WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND PRUSSIA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 213, 9 September 1870, Page 2

WAR BETWEEN FRANCE AND PRUSSIA.

The Tararua arrived at Hokitika.last night, bringing the following telegrams, for which we are indebted to this morning's Colonist:— War was declared between France and Prussia on July 15. The Prussians entered France, and destroyed the railway. Several bloody engagements have taken place, in which the Prussians were victorious. England, Italy, Belgium, and Holland remain unite}. Germany is flocking from all parts to fight for Fatherland. A Koyal Proclamation has been issued by England, enjoining neutrality on British subjects. The King of Prussia has disclaimed all responsibility for this war. The German Parliament declared on 20th July that Germany was unconcerned 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 for exciting the national sentiment. Germany was desirous of durahle peace, but being no longer divided, was able to repel aggression. On 23rd July Napoleon addressed a stirring proclamation to the people of France, recalling his conciliatory policy, which had been disregarded, and declaring Prussia the aggressor, and the cause of the large and costly European armament. A French circular affirms that Bismarck prepared the candidature of Trince Hohenzollern secretly, thinking France would accept it as an accomplished fact. Bismarck denies this. On the 25th the Times published the draft treaty between France and Prussia, submitted in 1866 and rejected by Prussia, and again, when offered lately as the basis of an offensive and defensive alliance, for the unity of Germany under Prussia, France obtaining Luxemburg and indemnifying Holland. The English Ministry were ignorant of the existence of this treaty, The Prussian Ambassador confirms the Times's statements. The French Ministry attribute the origin of the treaty to Bismarck, and declare that it never had a serious basis, but was rejected by both parties. 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 future mediation. England refused to join tkeni. The South-German States, Saxony and Hesse, have joined Prussia, the Crown Prince assuming the command of the South-German army. French merchant vessels are declared not subject to capture b\ r the German fleet. The French Government has announced conformity to the International rules and to the Congress of 1866, Prussian vessels being allowed thirty days to clear out of French ports; all those with French cargoes are allowed safe conducts. The French Chamber has voted 490 million francs for the army, and SO millions for the navy (nearly 23 million sterling). The Prussians entered France on 18th July, tearing up railways on the Luxemburg frontier. They blew up the railway bridge across the Rhine. Prussians massed near Luxemburg 300,000 strong, and prepared to retreat on Carting if necessary. The French Emperor is at the head of his 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 Saarbruck. On August 2, the French troops at Mentz assumed the offensive, and crossed the frontier. A serious engagement ensued, in which the Prussians were dislodged from Saarbruck. The Emperor and the Prince Imperial were present. The Prussians numbered 100,000. The French lost 1 1 men. The Prussian account states that the small detachment at Saarbruck was attacked by five French divisions and 23 guns, and had consequently evacuated the town with a small loss, and had withdrawn within a new line of defences. The Prussians were withdrawing from Triolo. The King of Prussia arrived at Mayence on 3rd August. The Belgium army of observation had taken up a position on the military road from Liege to Aix la Chapelle.