ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA. WAR BETWEEN PRUSSIA AND FRANCE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 725, 10 September 1870, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL AT HOKITIKA. WAR BETWEEN PRUSSIA AND FRANCE.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

[from our own correspondent.]

[The following was issued from this office as an Extra yesterday morning : — ] Hokitika, Sept. 8. The s.s. Tararna arrived in the roadBtead at 6 p.m., after a passage of five days. Passenger list : Mrs Field, Masters Field (2), S. "W. Alcorn, Frank Martin, H. Graham, Simpson, J. L. Franckley, .Tacohsen, Kelly, and 24 in the steerage. The Claud Hamilton arrived at 9 a.m. on the 23rd. ' , War was declared between France and Prussia on the 15th July. The Prussians entered France destroying the railways. Several bloody engagements have taken place, in which 1 the Prussians were victorious. England and Holland remain neutral. United Germany is flocking from all r parts to fight for Fatherland. A royal proclamation has been issued i by England, enjoining neutrality on British 1 subjects. The King of Prussia disclaimed the responsibility of the war. The German Parliament declared, on the 20th of July, that Germany was un--1 concerned in the candidature of Prince Leopold for the Spanish Crown, and compared the French Emperor's disregard for peace to that of the first Napoleon, who gratified his personal passion by ex- ' citing the national sentiment. Ger- • many was desirous of a durable peace, I and, no longer divided, was able to repel aggression. On the 23vd, Napoleon addressed a • stirring proclamation to the people, re- ! calling to their memory his conciliatary • policy, which had been disregarded, and L declaring Prussia the aggressor and the cause of European armament. A French circular affirms that Bismarck ■ prepared the candidature of Hohenzollern • secretly, thinking that France would accept it as an accomplished fact. Bismarck , denies this on the 25th. The Times published a draft of the treaty between France and Prussia, submitted in 1866, and rejected by Prussia ;

and again rejected when offered lately as v the basis of an offensive and defensive alliance for the unity of Germany under 1 Prussia, France obtaining Luxemburg aud ' indemnifying Holland. The English Ministray were ignoran fc of [ the existence of this treaty. The Prussian Ambassador con6rni3 the Times 1 statements. The French Ministry attrit bule the origin of the treaty to Bismarck"; ; it never had a serious basis, and was rejected by both parties. Disraeli advocated ax armed neutrality; Gladstone objected, saying England was t perfectly impartial, but Government would take precavtionary military and naval measures. Supplementary war estimate of two^mtllions has been submitted, and 20,000' men added to the : army. Chartering coal ships to belligerent fleets declared illegal.

The Armed Enlistment Bill has been passed ; and the Foreign Enlistment Bill, providing against any assistance whatever, has been read a second time. A monster meeting was held in Dublin in favor of Prance and Fenianism. France and Prussia have promised to respect the neutrality of Holland and Belgium. Austria and Italy have both armed, agreeing to .take common action regarding neutrality and any future mediation. England refused to join them. The South German States, Saxony, and Hesse have joined Prussia, the Crown Prince assuming the command of the South German Army. French merchant vessels ai i e declared not subject to. capture by the Germau Fleet. The French Government has announced conformity to international rules, and to Congress of 1866, Prussian vessels being allowed 30 days to clear out of French ports. All with French cargoes are allowed safe conduct. The French Chamber has voted 490 millions francs for the army, and 80 millions for ths navy. The Prussians entered France on the 18th July, tearing up the railways on the Luxemburg frontier. They blew tip the railway bridge across the Rhine. The Prussians massed near Luxemburg 300,000 strong,, and prepared to retreat on Carling if necessary. The French Emperor is at the head of the troops on the frontier with the Prince Imperial. On the 31st, the Prussian official account stated that the French were repulsed on the 30th in an attack on Saai*bruck. On August 2nd the French troops at Metz assumed the offensive and crossed the frontier. A serious engagement ensued, in which the Prussians were dislodged from Saarbrnck. The Emperor and the Prince were present. The Prussians numbered 10,000, and the French lost 11 men. Prussian accounts state that the small detachment at Saarbruck was attacked by five French divisions, and 23 guns, and had consequently evacuated the town with small loss, and had withdrawn within a new line of defences. The Prussians were withdrawing from Tivoli.

The King of Prussia arrived at Mayence on the 3rd August.

The Belgian army of observation had taken up a position on the military road from Leiege to Aixhchapelle.

Latest advices give thcPrussian account of a brilliant but bloody victory, The Crown Prince's army had crossed the Rhine and stormed Weissenb«>urg. They repulsed and disputed the French, and took 7500 unwounded prisoners. The French General Douay was killed. The Prussian loss was severe. The effect of the new French cannon, the Mitraillenrs was very murderous.

A Prussian squadron of four ironclads loft Plymouth mi July 14, followed by a French despatch boat. A French fleet of seven ironclads passed Dover northwards on tho 25th, and arrived at Fredericksburg on the 3rd August.

The Pope is advised of the withdrawal of the troops from Rome. Italy promises io uuar.l the Papal frontier.

The Austrian Government has notified the abrogation of the Concordat, in consequence of the infallibility dogma.