ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 20 January 1871, Page 1 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE ENGLISH MAIL VIA SAN FRANCISCO.

TIIIS FRANCO-GERMAN Witt.

' B.s. Wpiiga arrived at Auckland on the .■'■■■'•'i'Sth inßt., the Moses Taylor having left San FtancjspQ $n the 15th December. London, November 16.—Great excitement prevails at Portsmouth and the various naval Repots. The excitement has produced a panic pn the Stock Exchange. November. 17. —Earl Granville, in hia reply to Prince Gortschakoff'a circular, denquhces the action of Russia, and says that under any circumstances the united powers should consider the questions at issue. November 19.—M. Froude, the historian, • writes urging the G vernment of England to f-. phange their polif y rather than go to war. December 2.—The Germans have had succea- ;*.■• es near La Saye. Over 1000 French were cap- ., tared, and several hundreds* killed and wounded. The ' Standard ' warns England that the " Gladstone Ministry are preparing for an infamous and disastrous capitulation to Russia. Pecember s,—General Pfdadines says that he evacuated Orleans to prevent it* bombardment, and that the retreat was made in good order. Commissioners hare been sent to investigate the evacuation. The Prussians sent a flag of truce into Paris announcing the capture of Orleans and defeat qgQf the Loire army. 3 . December 6.—The British Government have given contract for the supply of 60 batteries of light guns, each, containing Gatling mitrailleuses, to an American firm. The Russian Q-overnment have employed a number of American workmen in Russia, who are engaged in manufacturing mitrailleuses. There are Other ample evidences that Russia is preparing for war upon a grand scale. December 7.—Mr. Gladstone's note, 'stating that the Government had taken care to make provision for the protection of the Pope's person, excited surprise, and is looked on as intended to conciliate Ireland. The French ironclads are ordered to Havre. A St. Petersburg correspondent of a London paper, writing on the 2nd inst., states that a warlike feeling prevails over the entire Russian Empire, similar to that which arose on the arrival of the news of the investment of Sebastopol. Prince Gortschakofi" 8 circular has created a universal expression of joy. Notice has been given by the Emperor to the reserves to hold themselves in readiness. This measure. is . looked upon as one of the greatest importance, as it was not resorted to even in the Crimean war. Russia has committed herself to a bold , line of conduct, which she is evidently resolved to carry out in spite of all opposition. It has been announced by the Czar that 50,000,000 roubles will be devoted to the extraordinary war expenses. .December 10.—The Germans took 11,000 prisoners in battle, near Meung, on the 7th. The German losses were severe. _,..- A second engagement tookplaco on the 10th. The Prussians were again victorious. December 12.—England is arming, and will not be taken by surprise. Paris still holds out. Food is deficient, and '.' there is no meat. The Prussians have decided on commencing the bombardment on the 19th. It is beiieyed that this is impossible, as only 30 guns are in position. There are accounts of a battle at Versailles, lasting from the 30th Nov. to the 2nd Decem-

ber, and in which both Bides claim the victory. The French allege that they have captured ,f -' 14,000 Prussians, while Yon* Bitter claims to be in possession of 11,000 French. Prussia has officially declated it? intention to - occupy Luxembourg. All war vessels on out stations are being called in, and large works are in progress at the home dockyards. The Stock Exchange appears to be. uninfluenced by outside occurrences. A severe battle has taken place at Beaugency in which 15,000 French are said to have been captured. The German occupation of France will (according to a Versailles report) continue for two years.

Later accounts of the battle of the 30th and 2nd announce that General De Hencourt, commanding the French forces, was victorious on both occasions, capturing 15,000 Prussians, and standards and materiel. G-aribaldi has resigned, and announced his intention of returning to Italy. The feeling in Russia is still in favor of war. The reserves have been called out, and forty million roubles subscribed for war purposes. The feeling in England is intensely averse to Jtussian diplomacy. Prince Gortschakoff maintains his position, and demands the abrogation of the Treaty of Paris. Russia maintains a high hand, and is evidently determined to, carry out the policy by which she has for yeavs been actuated. She is massing troops on the Turkish frontier. The seat of the French Government has been yemovei to Bordeaux. The French have evacuatd Orleans. The title of Emperor of Germany has been conferred on King William. * » The policy of Austria is opposed to Russia, and evidences have been given of the determination of ita Government to repress Russian influence. On the 9tth, M. Gamhetta requested an armistice. On the 10th, encouraged by the continued resistance of the army of the Loire, the armistice was declined. The people of Russia ave enthusiastically supporting #ie Emperor in the preparations he i,B making for war. The English Cabinet ja. divided, but the people are determined to oppose Russia. ' Earl Granville is reported to have gone to Windsor to tender hi? resignation. The restoration of Napoleon is thought lively, as its backed by Germany and Russia, who are in close union. Prussia has broken the neutrality of Luxembourg, alleging the military necessity of: doing so, and the leaning of the authorities to prance.

Congress ha* re-opened. The President recommends the reference of the Alabama question to the Government to settle. There is a Ministerial crisis in Austria. The Russian ambassador at Vienna promisee a satisfactory basis for a. Conferenee. Both the English telegraph cables to America hare been damaged, and efforts to repair them hare been so far successful. The French cable only is operating. December 13th.—The French are retreating to Blpis and Tours before Prince Frederick Charles, who is at Beaugency, alter four days' fighting at Meung. Prince Frederick Charles out-generalled De Chaucy, keeping his front engaged while turning his position, and now threatens 1 * his right flank and rear.

Since the 9th the Germans have driven part of the 15th corps across the river at Blois, and now command the passage of the river at that point.

The 3rd and 10th German corps continue to pursue the French towards the south and south-east, but have not yet proceeded in force beyond Vierzon and Gien. A considerable French force is said to be at Mert. It is supposed to be fragments of the 18th and 20th corps. Phalsbourg, which has been besieged since the battle of Woerth, has just surrendered and is occupied by the Germans. It is rumored that La Fere has been re-taken by the French, with 850 prisoners, and large supplies of stores ammunition. All the armies are concentrating here. The Gardes Mobiles are armed with the new American revolvers.

A Yersailles correspondent states that Bismarck in conversation said that strong efforts were being made to restore Napoleon. The Congress on the Eastern question was not to be held without the French plenipotentiary. France had no authority to appoint one, and she would not recognise the authority of the men of the pavement to sit among their betters. King William is anxious to return home, and Von Moltke laments the intense suffering of the German troops from cold. The Eussian forces are rapidly concentrating near the Turkish frontier. J The King of Belgium is said to have sold Luxembourg to Prussia. The German batteries command every point around Paris. < The opening of the bombardment is fixed for the 19th. M. Gainbetta writes, from Bordeaux:—" I have returned to Tours, having left General de Chaucy yesterday continuing his efforts successfully to defend the line of fire. I think the situation so good that I will go to Bourges to see what can be done with the second army." It is reported at Bordeaux that General Bourbaki repulsed the Prussians yesterday. The Eastern question is again agitated, the Eussian Minister at Constantinople asking for a further annulment of the Paris treaty. Bismarck's circular of the 3rd December grounds his disregard for the neutrality of Luxembourg on the fact of the Grand Duchy having forbidden the transmission of the wounded Germans, having allowed the revictualling of Thionville, and omitting to stop the French fugitives. The Vienna press denounces this course as arrogant. Mr. John Stuart Mill protests, in the ' Times,' against England embarking on a war with Eussia. A warlike feeling exists all over .England. Earl Granville insists on England showing a firm front. Messrs. Cardwell and Lowe are against war, but Mr. Gladstone hesitates. The fourth North German Parliament opened in Berlin to-day. The American steamer Ontario left Cowes for Havre, convoyed by two French frigates, with a cargo of 18,000,000 cartridges, 90,000 breach-loading muskets, a large number of other small arms, and 55 cannon. The Paris ' Temps ' says the supply of flour &e., will last till January. Beef and mutton were almost exhausted. The Duke of Cleveland writes to the 'Times' against war. The Czar, addressing the Lithuanian soldiers, said, " I hope there will be no war ; but if God wills it, you will prove your devotion." Eev. Mr. Macconnochie's appeal has been decided against him. The King of Prussia telegraphs, " Manteuffel, with the first army, has defeated the French to the south of Amiens. The French loss was 4000, and 700 prisoners. The Prussian loss was unimportant. The Queen of Prussia has received despatches announcing the complete annihilation of the army of the Loire. St. Petersburg, December 2.—The Czar has congratulated President Grant on the attitude taken up by him, and has offered the assistance of Eussia in carrying out his views. December 12. —Advices continue to be received congratulating the Czar upon the action regarding the treaty of 1856. The river at Cronstadt is so frozen that it is impossible for ships of war to leave the harbor thi6 year for the Black Sea. Prince Gortschakoff remains firm in his determination with regard to the treaty of Paris being abrogated. Berlin, December 1. —The King of Saxony has signified his acceptance of the proposal made by the King of Bavaria in reference to the title of Emperor of Germany, to be assumed by King William. The President of the North German Parliament announced yesterday that a note had been received from Count Bismarck notifying that King William had accepted the title.*

Protocols and treaties with Baden, Hesse, Wurtemberg, and Bavaria have been sanctioned. December 9.—An anti-war riot of a serious character broke out yesterday, caused by the resistance to drafting the Landwehr men. The police were unable to quell the riot, 'and the military had to be called out. They repressed the disorder, using great violence and severity n doing so. The pressure of the order for drafting the married men causes great discon-

tent, but if carried out wil give an additional force to the army of 25,000 (250,000?) men. The levy this time is of the greatest importance, for it is absolutely necessary to put an end to the war, the prolongation of which each day increases the strength of the French. On the 2nd December all the Powers had accepted the proposal for a conference on Prussian demands, but the date of the meeting was not fixed. The terms of surrender to be offered to Paris are—Regulars and Gardes Mobiles to be prisoners of war; National Guards and Irregulars to return to then.' occupations ; the forts, cannon, &c., to be given up, and the regular garrison to march out with the honors of war.

Tours, December s.—An engagement took place liear Potary, fourteen miles from Orleans, when 20,000 Frenchmen held their ground against 60,000 of the enemy. The army of Prince Frederick Charles was cut to pieces by the shelta of the enemy. The Papal Zouaves, who fought with superhuman bravery were nearly all killed. The Government appeals to the people to maintain a resistance which is certain to end in triumph, and says that the army of the Loire is still over 200,000; and in another month 800,OCO Frenchmen will be in arms. Paris may fall, but the campaign is becoming one of detached warfare, and. large armies are manoeuvring in the open country. France herself is unconquerable.

December 9. —General de Chaucy reports that he yesterday fought against the array of Prince Frederick Charles, and repulsed it along the whole line.

Private letters received in London say that the German losses before Paris and on the Loire since the 28th are immense, but correspondents are forbidden to communicate the truth.

Versailles, December 6.—ln the defeat at Orleans the French lost 10,000 prisoners and 77 guns, including mitrailleuses ; four of the gunboats on the Loire were also captured. Wilhelmshohe, December 7.—A general impression prevails that the prospects of the Em* peror Napoleon's restoration are steadily improving. An argument (on the German side) in favor of his restoration is derived from the fact that the consequences of the war to many poverty-stricken sections of Germany will be ruinous if it is protracted much longer. Vienna, December B.—The Porte has called for immediate returns of the further regulars that each district can furnish, and lias aho summoned the reserves, and willed on the Naval Council to increase the strength of the fleet.

Madrid, December 8. —General Prim cannot understand President Grant's message referring to redress for injuries, and says it was a, political stratagem to Becure filibuster votes. Lille, December 10.—General de .Uencourt has arrived, per balloon, from Paris, and M»ys the French were victorious in the battles of the 30th ult. and 2nd inst., and that food \%»- plentiful. The object of his journey was i<> ensure concert, in movements by exll the French armies.

Ham and St. Q.uentin are re-occupied by the French.

Bismarck f?ays be will not treat with the Tours G-oteminent, because of bad faith on its part, and its officers breaking their paroles. The Paris Government has just? refused a summons to surrender. The French assumed tlxe offensive in strong force, but were repulsed at night-fall, after a day's artillery fighting. The French at Ham captured a detachment of G-ermans with artillery. Havre, December 13.—The Prussians are in force at Benzeville, sixteen miles distant. Havre is defended by a large force, and 350 guns manned by marines. The population is eager for the fight. The Prussians, when threatening Honfleur, were repelled by troops occupying Ponte Vinne.

It is reported that General Trochu has cut through the Prussian lines.

Florence, December 13.—The Committee on the Bill for transferring the capital to Rome, recommend the removal before April. New York, December 13.—Soalley (?) telegraphs to the ' Tribune,' from London, that a despatch from M. Gambetta on Friday says that the continued resistance of the army of the Loire has encouraged the Provisional "Government to postpone all thoughts of a request for an armistice, and that, they will remain with the army.

The special correspondent of the same paper at Tours, telegraphs on Friday that war a Voutrance, has been more firmly decided on than ever. M. Cremieux and Admiral Fourichon were to go to Bordeaux that- evening. The publication of the official returns show the German losses in the battles on the Loire to have been 12,000, but many returns are still wanting. Buffalo, December 11.—The Fenians are being re-organised into an Irish National Brotherhood.