THE SUEZ MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 6 October 1870, Page 6

THE SUEZ MAIL.

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

THE EMPEEOE OF tub FEENCH

TAKEN PRISONER.

TOTAL DEFEAT OF THE

FEENCH TEOOPS

PAEIS IN A STATE OF SIEGE.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH).

[The following was published as a Tuapeka Times Extra, on Friday last :— ] Inyercargill, Friday, 30th September, 11.30 a.m. English telegrams arrived at the Bluff. Napoleon has been taken prisoner by the Prussians. The Bank of France has suspended specie payments. Paris is in a state of siege. The battles fought at Weissemburg, Worth, and Forbach were more disastrous to France than was at first supposed. Strassbourg has. been bombarded by the Prussians. M'Mahon's corps has been almost annihilated. Strasbourg was invested by 50,000 Germans. A most destructive bombardment of the city was kept up for several days — the Governor refused to surrender. A German army was marching on Paris. Desperate fighting, extending over three days, occurred between Metz and Yerdan, for the line of the river Moselle. Both sides claim the victory.

The Trench 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 generals. General Trochu is in chief command. Germans in Prance have been expelled. The French fleet in the North Sea had an indecisive naval engagement

on the 16th August, off Rugen.

[The following is from the " Daily Times " telegram : — ] Bluff, September 30th. The Gothenburg, Captain Pearce, arrived here at 9.30 p,m. yesterday. She left Melbourne on the evening of the 24th. The arrival of the English Mail was telegraphed from Adelaide, at 1.30 p.in on the 24th. The Gothenburg brings 125 tons cargo for Dunedin ; 27 for Lyttelton ; 75 for Wellington ; and 52 for Nelson.

Adelaide, September 24th. The branch mail steamer Alexandra, J. W. Brown commauder, with the August European mails per Malta, arrived off Glenelg at 1 p.m., having made the homeward passage in 97 hours. The outward voyage occupied 102 hours. The Avoca, Captain Farquhar, reached the Sound on September 17th, at 8.30 p.m., and. sailed again at 2 a.m. on the 18th. The Malta arrived at the Sound at 6.30 a.m. on the 20th, after a splendid passage of 12 days 20 hours — the fastest on record — having experienced fine weather throughout the run. She was to leave for Melbourne at 6 p.m. the same day.

London, August 19th, A Bill for a loan of 40,000,000fr. has been introduced.

The Crown Prince suddenly attacked Marshal M'Mahon at Worth, and after an obstinate engagement, M'Mahon was defeated with a loss of 10,000 killed and 6000 prisoners taken, comprising one hundred ofiicers, together with thirty guns, four mitraillears, two eagles, baggage, commissariat, &c, ending in complete rout. The German loss was four thousands.

An attempt was made to reform and make a stand at Niederbrunn, but the Bavarians took the position' and M'Mahon retreated on the Savernc.

The Germans under Steinmetz attacked Frossard's crops near Saarbruck. The battle lasted from noon till dark, and there was great carnage. Frossard retreated.

The German military system is complete. The French generalship has been much criticised.

The strength of the French army concentrated at Metz is estimated at two hundred and thirty thousand. Bazaine is chief in command with Canrobert and Changarnier under him. Strasbourg is invested ; the garrison is a weak one.

The Baltic expedition is abandoned. The condition of Paris is alarming. It is impossible to pacify the people. In the Legislature there has been a stormy debate ; recrimination and even blows were exchanged. The abidication of the Emperor is demanded. The Emperor was asked by his friends to return to Paris.

He replied that he would return dead or victorious.

England remains neutral, but has entered into a treaty for the protection of Belgium with the belligerents. Five millions have been voted for the English army and navy, and twenty, thousand men are being recruited. The arsenals are busy. The chartering of coal vessels direct to the French or Prussian fleet is prohibited.

September Ist. Prince Napoleon's secret mission to Italy was unsuccessful. Chalons and Eheims were evacuated on the 20th and 23rd August.

Marshal M'Mahon, with a new army, attempted to relieve Greneral Bazaine at Metz, and after two days hard fighting at Buzancy, was driven back yesterday beyond the Meuse, losing twelve cannons and several thousand prisoners in retreating to Sedan. The Prussians have occupied Caaznan. The Emperor has left for Sedan or Eocroy. The carnage was terrible. The population is panic stricken. England is raising contributions to succour the wounded of both armies.

A public meeting was held in Germany, which counselled the Prussian King to exact conditions that would guarantee a lasting peace.

The carnage is still dreadful. The French were driven back to Metz. Their position is perilous. Bazaine's army is nearly isolated, having lost 2000 men, who were taken prisoners, two eagles, seven cannons, and several Generals.

A fourth German army is in the field.

The German army is now marching on Paris, from which the General in command (Trochu) has expelled all useless citizens, and made preparation^ for a lengthened seige. Public opinion is, however, still hopeful, and a loan of 30,000,000fr. has been subscribed for.

The Emperor is reported to be at Eheims, and the Prince Imperial to have returned to Paris, where General Trocho is in command.

The Paris fortifications are being pressed forward. The citizens are desponding. Rome is quiet, and the other powers maintain a strict neutrality. British mediation is strongly urged by the " Times."

Count Benedetti, Prince Murat, and Count Bernstorff have seen Earl Granville and Mr. Gladstone at Walmer Castle, and the Queen at Balmoral. Fatal riots have occurred at Londonderry. The city is proclaimed under military rule.