WAR ITEMS,

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 159, 23 February 1871, Page 5

WAR ITEMS,

(From the San Francisco ''News of the "World.")

A despatch from a correspondent at Paris says shells hive beeu thrown into the north of the city from St. Ars, at a range of seven thousand yards. Private advices from Versailles express confidence that none of the forts, excepting pro"bably Valerien, will be able to resist the Prussian bombardment.

The Fx-onch have completed beyond Mont Valerien fortifications which throw shells beyond Versailles thus rendered untenable for the Prussians.

It is reported that the Prussians are incensed at the reports of the English correspondents with their armies, and have sent many away after bad treatment. The Paris correspondent of the London " Times " thinks the further resistance of Paris will be brief, and that food will fail before the end of January.

The Crown Prince of Saxony, in a despatch to King John, saya that when his troops entered, they found Mont Avron works deserted. The French had removed the guns to Noisy. The German batteries were then ordered to open fire on Noisy, Merlan, and Bondy. The French subsequently withdrew from the village Rosny, along the road to Paris. Brussels, Jan. 6th— [" Herald" Cable.] — The batteries at Clamart and Ville d'Averg, throwing shot weighing 1241b5. and shell weighing 651b5., bombarded Forts d'lssy, Vanvres, and Montronge, yesterday and to-day, the forts replying with considerable effect with six and seven inch guns, throwing shell weighing 1501bs. Another telegram says -.—The casemates of Forts d'Tssy and Vanvres were battered down, after a fight of eight hours' duration.

Private advices from Versailles to tho 6th inst. , stite that ths general bombardment of forts south, easfc, and north, is furious, and notwithstanding the slaughter caused by the French fire, they will all be silenced before Sunday. A correspondent at Paris, on the 9th January, writes that the city has bean bombarded for three days ; shells are

falling throughout the District of Anleuil, and through the Hotel des Invalides and the Pantheon, The damage is slight, and but few civilians have been killed. Its moral effect is encouraging. There is a universal demand for a more energetic policy.

Advices from Paris to the 30th December state that the Parisians urge Trochu to make a sortie with an enormous force, now their artillery is so numerous and the weather is moderating.

General Trochu on the 31st of Dscember issued a proclamation to the citizens of Paris, winch says : — '" Efforts are beiu_j made to destroy the union and confidence to which Paris owes her prolonged defence. Political capital is being made of the disappointment caused by the severity of the weather. The army has indeed been sorely tried, and requires a brief rest, which the enemy seeks to prevent by the most violent bombardment ; but the army is preparing to act, and will do its duty. There are no dissentions among the members of the Government, who are perfectly united in the face of the country's perils, and in the hope of her deliverance." The reports of the Generals commanding the fortifications show that slight damage has beea done to the suburban villages by the bombardment. But few men have been wounded. A Council of War has approved the measures for associating the National and Mobile Guards with the regular army, for a more vigorous defence of the citj r . J Jates from Paris to the 3rd Januaiy state that the damage from the bombardment had been slight. The French losses thus far had been 20 killed and 200 wounded. The citizens and the army were clamorous for offensive action.

London, January 4th — [World Cable.] — It is known in the highest German circles, that desperate efforts to reduce Paris are being made ; npon the reducof the forts on the south-west and northeast sides of the city the enceinte will be stormed.

Loudon, January 9th. — The Government of Paris has issued a cltcree announcing the consolidation of all tlie military associations and the entire ablebodied male population with the regular army for the defence of the city. A Commission has been appointed to carry out the decree, consisting of the Governor of Paris, the commanders of the forts, and the commanders of artillery and engineer corps.

Versailles, Januaiy 10th. — ["New York Herald" Special.] The French work at Billancourfc is reported devastated. Fort No^ent has recommenced tiring. In Fort d'lssy 14 guns have been dis noun ted Some shells have been hirovvn into the Paiis and Lyons railway station, and it is rumoured that tho Hospital des Invaliiles has bean hit. None of the forts have yet bean reached ; their capture involves an advance in open field. Paris will fall by hunger and weariness ; never by an artillery fire, even such a-* has been witnessed-

London, Januaiy 11th. — A balloon from Paris on the evening of the 10th brings the following : — Thousands of' balls fell within the outskirts of Paris in all directions during the night, killing some women aud children, striking ambulances, churches, museums, and schools. The population are more than ever resolute. Trochu will not capitulate.

A brussels despatch of the 11th says the result of ten days' bombardment of the nine forts and seven French batteries between the forts, is that no • serious damage has been done, and not a single gun dismounted. But 320 Germans were killed and wounded. Mont Avron was swept by a French fire, and The Germans evacuated the position. The guns at Clairmont reach the invalides aud Champ de Mara.

London, January llhh. — (New York ' ' Tribune " cable. ) — The ' ' Tribune " correspondent at Versailles writes that batteries have been advanced a thousand paces nearer d'lssy and Vanvres. "La Verifce " says shells are falling in Luxembourg garden.s. The population demand that the Government make changes — they want a fiyhting general instead of '!V>chn. OHit panprs are very revolutionary. The Mof'ilo officers and soldiers are deserting. Forts Noi3y, Rosuy, and Nogent are sensibly weakened. Many powerful new German batteries will shortly open.

A special despatch from Versailles, dated 23rd December, shows Paris yet retains some of her old brilliancy. The necessaiy business of the day is conducted as gaily as usual within her precincts, and cabs and omnibnsse3 ply the streets, and the shop windows display tempting arrays, just as in former times.

Intelligence from Paris confirms the report that broad riots have occurred in the city. A collision between the mob and the military has takeu place.

Bordeaux, January 3rd . — [Special to the "New York Herald."]— l have just obtained an interview with Ducrot, who arrived from Paris yastarday in a balloon. Tie left on the morning of the 20th. Ducrot, in 1841, was Prefect of Police under the Republic, and now has confidential relations with the Government, of course. Ducrot sa ; d : — "You know of what our menu consists, but I have not heard a murmur. All are contented to suffer under the circum.stan.ces, and are even happy. Throngs crowd the Boulevards, and people promenade the Champs Elysees ; hacks are few, but omnibuses are running, and the outward signs of distress are limited. In short, the progress favourably impresses the population. In regard to military affairs, 37 new battalions of the National Guards have been created."

Bands of Reds posted red placards, which were torn down by the populace. The posters declare the Government to be cowardly and incompetent, and clnim that the peoole are starved while favourite soldier 3 are overfed. The posters ware torn down by the Government agents.