OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 3 November 1870, Page 5

OF THE ENGLISH MAIL.

AT IIOKITIKA.

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

TOTAL DEFEAT of tiie FRENCH.

PARIS BESIE&ED

OCCUPATION OF ROME BY THE ITALIAN TROOPS.

(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH).

(From the "Daily Times.")

Hokitika, November, Ist

The Rangitoto left Melbourne on the evening of the 27th, and had variable weather throughout the passage. She arrived at two o'clock to. day.

Loxdox, Sept. 26th.

After the 9th the Prussians were steadily marching on Paris in three columns, and arrived at Neare on the 11th. Tliey were at Joiirille a:id Aielun on the 16th ; the vanguard close to the eastern side of the Pans Railway.

On the 17 th inst. the Prussians crossed the Seine at Merth, occupying AVciiuc house Ernay.

The Havre railway was cut nn at Confl.ius. Connection entirely suspended. {September 30th.

Investment of Paris completed

The Crown Prince of Prussia has established his head-quarters at Versa lljs, and Vinoenncs. On the approach of the Prussians to Paris, large bodies of troops left the city for the purpose of harassing the movements of the Prussians army. 80,000 troops occupied the woods. An engagement occurred on the 20th. Three French divisions were driven back on Paris. Loss 2000, and 2000 prisoners. A despatch dated the 23rd states that concord prevailed in Paris. The reported riunor of street firing h utterly unfounded. The Parisians resolutely de^are themselves cap-ible of holding out till winter. Since the investment or the city the concentrated Prussiansaround Paris combined «md occupied their position at Pitlircrers, Meater, and Orleans. The rumored Prussian defeats at Laon, at Metz and Merudou, are declared unfounded. in case of necessity the seat of Government will be removed to Bordeaux. At one time the Prussians threatened the invasion of Normandy. London, October 3rd. The peace negotiations by neutral Powers were broken off in the middle of September, Prussia declining intervention Paris is completely invested, and all communication is int off. The siege is hourly expected to begin. The Parisians are determined to tight to the last. By the b.ittles at Metz on the 15th to 18th August, Von Mol ke's plan to cut off the retreat of the French was successful. The carnage was fearful on both side 3. The bravery displayed was unsurpassed. The total loss was over 100,000. The whole country was covered with dead and wounded. The Parisians were deceived by the Government a3 to the result. The march of the Crowu Prints from Worth to Chalons was uninterrupted. Marshal M'Mahon made a strategic movement to tho northward to delay his march on Paris, and contrary to the Emperor's orders, determined to extricate Marshal Bazaine at Metz. The attempt was impracticable in the face of the Prussian force, and the sole result was to i>ive Paris a reprieve of 10 days.

The latest telegram received at G.ille from P.iris stated that the French attacked the encampment of the Suth Prussian Army Corps on the 30th, but were routed with heavy loss. The French Government has ordered all males between 21 and 40 years of age 60 be organised into a National Guard, from which the Minister of War will draw troops. Kussian official journals deny the rumours of military movements in that country. German despatches assert that fighting took place in the streets of Paris on the 24th and 25th September. The Italian troop 3 occupied Rome, after a slight resistance. The Pope is at the Vatican. Toul has capitulated. Metz still holds out. The peace negotiations between Julei Favre and Bismarck, involving the cession of Alsace and Lorraine, have been broken off. Tiie Fronch Government have ordered a levy en masse. On September 11th King Victor Eruanuel ordered the Italian troop 3to march into the Woman provinces. The Pope protested, but ordered no resistance to be made. General Canorna requested

General Cai^lez' permission to enter Koine. The latter refused. The Italian troops were enthusiastically received at Civita Vecchia.

The siege of Rome commenced on the 1 9th. On the 2 Jfch the the troops entered the city, after some resistance from the Papal troops. The Pope was sent to Civita Vecchia.

A plebiscite of the Roman States was taken on October 2nd

The King stated to the Pope that the reason of his entry was to prevent bloodshed.

The negotiations by the neutral Powers for an armistice continued till the middle of September, exciting hopes that Paris would be spared. Prussia refused to allow them to interfere, considering that the position taken up by the French Government prevented a guarantee of the durability of any peace so made. M. Thiers undertook a mission to London on the 13th doptember, and saw Earl (-Jranville, and, subsequently, Count Bernstofl", the Prussian Ambassador, but fruitlessly. On the 10th he went to St. Petersburg, where he was received by Prince Gortschakoff, not by the Czar. Jules Favre offered, on the 14th September, to Bismarck, a complete indemnification of the costs of the war, the demolition of the fortifbations of Metz and Strasburg, and the surrender of a portion of the fleet. Bismarck demanded the cession of Alaace and Lorraine as a material guarantee against a French attack on Germany, lie said he did not de3ire to interfere further with France, and was indifferent as to its mode of Government. The negotiations fell through on the 15th September. The Prussians have established postal arrangements through the conquered provinces.

The United States, Spain, Switzerland, and Belgium have formally recognised the French Republic. England awaits the vote of the French people at the general elections before doing it.

Count Herns • off enquired of Eavl Granville the nature of the British neutrality, since arms were being furnished to the French. Eavl Granville replied that Britain acted strictly in accordance with international law, and with the conduct of Prussia during the Crimea war. The blockade in the North Sea ha 3 ceased, the French fleet having left the Baltic on the 27th September. After a in-each had been made in tho fortifications, Strasburg surrendered. The siege guns have been sent to Paris. The Germans threaten an invasion of Normandy. The Due D'Aumale has accepted th^ canditure for the Assembly. The Pru.ssiiii3 advanced on Paris by three different routes, and skirmishes took place in the neighbourhood of the city on the 12fch and Itith. September. Postal communication between Paris and London has been stopped. Prompt preparations are being made for a siege. The railway and telegraph lines have been cut by the Prussians, and all coinmuication with the city has been stopped. The Parisian (iovernment have de ermitied to construct a complete system of barricades in the stre *ts. An attempted revolution in Paris was promptly siippressed. Lieutenant llortli, a Prussian spy, has beea executed. The defenders of Paris clamour for a sortie on a grand scale. There is a break in the telegraph cable near Suez. Marshal M'Mahon has died of his wounds. The English journals show the impolicy of unduly humiliating France, and plead for generous treatment. The Hrithh people are doing all they can to initiga c the distress. Surgeons, nurses, and appliances have been sent to the battle grounds. The Americans are also acting philanthropically. ltecriiiting is going on in Britain, th* arsenals are busy, the sea defences are being seen to, and new iron clads are being built. Jefferson Davis has arrived in Britain. Mazzini has been arrested at Caprera, and is closely guarded. The attempted revolution in Roumania failed. The Russian Government is averse to the dismemberment of France.

Galle, October 4th. The likelihood of Britain being involved in the war is considered remote. The following additional itera3 of European news have been published :—: — Marshal M'Mahon is still alive, and is a prisoner at Wiesbaden. Fort Evary was summoned to surrender, but refused. The election for the Constituent Assembly is fixed for the 17th October, until which date England delays her recognition of the French Republic. Order has been re-established at Lyons. Jt is stated that the Tours Government have given the American Genenl Beauregard a commission to raise an army corps in South France.