ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 924, 23 January 1871, Page 2

ENGLISH & FOREIGN.

The arrival, this morning, of the s.s. Go-ahead, from Auckland, placed us in possession of the English Mail via San Francisco. We subjoin extracts from the News oi the World : St. Petersburg, Dec. 2.—r The Cza* warmly congratulates President Qrant o is his offer of assistance. All the powers have accepted the pro" posal for a Conference, but the date of the meeting has not yet been fixed. London, Dec. 2 —A special correspondent of the Herald, at writes on the 28th ult., that if the army of the should capitulate, Paria would be summoned to surrender within three days following. The terms of surrender to be offered are : —Regulars and Gardes Mobile to become prisoners of war ; National Guards and irregulars to be allowed to return to their occupations in private life. The forts, cannon, and munitions of war to be given up to th© Prussians, and the regular garrison to be permitted to march out with the honors of war. If these terms of surrender are refused, • bombardment of tfie forta will immediately follow. Tours, Dec. s.—ln an engagement near Potay, fourteen miles north-west of Orleans, 20,000 Frenchmen held ground against 60,000 of Prince Fredk. Charles' army, but were cut to pieces by the shells of the enemy. The Prussian artillery was served with fearful and overwhelming effect. The Papal Zouaves fought with superhuman bravery, but nearly all were killed. The Government appeals to the people of France to still furtner maintain their resistance, which is certain finally to en 4 in triumph. The army of the is still over 200,000 strong. In another month 300,000 Frenchmen will be in arms. Paris may fall, but the campaign has, changed in character, and is fast becoming a detached warfare of large armies, maneuvering in an open country. France, herself is unconquerable. Berlin, Dec. Q.—A letter from the King of Bavaria to the King of Saxony sa y S ; —" The Germans, led by the King of Prussia, will celebrate the brotherhood of arms by giving a glorious proof of the importance and power of United Germany. I have negotiated with Versailles to this end, and now invite you and other German Princes to urge the King of Prussia to assume the title of Emperor of United Germany, with presidental functions. I am proud thus to take the first step in crowning German unity, and hope for your assent, and that of other Princes and free towns." London, Dec. 6. —The British Government has given out a contract for sixty batteries of light guns, each of Gattling's mitrailleuses, to be made in America. The Russian Government has in its employment a number of American workmen iii Russia, engaged in manufacturing mitrailleuses. There is ample evidence of other kinds that Russia is preparing for a war on a grand scale. Versailles, Dec. 6.—The French were, utterly defeated at Orleans ; 10,000 men were made prisoners, and 97 pieces of artillery, including several mitrailleuses, and four gunboats on the Loire were captured. Berlin, Dec. 6.—The King of Wurtemburg has signified his concurrence with the Kiug of Bavaria and the other German Sovereigns, in the proposal that King William snail assume the title of Emperor of Germany. Wiihelmsboe, Dec. 7.-rTl|e general impression prevails that the prospects of the restoration of the Emperor are steadily improving, The argument in favor of his restoration is the ruinous consequeuce to the many poverty-stricken, sections of Germany, in case of a much longer protraction of the war. London, Dec. 7.—The Tribune cable correspondent at the headquarters o{

prince George says the prisoners looked sturdy fellows, and anything but badly fed; they were hearty and good fighters, to judge from their expressions, A sergeant bade me ** Bonjour," and told me Cheerily that everyone who indulged in the anticipation of a speedy capitulation was entirely out of his reckoning. " Food is plentiful," he said with a laugh, and the programme is sorties every day and in etery direction. A correspondent at St, Petersburgh jvrites on the 2nd instant, that the warlike feeling prevailing over the whole Empire is like that on the arrival of the Sebastopol news. Gortschakcff's circular created a universal feeling of joy, Notice is given by the Emperor to the reserve eorps to hold themselves in readiness, which is considered of great importance. This measure has not been resorted to since the Crimean war. Russia is committed to a bold line of conduct, and is resolved to carry it out in spite of all opposition. It has been announced by the Emperor that forty million roubles will be devoted <o extraordinary expenses. The President announced yesterday to the North German Parliament that a note was received from Bismarck that King William had accepted the title of Emperor of Germany. Protocols and treaties with Baden, Hesse, Wurtemburg and Bavaria had J>een sanctioned. Tours, December 9.-r-The Official Journal announces that the Government has removed to Bordeaux. General Chaussy reports that he fought yesterday against the army of Prince Frederick .Charles, and repulsed them along the whole line. Florence, December B.—Parliament was opened on Monday by King Victor Emmanuel. The King, in his speech from the throne, declared that with Rome, as the Capital, the edifice commenced by Charles Albert was crowned, and tbe freedom of Italy completed it; it was now the task of the Chambers to make her great and happy. " While we are thus happy," he continued, *' two nations the glorious representations of civilization, are engaged in a horrible struggle. We will persist in our efforts to induce them to end the conflict, and prove that United Italy is an element of order and peice in Europe." In reference to tbe Pope, he said it wa3 the duty of the nation to secure to the Supreme Pontiff the free exercise of bis religious offices and the maintenance of his relation with the Catholic world. Improvements in the administiation o f the Government, and the development of the military and .educational system were promised. Berlin, Dec, B.—The King of Saxony has signified his acceptance of the proposal made by the King of Bavaria, regarding the title of "Emperor of Germany." The North German Parliament has approved of the Federal treaty with Bavaria. All amendments rejected. Private letters received in London from Versailles say the German losses before Paris and on the Loire since the 28th ult., are immense. Correspondents are forbidden to communicate the truth, A republication of official returns show the losses to be over 12,000, with many returns lacking. London, Dec. 9.—A dispatch from Gambetta asks the Courier to announce that he had asked for an armistice to enable the National Assembly to be elected, and requests that Favre be permitted to leave Paris to consult with his colleagues, and Jo conduct negotiations. He admits that he has lost all hope of prosecuting the struggle successfully, and has no expectation of being able to defend Tours. London, Dec. 9.—Le Citoyen, of this city, in an editorial to-day, says that further resistance on the part of the French will end in anarchy or the permanent occupation of the country by the conquerors. The intervenl ion of neutrals would be worse than either anarchy or foreign occupation. The guilt of further resistence would not be on the men of the 4th of September, hut upon the counsellors of the empire who prevented the Empress presiding, and who must now meet and make peace with tbe conqueior. Vienua, Dec B.— : The Porte has calied for immediate returns of further regulars that each district can furnish. He has iJso summoned the reserves, and called

upon the Naval Council to increase the strength of the fleet. Berlin, Dec. 9.—There was an antiwar riot of a very serious character yesterday, which was caused by the resistance of an order drafting men for the landwehr, and the police were not able to quell the riot. The military were called out and suppressed the disorder, after using great severity. If the order for drafting married men is carried out it will give an additional force of twenty-five thousand men to the army, and is of great importance at this time for the prolongation of the war, while every day Frauce increases in strength. Versailles, Dec. 10.—The French are assuming the offensive in strong force. They were repulsed at nightfall, after a day's artillery fight. The Prussian loss was slight; but French prisoners were taken. The French at Ham, captured a detachment of Germans with artillery. Lille, Dec. 10. —General De Hencourt arrived" in a balloon from Paris. He says the fighting on the 30th and 2nd the French were victorious. The Prussian losses were 15,000. He states that Paris suffers no privations on account of food. The object of this journey is to insure a concert of movement by all the French armies. Ham and St. Quentin are occupied by the French. New York, Dec. 13.—Smalley telegraphs to the Tribune from London, that a despatch from Gambetta, on Friday, says, that encouraged by the continued resistance of the Army of the Loire, he has resolved to postpone the request for an armistice and remain with the army. A despatch from a special correspondent at Tours, Friday, says that war a Vouirance is more firmly resolved on than ever. Cremiejix and Fouruichon were to go to Bordeaux that evening. Minister Bancraft writes to Pish that the accomplishment of German unity is so speedy as to surprise even King William himself, Prior to the war the King only lived in the hope that such event would some day be accomplished, but Bancroft says the King never expected to see it accomplished in his time. Loudon, December 10.—[Special to the World.] —Bismarck declares that he will not treat with the Tours Government on any consideration, because it has connived at bad faith, and its officers have broken their paroles. The Paris Government has just refused a summons to surrender, saying that they will fight to the last. The Times has received a telegram from Berlin, which says King William will return to Berlin after the capitulation of Pari3, even if the war is continued beyond that time. The German terms of peace are likely to be much more oppressive the longer the French hold out. A newspaper correspondent at Berlin telegraphs that Bismarck reiterates his denial that he opposes the bombardment of Paris, It it reported a Council of War at Versailles has decided to bombard the city.

It is asserted that on the bodies of several of the German slain were found square pieces of sole leather, 10 inches wide, hung from the neck by a string be* neath the shirt, like the placards of the blind men on the Pont-des Arts, nearly half-an-inch thick, and as hard as wood. On this a lance or a sabre would stop or be turned aside; as to balls if they came perpendicularly they would be deadened, if they struck obliquely they would slip off. Three " gentlemen" who had, while out for a " lark," been guilty of some outrageous proceedings in Chelsea, were charged with the offences at Westminster Police Court on October 28. They had, however, besides apologising for their conduct, paid in compensation and in charitable contributions the sum of .£35 ; and as the charges were not pressed, each defendant was liberated on finding a surety of ,£SO to keep the peace for six months.