WAR NEWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 753, 15 November 1870, Page 4

WAR NEWS.

There is no prospect of peace, and it is believed that none of the other European Powers will be involved in the war. They appear to be inclined to let Prussia and France fight it out. Preparations are being made for the commencement of the bombardment of Paris on the 15th October. The French troops are fighting gal- | lantly, and have made numerous sortie 3 from Paris, harrassing the Prussian operations. The Germans expect to carry the heights of Sceaux, 5000 paces from the „f orts, on Oct. 1. King William of Prussia sent a telegram to the Queen early this morning, to the effect that the French made a sortie against the 6th Corps, whilst the sth Corps, attacked by three battalions, and also a brigade, made a demonstration against the 11th Corps. After a fight of 25 hours duration the French took shelter under the forts. The Crown Prince commanded during the engagement. October 2. The National Guard of the army of

Rouen had a brush with the foe yesterday, 40 miles from Paris, in the forest of Rosney, and drove the foe back through Nantes. There has been desperate fighting on the bridges over the Seine. German reinforcements from Mauenheim drove the French back with great loss, and Germans occupy Nantes, the bridge over the Seine, and the Faubourg of Sumatz. The seat of Government is at Tours. All the south of France is under arms, and Angiers is similar. Nantes is crowded with troops, drilling. The Rhone towns, from Lyons to Avignon, are like camps, and there is no the thought of peace. The hope is to take Prussians in the rear before Paris, and the Prussians are massing their troops all over France to prevent this. A battle was fought near the Chateau Galliande on the 4th. The Prussians were forced to retreat, and abandoned Pithwiers precipitately, leaving their cattle and forage. The Prussians were driven from Joinville, and many prisoners captured. There is much enthusiasm in that section. October 5. A combat took place between Leasin and Bruyeres, 10,000 Prussians attacking. The French held the position. The Prussians were repulsed at Gisarg, but were steadily advancing on Lyons. Joissons, Bitsche, and Metz are still besieged. Bazaine made a desperate sortie from Metz on the 6th, and was compelled to fall back. Heavy loss on both sides. There is an apparently well authenticated rumor of the surrender of Metz. The Prussians won a victory near Strenaz against a French corps of the line and Mobiles. They fought from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the French broke and fled. Nompolaze and Bois des Drumeles were taken with the bayonet. The Prussian loss was 20 officers and 410 men. The French lost double — 600 prisoners, 60 officers, and booty were taken. Garibaldi is in France. He went to Tours amid great enthusiasm, and delivered addresses favorable to the Republic, urging the French to drive outthe invaders. At Tours he addressed the volunteers, and expressed a belief in a speedy relief from the invaders. He yore the Garibaldi uniform, addressed the National Guard, and announced the appointed commanders of the French Volunteers. The Prussians attacked St. Quenten, and were repulsed. The Prefect, Forgs, made a heroic stand with the National Guard. October 8. Buddeuxrock defeated Dupre with the regulars and riflemen. Dupre was wounded. The army is demoralised. The Prussian 10th and 13th Corps and Landwehr divisions were engaged. Vau Vought was commanding. Gambetta escaped from Paris in a balloon. On arrival at Tours he issued proclamations, calling on France to be united, to accept the Republic, that the autumn would force the Prussians to retreat, and they would be decimated by armed population. It was not possible that the genius of France should be clouded fcr ever, or that the nation should be under the dominition of 500,000 men. The motto of Parts is "Vive la Nation," "Vive la Republique," indivisible calls on France. In Paris, 2,000,000 men forget their diffe.ences to withstand the invader 3. 400,000 National Guard, 100,000 Mobiles, 60,000 regulars armed. The foundries are casting cannons. The Nationals have Mitraelleurs, and are prepared for sorties. The forts are manned by the marines. Fort Enciente has 3000 guns, with 400 rounds each. Paris is impregnable. No danger of sedition or starvation, On the other hand the Prussians are confident of taking Paris in a week from the opening of the bombardment. Gambetta's accounts are confirmed, and communicates with Tours by balloons, and carrier pigeons are taking back replies. The cannon captured at Strasburg and Toul were planted against Metz. The Prussians ordered no prisoners to be taken. The Parisians made the same orders. The Duke of Nassau was killed while riding with King William. The enrriage was riddled with bullets. One aid-de-camp was killed, and another mortally wounded. Petitions were sent from Berlin to the King not to expose himself. The King said he would share the dangers till peace was proclaimed. General Bourbaki was allowed to leave Metz on a mission to the Empress in England, and was allowed to return to Metz. From thence another messenger was allowed to proceed to Napoleon. The belief entertained in France is that the Empress and Napoleon will bring about peace, based on the restoration of the dynasty. Eugenic writes to Napoleon of her good treatment in England. Wilhelmshoe is the rendezvous of distinguished guests. The Emperor is healthy and makes daily excursions, accompanied by his staff. October 7. It ia understood that there are serious complications between Austria and Prussia. Austria says it cannot allow Prussia to be the dominant power in Europe. Intimate relations exist between Austria and Russia. It is rumored there is a secret alliance. M. Thiers had a satisfactory reception at Vienna. Bismarck declares Russell's interviews at Sedan, in the Times, are pure inventions. General Von Moltke is reported dead. New mitrailleurs have been invented at Lyons to work by steam, and are still more deadly. October 9. England and Prussia are growing warm on the the neutrality question. A strong despatch received at the Foreign Office today shows that Granville has Bhifted his ground. He first asked for proofs of England furnishing arms. Then said the trade was legitimate, and the authorities had no power to prevent it, imputing to Prussia a desire for a benevolent neutrality from England. Bernstoff disclaims that desire, and says 50,000 stand of arms were exported to France in one week, and Birmingham and London are working night and day for the French Government. " I possess authentic copies (says Bernstoff) of the contracts and proffs that the export of arms is thoroughly organised in various British ports." He even • quotes Wellington's

letter to Canning in 1825, which says : — "It is England's usual habit to prohibit such export, and not prohibiting it is a breach of neutrality." He also quotes the order to the Customs authorities in 1808 to prohibit the export of arms to be used against Denmark. After refuting the other suggestions of Earl Granville, Bernstoff said — a As for the hope expressed by your Excellency that the German people will in a cooler moment judge less severely the attitude of the British Government, I regret that after your Excellency's note of the 15th ult., it has been added to our knowledge that our enemy is being daily equipped with British arms. I can't therefore share such a hope, and can only trust that the known sympathy of the English people may produce a change for the better." It wa3 understood that Prussia addressed a final remonstrance to England on October 4. The result was not known in Berlin on October 9th. They are indignant against America for a shipment cf arms to France, and demanded explanations. America in. consequence prohibits the export of munitions of war to the belligerents, and makes provisions for preventing the use of ports by American men-of-war. Prussia is satisfied. England makes no move. Madrid, Oct. 9. Sagosta says the Government represented to England and Russia the advisability of mediation, but both declined. England is willing to facilitate an intervieAV between Bismarck and Favre. Spain applied to Bismarck, who refused. A plebiseitnm has been taken at Rome to the following effect : — "Is it desirable that Rome should be united to Italy under the Government of Victor Emmanuel and his successors ?" 50,000 ayes, 6500 noea. The proclamation of the union was received with enthusiasm. The Pope has been allowed a pension by the Government, and has drawn his first instalment. Anfconelli saya Victor Emmanuel will suffer the fate of Nebuchadnezzar. The Archbishop is loud in praise of the steadfastness of Ireland. The British Cabinet held a further meeting, and say they cannot interfere. More massacres have been perpetrated in China...,. In China and Japan it is rumored that there is a treaty to expel all foreigners. President Grant has pardoned all the Fenians. London, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Garribaldi is said to be very ill. He will not be able to lead the French Volunteers.