EUROPEAN.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 259, 7 November 1870, Page 2

EUROPEAN.

Los'T>o>r, September 2.0. — Tlio Prussians, after the ball-In of Seian, continued to march on Pai'is. I lift march was concl acted in throe columns, and was commenced on the 9th insfct They arrived at Meaitz on the 11th, and at Joinville and Melum on the 16th, at which date the vanguard was close to the eastern side of Paris. Railway communication between Paris and the south was suspended on the 17th. The Prussians crossed the Seine at. Merilh on that day, and occupied Wrcnthonse aud Ernay. Havre railway was cnt at-Cond-ms on the 13th. Pai-is wns completely Invested on the 20th, when tile communications were all cut off. On the near approach of the Prussians large bodies of French tro<>psTeft the city for the purpose of harrassing' thsir* movements 80,000 troops occupied the woods. Engagements occurred- on the 20th, when divisions of the French were'-driven b ek to PaHs witii severe 10.-s, and between 2000 and 3000 of them were taken prisoners. A panic, occurred amongst the Zouaves on the right wing during the principal engagement. A ballooi has since descended from Paris, bearing dospaches dated the 23rd, iv which* it is stated that concord prevails in the city. The report of the fighting in the streets of Paris is without foundation. The Parisians are resolute, and declare themselves capable of holding out. all the winter. The concentration of the Prussian troops has been continued since I lie investment of Paris. The Prussians also occupy Pitheveves and threaten Orleans. The French have declared that theGovernmentwill, in case of necessity, be removed to Bordeaux. L'he Prussians at one time threatened to invade Normandy, but the movement does not appear to have been continued. Peace negotiations were continued for a fortnight. Pie United States Government expressed its willingness to use its good office for peace if requested, but subsequently refused, necauso Bismarck declined its mediation. Hopes of an armistice were very strong on the 13ih, when Thiera arrived in London. Thiera hoped for the intervention of England and other great Powers to compel Germany toi retire. Tliiers had an interview with Givnviile, the Secretary f.r Foreign AffairSj but. nothing came of it. Tillers also visited Bernatoff, but made no proposition sufficient to induce iiernstoff to think that, the Prussians should withdraw. Thiers' mission proving fruitless, lie left London on the 17th, and went to Vienna. He next went to Petersburgh, but all his efforts worn of no avail. —It was made known by the London foreign Office on the 19th that messages had pa.«sed between the bellii.'«rents and Lord Lyons during ten days, but that the basis of terms for peace negotiations had not been determined en. Jules' Fivre then went to the hcadquarrers of the King of Prussia at Metis, whore he was received by Bismarck. Favre hud previously issued a diplomatic circular denying the statement attributed to him lhat the war wns due to the demand of the public opinion cf France. He stated Fiance asked for peace, but would [refer worse disasters to dishonor, uavre met with a iavorable reception, but the military operations were continued with unabated vigor during the negotiations. The negotiations continued up to the 22nd, when it was announced that Favre offered as terms cf peace complete indemnification of the costs of the war, demolition ot the fortifications of Metz aud Strasbourg, and surrender of a portion of the fleet. It was known on the 23rd that the negotiations had utterly failed. Bismarck wanted the reduction of France to tiie status of a second rate power, with the annexation to Prussia of Aisaee and Lorraine, obtained by right of conquest. Favre declared that the Parisians would rather bury themselves beneath the ruins of their city ; than give up the fort roses, and that the war would b« prosecuted to its bitier end. Bidi marck then addressed circulars to the Gorman representatives abroad, urging the necessity of tlieir preserving the German frontier, and slating, that Russia is not, desirous of either interfering with the international affairs of Franca, or of dictating to Frenchmen what. form of Government they shall choosa.—The Prussians captured 2000 of the Guard Mobile at Verseiiles.—The French offered brave resistance to the Prussians as they were advancing on Paris, The woods an ! ; forests were fired, and the railways and bridges wcie out; awa/ on the line of advance. —Noteg have bcPn passed between Bern?toff and Gi-anville on the subject of tho- character dfi the English neutrality. The French obtaining supplies of arms and ammunition from the English: suggested the correspondence. Granville justified the attitude of Kngland.—The Paris Standard says : " There are new armies on the Loire, both numerous and undismayed—commanded, by General

Lamcrt."—The elections, <br the Constituent Assembly have bee 1 adjourned.—lt is r6 i ported that the Emperor Napoleon is prdt paring a manifesto to the French nation,, jfi.-,-be issued from Wilheushoe.—Cremeaux ba% full power to represent the Q-overnment a». Tours. —Toul, after repulsing various iissanlta \ capitulated on tho 21st,, on the same tut'ina as. Were made;- at, Sedan.—-Solar epns ; refuses, to —A. ibkef froni General WitlipW throws the blitne of tiie capitulation of fedan on Napoleon. All the «reat towns are preparing for the defence, and the mos*. resolute Bpirit pro. vails, throughout the country —The offlitlal Prussian reports state that the liases of the French at Sedan, exclusive of wnunded amounted to 87100 > men, including 40 io o f,' fliers: —A report front General Baiaine dated ithe. 15th, states the health of the trodria At Mefcz is go&d, ,and the provision1;! are abiin. dant Vfithin the fortress.—A complete syatam of barricades is b.ung constructed in Paris forming a second line of defence.—The National GKiard man the ramparts.—ViotorEma< nuel ordered his troops to enter the Roman" provinces on the 11th. The Pope protested but ordered his troops not to offer resistance. —The Italians entered and occupied Civita Vecohia on the I7lh, where they were" enfchu*~« siastieally received. They entered Borne after a little resistance on thoSOhh. The Pope lias: been sent to Civita Veccbia, and it appears he will return to Koine — Tlie Tituss states, that the Russian garrisons: Of Poland are being reinforced.—Sir1 Johnc XVning has been raised to the peerage as Baron Lisgai'i —-Bismarck hai addressed a circular to the representatives? of Prussia ab>oad, dtfeilljig upon Hie rieeX'ssitJr; -when making peace, for*1 .Prussia to possess Wetz and Strasbourg,, and? ' to pushforwai'dtheG-ermanfrontierasa natural guarantee for a durable peace, and-.against future French attacks. —Mr. Bruce; in a spp.ech delivered fit Glasgow, and published in the Timed, contended that it 13 the duty of the -English Q-overnment to offer its assistance to bring about the termination of the war.—Mr, Gladstone, in replying to a deputation of \vorkinen;i'epftlled«fchftiwjGiiaaiaonx)f.luLeiraEait>_^, nes-t, and said England will reeosnise the republic when France confirm* it by vote.— The Prussians are in occupation of Orleaus-— The French Government ha? issued a proclamation declaring it will defend Paris to the iast. It has also sent circulars to its foreign representatives to say everything is in a state ofeffieieney for the defence —Great rejoicings in Paris at the downfall of Napoleon.—Tictor ETngtf and Loiiis Blanc have returned- to Paris.—The Prussian Princesses are actively "■- ---aiding the wounded and distressed. Large" collectionsare being made throughout England. The Earl of Aberdeen was drowned on the voyage from America to Melbourne.—Thewhole of the debts of the Marquis of Has'ings have been paid.—The Australian June mails; via Brindiai, were delivered in London* on the 18th August—The half^rearly meeting of the Bank qf Australasia was held on the 10th August. A dividend at the rate of six per cent, per annum, with a bomia: of four per cent., making together £10 per sliaro for the year, was declared. —An oil spring is reported to have been discovered near. London. — our arsenals and dockyards; =ho\v increased activity.—The general opinion i on the national defences is t hat they are in an;' unsatisfactory slate.—Professor Jewett liar iieen appointed \faster of Ba^iol College.— The garter vacant by the death of the Earl of Clarendon has been offered to the Marquis of Westminster. —Mr. Elliott is to be made a peer.—&E Lagrange's racing stud has been sold in London. Afr. W. Lonkinaon bought G-lftdiateur for 7300 guineas-.—The obituary includes Mr. Briscoe, M.P., Sir.Tnhn Ilatchett, Rev. Dr Bagot, Sir Frederick Pollock, Lori; Snmerviile, Lord Middleton, Lieut.-General J. F. G. Campbell, Lord Willoughby, andi Lient.-Colonel H. W. V^rschryle.—The German element in London has lately beeorap extremely independent, of course, and threatsare used that they will soon hava possession, of London, and, of course, England, after the French have been entirely crushed. - ~ , , :