CAPITULATION OF PARIS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 67, 20 March 1871, Page 2

CAPITULATION OF PARIS.

The s.s. Phoebe arrived in harbor at 8 o'clock yesterday morning with the San Francisco mail. The following items of intelligence, which we have placed in something like chronological order, are from the JS 7 etvs of the World. They will be found to contain a narrative of the most interesting events that have occurred in connection with the war since the departure of the previous mail : — Versailles, Jan. 17. — There has been silence for twenty-four hours, with the exception of an occasional boom from Mont Valerien. For three days the batteries have been slack. There are various theories to account for this singular cessation. Some insist that negotiations are pending, and that a delegation came out on the 15th, for this object, and a secret answer was returned yesterday. It is rumoured that the Germans have asked four days armistice. That seems the only plausible way to account for the almost total cessation of firing. Rumours insist that the effect of the fire is unequal to German anticipations. Batteries are being re-armed aud a general attack is said to be organised for to-mor-row. It includes St. Denis and Coronne. Twenty-two batteries are now in position, available for bombardment. On the side of the French, Montroage was active on the 15th ; great firing on the 16th at the north, and several sorties on the 15th. Thirty Mobiles, unwouudedj were found frozen to death in the woods in front of Meudou ; they had been cut off by an advance of the Sixth German Corps. Several large guns were stopped by the weather. Latest, 7 p.m. — Overtures of some nature are certain, but there is good reason to believe a bombardment of increased severity will commence immediately. Versailles, January 19. — The batteries on the southwest of Paris are advanced to within 800 yards of Fort Montrouge, which replied yesterday with one gun on the west front, Issy firing two guns, at long intervals. s '. Accounts from Paris represent terrible/ damages and sufferinp, caused by the., bombardment, the shells falling within St. Louis and the Elysee. The French outworks at Yillej.uif, Bilenced at the beginning of the bombardment, have broken out again, and the four

long range guns there are doing some wild shooting over the batteries, making it uncomfortable for traveller?. London, January 20, 2 o'clock a.m. — General Von Werder telegraphs to Carlsvuhe that his vanguard is in pursuit of the retreating army of Bourlaki; aod there would be a general advance aloDg the whole line of the German Army on the 19r.1i. The Baden Brigade is marching to Savareui. London, January 20. — The Telegraph's Versailles special says the Germans will have 28 batteries available against the city in three days. However,^the bombardment, has slackened, and four hours has totally cease^dr \X is believed negotiations are pending* London, January 22. — Advice's, from Paris state that at the Council on Friday General Trochu announced that if the hope of assistance from the outside should bo disappointed, it would be his duty to surrender before the Germans destroyed the public buildings and fired the> entire city. The civil members of the Council disagreed with Trochu, and he resi&n.ed, but again accepted the command after a hot quarrel. London, January-' 23. — Advices from Paris*, dated' January 21, say great dissatisfaction exists in consequence of Trochu's failure in his last effort to break the lines of the enemy. It is reported that a large available force of artillery and infantry took no part, in the action. Trochu's policy is loudly denounced as weak. Veisailles, January 28. — The bombardment is progressing favorably. The forts are almost silenced. There are several fires in the town of St. Denis, and also inside the walls of Paris to-day. Bordeaux, January 23. — The Prussians attacked Dijon yesterday and were beaten after a battle which lasted five hours. Ricciotti Garibaldi captured the flag of a Prussian regiment of the Hue. London, January 24. — The Germans are before Cambrai; they have established siege batteries, running near the city. Garibaldi's operatious have been suspended, in consequence of Bourbuki's retreat. A Paris correspondent of the London Times, under date of the 21st, says General Trochu is generally considered incompetent, and the Council of Defeuce only failed to accept his resignation because tkc\y were unable to find a successor. It is impossible to make the Parisians consider the question of surrendering; they are anxious to fight under a competent leadership. Rations of flour are now half-a-pound daily, per man; the poorest people receive bread gratis, with a pint of wine each, aud a little syrup daily. The middle classes suffer most severely. All the potatoes are sold at a franc a-piece, aud dog flesh is worth one dollar per pound. Loudon, January 25. — The London Times has the following special : — " Versailles, January 24r. — Favre is here and proposes the capitulation of tbe soldiers and garrison with the honors of war. The terms are not deemed admissible. The attack on St. Denis, on the 19th, mainly led to the resolution to ask for terms. General Trochu J is sick, aud Vinoy is in command. The arrangement of the terms of surrender will take time. The French demands are by far too large. London. January 25. — The Times in a leader says: "If Favre refused unconditional surrender, and ivill not end the whole war on the Ge^mstt> t€^ms, Bismarck has in his possession a* full acceptance of those terms by the French Emperor and Empress, and will threaten to restore Napoleon." Versailles, January 25. — There is ground for believing that Paris will surrender : there is great scarcity of fuel aud provisions. London, January 25 — [Herald Cable.] — There is tremendous excitement here at West End, over the rumored treaty of capitulation of Paris. Many doubt the truth of the reports, aud this disbelief is increased by the rumour that Favre is actually on his way to London to attend the Conference. Among the French residents general satisfaction is expressed ; their opinion in general is that the news of the capitulation is well-founded, and they accept the fact of Trochu's resignation as proof of its truih. The neighborhoods most frequented by the French refugees, Leicester Square and Soho, present just now a singular appearance ; every street is filled with groups of people, gesticulating. Versailles, January 27. — The negociations in reference to the surrender of Paris are now so advanced that articles of capitulation areexpected io be signed in the course of the day.U,. London, January; — Favre was" in conference with Bismarck at midnight. Bismarck carried his 'point. Capitulation involves peace, the'eessioa of Alsace and j German Lorraine, and part of the fleet ;

a money indemnity, to be guaranteed by the municipalities ; a portion of the German army to return home, and the war to cease. It is necessary that some territory be retained to secure the fulfilment of the compact. The Mobiles are to be seDt home, and the German army to eutec Paris. The Emperor will return immediately to Berlin. Versailles, January 25. — The terms of peace offered by Bismarck to the French nation are as follows : — First. — The cession of Alsace and that part of Lorraine known as German Lorraine. Second — A money indemuity of one thousand million francs. Third — Forty war ships from the French fleet. Fourth — One of the colonies now held by France. (Pondicherry) The money indemnity must be guaranteed by the municipalities. If this guarantee be refused, the property of rich individuals will be held possession of until aquiescence is obtained. On tho morning of Monday, January 23, a flag of truce left the French lines, aud was met. by the Germans. The bearer delivered a letter from Jules Favre, addressed to Count Bismarck. At noon the missive reached Versailles and was placed in the hands of Bismarck. It requested permission for Favre to come to Versailles. He replied that he might. At ten o'clock that same night the Prussian Premier applied to the Emperor of Germany for permi^siok to hold an interview with him. -A Favre spent the night al the quarters of the Lieutenaut of Police. Next day before nnon (Jan, 24), a Council of War was held to consider Favre's mission. General Von Roon, Count Bismarck, General Von Moltke, and the Crown Prince of Prussia, were present, iu addition to the Emperor who presided. The Council lasted two hours and the result of the deliberation was communicated to Favre, who returned to Paris at halfpast four o'clock the same evening. As be was being driven to his carriage down the avenue leading to the Sevres Road, Bismarck, who was takiDg his daily ride, encountered him and turned his horses' heads and rode by the window, conversing with Favre all the way to town. It is understood that Favre asked that the Army of Paris be allowed to march out with full honors, and take up a position iu some unoccupied District of France, under his management, and not resume hostilities for a term of months to be agreed upoD, and that there would be no triumphant entry into Paris by the Germans. These terms were refused by the Council, which informed Favre that the only basis of surrender would be the same as at Sedan and Metz. The state of Paris jg* terrible. The political clubs are in yfrms, and a sortie with 200,000 men was demanded. General Vinoy refusing to allow the useless butchery, General Lefla was put iu his place. The Reds demand a new Government, and two hundred and ten members of the National Guard have been chosen for that purpose. Three new batteries were opened to-day between Bricey and Le Bourget, making twenty-three batteries ia all — all in activity. Versailles, January 27. — ( World cable.) — The terms of the capitulation of Paris provide for the possession of the forts around Paris by the Germans, but no occupancy of the city by them. The Prince Imperial to be the future Emperor, with the Empress as Regent. A large force will be immediately despatched in pursuit of Chanzy. London, January 29.— The Emperor William has sent the following to the Empress Augusta: "Versailles, January 29. — 2 p.m.- — Last night an armistice for three weeks was signed. The Regulars aad Mobiles are to be retained in Paris as prisoners of war. The National Guard will undertake the maintenance of order. "We occupy all the forts. Paris remains invested, but will be allowed to revictual as soon as the arms are surrendered. " The. National Assembly is to be convened at Bordeaux in a fortnight. " All the armies in the field will retain their respective positions j the ground between the opposing lines to be neutral. " This is the reward of patriotism, heroism and great sacrifices. Thank God for this fresh mercy j may peace soon follow. (Signed) Wilhelm." Berlin, January 29. — The city is in a perfect frenzy of excitement, now that the capitulation of Paris is known. A despatch from the Chancellor gives official confirmation of the news which was received at a late hour last night. To-day the church bells were rung since daybreak, and the several services in the

churches were attended by crowds of worshippers ; sermons on peane wore delivered, and prayers aud thanksgiving for it were offered before and after the morning services in the churches. An immense crowd gathered in front of the pah.ee, and the ladies of the household appeared at the windows and waved their acknowledgments to the people.