THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 299, 20 December 1870, Page 2

THE NEWS BY THE MAIL.

o The energy aud enterprise that are displayed in obtaining every possible item of telegraphic news by the proprietors of the News of the World — the journal on which we have to depend for our latest intelligence from Europe — are, without question, deserving of all praise, but at the same we are compelled to confess that the enormous amount of information therein contained, is productive of some

confusion in the minds of its readers, owing to its not being arranged in that methodical and symmetrical manner which is necessary to render it intelligible to any but those who are fortunate enough to possess the quick perceptive faculties usually attributed to the 'cute Yankee. We have, however, patiently and perseveringly waded through its complicated columns, aud now propose to place before our readers the result of our labours. Matters in and around Paris remain, so far as fighting is concerned, in much the same state that they were when the last mail left; the same, however, cannot be said of the meaus of feeding the city, fresh i meat in particular, being very scarce. It is said that there is an abundance of salt provisions as also of bread and wive. The Freuch speak most hopefully of being able to hold Paris against all attacks ; it is said to be absolutely impregnable, and to have 230,000 men within its walls who are described by General Trochu as fit for offensive service in the field. In addition to this there are six armies outside Paris numbering 530,000 drilled and well-armed men. These are exclusive of FrancsTireurs, garrisons, and irregular troops. Money, provisions, ammunition, clothing, and horses are stated to be plentiful and the men iv good health and spirits, which cannot be said of the besieging army at Paris among whom sickness is reported as being For remainder of News see Fourth page.

prevalent. Such is the account giveu ot die state of affairs at present ; how soon a change mny come over the dream of fancied security, in which the Parisians appear to be revelling, when the bombardmeat, which is said to be delayed at the express request of Queen Victoria, commences, remains yet to be proved. A graud sortie from the beleaguered city •was daily expected by the Prussians and we may fully expect to hear by the next tnatl of its having taken place. A decided victory, the moral effect of which is said hy the Times to be incalculable, has been gained by fhe French «cder General De Pallac'ines at Orleans, •and another battle between the same armies appeared imminent near Cbortres, «he object of the French generals being •apparently to crush their foe before he •was reinforced by the army from Metz. Reinforcements were pouring into the French camp, and General Palladines and D'Aurelles had a large and effective army with which to operate on tbe Prussians «nder Von Der Tann. Should they succeed so routing him, it would seem, from the direction of their line of march, that they iatend proceeding to Paris, when they •will no doubt act in concert with Trochu in his expected sortie. At Coulommieres, to the south-east of Paris, the French also appear to have beeu successful in an engagement with the Prussians, but of this affair the accounts are meagre and confused. In tbe south-east of Fiauce we 'hear of the Prussians at Dole, whence they were expected to march on Lyons •where preparations were being made for giviDg them a warm reception. In the ■north we fitid them at Douay, which is ■considered the key to the north of France, aud is consequently strongly fortified and armed, the fortifications haviDg 300 guns aod the citadel 400 more. While the Prussians are engaged in •ovenuuning and rendering desolate their •enemy's country, troubles seem to bave brokeu out in their own land, as will be seen from the following extract from the News of the World. We must, however •premise, that the American sympathies are so entirely with the French, that they frequently seem disposed to exaggerate any signs of weakness among the Germans. ""Fear ful distress and discontent," writes -She oorrespoudent of the World, prevail in G-ermaay growing out of the prolongation ■of the war, which the journals dare not «peak of because no mercy is shown by •"the Military Government. The whole country is iv the most deplorable condition, and it is doubtful how long public indignation can be restrained by military discipline. Everywhere is desolation ; €eos of thousands are in mourning. Prussia may yet greatly injure -France, hut she is so exhausted she cannot conquer her. King William must -soon come under the same conditions as did the Emperor after the battles of the 24fh, 16th, aud 18th of August, when he dared not return to Paris without achieving -success to efface his previous disaster — William also seeks success before daring ■So return to Berlin; otherwise the Prussian power will collapse like the dreams of the Emperor." If the correspondent of the World is to he believed, the whole tide of popular -ieeltng in England is now running strongly Su favor of the French; the Times, under the pressure of this influence, having chauged its tone, aud now urging upon Germany to make peace and withdraw from France while she can do so with •safety. This feeling is said to be partially •due to the horrible cruelties perpetrated hy (he Prussians iv their victorious march through France. For us in the colonies, the most important news is undoubtedly that which refers to (he possible rupture between Russia and iEogland, over tbe old bone of contention, die Black Sea. The former power evidently thinking the opportunity has now arrived for carrying out her long cherished •purpose, takes advantage of the crippled state of France to state her determination to demand a modification of the provisions ■of die treaty of 1856. But ou this point "v-rc fchall let the telegrams speak for them•srelves: — London, Nov. 13. The Russian Minister here read to Lord Granville a letter from Prince Gortscha•3co£F, stating that Russia now demands a •modification of the provisions signed in Paris on the 14th March, 1865, of Articles 11 nnd 13 in the treaty of Paris, .27th April, 1856. These provisions forbid the Rus&i-in fleet entering the Dardanelles iircm the Black Sea, and limits the Russian i

ti eet in the Black Sea to ten small steamers They also prohibit Russia and Turkey maintaining on Ihe Black Sea Coast any military or marine arsenal, and generally neutralise the Black Sea by the interdiction from its waters of any vessel of *wai belonging to powers possessing its coast or acy other power. This declaration on the part of Russir being simultaneously made in London bj the Cabinets at Constantinople, Vienna, ard Berlin, is believed here to indicate Russia's readiness to insist ou the recognition of her claims by force. The official journal of Constantinople says the Sublime Porte is now able tc resist any attack; that it has 600,000 mcc and twelve armored frigates. London, November 14. Excitement in Loudon to-night runs high in political circles respecting the designs of Russia. It is believed lhat she has a secret understanding with Prussia. A correspondent of the Tribune, writing from St. Petersburg on the oth, says an Imperial order was issued on that date, dismissing on limited furlough, all the soldiers who entered the army before the Ist March 1870. Uneasiness exists in diplomatic circles ; a feeling prevails that ihe Government is about to make a declaration renouncing the obligations of the treaty of Paris, and it is understood that if such be the case the British ambassador will demand his passports. Tbe mission of Russell, Under-Secre-tary of Foreign Affairs, to Versailles, is undertaken, not by order of the Foreign Office, but in consequence of the late Cabinet Council. The object of the mission is 'to ascertain the views of Bismarck in relatiou to the threatening note from Russia read to Granville, on Wednesday, by the Russian Ambassador, and formally repudiating the obligations of the treaty of 1856. Russell, it is understood, is instructed to inform Bismarck that England, Austria, and Italy will unite to resist the violation of the treaty. The Russian fleet will be at the Dardenelles next week. Extraordinary activity exists in the Army and Navy Department. General European complications seem imminent. In connection with this subject we may quote the following extract from the World, dated London, November 12: — The speech of the Lord Chief Baron, the other day, which declared that Austria would lie prostrate before Germany, that Russia will be compelled to barter her Baltic ports for Constantinople, and that England, being only safe so long as she remains mistress oi the seas, must arm herself for a desperate struggle, has produced great alarm and dismay, and a hearty wish for the repulse of the Germans and the triumph of France. Such being the threatening aspect oi the political atmosphere in Europe we shall look with the greatest anxiety for the arrival of the news via Suez which may be expected here on Monday next.