The New York Herald Newspaper, July 27, 1870, Page 3

roy 6 of Ireland. ; FRANG 4 SPECIAL TELEOUAM TO THE HERALD, ‘THE WAR. The French Army Reinforced and in Motion. -Napoleon’s Plan of Ope- ~..».. ration. “SKIRMISUING BUT NO. BATTLE. ‘A French Fleet Off the Coast of Britain. ‘FRENCH GUEBOATS FOR THE RHINE. ‘The Secret Treaty In and Out of Parliament. The Prince of Wales and the Danes as Neutrals. An English View of the Attitude Position of tho Ariay ai the Proat—Largo | Reinforcements from AlgerinThe Grard Army Moving—Napoleon’s Plan of Opern- Mou=Naval Movements in the Baltic. Panis, July 26—Night. Special telegrams from Strasburg received here to-day report that the ¢lite of the French army is Row concentrated at Strasburg and Belfort, ‘The Algerian forces, consisting of Zouaves and Yureos, filling eighteen cars of a railroad train, arrived at Strasburg on. the 24th inst. and took a position at Belfort, close to the line of the army of Baden. Sixteen squadrons of the French Chasseurs a'Af- Tique arrived at the Strasburg camp to-day by way of Lyons. Despatches to hand in the city from the army commands at Thionville, Sterck,. St. Avold,, Mets @nd Bitche, state that the French army was just Commencing to move on the frontier. The Imperial Guard has already started for 118 destination. It 1 now regarded ascertain that the Emperor ‘Napoleon desigos to close in the Prusstans between ‘Thionville and Wissenberg, and then to throw the army commanded by Marshal McMahon on the German side of the Rhine. This army is composed of three cerps, commanded by General do Failly, Douay and McMahon. A force of 8,000 marines, under the command of @eneral de Vassaigne, accompany the French ficet tothe Baltic, An attack will be made on Strabound momediatély from the north. Private advices from Berlin to Paris state that France denies the secret treaty sald to have been offered to Prussia regarding Luxemburg and Bel- glum. Been Hilled—Nuaval Movements— Hapover an Objective Point—Paris Being Fortifed—No “Peaco Party”—Bank Opera- Boise Pants, July 26—5 P. M. The Journal Oficiel of this morning says that Marshal Lebceuf late last night telegraphed the Emperor that General Bernis had repelled a recon- nolssanee of the enemy near the town of Niederbronn, twenty-six miles northwest of Strasburg. One oMcer—a Bavarian—was killed and two made pris- onere, The Figaro, in its account of this affair, tosists ‘that the officer who was kilied was an Englishman, French gunboats, to operate on the Rhino and the rivers in Prussia, are being transported from Mar- seilles in sections, overland. The Empress, when at Cherbourg, read tc the sail- ors of the fleet an address from the Emperor, which says:— Bas » glorious history. You will be worthy of Ite nen in front of the cnemy remember tbat Franc vatie you dght on tbe neu your brelbren fight on ihe land for aime cates. Go and show with pride the national stan- rd, When they see it the enemy will know it enfolds the honor and genius of France. After the delivery of the above address the Em- press was overcome with emotion. The eilect of her visit to the feet is sald to be great. A strategist writes to the evening edition of the London Times, showing that the Emperor Napoleon ‘will most probably try to force his way into the old Kingdom of Hanover. There is unusual activity in all the dockyards of England to-day. A large number of workmen are still engaged on the fortifications of Paris. The Journal Marseitiatse, the organ of the peace Party, having been entirely deserted by lis patrons, ‘thas suspended publication. Soutc of its editors and reporters have gone into the French army. Switzerland 1s full of German emigrants who have fled from their country to escape military duty. The Bank of France will probably soon suspend specie payments, It already declines to pay out gold, and redeems only in silver. Persons residing under the walls of Paris have been notified to quit thelr houses. Space isrequired for the play of artillery. ‘The French force at Thionville, in the Department of Moselle, is estimated at 80,000 men, The Impe- rial Guard is at Nancy. The early evacuation of Rome by the French troops is now almost certain. France takes this method of securing the friendship and alliance of ltaly, Some French journals report that many German Geserters como daily into the French territory, ‘The subscriptions to patriotic and hospital funds Continue to be liberally signed. The Montteur du Sotr notices editorially the treaty proposed in 1866, and says it never had the adhesion oftne Emperor. The Monttewr adds that such a Project did exist, but it was proposed by Prussia and mot by France, The Moniieur du Sotr also says that it learns from @ good source that Prince Leopold of Hohenzoliern and his father are in bad odor ‘at Berlin on account of their renunciation of the Spanish throne, It adds that Count Bismarck had reproached them for their precipitate action, which enabled Spain to keop clear of the quarrei and per- mits France to piace more troops on the Rhine, as thore is no need to watch Spata, past, ith PRUSSIA, *, Prompt for War May fervo forPeace. aN BERLIN, July 26, 1870, ‘The. Provincial Correspondence says the rapid and vast pepurasions for war extinguish all feelings of Anquistude.caused by the boasted readiness of the apes NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEER French to take the initiative, and wil, it if hoped, save Prussian sol) from the calamities of war. ENGLAND. War News Very Menagre—French Skirmish and Victory—A French War Fleet. off the Const—The Secret Treaty=Public Exolte- ment—The Prines of Wales as a Neutral— Latest Reperte from the Continent=The “Autitnde” of Ireland. Loxpon, July 26—4 P. M. The news recerved by way of Berlin ia. very meagre, which is duo to the prudence of the Prus- sian government, ‘The telegraphs are Closely watched by the German authorities. A Prusslan reconnoitering party were attacked by asmall French force near the village of Needer- bron on Monday. One Prussian officer was killed and two were captured. Tne French were victo- rious, Several Frnnch cruisers are reported of Wick, Scotland, to-day. A telegram dated in Dover to-day says:—'Nine French frigates, under full steam, passed this point to the eastward late yesterday afternoon, <A great crowa of spectators assembled on the bluffs to wit- ness the exciting scene.” German sailors continue to leave Liverpool for home, Frankfort-on-the-Main has: been designated as the Prussian headquarters, ‘The excitement occasioned by the publication of the seoret treaty between Franeo and Prussia is in- creasing, as the evidence becomes more clear that the document ts genuine, Nearly all the Journals of London have editorial remarks this morning on the subject, and they are @ll. similar in tone. “France There is no question but the press—the Times par- ticularly—ig seeking to make this treatya pretext for the intervention of England in favor of Prussia, Earl Granville in the House of Lords, July 26, again referred to the draft of the secret treaty alleged to have been proposed by France to Prussia. He said he.bad an interview this afternoon with the French Ambassador. The latter told him that the treaty originated wiih Count Bigmarox, that it never had: serious basis and was rejected by both parties, setae the scnnaskedor protested that France was acta- ally desirous Of maintaining peace with Belgium, England and Holland. Mr. Gladstone informed the House of Commons that advices from Berlin setting forth the authentl- etty*of the London Zimes’ information regarding the alleged treaty were hourly expected. The Brit- ish Minister at Berlin had telegraphed that the de- spateh containing the original propositions of Na- poleon embodied in the treaty existed in Count Benedetii’s own handwriting. Mr. Otway, Under Foreign Secretary, declined when asked to make any communication or express: any opinion on the proposal made by Napoleon to annex Holland, ~ The attitude of Ireland 1s also commented upon. After giving tho details of the many meetings re- cently held in Ireland and the strong resolutions of sympathy for France which have been adopted, the London Times asserts that the sympathy is alto- gether due to Catholicism and a consummate-hatrea of German Protestantism. Tue Prince of Wales has gone to Denmark for tue purpose of influencing that, country to preserve a Strict neutrality. The Prussian anthorities, at the earnest request of Bismarck, have granted pormission to newspaper correspondents to follow the army, ‘The Jatest news from Berlin informs us that the Prussians are concentrating @ powerful force at May- ence. The Prussians are using balloons for observations. The recommerdation comes from somo American officers 10 the Prussian cathp. The French report another cavalry skirmish ncar Meta, and claim that the Prussians were beaten and lostthree officers. ‘The Glove to-day, speaking of the projected secret treaty, says, agit embodies propositions made at the close of the war of 1866, its publication at the pre- sent moment is consequently unfair and mis- chievous. “ A despatch from Paris announces that the Empe- ror leayes to-night for the frontier, The environs of Cologne have been cleared of their inhabitants, and buildings and trees will be levelled in preparation for a siege, Tho French government exempts coa) from the Ust of articles contraband of war. A further advance in the rato of the Bank of France ts expected soon. The Pall Mall Gazette this evening, now that tho real designs of the French Smperor are revealed, counsels England ‘to make every preparation for war.” The French Position Last funday—Along the Lines. Lonpon, July 26, 1870, Acorrespondent at Metz, on Sunday night, sent the following letter, containing the first clear state- ment of the French position and plans:— I left Hagenan on the 23d, taking the train by the Une which leads past Bitche and Garreguemines to Metz, Along this line warlike preparations of every kind were to be seen. 1 past field batteries, packed complete, at the different shunting places, until { got tired of looking at them. Although the French carry their infantry aud artillery a good deal over the railways, they séem inclined’ to allow the cavalry to march along the roads. We saw More than a single party of horsemen, and in one case & Whole regiment, walking along the higaway; which, Just before we arrived at the vosges, ran par- allel with the rails. The regiment In question seemed in the highest spirits as théy waved their hands and spurred their somewhat Jaded steeds into a trot, in ecnswer to the salutations which reached them frou the foot soldiers in our train, | About four o'clock we reached the Vosges, This range of hills, which takes its rise near Belfort, runs tolerably parallel with the Rhine nati) it slopes down to the lowlands about Coblentz and Mayence, where the Strasburg, Bitche and Metz Unes pierce the range. Asa military obstacle the Vosges have always been considered the second line of defence possessed by France on tho east, still the thinness of the range, the breadth of which, near Bitchie, is under twenty miles, and the Jarge number of valleys which cross it In @ traverse direction prevent it from forming @ very considerable military ob- atacle, ‘There 13 @ society cailed the “France ‘Tireurs of the Vosges,” which on a small scule bears some resemblance to our volunteers, AS a@ self-organized | force it seems contrary to the military genius of France. They have al- ways been considered in an amusing light by the French journals, which are, however, now be- gunning to express their astonishment at finding that the bands of the Vozges aro seriously demand- as permission to elect 4 general and to co-operate with the general forces, After winding for some time through a defile, and befofe we had altogether descended the west- ern slopes of the Vozges, we arrived at Bitche, a,small fortiNed place, with a strong citadel, the strength of which seemed to Hein the high and scarped sides of the nill upon which it was perched, From Bitche to Sarreguemines we passed camp after cemp. Trae, many of them were small, but everything connected with them unmistakeably re- vealed that these were the outlying parts the huge forges. * ee rom Bitche to sarreguemines is about twenty miles, and throughout this distance and for twonty miles west of Sarregneniines, forty miles tn all, the Mino constantly approaches within a few miles of the fronuer. Between Bitche and Sarreguemines their eo ins; eens a with coni- dence; but beyon @ latter post it was clear that the line, ‘Mich, as it ‘ead. trofn' Metz to Bitcmie; is just now of extraordinary importance, was carefully picketed. Of course I only saw a portion of the precautions taken, but I ‘could observe that at the important points, euch ag where roads crossed the Ine, there were camps of cavalry and artillery combined, evidently placea to support the videttes and pickets, which are watching the frontier. and to save the line from being interrupted. When we got about thirty miles west, and a little south of Sarreg- nemines the aspect of affairs became tamer, and we did not sce @ camp oftener than one in ten miles, and only passed at the stations occasional trains laden with military material and personnel; but that line from Strasburg to some distance be- ond Sarregnemines has left stamped upon fran impressions not likely ever to be eflaced by stronger ones of tiie same kind. Ifear 1 caunot reduce these impressions to writ- ing, but some faint tdea may be conveyed by ima- gining a crammed late line in which all the trains were filled with soldiers cheering and being cheered; stations ned with sympathizing specta- tors; trucks laden with guns in such numbers that one ceased to take &n interest in them; the roads, when they. could pe seen fro} trains, encumbered with cavalry; and jastly for the twenty miles between Bitchie and Sarregue- mines tents so thick that1 could hardly make out whether I was pasalng through one or several camps. Abundance of good lorage and Wood were stored along the lines. This last puzzled wine untik! found that this portion of thé French railw. are supplied with coal from Pruselan mines, wh! it ja feared, they will flood before abandoning. But one feature struck me as conspicuous by its absence. be but little show of either bi or ani- mals. 1 saw also none of the droves o: which might have been expected to be seen with a large army. DENVARK. Neutrality Prociaimed. COPENHAGEN, July 26, 1870, The government of Denmark has just Issued a proclamation of neutrality in the war between Prus- slaand France. Sailors and pilots, subjects of Den- Mark, are Warnea against rendering assistance to ‘the belligerents, SPAIN. Carlism and the Cabinet. MADRID, July 26, 1870. ‘The danger of a Carlist rising is not yet over, and the government is redoubing ita precautions, ITALY. Independent of Franee. FLORENCE, July 26, 1870, Mintater Venosia has assured the Italian House of Deputies that Italy will not yield to any pressure from France, WAR DESPATCHES BY MAIL, The Luxemburg Cession Question—Progress of the Diplomacy in 1867—Debate in the Dutch Parliamont—Napoleon’s Demands and Prussia’s Resistance—The Secret Treaty in Embryo, {edly SiGe me cemeeng et " As the qnestion of Liixemburg has suddenly, and in a most ominous shape, been presented as a leading point of issue in the war between France and Prus- Sia, wo present to our readers to-day a history of the subject in the shape in which it was agitated in Holland, France, Pruseta, Russla and England in the year 1867, at which time it almost occasioned a war, . THE DUTCH PARLIANEST. ‘The following is a complete report of a discussion which took place in the Dutch legislative chamber 9 the qlairs of Luxemburg on the 6th of July, tiene socks ‘THORBECKE sal:—For a long time we have been aware of the rumors aud the malevolent comment- aries provoked by the proposed cession of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg. Calculations and oid speculations are spoken of, and Holland 1s said to be mixed up in the matter. . I thought this affair would turn out as little serious as thatof 1358, In that year there was also a report of the cession of Luxemburg, At that period the news was received here as well a3 in Germany with general disapprovation. The cor- munications on that occasion, although they had no constivutional character, might have compromised Holland, and we then declared that Luxembourg was Do more to us thon any other foreign country. Being Minister at the moment, I was able to prove that our German neighbors were committing grave errors of political geography. Im auy case, now more than in 1858, it 1s necessary to guard against mistakes which might be mado involuntarily, but also might be premeditated. It ts more than time to make known to all the world that Holland is a Stranger to the destinies of Luxemburg; and, Whatever they may be, they have no tnterest for us. We do not wish to know any- fae Of the Regovinitone which concern Luxem- urg. ‘The Grand Duchy is an ancient German country, which during some time was a French pos- session. Its position is deltcate between France, Germany and Belginin, na th Powers are equally interested in its fate. at (érritory is not only the rallying point for ardent patriots, It is also the spot on which converge an catculations and per. haps 8u ategio coi rations, But tor Holland it ts without value, and our only interest is tha. our good relations with forcign countries should not be dis- turbed because of Luxemburg. Do got let us be drawn into any complications on this subject; we must not become the victins of the vicissitudes of the Luxemburg question. Let us take care to give no pretext Jor any attack, Let us not fest either fear or weakness when our rights and our in- terests are at stake, ‘That is why it is important to explain what has been said on the subject of the Dutch government by Count Bismarck in the German Parliament, Interpelluted on the Luxemburg question, the Prussian Minister replied that the vernment of Holland had oifered its good oMves jor the negotiations with France relative to Luxem- Darg. The object of my inquiry at present 1s to Jearn if that allegation of M. Bismarck rests or not on & misunderstanding. Count VAN ZUYLEN VAN NYEVELT, Minister of Foreign Afairs, said:—I have to state that the ent interpeliation is very agreeavie to me, and for two reasons—First, personally, because it furnishes me with an opportunity for completely justifying my conduct; and secondly, because it procures me an vccasion ior defending the King of Holland against accusations which break down before the force of trath, and which have been certainly heard with 1n- dignation by ail who are attached to their soverel and theircountry. It cannot be the intention of the honorable member to inquire at this moment what are the views of the Grand Duke rejative to Luxem- burg, or what is or is not deshabie on the subject. I know well that the Graud Duke has examined the question seriously and minutely, and that, after a long study, he has arrived at the conviction that the interest Of Holland demanded the rupture of the dynastic connection, which, however weak in itself, sill exists between Holland and Luxemburg. There is no question at ail of the millions and treas- ures which were represented as about to be paid. Had any indemnity at all been demanded, 10 would have been 60 emall that it would not have amounted to one-half of the do- main as recognized in 1816, But those affairs are certainly foreign to the order of deliberations in this assembly. Asto knowing whether the reply of Count Bismarck rests on a misunderstanding, there can be no difference of opinion except on one point. The offer did not apply to negotiations already opened, but to such as might be entered on at a later period, There have been no negotiations at all on the subject of Luxemburg, but only conversations. I have no knowledge as to what has been gatd about oftictal negotiations and the exchange of written despatches. ~The object of those conversations was to arrive at negotiations, and they wili probably re- sult in some future arrangement, It is obvious that the government and staicsmon of Luxemburg alone have the power of concluding such @ matter. Now arises the question as to whether the interest of Hol- land does not require her to keep ler eyes open so as to know how the property of the Graud Duke 13 Ww be disposed of, or whether she should abandon all thought on the subject. I am perfectly of the Opinion of the honorable member that Holland has nothing more to do with Luxemvurg than with any other State; but we must aimit that public opinion in Germany is either badly en- lightenet or that it wishes to be so. ‘he busi- ness is to know if the Dutch government can bo blamed for tue acts of the Grand Ducal one; and, to prove that tuis fear is not futile, it is suuicient to remember what happened when’ Luxemburg en- tered the German Customs Union. Of itself, there- fore, ought to arise this qiestion:—How will the Dutch government act to cover its own responstbil- ity at the same time that it gives a direction to ailairs? Everybody has but one ob,ect only—that of preserving peace, That aiso has been the principal | aim of the Grand Duke, aud for that reason he feit disposed to lend an ear to negotiations; but we whole question was enveloped in @ certain cloud, and the consequence migit very well bave been that what was cousidered as a means of maintain: ing peace might have a precisely ‘contrary effect. ‘The Minister Knew that the President of the Luxem- burg ministry had arrived here. From the very nature of the affuir that functlonary is the personage Wo treat ofticially with the Grand Duke, But how could the President be in a position to Knew the sen- timents of the other Powers about anyeventual ces- ston of the province? If now the Dutch dtplomatists, even in unoiicial manger, Jend themselves to this inquiry, do they not by 69 acting intervene more perliaps than the government wishes in the affairs of Luxemburg? That ig the question Hp ay mad desir 1 a position fO disslpaté céi- tain 6 throw & ful light on the Mnatter, I believe the best course will be to adopt a large and honest policy, and for that purpose I of- fered my services as intermediary to arrive at ne- goulations. And now ae that the very fact of my Gndertaking that office proves precisely that we are not parties in the affair. In the oficial note written on the sae declared that the Dutch government consid itself disengaged from ail Tesponisibility ag to what might happen to Luxem- burg: (hat it rejected by ote Fartol Mabliity and wished to prescnt itself as an lntermé ary Insend- ing that paper the government underst erfectiy well and was fully convinced that it would receive @ negative reply; but tie note accomplished Its ov- ject, which was to relieve the government from all responsibility, as admitied by the Prussian Cabinet in its answer. The result 18 that the affair, even when negotiations shall take piace, will concern the Grand Duke exclusively. The honorable member has said that Holland has no interest at ali in the Lux- emburg question. Jaccept that declaration on one condition, namely that the State of Limburg should be Bultably and completely regulated. It is therefore with great pleasure that I announce that the declara- tion that Limburg is disengaged from all ties is now [kt by Prussia. I have urged the matter on the ‘russian government in the Interest of a good un- Rodi between Holland and France, and also between Holland aad Prussia, go that all the griev- ances arising from the equivocal position of that proyince might be removed, and I am hoppy to say that the Prussian government has made the most explicit declaration on the subject. (The Minister reads @ note, in which Count Bismarck affirms that Limburg, after the settling of the territory by the Parhament, is disengaged from all its connec- 1 Adair of Ling! tons.) I believe, continues the Minister, that [ have Well explained the object of the Dutch government. J may now. evidently abaudon the question to the representative of the grand duchy, who is now here. And now end I have acquired the certainty that the Limburg rumlnated, 1 gdd that 1 shal vo longer ocoupy myself with the affair of Luxembarg, either omcaally or otherwise, ‘The Chamber then passed to the order of the day. THE SITUATION FOR WAR IN FRANCE. Napoleon’s War Message to the Legis!ature. {From Galignani’s Messenger, July 16.) Both chambers of the French iegulative body met to-day at one o'clock to receive a communication from the government concerning the present polili- cal situation existing between France and Prussia, ‘The crowd outside and inside the legislative body ‘was immense, and immediately after the opening of the proceedings M. Emile Oljivier ascended the tribune and reaa a@ statement explana- tory of the efforts to matutain peace and of the insulting conduct of Prussia in answer to the representations made, The French government asked the Prussian monarch to give a promise not hereafter to give his sanction at any ume to Prince Leopold, should this latter consent to Accept the throne of Spain, The King refused abso- Jutely to enter into any such engagement, since he was bound for that eventuality as for every other, to be guided by the circumstances of the mo- ment. When afterwards the Ambassador of France wished to converse with his Majesty on the sub- Jeo: this latter refused to see him, and sent him a message to that effect by an atd-de-camp, “In such circumstances,” satd M. Ollivier, “to make other attempts at conciliation would be to evince @ Want of dignity and an imprudence. We have not neglected anything to avoid war, and we must now prepare to sustain that which 1s offered us, leaving jo each party his own responsibility. Yesterday we called out our reserves, and with your co-operation We will at once adopt such measures as are neces- sary to yorect {he interests, the security and the “honor of France.” The announcement was reecived me loya gud prolonged ga ‘and as s00n ad the excitemént ad subsided M, Olivier presented a bill to accord @ credit of PA,000,000 francs to the Minister of War. Asimilar declaration was made in the Senate by the Duke de Grammont, and was fairly received, al- though not so warmly as in the lower chamber. Outside the two Houses the crowd, on hearing that War had been declared, cheered loudiy, the greater number rushing off at once to the Bourse and the Boulevards, Preparations for Combat. {From Galignant’s Mes#enger, July 16.) We regret to say that the Franco-Prussian aim- culty, Willch was belleved to have calmed down 10° consequence of Prince Leopold’s renunciation, now tends to become infinitely more serious than ever, We said yesterday that the French Government accepted that solution, but at the same time re- quired that the withdrawal should be placed, in some shape or other, under the guarantee of King William, The Prussian Monarch, however, seems to think that enough has been done for France in his not opposing the retirement of the Prince, and he refuses to engage his onsibility in the manner required by the Cabinet othe ‘uleries, The telegraphic despatch sent round by the Havas Agency, and speaking of King Williau’s refusal to see A. Heed ettl, {8 ald to contain the cause of offence. This course of pro- ceeding on the part of the Bing certainly does not em very courteous, but let us hope that tt may be insome manner explained away. What cannot be 4 estioned 1s that its publication in Paris has pro- luced the greatest possible sensation, and ree pout but war 18 spoken of. in all classes ot sociel, The Emperor arrived at the Tuileries yesterday at half-past ten, and at twelve presided over a Council of Ministers, which sat until five o’clock, The ramor abroad was that the Marshals were also present. At once a report got into circulation that a communica. tion was to be made, tn the course of the afternoan, to both Chambers, that a bill was to be presented to raise the contingent for the year to 140,000 men, and that a loan of 500 millions was to be asked for. Dur- ing the Council, at avout haif-past four, a long ciphered telegram arrived from M. Benedetti, wht! rumor says, 18 not of @ nature to change the sitma- tion. However it had this e@ect, that the resolution was come to by his Majesty and the Cabinet to suspend all statements to the Chambers uutil the next day. In reference to the present diMculty we may state that the diplomatists of the various Powers have, during the last two days, appeared in the sa/ons of the Prussian Ambassador, ron de Werther does not conceal from his visitors that he found his sove- reign tn by. no means a coneihating dtapoat lov, as tho decfaration of the French Cabinet ta the Isla tive Bor had much pease him, as aggressive i against him and hi: ingdom, But after several onvereations with mbassador he softened lown, and the first rece; ranted . Benedetti Was tnost gracious. From the beginning the King declared that he did not wish to mix hiin- self up in the Spanish question. The state of the affair is at present this:—The King gave Prince Leo- id @n official authorization to accept a foreign brone, France judged that this act was @ proyoca- tion, and she demands an oifictal retractation of the royal authorization for the present and the future. Baron de Werther is of opinion that she should be on the wubject of the present war, except ag regards the ocean mall service, as is already known. Itisthe purpose of this government to maintain a strict neutrality, It is considered that 4)] our interests depend upon avoiding entangling European alliances, and that we would gain nothing whatever by expressing partiality for one side or the other. In fact the intentigh of our goverament to remain strictly neutral has been communicated to all the Cabingts of Europe and given great sattsfac- Uon, The story, therefore, that President Grant urges the necessity of respecting Belgian neutrality Occasions about as much iaughter as the proposition of Franz Sigel to make a@ descent upon France with 100,000 Dutchmen, M. Bertaemy, in particular, enjoys the Sigel proposition. Baron Gerolt has received the following despatch from his government:— Public opinion in England is favorable to North Germany, but the government 1s not favorabie. She acts with the neutrality law against North Germany as she cid against America With the Ala- ana. The Baron has also received the following letter from the Secretary of State:— DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, July 22, 1870. Sir—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th Instant, communicating to this government the text of a despatch from Count Bismarck to the effect that private property on the high seas will be exempt from seizure by the | ships of his Majesty the Kimg of Prussia, with out regard to reciprocity. In compliance with be further sees a gone ne thet communication has oMméially made Bubite rom ‘in debe tpeg elt Fo agar a century since the Unit tes, vougo' Thomas Jetferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, their Plentpotentiaries, and under the guidance of th great Frederick of Prussia. entered into a treaty ol amity and commerce, to be in force ten years from its date, whereby it was agreed that if war should unhappily arise between the two Hier" 4 aries: all merchant and trading vessels employ: in @x- changing the products of different places, ana | thereby rendering the necessaries, conveniences and comforts of human life more easy to be obtained and more general, should be allowed to pass free and unmolested, and that neither of the contractlug Powers should grant or issue any commission to any | private armed vessels, einpowering them to take or | destroy such trading vessels or interrupt such commerce, The government of the United States receives with great pleasure this renewed adhe- rence of the great and enlightened German govern- ment to the yng oy temporarily estavlished by the treaty of 1785, and since then advovated by this government whenever an opportunity has offered. In 1854 President Wierce, in his annual message to Congress, sald:— hould the leading Powers of Europe concur tn proposing as ale of iuternational Taw to eceupt private property upon the oggan trom selaure by public urmed cruisers 48 weli aa y per ers, tg United states will readily meet them on thut broad gigan In 1856 this government was invited to give its adhesion to the declaration of Paris. Mr. Marcy, then Secreiary of Staté, replied, the President pro- poses to add to the first_ proposition in the declan UOn of the Uongress at Parts the following words:— | “And that the ppivale. property of the subjecta or citizens of a belligerent on the high seas shall be ex- empt from seizure by public armed — vossels of the other belligerents unless it be coutrabaud.’”? ‘Thus amended the government of the United Sta Will adopt it, togetlier with the other three prt ples contained in that declaration, And again, in | 1861, Mr. Seward renewed the offer to give the adhe- sion of the United States to the declaration of the Congress of Paris, and expressed a preference Uiat the same amendment should be retained. Count Bismarck’s despatch, communicated in your letter ofthe 10th instant, shows that North Germany 13 willing to recognize the principle, even without reciprocity, In the war which has now uphappliy broken out vetween that country and France, ‘tls gives reason to hope tat the government and the people of the United States may soon be gratitied by seeing tt universaliy recognized as another restrain- ing ahd humanizing influence imposed by modern civilization upon (he art of war, * Accept the renewed assurance of my very high consideration, HAMILTON FISH. BARON GEKOLT, &c. THE WAR FEELING IN THIS CITY. The Moncy Street. It {s almo t impossible to say what the ‘war feel- enough to brave the wrath of England. | Was restored, the fortifications rebuilt, and, hke @ | was lately the kingdom of Hanover, ing” in the city actually is, The population of New York {s 80 cosmopoiitan that the feclings of each component nationality run in a different direction, and to gather up these many divergent shalts of content with the young Prussian Colonel's personal renunciation. THE WAR FEELING IN WASHINGTON. Excitement in the Capital Over the Secret Franco-Prussian Treaty—An Old Treaty Re- suscitated—Pretext for English Interven- tion—The United States to Remain Neutral—Letter from Secretary Fish to Baron Gerolt. WasHInaTon, July 26, 1870, The reported secret treaty proposed by France to Prussia, with a view to securing an alliance offen- sive and defensive and an increased slice of terrl- tory on the part of both Powers, has created a wonderful amount of excitement here, considering the little real interest this government has in Kuro- pean questions. Last night it seemed to swallow up all other subjects of discussion, and to-day the inte- rest displayed concerning 1t ts uot less marked. The apparent genuineness of the document and tho serious manner in which it has already been treated by the British government and newspapers would seem to point to an intention to make it the basis or pretext for English intervention in the Franco-Prus- sian dimculty. A hint was thrown out here to-day, which may be worth something as explaining the very sudden hullabaloo and newspaper how! in Great Britain, It fs related to me by a gentleman whose relations with our own government and the foreign Ministers 1s such as to enable him to keep well posted on most subjects of public interest, that the treaty published with such an immen se parade by the London 7imes is a document some three years old, which was con- sidered by France and Prussia at the time the latter Power was about to measure swords with Austria, and that it was mutually rejected at that time. Who the author of the treaty really was, whether Napo- Jeon or Bismarck, does not appear, but its publica- tion now is supposed to be for a certain pur- pose, England was furnished, confidentlalty, with “ copy at the time of the Austrian dlMculty, and it 4s believed that Earl Granville supplied the document to Mr. Delano, of the London 7imes, for the purpose of fring the British heart, and in that way getting up @ war fever against France to furnish an excuse for intervention in Continental matters. Delano 13 Bald to be very intimate with Barl Granville, as he was likewise with the late Lord Ciarendon, at whose Place he used to spend a great deal of his time, Clarendon is known to have used the Times news- paper for similar purposes, or whenever he desired to feel the British pulse in extraordinary emergen- cles. Therefore, itis asserted that Granviile is the real prompter at the boitom of the whole business. He it is who 1s sald to have given the treaty to the Times, although it is now his little gaine to simulate Great surprise and indignation. This is a curious explanation, but, if corréct, it only sérves to show that England's protestations of intended or desired neutrality are all gaj OMe Raita ober hand Pak informed that the late Lord Clarendon many times expresse: the opinion before his death that English statesmen had come to the conclusion long ago that the true policy of Great Britain was to avoid all intermeddiing in Contt- nental difficulties. Clarendon is reported to have observed that “never has England in modern times gained an advantage by taking part in the Contl- nental strifes and wars of Europe. In the Crimean war she spent millions and gained neither credit nor advantage of any sort. Hereafter England’s true policy must be to attend to her vast commercial in- teresls in peace and seek to develop her immense colonial resources.” Granville and Gladstone, however, may differ on this point with Clarendon, M. Berthemy, the acting French Minister, pro- fesses to know nothing whatever about the subject, and appears to regard the thing as some very vig hoax perpetrated on Napoleon, Bismarck and the Tomes. Baron Gerolt also seems to bea first class Know nothing on this point. Both of these diplo- mats called at the State Department to-day and bad interviews with Mr. J. C. Bancroft Davis, the Acting Secretary of State. What the object of their visits was has not transpired, The story which comes all the way from Europe Tepresenting that President Grant has instructed our Ministersat Parls and Berlin to tell Napoleon and thought would be more difficult than any reader could imagine, But if we say that there was no excitement whatever in the city—that éverybody was as calm as an iced cucumber, aithongh at the same ti.ue as hot, like » lobster in his boiling water, then the truth has been reached ag near as it can be 4n a general newspaper report. The announcement of the fallure of the banking house of William F. Jaeger, of Frankfort, created no excitement, ‘That house failed in 1849, and again 1p 1859, and since then it had but slight connection with the American market. Local speculations were Its principal aun, aud with the failure of these it succumbed, Yet the failure of one house in Frankfort indicated the possibility of the failure of other houses at the sameplace, as well as at other cities of the European Continent. Everybody began to think that an ava- Janche of failures would pour in upon the American market from Europe; hence everybody was careful in his sales and purchases. even tenor of its way. It would not even vary to the extent of one per cent, and when the ticking of the ‘elegraphic indicator showed that 11, the pre- cious metal, xert on 214, the gutter snipes and other gold gamblers were almost seized with de- spair. A war in Europe, the disarrangement of the interoceanic trade, the possibility of the war be- coming general—all this, and for a whole week to play en the market and gold still nelow forty. What an anomaly | All these street gamblers predicted a fall in the bonds and a rise in gold 80 rapid as the country had never seen before. They specu- lated upon this prediction, and ter own folly brought them togrief. To-day lait of tho strect operators are unable to pay thelr margins if sud- aenty called upon todo so. But as this would rain the whole speculating ring no such “savage” de- mand will be mae, and they will be ict to paddle op a8 well as they can. Dr. Barthelmess, of Brooklyn, creat»d some commo- tion withont, provably, intending it. With the ser.ous- ness ofa man borne ‘down by the weight of great events, he came into Exchange place yesterday afternoon, declining to answer any question. Ile was charged with a message; yes, he was; and the mes- sage was addressed to “Willlam Rex," the King Wiillam of Prussia, It ran about as follows, giving & free translation of it: To His Majesty King Wit.ttaM, Berlin :— ‘The Germans of Brooklyn’ thank your Majesty for tho worthy representation of German honor; they speak nloud their aympathies for the just cause of Germany, and pray that fame and victor may crown the Germany ar: ‘by order of the mass meeting, Dr. BARTHELMESS. As the Doctor may be sure of the Knighthood of the Red Eagle, it was considered wrong on his part to exclude the other oimcers of the Brooklyn ee and confine the signature to the despat himself. 4No fight yet?’ asked a well-to-do Irishman of a Huan feprésentative, None has been reported,” was the reply. “Why the devil don’t they fight? If the. fight, why don’t they go along’? Though this was rather t ly expressed, yet it gave tho general opinion prevailing. In Anertea We are so accustomed that the deed, or raiher the blow, should foliow the word, that the pecple here cannot comprehend how such great milltury Powers as France and Prussia can play possum” for weeks without striking each other In some vulnerable point, But such persons, it ig sald by others, do not understand the science of strategy, so minutely studjed in Europe, and for this reagon the doubters are not to be biained; for Captain Bunsby's opinion 1g quite often repeaten, that ‘if so then so; if 80 te that it be not, then not,” and so forth ad infint- uM. “ o mean The French Consulate. Here the oMice was almost wholly degerted. Al- though they have received promises of funds for the support of the widows and orphans of those who may be slain in the war for French honor and glory, no offer was made yesterday by any one desirous to enlist in the French army. When the representative of the NeRALD called there the Consul General nimself was not in, but the Vice Consul and the Chancellor of the Consulate both stated that, as it was not their intention to violate the laws of thi country, they could not receive any such application end if orts were about that recruiting was going ON, it may be stated, that such was done without any authority from the French goverument. . THE FRENCH POS!TION. We give below descriptions of Dunkirk and Nie- derbronn, two places of some interest now, the first being the port at which French troops are concen- trating and the other the scene of a sharp skirmish between the French and Prussians, Daakirk. The announcement that @ consideravie French force was concentrating at Dunkirk, or Dunkerque, makes this place of much interest at the present moment, It is the most ‘northerly seaport town in France, and the fourth in rank in point of commerctal importance. The population numbers some thirty thousand, and boast of having one of the cleanest, best paved and cheapest cities in the empire. Ite situation is about forty-five miles east by south King William that he hopes that the neutrality of Belgium will be respected creates @ great | deal of fun here, The fact is, our gov. erument hag not expressed a single opimon of Dover, and forty miles porthwest of tho city of Lille, Three canals and the Northern rail way terminate at this point, The haxbor is artificial, and jargesums aro annually expended to keep ite But gold. kept on the | 1 month freefrom the bar of sand which obstructa. ‘The origin of Dunkir« ts very singular, It is sald that in the seventh century Saint Zlol bailt » obapel among the sand hilis, around which sprung up @ settiement kaown ag Dun-Kirk, or “Church of the Dunes’? The place grad- wally increased fm importance and was Tepeatediy contested for by the Spanish end French. Inthe reign of Queen Elizabeth of Eng- land It was rendered famous as the port where she Flemish division of the Spanish Armada was equip- ped. This division, by the way, never went to sea, {a commander, the Prince of Parma, having’ arrived at the conclusion that disaster awaited the expedition, In 1668, after a@ severe engage- ment, the English and French wok the Place from the Spaniards, and, as usual, the first named people retained possesion. Bat in 1662, Charles Il. being then on the throne of Eng- land and hard up for money, sold Dunkirk to Louta XIV., and ever since it has formed a part of France, Wars between Great Britain and France tn the early part of the eighteenth century were ended by the peace of Utrecht tn 1713. One of the articles of this treaty of peace provided for the demolition of Dunkirk and its fortification. When the day came for the performance of this Plece of vandalism, Frenoh pride revolted from the deed, But the cold-blooded Angio-Saxon was inex- orable. English commissioners were actually sent to the place to see that the terms of the treaty were rigidly carried out. Then it was that Dunkirk was destroyed, the wretched inhabitants reduced to beggary and a biow administered to the pride of France which was deeply felt by the entire nation. But Dunkirk did not long remain in ruins. In 1740 France became strong The port Pheenix from her ashes, Dunkirk once more reared her head from among the wretched sandhills of that part of France. Since thon her progress has been steady. Her quay is always crowded with shipping and the town is always alive and bustling. As rogards the concentration of French troops at Dunkirk but little need be sald. A glance at tho map will show that the distance from this port to the port of Emden, on the Dollart, is lesa than 800 miles (about 260), and this fact, taken in connec- tion with the ctatement made a few days ago of tho appearance of French cruisers off Emden, makes it probable that tho troops at Dunkirk are destined for this place, which, as the reader ts doubtless aware, forms a part of what It may be, however, that the troops are destined for the Weser or Elbe river, or, it may be, forthe Baltic Sea, In any case Dunkirk ts nearer to the German coast than any other seaport in France, and consequently is the best point at which a force can concentrate, if ine tended vo form part of a naval expedition. Niederbronn, the place at which @ sharp ekirmish 1s reported to have taken place, resulting in the defeat of the Prus- stans, is a Small town of 3,590 inhabitants, situated in a valley of the Vosges Mountains, twenty miles. northwest of Strassburg, on the rallroad between Haguenau and Bitche. The town ts but a few miles from the Bavarian frontier, and has some repute for jts mineral springs. THE PRUSSIAN: POSITION. Our cable despatches report the Prussians retiring upon Mayence, and this statement would seem to be borne out by the spectal telegram announcing that the French army had began its advance upon the Prussians with a view to closing them in between Weissenburg and Thionvilie, Unless the Prus- sians felt confident of being able to resist an attack on their fank- and to foil a movement on their rear @ retirement from the French frontier would be a neceasity. It is, therefore, quite proba- ble that they have fallen back ppon Mayence; but whother, in so doing, they have isolated the South German forces, 18 @ matter which must be decided upon the advance of Marshal McMahon's army across the Ruine. Mr yeuce, or Menz, or Mainz, as the place is variously known, is next to Coblenz the stroagest fortified position on the Rnine, on the left bank of which river ti ts situated, nearly opposite the mouth of the river Main, It belongs to the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darnstadt and has a population of some 32,000, exclusive of the reg- ular garrison im times of peace. It ts one of the oldest places im Germany. Thirty-eight years before the birth of Christ Marcius Agrippa, one of the generals of Augustus Casar, formed ® camp here, and constructed a fortress which he named Moguntiacum. Drusus, his successor, strengthened the position, aud in the year 170A, D. the twenty-second legion, which had congered Judea and destroyed Jerusalem, was sent by order of Titus to garrison the place. ‘Tradition invests Mayence with certain marvellous stories in relation with the early Christlans, which are scarcely worth repeating here. The town gradually became populated, and for a long time served as a bulwark against the encroachments of the Ger- mans, On the retirement of the Romans it was almost entirely destroyed, but Charlemagne restorea. it and it subsequently became the chief ecclestastical city of the German empire. During the wars of the French Revolution the place was repeatedly be- sieged. By the treaty of 1797 It was ceded to France aud became the capital of the de- partment of the Mont Tonni In 1814 tho allies took it from France sid gave it to Hesse-Darmstadt, of which it has since formed a part. Asis wellknown, Guttenberg, the inventor | of movable type and the discoverer of the art of | modern printing was born here. Arnold von Wale | boten, another native of Mayence, was the first per- son Who suggested the plan (afterwards adopted), of frecing commerce from the exactions of those pre- cious scoundrels, the feudal aristocracy. ‘Tho fortifications of Mayence are very strong. | ‘They consist of a wall, which surrounds the city, flanked wyth bastions, a cltadet of immense | Sirength, several forts and a comprehensive system | of outworks. From the position of the city, howe | over, it is not impregnable to modern, long range artillery. Numerous points of the surrounding country, In easy range, overlook it and afford ample ground for the planting of bostile batteries. Nevertheless, it is tolerably certain that the place cannot be taken by dircet assault without a Gigntfu sacrifice of Iife—too great a gacrifice, In fact, to make It probable that any attempt to storm its works will bo made. A slegs, with gradual ap- proaches to the fortifications, 18 about the only man- nertn which It can be taken, and that would, of course, consume much time, It is as astragetic point that Mayence is most im- Portant; situated in the middle of a great bend of the Rhine, midway between Coblenz and Manheim it makes a ne base of operations for either Western) or Sonthern Gormaay, and ts a formidable protector to Northern Germany. It is twenty miles west-south-, west of Frankfort, avout forty-five miles by ratlway, north of Manheim, 146 miles east-northeast of Metz, sixty miles southeast of Coblenz, and some seventy five miles east-northeast of Trerero, Mayence is. con- nected by railway with Metz, Manheim, veblenz, Frankfort and Nuremburg, and by means of these roads with the other parts of North and South Ger- many. | i Frankfort on-the-Main, which is now reported to be the headquarters of the Prussian army, 18 so well known that a brief description will suffice. The city ts situated on the right bank of the river Matn, twenty milea northeast of Mayencé, and is connected by railroad with all: parts of North and South Germany. Originally an lusignifcant Roman station, 11 was ramwed to importance by Charlemagne, who built @ palace. aud held a cowici! here tn 793, In the middle of the twelfth century it became @ free city and subse quent!y had great privileges conferred npon it by the Emperors of Germany. In 1806 it was made the capital of the Grand Duchy of Frankfort, formed by Napoleon and conferred upon the Blector of ‘Mentz. Upon the downfall of the French Emperor the city regained ita freedom end maintained it until} 1806, when It was forcibly beat Aafia perce ce of Frankfol of the C008. dhe Raine to with a view to, towards Han- oss the Rhine towards the ceossing that river and pate over, could be easter met from int than from any other. Frankfort is but does not rank high as a defer tion. It ever, been the scene of se fighting, ant ‘was stormed, after a desperate and bloody in which tho aseallants suffered terriblo loam,