arrival of THE SUEZ MAIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 258, 2 November 1870, Page 2

arrival of THE SUEZ MAIL

0 NEWS TO THE THIRD OF OCTOBER. THE CROWN PRINCE AT VERSAILLES. FRENCH DEFEATED BEFORE PARIS WITH A LOSS OF 23,000 MEN. PEACE NEGOCIATIONS ENTIRELY FAILED. STRASBOURG CAPITULATED. ITALIAN TROOPS ENTER ROME. [The following telegrams which were published in an Extra at a late hour last night, were presented for transmission at Hokitika at 5 p.m. yesterday, but, owing no doubt to tho line being engaged, did not reach us until half-past ten.] Hokitika, Nov. 1, 5 p.m. The Rangitoto arrived at 2 p.m. to-day, with the English Mails and telegraphic news to 3rd October. The Prussians arrived at Meaux on llth September, and at Joinvilie and Melun on the 16th. Railway communication to the southward of Paris was suspended on the 17th, when the Prussians crossed the Seine at Meuse, occupying Vantouse and Earndy. The Havre railway is torn up at Con-

flans, aDd communication with Paris entirely suspeuded on the 20th, when the investment of Paris was complete. The Crown Prince's head-quarters are nt Versailles, and the Prussians are posted from Versailles to Vincennes. On the approach of the Prussians, large bodies of French troops went out to harass them. 80,000 occupied the woods at Meaux ou the 20th, when three divisions of the French were driven back ■on Paris with a loss of 23,000, and 300 prisoners. The Prussians are resolute and declare themselves capable of holding out through the winter. The Prussians occupy Pilhiviers, and •threaten Orleans. The seat of Government has been re'moved to Tours, and if necessary will be again to Bordeaux. The United States expressed willing--ness to offer their services if requested, but subsequently refused because Bismarck declined their mediation. Thiers went to Loudon on the 13th, and ■saw Earl Granville with reference to mediation, but as no offer was made to induce the Prussians to retire, nothing was done, and Thiers then went to Vienua and St. Petersburg. Jules Favre afterwards had an interview with Bismarck, having first issued a circular repelling as a calumny the statement that war was demanded by public opinion, and declaring that France asked for peace, but would prefer the worst -disaster to dishonor. Favre was well received, but military operations were continued. He offered the Prussians complete indemnification for the cost of the war, the demolition of the fortifications of Metz and Strasbourg, and the surrender of a portion of the fleet. The negotiations utterly failed, Bismarck demanding the reduction of France to a second-rate power ; the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine as far as Metz by right of conquest; also the surrender of Zoual and Strasbourg. The French Government declined those conditions, as the inhabitants of Paris declared they would rather bury thern•selves in its ruins. War will be prosecuted to its bitter end. Two thousand of the Garde Mobile were captured at the Versailles railway. The Standard says that a new army is forming on the Loire, both numerous and undismayed. The blockade of the Baltic by the IFrench fleet has been raised. The troops in Metz are healthy, and provisions plentiful. Barricades have been erected in the streets of Paris. Toul has surrendered on the same terms sks Sedan. Strasbourg surrendered with 17,000 men and 450 officers. French accounts state that Bazaine had ■several successful engagements with the Prussians outside Metz between the 23rd and 29th September, on which day he znade a splendid sortie. The guns of Strasbourg have been dispatched to Paris. Fighting is reported to have occurred in the streets of Paris on the 24th and -25th. October 2nd. McMahon is not de;id as reported, but is a prisoner of war at Wiesbaden. October 3. It is stated at Tours that the Government have given the Amerieau General Beauregard a commission to accompany the Army Corps to the South of France, The Prussians before Soissons repulsed several sorties. The Italian troops entered Eome on the 28th September, after a slight resistance : hy the Pontifical troops contrary to vbe Pope's wishes. COMMERCIAL. The National Bank has declared a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. Special for New Zealand: — About 200,000 bales of wool are catalogued for the next sale. Anivals from New Zealand 29,000 bales. Wool is flat, and little doing. Wheat, two sbiiliugs lower. "Tallow less active but steady. We are indebted to our morning contemporaries for the following additional items : — London, September 10. At the battle of Metz, 15th to 18th August, Moltke's plan was to cut off the

retreat of the French. He was successful, but the carnage was fearful. On both sides the bravery shown was unsurpassed. Loss over 100,000 men. The whole country was covered with the dead aud wounded. The Parisians were deceived by the Government as to the result. The march of the Crown Prince was uninterrupted from Woerth to Chalons. M'Mahon's strategic move northward delayed his march on Paris. M'Mahon, contrary to the Emperor's orders, determined to extricate Bazaine at Metz. The attempt was impracticable in the face of the Prussian force, and the sole result was to give Paris a reprieve of ten days. The latest telegram received at Galle, from Paris, showed that the French attacked the encampment of the Sixth Prussian Corps of the 30th, but were routed with heavy loss. The French Government has ordered that every man between twenty-one and forty years shall be organised into a National Guard, for the Minister to draw troops from. Russiau official journals deny ihe late rumours of military movements. London, September 11. Victor Emanuel has ordered troops into the Roman Provinces. The Pope protested, but ordered no resistance. General Cadrona requested General Caiglez's permission to enter Rome, but the latter refused. The Italian troops were enthusiastically received at Civita Vecchia. The siege of Rome commenced on the 19th. On the 20th the troops entered, after some resistance from the Papal troops. The Pope was sent to Civita Vecchia. A plebiscite of the Roman States was to be taken on the 2nd October. The King of Italy stated to the Pope that the reason of his entry was to prevent bloodshed. The United States, Spain, Switzerland, and Belgium, have formally recognized the French Republic. England awaits the vote of the people at the general elections. Count Bernstoff has enquired of Lord Granville the nature of the English neutrality, since arms were being forwarded to the French. Lord Granville replied, that England acted strictly in accordance with the international law, and with the conduct of Prussia during the Crimean war. Postal communication between Paris and London is stopped. The Parisian Government have determined to construct a complete system of barricades in the streets of Paris. An attempted revolution in Paris was promptly suppressed. Lieutenant Horth, a Prussian spy, has been executed. The defenders of Paris clamour for a sortie on a grand scale. Several heavy failures in wool houses. There is a break in the telegraph cable near Suez. The English journals show the impolicy of unduly humiliating France, and plead for generous treatment. The English people are doing all they can in mitigation of the distress. Surgeons, nurses, and appliances have been sent to the battle ground. The Americans are also acting philanthropically. Recruiting is going on in England ; the arsenals are busy, and the sea defences are being seen to. New ironclads are also being built. ADDITIONAL NEWS. The late John Abbott, who died, possessing large estates in the Au&traliau colonies, has left £60,000 to the charities. The Earl of Aberdeen is drowned. Jefferson Davis has arrived iu England. Mazzini has been arrested. Caprera (Garibaldi) is closely watched. An attempted revolution in Roumania has failed. The Russian Government is averse to j the dismemberment of France. The likelihood of England being involved in the war is considered remote. The Japanese have declared war against the Coreans. The Japanese Government forbade an engagement between French and German frigates in their waters. At the British Association meetings in Liverpool colonial questions bavo been discussed, and resolutions were passed for maintaining aud improving good relations i between Great Britain and her colonies. > The movement for Australian Federa-

tion is warmly supported by the English press. New Zealand flax little asked for ; common kiuds quite neglected, only 300 of 1356 bales sold. The St. Leger was won by Mr. Heslop's Hawthoruden, Kingcraft secoud, Wheeler third.