GENERAL SUMMARY.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 282, 5 December 1870, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

London, Octobei*ls.

The Times urges peace on the basis of dismantling the fortresses of Alsace and Lorraine, and a treaty with England similar to the Belgian treaty. A circular from the Tours Government states that Bismarck wishes to reduce France to a second-rate power, and he is reported to insist on the following conditions, namely, that France should pay an indemnity of £80,000,000; that Alsace and Lorraine should be neutral, and that a plebiscite should be taken in ten years in them, which should finally decide their fate ; and the signatures to a treaty of peace should be affixed in Paris. I he receipt of these conditions is reported in Paris. The mission to Madrid asking assistance failed. October 22. England proposed an armistice to allow the French Assembly to meet, and Austria and Italy support the proposal. Russia separately made a similar proposal. Prussia is reported as favorable, provided the principle of cession of territory is admitted. The Toms Government is favorable to it also, but the Paris officials are opposed to cession of territory. ihe Berlin journals believe that the armistice negotiations will fall through, and that the territorial demand should not be abandoned. October 27. The Prussians prognosticate terrible consequences from famine in Paris, while the French say they are provisioned for six months. Several sorties have been repulsed, the Prussians maintaining the defensive till the boinbnrdment commences. Earthworks are being thrown up. To eiiHure success, the Frennh shelled and destroyed the Palace of St. Cloud. November 1. At noon the big guns opeued fire. The Piirisians continue an unavailing resistance, vainly expecting deliverance from without, being unconscious of the reverses met with outside the city, and in every other place. Provisions are becoming scarce. An unsuccessful sortie was made from Mount Valerian. The Parisians themselves don't expect Paris will be able to hold out long. The Berlin press insist on retaining Motz as a surety of peace in the future. Six thousand Prussians have left Met/ to besiege Longwy. Mazzini was taken in Metz, but released.

Everywhere else the Prussians ai-e making a firm footing in France, where they intend wintering, and. the German Parliament is to be convoked to vote supplies.

Orleans was stormed after nine hours' lighting, and the French were driven across the Loire. The Prussians levied half a million of francs in Orleans.

A flying column of Wurtemburghers captured (500 Francs-tireurs and Mobiles between Nantes and Montereaux.

In the north-west the Prussians are ad*an c . ng. They haTe captured Amiens, arid intend to take Rouen, so as to be able to draw f^eir supplies from the coast. % Mont Didier was captured oh the Bth, and a contribution of 50,000 francs imposed. Chateauroux, Chartres, and St. Quentin were captured on the 21st October. 2,000,000 francs altogether were levied in these cities. Latterly the Prussians in the north were concentrating oa Laoh. In the' south** they advanced on Bourses. The Baden corps touted the Francs-tireura. Vosges was-taken, with 69 officers and 600 men. Thionville is vigorously besieged. (General BourbakiV arrival at Tours on the 12th from Metz,.;;j«vith the consent of the Prussian^ gave rise to a report that Metz had then capitulated.' Lille is preparing for defence. The siege of Terdun commenced on the Isth. Oil tfe 26fcti, the commandant declared' he would fight to the last. Mezieres is to be bombarded. Bitehe was invested by 50,000 Germane. Turkey and Greece' have' concluded an alliance against any powers threatening the, conquest of the East. The Crown Prince of Prussia and Prince Frederick Charles have been made Marshals, and Moltke has been created a count. Cbilders' intended retirement is contradicted, and the alleged misunderstanding with his colleagues is adjusted. Negotiations for forming the southern states. of Germany into a Confederation are proceeding favourably. All are for proclaiming King William Emperor of Germany. Austria keeps clear of European complications. Heavy guns are being placed on the fortifications of Galle. Coal beds of excellent quality.have been found in the Madras Presid ncy. Armstrong guns are being mounted at Aden and Perein. Famine is threatened in Persia. The Government of India have voted £1200----for the Livingstone expe ition. A train on the Madras railway was precipitated over a broken bridge into the water. The fiev. Mr. Simmer, his wife, and several natives were killed. A typhoon at Hong Kong did much damage to life and property. The Chinese are collecting troops in the north, and placing guns on Lasker Fort to prepare for war. Prince Kungis not assassinated as reported. 3treet fighting occurred in Yokohama between French and Prussian sailors. Mr. Ottexwell is engaged in sending out material for the Canterbury rail war.