THE FRANCS-TIREURS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 762, 12 January 1871, Page 2

THE FRANCS-TIREURS.

From the correspondence of the " Daily News" we take the following paragraph.- : The Prussian generals have sent a demand to the Tours Government for the surrender of all the prisoners made by the Francs-Tireurs, on the ground that they do not recognise them as regular soldiers. In case of refusal, they threaten to execute an equa 1 number of French citizens.' This is a most- outrageous proposal. The Francs-Tirours, who all wear a very recognisable uniform, are just as much soldiers as the Prussian Landwehr. Captain de Larre, commanding the Francs-Tireurs of the Aisne, has responded to the threat of the Prussian commandant of Laon —that for every German soldier killed by the FrancsTireurs he would shoot "four Frenchmen, whether " innocent or guilty," by enclosing to him in a letter a copy of an order given to his lieutenants, which runs thus :—" You have 157 prisoners. For. every Frenchman assassinated pursuant to Kahlden'/ decree, you will hang ten Prussians « Meckleuburgers tu the trees looking down upon the citadel of Laon." :; ■> The Francs-Tireurs have shown a dangerous spirit of activity of late. Several patrolshavebeenfireduponfrom woods and thickets, whilst on one occasion a whole detachment of Hussars has been surprised and badly cbtf.up. The rumour of Francs-Tireurs is so ready to arise that every stray ghot is credited to these lurking foes. When King William rode down a day or two since to inspect the ground before Mont Valericn, his escort had a man wounded in the leg by a random-bullet from the French outposts. LJL