cambria was summoned to surrender by three
O'Clock, yesterday afternoon. A general panic
ensued among the people. The Germnas were
approaching, and the cannonading was adible
Faidherbe and staff have gone to Doual and
Favre to Lille. The whereabouts of.one division
of the army are unknown
The attempt by the French from Langres, to
surprise the Germans at Chaumont, miscarried
Gen. Treskow captured the strongly fortified
woods at Tables, Bailey and the village of Pc
rons. Five officers and eighty men were taken.
The German loss was considerable. The Ger
mans are entering the departments of Calvados
and Orne.
The army of the north is rapidly resuming its
organization.
n LILLE, Jan. 23-Gen. Faidherbe issues hope
ful order, saying that, after a short interval of
rest, the army OF the north will again confront
the invader.
THE NEWLY MADE EMPEROR.
VERSAILLES, Jan. 23.-Emperor William an
nounces to the army the acceptance of the i'm
peral dignity, and acknowledges that its bravery
and endurance have FASTENED the unifeation Of
Germany. He solemnly charges the army ever
to remain the strong arm of the fatheriand.
THE EUxINE CONFERENCE.
LONDON, Jan. 23.-Bismarck has in a note in
reply to Favre's request for safe conduct, de
elined to enter upon any such negotiation. His
reasons therefor are given in the following sum-
mary of a note: Bismarck says: Presuming
that the authority of the national government
has not been recognized by the French nation,
the military government formerly allowed Favre
to pass without preiudicing the question of re-
cognition. 1t is now impossible to give Favre
| safe conduct to pass the German lines, because
his declaration that the invitation to take part
| in the proceedings of the conference would be
recognition Of the republic. In conclusion, Bis
marck pointedly inquiries whether it is advisable
for Favre to proceed to London, since the inter
ests at stake at Paris for Germany and France
completely overshadow the eastern question.
Favre had held consultation with the mayors
of Paris as to the propriety of bis proposed "trip
to London. The mayors were divided in opiu-
ion, and no decision has yet been made.