ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 728, 17 September 1870, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

GREAT BATTLES. DEFEAT OF THE FRENCH. LOSS OF 30,000 MEN. STRASBOURG SURROUNDED BY SOUTH GERMANS. PARIS L¥ A STATE OF SIEGE. DENMARK AND ITALY JOINS FRANCE. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.} (from otjr own correspondent.) [The following was issued from this office as an Extra yesterday morning !— ] Nelson, Sept. 15, 10.30 p.m. The Airedale arrived at the wharf ten minutes ago. Below is the special San Francisco telegrams for the Press Telegraph Association. Auckland, Sept. 13. The Wonga Wonga'a passengers for New Zealand are — Rev Mr and Mrs Neville, Mr and Mrs Farnell, Messrs 6. M. M'Lean, Tinne, Buchanan, Billet, Gallagher, Wallis, Mackay, J. L. Chap_ man, P. Johnson, Mr and Mrs Montoran ; steerage, nine adults and three children. For Sydney and Melbourne — Cabin, six ; steerage, twenty-two adults and children. London, August 4. The Prussians have gained a battle, and captured Wissemburg on the sth. They advanced on Hagenan on the sth and 6th inst., and great battles took place. Macmahon was defeated by the Prussians, who suddenly advanced through a forest which Macmahon wished to burn as a precaution ; but was over-ruled by Napoleon. He was forced to fall back. Frossart's corps had also defeated and had to retreat on Metz. August 10, midnight. A great battle is imminent. Strasbourg is surrounded by 50,000 men, chiefly South Germans. The Prussians are advancing from Saarlouis and Treves, and are expected to make an immediate attack on the French at Metz. The French losses are already 30,000 men. Napoleon is at Metz. Chalons and Paris are in a tnmult. The people are calling for arms, and to send all soldiers to the Front, also for

Napoleon to resign the command, and for the Assembly to rule. He refuses to suppress the republican journals ; dismisses the Ministry; forms one of a reactionary character ; and Paris is declared in a state of siege. There are cries for the Emperor to return to Paris. He replies he will not unless dead or victorious. The Assembly is in great disorder, and scenes of violence occur. A Bill for the national defence has been adopted and payment of all commercial contracts are postponed by decree for oiie month, " to leave all minds free to defend the country." Unless a speedy victory, revolution is imminent. The Emperor is reported ill. The Empress and the Prince are to be sent to a safer refuge. A telegram states that the Prince, with the Empress's jewels, has arrived in London, at the French Legation (?). The Prussians are said to have 800,000 men in the field, and needle guns superior to the Chessepot. The Assembly is displeased with the new Ministry; proposes to displace it, and put in one of their own under De Trochu. Parliament (English) is prorogued. The Queen's speech refers to the treaty, in which France, Prussia, and all the powers joined to support Belgian neutrality. The Government did not think it therefore necessary to arm. France has evacuated Rome. Napoleon's first despatch on the 2nd August' to th 6 Empress said "General Frossart, with one division, defeated three divisions of the enemy. Louis has received his baptism of fire, he was admirably cool, and a little impressed. . . . Louis and I were in front where the bullets fell about us. Louis keeps a bullet he picked up on the field. The soldiers are delighted at his tranquility. We lost one officer and ten men." When the reverses came the Ministry suppressed the news. At last the Emperor's despatches admitted serious defeats, but declared that all was not lost, and called upon France to rise as one man and serve the country.