NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 793, 25 March 1871, Page 3

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

On January 25, Vinoy accepted the •command in place of Trochu, on condition that stern measures be used to suppress any disturbances. A further telegram states that the condition of Paris was terrible. Political clubs were in arms, and a sortie with 200,000 men demanded. General Yinoy refusing to allow the useless butchery, General Lafla was put in his place. arranging the terms of capitulation, it is understood that Favre asked that the army of Paris be allowed to march out with the full honors of war, and take up a position in some unoccupied district of Franco under his management, and not to resume hostilities for a term of months to be agreed upon, and that there should not be any triumphal entry into Paris by the Germans. These terms were refused by the Council. Favre was informed that the only basis of surrender that could be accepted would be tho same as at Sedan and Metz. On February Ist, Gambetta issued the following proclamation :—" Frenchmen !_ Prussia believes an armistice will dissolve our armies, aud secure the election of a Chamber which will

bo ready to conclude a shameful peace. It depends on France to upset these calculations. It was necessary to make an armistice to proceed with tho instruction of our young troops. Let us continue our unexampled vigilance for defence and for war, if necessary, while you install tho National Republican Assembly. We are willing to make such a peace only as is compatible with the honor, rank, and integrity oi r ranee. A letter from Colonel Duncan Kentry, in the War Department at Bordeaux, says there is an immense reaction in official circles and among the populace against the Provisional Government, and that ten millions of people would vote for the restoration of the Empire to-morrow. France will refuse to continue the war.

The Liberal Republican Committee has declared that tho Government of tho 4th of September should bo arraigned by the National Assembly, to render an account of their conduct in tho defence of Paris, and give their reasons for agreeing to the armistice. Tho Committee also declared that no treaty, ratifying tho armistice, should be signed, and that Paris should continue the defence, and refuse to capitulate.

At a meeting in the saloon Do Riene, Blanche, one of the orators, declared that Franco demanded another Robespierre, and that the guillotine alone could save the country. This sentiment was received with enthusiasm by the audience.

It is said that the peace negotiations have created great consternation in the camp of the Imperialists. The latter had hoped to treat directly with Bismarck, and to return to France through a treaty of peace. Desperate efforts are now being made to enter into negotiations with the Prussian Government. Eouher has gone to Versailles, and Conte to Wilhelmshohe.

The Duke D'Aumale has issued an address to the French electors. Pie expresses his conviction of the advantages of a monarchy for France, and compares the country during the reign of Louis Philippe with the reign of tho present. He declares that nothing will separate him from the Hepublicans, and, if JU'rance determines to retain a Republic, he will bow to her decision.

An inspection of Valerien shows the casements were not shot proof, and could not have afforded any kind of shelter to the men if the Prussians had opened a heavy fire on the fort.

A long conference took place on February 7th, at the Prussian Embassy, between the Empress Eugenie and Count Beinstorff.

The resignation of Gambctta, it is believed, indicates the abandonment of all hopes of the Republic, and makes the restoration of tho Empire certain.

Tho Emperor visited Fort Valerien on January 31. He leaves the army at the close of the armistice. Should the war be prolonged, it will bo pursued relentlessly by Prince Frederick Charles, Manteuffel and Falkenstein, who are to be entrusted with the task of conquering the south of France. Moltke will retain supervision, but a large amount of discretion will be allowed the actual commanders.

The " Echo Du Nord " has a special despatch from Berlin, saying the contributions already exacted by the German commanders will be deducted from the amount of war indemnity ; also, the value of the railroads in Alsace and Lorraine.

The whole army of investment will march through Arc do Triomphe, Avenue de L'lmperatrice, Buo De Rivoli, and Hue St. Antoine, simply for the purpose of passing through Paris.

The houses on both sides of the streets will be cleared of their inhabitants, and occupied by the German troops.

It is said that Garibaldi has got his command to be included in the armistice. About ISO,OOO prisoners were taken at Paris ; also 1,500 cannon, 400 field pieces and mitrailleuses. The gunboats on the Seine, the rolling stock and the railways are likewise appropriated by the Germans. Letters from St. Petersburg say than Russia will not intervene in aid of France. Decrees of the Paris Government are not allowed to be posted up in Lyons. The works at Montmedy and Rosnay will be blown up. Bourbaki is convalescent.

Telegrams anticipate that till the war indemnity is paid the Fifth Army Corps will hold the Province of Champagne. The Germans are confident of tlie laxity of Swiss neutrality, which will afford a pretext for the annexation of Neufchatel, which belonged by inheritance to a dead Hohenzollern. The circulation of newspapers between Paris and the Departments is forbidden during tho armistice. " La Fruncaiso " asserts that there is an insurrection in the Province of Consrantine, Algeria. A New York telegram, dated February 4tb, states that for French ports direct three steamers arc chartered to load with Government storey namely, a steamship of 2,889 tons register, a British steamer of 993 tons register, and another of 801 tons register. The freight engagements for , these vessels embrace large quantities i of provisions, including some 10,000 ' barrels of beef.

The Committee of tho Chamber oi' Commerce appointed to extend aid to France, held an adjourned mooting today. It was resolved that the Treasurer be instructed to notify to the American Minister at Paris that tho sum of £20,000 will be placed to his credit at once to bo uigd by him in the purchase of supplies. A special committee of five were appointed to receive supplies of grain; provisions, etc., aud take charge of tho shipment of the same. An appeal to tho people urging them to contribute funds and supplies for the starving peoplo of France was adopted.

General Chanzy entered Paris on February 7. A Council of War has been held by the chief Generals of Fra uce.

A despatch from Versailles says tho delivery of the cannon and small arms of the army of Paris to the Germans commenced on the 7th, and continued throughout the Bth inst. If the terms of peace determined upon by Bismarck, and confidentially communicated to Favre, are not agreed upon by the Assembly, hostilities will bo renewed immediately upon the expiration of the armistice. A vigorous procedure will be adopted with Paris, in the matter of securing pledges for war indemnity. It is believed that the latter will be fixed at least at four milliards ; but concessions from other points are anticipated. All tho troops before Paris have been fully reinforced to the utmost war strength, and newly uniformed. The Fourth Corps has been ordered to Chartres. Should peace be proclaimed all tho Landwehr regiments of infantry and reserve cavalry will be immediately sent home and broken up. Tho troops of the line will remain in the annexed Provinces, and such parts of Franco as will be retained till the war indemnity is paid. Tho garrisons of the fortresses in Alsace and Lorraine will require about 60,000.

The bankers of Paris are fully provided with means to loan the city of Paris the two hundred million francs needed for the payment of its war contributions.

The result of tho elections in 54 departments is 307 Bonapartists and Orleanists, and 80 -Republicans. Paris has authorised tho contract of a loan of 200,000,000 francs, and the levy of a municipal war tax. A telegram, dated Bordeaux, Feb. 13, states that there was a caucus today ef Orleanists, who believe they possess a clear majority. 'Manv of the Bonapartists agents are here. Tho following is another statement of the conditions of peace ; —" Cession of Alsace and sixty German square miles of Lorraine, which consists of square miles ; the part of Lorraine to be ceded includes Metz. A contribution of one and a-half million francs for war expenses; thirty million francs for captured ships, and forty million francs for German workmen, clerks, and other small industrials expelled from France, and a certain rente on a few millions on limited time for crippled and maimed Germans and orphans caused by the war. The Prussians have captured a letter from the King of Sweden, warmly sympathizing with Franco. The following is under date London, February 12 : x\_ copy of the correspondence relat. ing to the war is to be submitted to Parliament. It shows that Favre's party were always ready to conclude peace on any terms which did not include cession of territory, and that Germany pursued the war for territorial aggrandizement. England has been continually urging peace on Favre's terms. Tho Orleanists are confident that tho Comto de Paris will be King of Prance in a few weeks. The Government [a hat Government ?] will state that they will be able to despatch 115,000 men immediately in case of war.

The Germans have imposed a million francs on Dieppe, and twenty-two thousand on each of the adjacent villages, all to be paid by the 14th ; but the authorities are unable to comply. Seine Inferieuro is said to have paid already twenty-five millions. A " Times" despatch from Versailles, February 12 th, says the delivery of arms is completed. The Germans are destroying the French guns as useless, on account of the removal of portions of the breech-loadiug apparatus. The Prussian levies on Saint Germain are 700,000 francs. It is said the armistice has been prolonged to the 2Sth.

BOUEBAETS ARMY DRIVEN INTO SWITZERLAND. At Bordeaux it was reported, on Feby. Ist, that Manteuffel refused to recognize the armistice, and disregarding tho protests of the French Commander continued hostilities by which he forced the French army of the East to surrender or retreat into Switzerland. General Clinchart, who now commands the army of the East, concluded a convention with the ."Swiss authorities, aud crossed into Switzerland with tho whole army to-day. General Billot covers his retreat. It should bo borne in mind that tho armistice did not go into effect in the Department of the East until February Ist. A. telegram dated Bairouth, Feby. Ist, says that many thousands of Bourhald's army have died of starvation. There were 15,000 prisoners taken, including 100 officers, two being generals, aud ten cannon, seven mitrailleuses aud two eagles. Only 8,000 men of Bourhald's army

escaped in tho direction of Lyons— Mantenffel in pursuit. Anotl or telegram daied London, Feby» 4th, states that the Germans had a series of engagements on the Swiss frontier with the rear guard of Bourbaki's army, on Monday, Tuesday arid Wednesday, and captured two eagles, 19 cannon and mitrailleuses, and 1500 men, including two Generals. Many hundred provision waggons aud a largo quantity of arms fell iido the hands of tho Germans, whose loss in killed and wounded is inconsiderable. The Generals of tho French forces, including Garibaldi, vainly attempted to extricate themselves by appealing to the Paris armistice.

The " Independence Beige " has a letter from Lyons which says that one cause of Bourbaki's failure was an absconding army contractor, who ran away with a large sum.

MISCELLANEOUS. The newspapers announce that a Catholic League has been formed in Belgium, to prepare an armed expedition against Italy, with branches established in Austria and Spain and some of the provinces of Prance, and a meeting place has been selected in some island in the Mediterranean. The Italian Government has received information of the conspiracy. An agreement has been entered into between Greece and Turkey for pursuing Brigands over the Turkish frontier. The " Courier" says a French transport, with 1,250 souls, ha 3 been lost. A veritable plague has broken out among the cattle for the provisioning of Paris. The mortality has been frightful, and a complete sanitary cordon has been established. The carcases of those dying are placed on board of dismantled ships, then towed out to sea and sunk. At Boston, United States, a movement is being started by several wealthy citizens to raise one hundred thousand dollars, to purchase provisions and load a ship to be sent to the relief of the French, provided the Government will furnish a United States navy vessel to carry the samo to France.

The "Times" comments on General Butler in welcoming the Irish exiles, as an unprecedented proceeding. If serious, it can only be treated as an aci of ho.-tiiity, bur cannot regard it on his part as more than a discreditable game pursued by an unscrupulous politician, who is doing his best to reduce the character of American Representative Government, to secure the Irish vote.

At the meeting of the Conference today (February 3rd), Eussia fully gained her object, all her pretensions being acknowledged, she yielding notl iug to Turkey. No new feature. A Turkish Army of Observation has been sent tn Sbum'.a, to watch the disturbances of Koumania.

The War Office has ordered inquiries to be made in the Island of Jersey as to what accommodations there are for quartering additional troops. It is proposed to send a reinforcement of 700 men there at an early day, and the strengthening of the fortifications is contemplated.

Ewen's extensive Thread Mills, at Manchester, have been destroyed by fire. Nine hundred operatives are thrown out of employment.

A new American oceanic cable is to be laid at once from New York city to Holland, and thence to Russia, and over the Pacific Ocean between China and California. At its Russian landing, the cable of the company will connect with overland wires through the Russian territory and China. Upon the completion of the lines to Holland. Russia, and across the Pacific, it is contemplated to construct a line via the Bermudas and Azores Islands and the Mediterranean to the Black Sea.

A Scotch clergyman happening to go into the churchyard while the beadle was employed, neck deep in digging a grave, thus accosted him, " Well, Saunders, that's a work you're employed in well calculated to make an old man like you thoughtful, I wonner you don't repent your evil ways " The old digger rested on his spade, and taking a pinch of snuff, replied, " I thocht, sir, ye kent there was nae repentance in the grave." My lovin' wife. —Imo comin home nex week and have forgiv you for jawin me. He come on the 7 o'clock traue shall stay ome hereafter and tri to be an altered man. I want peece and so do yew; why shudeut we luv each other as we used ter when we first jined together in the wholly bands of madlock. ive jined a temperance socity but if ever you jaw me agin for cummin ome I'll wallop you like 6ty ; fur we must have peece, as Grant says.—American Paper. A young huly iu an examination in grammar was asked why bachelor was singular. She replied immediately, with much naivete, " Because it is very singular they don't get married. " A precocious boy in a public school out West, who stands high in geography was asked by his teacher where A Erica was located. He promptly answered, " All over the United States." A traitorous woman avows the belief that if all the men were in one country, and all the women in another, with a big river between them, lot 3 of poor women would be drowned. The cattle in Kern River Vally are afflicted with sore eyes. The malady is optic over-exertion in endeavouring to see from one blade of grass to another. The farmers of that region aro now

furnishing each cow with a pair of Muller's spectacles of high magnifying power. This not only assists them to discerning their food, but it is said adds a grave dignity to their personal appearance. "Do you know who built this bridge?"asked :i fellow of Theodore Hook. "No. " replied lie, "but if you go over you'll be fcoll'd."