NEWS BY THE MAIL VIA SUEZ.

Southland Times, Issue 1317, 4 October 1870, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL VIA SUEZ.

The Gothenburg arrived at the Bluff from Melbourne on the evening of the 29th ult., bringing a second edition of the Argus, containing the following : — London, Sept. 1. The Bank of France has suspended specie payments. i The battles fou»ht at Weiasenberg, I Woerthe, and Forbach were more disastrous to France than was at first supposed. M'Mahon's corps has been almost annihilated. Prince Napoleon's secret mission to Italy was unsuccessful. Chalons and Rheims were evacuated on 20th and 23rd August. Marshal M'Mahon, with a new army, attempted to relieve General Bazaine at Metz. After two days' hard fighting at Busancy, he was driven back yesterday beyond the Meuse, losing twelve cannons and several thousand prisoners, retreating to Sedan. Strasborg was invested by 50,000 Germans. A most destructive bombardment of the city was kept. up for several days. The population was starving in the sewers. The Governor refused to surrender. A German army was marching on Paris. General Trochu is in chief command. Germans in France have been expelled. A 30,000,000 loan has been subscribed. The Prussians occupied Cozignan. The Emperor has left for Sedan or Rancort. The carnage is terrible, and the population is panic stricken. England is raising contributions to ! succour the wounded of both armies. The fourth German army is in the field. A public meeting has been held in Germany, which counselled the Prussian King to exact conditions that would guarantee a lasting peace. Desperate fighting, extending over three days, occurred between Metz and Verdon for the line of the river Moselle. Both sides claim the victory, but the French were driven back upon Metz, and their position was considered perilous. General Bazaine's army was nearly isolated, and lost 2000 prisoners, two eagles, seven cannon, and several Gene- | rals. I The French Emperor reported at i Rheims that the Prince Imperial had retreated to Paris. The Paris fortifications are being pressed forward. The citizens are desponding. General Trochu has expelled all useless citizens from the capital. The fortifications are manned for a long siege. Paris is still hopeful. Some is quiet. The other Powers maintain strict neutrality. British mediation is strongly urged by The Times. Benedetti, Prince Murat, and Count Bernßtoff have seen Earl Granville and Gladstone at Walraerv Castle, and the Queen at Balmoral. " The French fleet in the North Sea had^ an indecisive naval engagement on 16th August, off Rugen. Fatal riots have occurred at Londonderry. The city is proclaimed under military rule. Napoleon has been taken prisoner by the Prussians. Paris is in a state of siege. The contents of the third edition of the ; journal before referred to were telegraphed to Queenscliff and placed on board the Gothenburg before she passed through Port Phillip Heads, to be wired from the Bluff to Dunedin, from whence we received the following on Saturday hist : — London, Sept. 5. The Emperor and ninety thousand French prisoners were captured at Sedan. Napoleon has been removed to the consulate at Berlin, which city was illuminated on the occasion. A peaceful revolution has taken place at Paris. The Emperor has been formally deposed. A Provisional GoTernment has *been formed. The Empress has left France. The Provisional Government, declares its determination to repel invasion. The German army continues its march on Paris. The Government formed is Republican, and comprises Trochu, Gambetti, Jules Favre, and others. The Senate has been abolished. The Emperor proposed to leave everything to a Regency in Paris, when offering to surrender. Jerome David announced in the Senate on 3rd September that Paris was to be defended to the utmost — in the forts, streets, and from house to house. Freelinglraysen has declined to become United States Minister to England, vice Mr Motley, resigned. Obituary. — Sir F. Pollock, Lord Willoughby D'Eresby, Sir Alexander Woodford, Marquis of Hertford, and General Campbell. The New Zealand Loan Guarantee Bill has been passed. It was opposed in the Lords by Earl Grey. Earl Granville, however, justified it on the ground of exceptional circumstances. Consols, 92.