GENERAL SUMMARY.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 764, 17 January 1871, Page 2

GENERAL SUMMARY.

The war telegrams are contra Jictory. German successes are reported through the month. The .French armies are everywhere defeated, and Orleans has been retaken by the Germans. Paris was to have been bombarded on the 19th December. On the 10th, Gambetta requested an armistice, having declared the cause lost beyond hope ; but, encouraged by the continued resistance of the army of the Loire, the Government declined an armistice. The Government have removed to Bordeaux, and war a outrance (to the utmost) is declared. Eussia is making great preparations for war, and the people are enthusiastically supporting the Emperor. The English Cabinet are divided, but the people are determined to oppose Eussia. Earl Granville is reported to have proceeded to Windsor to tender his resignation as Minister of Foreign Affairs. England and Eussia are both issuing large contracts for mitrailleuse. England recalls home all war vessels except those actually needed on foreign stations, and has ordered the men of the Naval Eeserve to join the vessels. Eussia has ordered the Eeserve Corps to hold themselves in readiness; a measure not resorted to since the Crimean war. The effect on the Stock Exchange is not mentioned. The King of Prussia has been declared Emperor of Germany. The restoration of Napoleon is thought likely, backed by Germany and Eussia, between whom there is a close union. Prussia has broken the neutrality of Luxembourg, alleging as a pretext military necessity and the leaning of the authorities to France. American news mentions congratutions having boon received from the Czar by President Grant, on receiving offer of assistance. Congress has opened, and the President recommended the reference of the Alabama question to the Government to settle.

There is a ministerial crisis in Austria. The Russian Ambassador at the Court of Vienna promises a satisfactory basis for a conference on the Eastern question. The English cables to America are both damaged, and efforts to repair them have been so far unsuccessful. The French cable only is operating. LATEST. London, Dec. 13. The French are retreating to Blois and Tours before Prince Frederick Charles, after four days' fighting at Beaugency. Prince Frederick Charles outgeneralled De Chancy, keeping his front engaged while turning the position, and he now threatens the right flank and rear of the French army. Since the 9th the Germans have driven part of the 18th Corps across the river at Blois, and now command the passage of the river at that point. The 3rd and 10th German corps continue to pursue the French towards the south and south-east, but have not yet pursued in force beyond Vieryon and Gien.

Considerable French forces are said to be at Mert, supposed to be fragments of the 18th and 20th Corps. On the 13th Phalsbourg surrendered, having been besieged since the battle of Woerth, and is now occupied by the Germans.

Lille, December 13.

It is rumored that La Fere has been taken by the French, with 850 prisoners and large supplies of stores and ammunition. All the armies are concentrating here. The Mobiles are armed with new American revolvers. Versailles, December 13.

Correspondence from German headquarters reports Bismarck as having saia in conversation that strong efforts were making for the restoration of Napoleon, that a Congress on the Eastern question would not be held, without the presence of a French Plenipotentiary. France had no authority to appoint any now, and he would not recognise the authority of the men of the pavement to sit among their betters.

King William is anxious to return home, and Vou Moltke laments the intense suffering of the German corps from cold.

St Petersburg, Dec. 12,

Advices continue to be received from portions of the Empire, congratulating the Czar upon his action in regard to the treaty of 1856. The river at Cronstadt is frozen, and it is impossible for ships to leave the harbor this year for the Blaek Sea.

Gortschakoff remains firm in his determination that the treaty of Paris shall be abrogated.

Madrid, Dec. 8.

General Prim states that he cannot understand President Grant's message referring to redress for injuries, but believes it is only a political stratagem to secure filibuster votes.

London, Dec. 13 Eussian forces are rapidly concentrating near the Turkish frontier.

The King of Belgium is said to have sold Luxembourg to Prussia. The German batteries command every point around Paris, and the opening of the bombardment is fixed for December 19th.

Bordeaux, Dec. 12. Gambetta writes in an official letter.—" I have returned to Tours, having left General Chancy yesterday continuing his efforts successfully to defend the line of the Loire. I think the situation so good that I shall proceed to Bourges to see what can be done with the 2nd army." It was reported at Bordeaux that Bourkaki repulsed the Prussians on the 12th.

London, Dec. 13.

The Eastern question is still agitated ; the Eussian minister at Constantinople asks for further annulments of the Paris treaty. England is taking precautionary means to guard against surprise. Bismarck, in a circular dated Dee. 3, grounds the Prussian disregard of the neutrality of Luxembourg on thfi Grand-Duchy having forbidden thej transmission of wounded Germans,' having suffered the re-victualling of Thionville, and having omitted to stop French fugitives. The Vienna press denounces thia course as arrogant.

Havee, Dec. 13. The Prussians are in force at Benzeville, seventeen miles distant.

Havre is defended by a large force and 350 guns manned by marines. The population are eager for a contest. The Prussians threatening Harfleur were repulsed by troops occupying Port le Vienne.

It is confidently reported that Ti-ochu has cut through the Prussian lines.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

Florence, December 13,

The committee on the bill transferring the capital of Italy to Eome recommended removal before April 19. John Stewart Mill protests, in the " Times," against England embracing war with Eussia.

A war-like feeling prevails throughout England, and Granville insists on the country showing a firm front; Cardwell and Lowe are against the war; Gladstone hesitates. The Fourth North German Parliament opened at Berlin to-day.

London, Dec. 15. Tle American steamer Ontario has left Cowe* for Havre, convoyed by two French frigates. Her cargo consists of eighteen million cartridges, 90,000 breech-loading muskets, a large number of other small arms, and 55 cannon.

The Paris " Temps" say that the supply of flour, &c, will last until January; beef and mutton are almost exhausted. On Nov. 23rd the Duke of Cleveland writes to the " Times " deprecating a war with Russia. The Czar addressed the Lithuanian soldiers as follows: —" I hope that there will be no war, but, if God wills it, you will prove your devotion." The Rev. Mr M'Conmchie's appeal was decided against him on the 25th November.

On the 29th November the King of Prussia telegraphed : " Manteflel, with the first army, defeated the French, south of Amiens. The French lost 4000 in killed and wounded, and 700 prisoners. Prussian loss unimportant." On the 30th the Queen of Prussia received despatches announcing the complete annihilation of the army of the Loire. On Dec. 2 there were German successes near La Haye, over 100 French were captured, and several hundred killed and wounded.

The " Standard " warns England that the Gladstone Ministry are preparing for an infamous and disastrous capitulation to Russia. General Palladines reported, on December 5, the evacuation cf Orleans to prevent bombardment. The retreat was effected in good order. Commissioners have been sent to investigate the circumstances in connection with its evacuation. On the 6th the Prussians sent a flag into Paris, announcing the capture of Orleans and defeat of the army of the Loire. Gladstone's note, stating that the Government had taken care to make provision for the protection of the Pope's person has excited surprise. It is looked on as intended to conciliate Ireland. The Prench iron-dads have been ordered to Havre.

The French lost 11,000 prisoners in a battle near Meury on the 6th. The German losses were severe.

An anti-war riot took place at Berlin on Dec. 8 of a serious character, caused by resistance to orders drafting married citizens for the army. A despatch, dated Meury, Dec. 10th, reports a second engagement the previous day, in which the Germans were victorious.

A telegram, dated Buffalo Dec. 11th, announces that the Penians have been re-organised as an Irish National Brotherhood.

London, Dec. 10.

A severe battle with the army of the Loire is reported at Beaugency, and 15,000 Prench prisoners taken.

Lille, Dec. 10.

General de Henricourt has arrived per balloon from Paris and says that the French were victorious in the battles of Nov. 30th and Dec. 2nd; that food is plentiful, and that the object of his journey is to secure action in concert by the French armies.

Ham and St Quentin are occupied by the French.

On the 10th, Bismarck said that he would not treat with the present Government, because of their bad faith, and the officers breaking parole. Paris has just refused a summons to surrender.

Versailles, Dec. 10.

The French army are assuming the offensive in strong force, but were repulsed at night-fall after a day's artillery fighting. The French at Ham have captured a detachment of Germans with artillery.

The police were unable to quell the anti-war riots at Berlin on the 9th, and the disorder was suppressed by the military using great severity. On December 2, all the Powers had accepted the proposal for a Conference on the demands of Russia, but the date of meeting is not fixed.

The terms of surrender offered to Paris are: Regulars and Gardes Mobile to be prisoners of war, National Guards to return to their occupations, forts, cannon, &c, to be given up, and Regulars forming the garrison to march out with the honors of war.

Tours, December 5

An engagement has taken place near Potuy, fourteen miles from Orleans ; 20,000 French held their ground against 60,000 of the enemy. The army under Frederick Charles was decimated bv shells from the French.

The Papal Zouaves fought with magnificent courage, and were nearly all slain.

The Government appeal to the people to maintain the resistance which is certain to end in triumph, stating that the army of the Loire still exceeds 200,000 men, and that in another month 800,000 Frenchmen will be in arms. Paris may fall, but the campaign becoming one of detached warfare, large armies will have to manoeuvre in the open country. Franco herself is unconquerable. Versailles, Dee. 6.

In the defeat at Orleans, the Frencl lost 10,000 prisoners and 97 guns including mitrailleuse ; four of the gunboats on the Loire were also captured

Touus, Dec. 9. General Chancy reports that he yesterday engaged the army of Frederick Charles, and repulsed them along their entire line. Private letters received in London, dated December Bth, say that the German losses before Paris and on the Loire since November 28th were immense, but the correspondents were forbidden to communicate the truth.

Vienna, Dec. 8

The Porte has called for an immediate return of further regulars that each district can furnish, has also summoned the reserves, and has called on the Naval Council to increase the strength of the fleet.