THE SUEZ MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 136, 15 September 1870, Page 6

THE SUEZ MAIL.

o Hokitika, September Bth. The s.s. Tararua arrived here at 6 p.m. after a passage of five days. London". The Princess of Wales has returned from Copenhagem. Prince Arthur has also returned to England. The Prince of Wales will visit India next year. The Duke of Edinburgh's Indian presents cost LI O,OOO. Mr Dickens's pictures and other works of art realised LIO,OOO. Obituary. — Mr Evans, of the firm of Bradbury and Evans ; G. Summers, the cricketer ; Admiral Danlgren ; Lord Justice Gifford. The Americans have passed a law prohibiting Indians and Chinese from holding the right of citizenship. A French settlement on the Bed Sea has been attacked with the connivance of the Turkish Government. Sir Bobert Harvey, of Norwich, shot himself on August sth, his bank having stopped payment. Mr Freelinghuysen succeeds Mr Motley as American Ambassador in England. The French Minister at Washington has committed suicide. The yacht Cambria arrived at New York on the 27th, winning the ocean race by one hour only. Dr Featherston and Mr Dillon Bell are endeavouring to get the Government to constitute New Zealand a distinct Commodore's station, but Mr Childers's illness has interfered with the negotiations. War was declared between France and Prussia on July 15th. The Prussians entered France, destroying the railways. Several bloody engagements have taken place, in which the Prussians were victorious. England, Italy, Belgium, and Holland remain neutral. United Germany is flocking from all parts to fight for Fatherland. A Boyal proclamation has been issued by England, enjoining neutrality on British subjects. The King of Prussia has disclaimed the responsibility of the war. The German Parliament declared, on the 20th July, that Germany was unconcerned in the candidature of Prince Leopold for the Spanish Crown, and compared the French Emperor's disregard for peace to that of the First Napoleon, who gratified his personal passion for exciting the national sentiment. Germany was desirous of a durable peace, but, being no longer divided, was able to repell aggression. On the 23rd, Napoleon addressed a stirring proclamation to the people, recalling to their minds his conciliatory policy, which had been disregarded, and declaring Prussia to be the aggressor, and the cause of European armament. A French circular affi 'ms that Count Bismarck prepared the candidature of Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern secretly, thinking that France would accept it as an accomplished fact. Count Bismarck, however, denies this. On the 25th the " Times " published the draft of a treaty between France and Prussia, submicted in 1866, and rejected by Prussia, and again when offered lately as the basis of an offensive and defensive alliance, the unity of Germany under Prussia, France obtaining Luxembourg, and indemnifying Holland. The English Ministry, the " Times " says, were ignorant of the existence of this treaty. The Prussian Ambassador confirms the statements of the " Times." The French Ministry attribute the origin of the treaty to Ooun+ Bismarck, and state that it never had a serious basis, but was rejected by both parties. Mr. Disraeli, in the House of Commons, advocated armed neutrality, but Mr. Gladstone objected, saying that England was perfectly impartial, but the Government would take precautionary military and naval measures. A supplementary war estimate of two millions has been submitted. The chartering of coal ships to the belligerent fleets has been declared illegal. The Army Enlistment Bill has been passed, and the Foreign Enlistment Bill, providing against any assistance whatever being given to foreign powers, has been read a second time. A monster meeting has been held in Dublin in favour of France and Fenianism. France and Prussia have promised to respect the neutrality of Holland and Belgium. Austria and Italy have both armed, agreeing to take common action regarding neutrality and future mediation. England refused to join them. The South German States, Saxony, and Hesse, have joined Prussia, the Crqwn-Prin.ee assuming the command of the South German Army. French merchant vessels are declared not to be subject to capture by the German fleet. The French Government has announced its conformity to international rules, and to the Congress of 1866. Prussian vessels being allowed 30 days to clear out of French ports. All with French cargoes are allowed a safe conduct. The French Chamber has voted 490 million francs for the army, and 80 millions for the navy. The Prussians entered France on the j 18bh July, tearing up the railways on the Luxembourg frontier. They also blew up the railway bridge across the

Bhine. They massed near Luxembourg 300,000 strong, and prepared to retreat on Carling if necessary. The French Emperor is at the head of the troops on the frontier, with the Prince Imperial. On the 31st, a Prussian official account stated that the French were repulsed on the 30th in an attack on Saarbruck. On August 2nd the French troops at Metz assumed the offensive and crossed the frontier. A serious engagement ensued, in which the Prussians were dislodged from Saarbruck. The Emperor and Prince were present on the occasion. The Prussians numbered 10,000. The French lost 11 men. Prussian accounts state that the small detachment at Saarbruck was attacked by five French divisions and 23 guns, and had consequently to evacuate the town with small loss, and had withdrawn within a new line of defences. The Prussians were withdrawing from Triolo. The King of Prussia arrived at Mayence on 3rd August. The Belgian Army of Observation has taken up a position on the Military Boad from Leige to Aix la Chapelle. Latest advices gave Prussian accounts of a brilliant but bloody victory. The Crown Prince's army had crossed the Bhine and stormed Weissenburg. They repulsed and dispersed the French, and took 500 unwounded prisoners. The French General Douay was among the killed. The Prussian loss was severe, the effect of the new French cannon the Mitrailleur being very murderous. A Prussian squadron, consisting of four ironclads, left Plymouth on July 14th, followed by a despatch boat. A French fleet of seven ironclads passed Dover northwards on the 25th, and arrived at Fredericksburg on the 3rd August. The Pope has been advised of the withdrawal of the troops from Borne. Italy promises to guard the Papal frontier. The Austrian Government has notified the abrogation of the Concordat, in consequence of the Infallibility Dogma.