THE SUEZ MAIL.

Southland Times, Issue 1320, 11 October 1870, Page 3

THE SUEZ MAIL.

The s.s. Tararua arrived at Hokitika, from Melbourne, on Thursday, bringing the New Zealand portion of the mail via Suez. The following are some further particulars of the news : — Losdon, Sept. 5. The Bank of England has reduced the rate of 'discount to 3^. The King of Prussia has addressed a proclamation to the French people, assuring them that the Germans desired to. live at peace with the French ; that they were waging war against the soldiers, not the citizens, of France ; and that, if no hostile attempts were, made by civilians) against the German troops, the inhabitants would be protected. . '. On the 15th August the King telegraphed that the Prussians had been victorious in a battle before Metz. The first and seventh army corps had vigorously attacked the French outside of Metz, and after a bloody fight drove them into the town. The French loss is stated to be 4000. A German official account, dated the 17 th, states that the Prussians drove the French back upon Metz after a hot fight, lasting i 2 hours, and^that the loss on bqth sides was heavy. '' v Two Prussian Generals are amongst the killed. The Prussians captured 2000 prisoners, two eagles, and' seven cannon. ; The Prussians attacked Phalsbourg on the 18th, but were repulsed with ft loss of 1300.men- ; , . Phalsbourg still holds out. The King telegraphed on the 19th that the French army had been completely defeated on the 18th near Beauville, and being driven back upon Metz, were cut off from Paris. ! The battle lasted nine hours. . The French occupied. a positiqn equal to a fortress. ■--■■•■ The Prussians attacked them about nightfall, stormed and captured all the heights, and took 4000 prisoners. *" The Prussians estimated the French loss at 23,000. : The total loss of the French in the battles of the 14th, 16th, and 18th, is set down at 50,000 killed, wounded, and prisoners ; and . the German losses 40,000. The Prussians resolutely commenced their march on Paris. A large Prussian force was round Verdun, their vanguard being between Chalons and Epernay. "When the Prussians arrived before Rheims, the city capitulated. The Prussians deny that Bazaine has escaped from Metz, and say he is still there. The Prussians continue their movement towards Bethel and Vousiers in great force, and a great battle was imminent. The following is from French sources :— Le Boeuf has resigned the MajorGeneralship of the army of the Rhine, and Bazaine has been nominated Commander-in-chief of the second, third, and fourth corps of the army of the Rhine. . „ Trochu commanded the 18th army corps at Chalons. j A French squadron was before Kiel, where important events were expected. The north-western coast of Germany, was declared blockaded. The Corps Legislatif and Senate have voted an increase to the war credit of 10,000,000,000 francs. A forced currency of bank notes has been issued to -the amount of two thousand four hundred million francs. Algeria has been declared in a state of siege, , ! ' . . . Toul refuses to surrender, and maintains a gallant defence. Bazaine telegraphed on the 17th that he had fought a battle on the lGth, between Boncourt and Thionville, which lasted all day. The enemy were repulsed, and the French passed the night on the position gained. The French won a battle near Gravellotte. The official details of the battle of the 16th says that the Prussians were repulsed along the whole line with considerable loss ; the French loss also being serious. Prince Tours D'Auvergne notified to the neutral powers that France declined mediation whilst a single Prussian remained in France. . j 150,000 old soldiers are being assembled at Lyons, and 80,000 of a similar class at Paris. Measures are being taken for fortifying Paris against a siege. Trochu ordered the expulsion from Paris of all individuals having no ostensible means of living. He also ordered all. persons belonging to the nationalities at war with France to leave the depart, inent while it was in a state of siege. The French say their loss in the battle of the 16th was 15,000, ..!.-. i 1 ■ 'i =

Fighting was reported to be going on on the 2Sth (?) at Stenay, near the Belgian frontiers. The Belgian troops were under orders to proceed to the frontier. The -statement made -in The .Times that the Empress Eugenic had solicited the Queen to mediate has been contradicted. r- . The Empress is in Belgium, and the Prince Imperial is ill at Namur. - - The Parisians are in a state of great excitement, and are determined to defend their city to the very last. Bismarck accompanies the Crown Princes of Prussia and Saxony, and King "William, -.who are, marching direct on Paris.