The New York Herald Newspaper, August 23, 1870, Page 6

LRN an se sl ng ma . NEW YORK HERALD BROADWAY AND ANN STREET. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR, All business or news letter and telegraphic despatches must be addressed New Yore Alxrarp. Letters and packages should be properly sealed. io : Volume XXXV. TSE HERALD CORPS OF EUROPEAN WAR CORRESPONDENTS, We have special correspondents moving ‘with each division of the opposing forces of France and Prossia, and news agencies in the principal capitals--London, Paris, Berlin, Ma- drid, Vienna and Florence—so that nothing of an important news character escapes our vigilant representatives. Our news agencies in the principal cities of Europe, and our system of travelling corre- spondents, have been long established, a fact the readers of the HeRatp have no doubt long since become familiar with, and as our letters from all parts of the Eastern Hemisphere for years past have fully proven. We do not pretend that our comments upon the war, or that our opinions upon the proba- ble success of either belligerent in contem- plated movements come by the cable. Our only aim is to give to the public the fullest, the most reliable, and the most authentic record of facts as they occur in the graad ‘operations of the contending armies, AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, WOOD'S MUSKOM AND MENAGERIE, Hrosdway, cor- ner Thtriveth st.—Performances every atternoon aud evening WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway ana Ith sireet.— F¥uirz,Oun Cousin GEuMan. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery. Young Man. GRAND OPERA HOUSE, corner of Eighth avenue and Sd wt.—S11As.a—Tae Nations, OvroROON—SaRan's _OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway.—Oreza Kourrn— darth Faust, BOOTH’S THEATRE, 28d st., vetween Sth and 6th avs.— Bre Van Winkie. NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—T: ae iway.—Tok Deawa ov UnpEE TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 291 Bowery.—Va- ‘Rigiy ENTERTAINMENT—CoMio Vocaisas, £0. THEATRE COMIQUE, 614 Broudway.—( ve ” LY ag way.—Couto VooaL. ‘TERRACE. GARDEN, Fifty ighth street and Third aye ‘Due,—GEAND VooaL AxD INsTROMENTAL CONGEUT. LEEDS’ ART GALLERIES, 817 and $19 Broadway.— EXMwiri0N oF PAINTINGS. ee NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— (Screnoe anv Agr. TRI PL New York, Tuesday, August oe 23, 1870. CONTENTS OF TO-DAY'S HERALD, Pace. 1—Adyertisements. 2—AdvVertisements. 3—The Defences of Paris: Skctches of their Origin and History; penceigaen of the Outer and Inner Works; Number of Guns Mounted and Strength of the Garrison; Probability of the Oity Being Injured by Shelis.—Long Branch: President Grant Going to New York for a Few Days— City Polttics—The Central Ratlroad Bay idge. 4—Europe: Special War Despatches by Mai! to August 13; Prussian Report of a Sharp Action at Bitche; General Steinmetz’s Account of Saarbruck; MacMahon’s Defeat in the Battle of Feschwiller; Terrible Havoc by Prussian Artillery aud Cavalry; Ireland Agitated by the Field News. lormonism: Does the Bible Sanction Poly- ny? Second Vay of the Great Discussion | tween Dr. Newman and Orson Pratt; The Female Saints Becoming More and Nore Inter- ested; Text of the ment of the Champious of Many Wives and One Wife. @—Editoriais: Leading Article on the War in Eu- rope, What is to be the end of 1t’—Amusement Announncements. ‘9—The War: Special Telegrams to the New York Herald; Progress of the Siege of Strasbourg: Heroic Action of the French at the Fortress; The Crown Prince About to Sweep on Paris; Forty Thousand Prussians Killed and ‘Wounded in Recent Batties; Marshal Bazaine “Holds All His Positions;” = ing to Support Bazaine: I Riotous action Dreaded Demonstrations in the Balt Agitation in Prussian Poland; Prin leon’s Mission to Italy; Active Mediation of the Neutrals Expected—Business Notices. §—Neutraiity : Proclamation by President Grant; the Provisions of the Neutrality Act Must be obs rved; Prussia Exempts trom Seizure Pri- vate Property at Sea; France Adheres to the Declaration of the Paris Congress—The Nathan Maurder—The Cold Spring Muraer—An Un- happy Wile—New York City and Brooklyn Courts—Brooklyn Board of Aldermen—The National Game—Personal Intelligence—The Ai- leged Cuban Transport—Fire at Passaic, N. J.—Political Notes and Comments—Army and Navy Intelligence—Demoraiized Policemen— New York City News—The Berlin, N. J., Mur- der—Attempt to Assassinate. Norwalk: Testimony of the Captain and Mate Of the Schooner Lady Eilea—Rough Times in Alabama—Watering Place Notes— ‘Will They be Punished ?—Brooklyn City News— Real Estate Transfers—! ial and Com- mercial Reports—Marriages and Deat! 1O—Telegraphic News from All Parts of the : ‘World—National Labor 0} -Amuse- ments—Compact of the Railroad Kings— Tectia ee eae Jersey Yac — jount c8— Scarcity of ‘ater in New Haven— The Colored State Convention—Arrival of Archbishop McCloskey from Rome—A Period of Blood—The Tel from Troy— Shipping Intelligence—Aadvertisements. ‘@4—The North Carolina Anarchy—Flood and Pro- bable Loss of Life—Auvertisements, vertisements. _ Norwrrasranpine THe Vicrortss Over THE ‘Faenon there are multitudes of sorrowing ‘thearts among the Germans in this city, and, Andeed, ali over the country. Inthe glowing flush of victory we are all apt to be unmind- fal of the woful sacrifices by which it is fre- quently obtained. Toe Frenon Mai, Sreamsuip Pere, ‘which left Brest on the 13th of August, at four o'clock in the afternoon, arrived at this port at an early hour yesterday morning. Run across Yin eight days and about eleven hours, the quickest time on record! A splendid service ‘at any time, but particularly so in terrible war ‘times, when the public watches with such anxiety for the Hzratp European special war correspondence by mail. : Tae Great ACHIEVEMENTs of NAPOLEON vue Tuinp.—First, the re-establishment of the Napoleonic empire in France; second, the gaving of “the sick man” of Tarkey from the Russian bear; third, the establishment and union of Italy; fourth, the establishment, throngh his diplomacy with Count Bismarck, of the North German Confederation ; fifth, the sanion of all the German States against him “in war, the collapse of the Napoleonic em- y and the creation of a great German em- as the arbiter of Europe in place of eR AES al a: reed | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, End of itt - snother euch period as was the year 1815—another 1815, with tho variations that the different spirit of the time and the different state of Europe make inevitable. She has already come to count, not whether she can subdue her enemy, but whether she can resist him, and whether her very capital can be saved from his grasp. To-day Marshal MacMahon is reported at St. Dizier, and the very name of this place, where Napoleon threw himself upon the communications of the allies, suggests a painful resemblance to those melancholy days when even the efforts of that great soldier were in vain. Out of this war there is certainly no triumphant way for France. There is no glorious escape by victory. What escape, then, is there? She must make the best peace she can. As to wast the best peace there will be very different views, even in France—for the imperialists, the Orleans party and the republi- cans, cannot be reconciled in a case in which one must have the preference to the exclusion of the others, It ia certain that the republic is not at hand, and this would be the same even if Louis Blanc did not magnanimously refuse to go to Paris lest his appearance there should excite revolt against all constituted authority. Prussia will nave no republics within the sphere in which her arms are omnipotent. She could not be moved from this point if there were any desirous to move her, and we cannot suppose there are. Russia has no fondness for republics, neither has Austria nor Italy ; andas for England, the only one she ever did sincerely love and admire, was the republic of ‘“‘the late United States.” It was said some days since that England, in the event of negotiation, would favor yielding to France entire freedom of choice as to the form and the material of her government. If this were done would the republic find a friend even in the French nation? Suppose a plebiscitum were taken with the republic as one of its possible results, would a majority or a plurality of the French people choose it? Such a vote, decided yea or nay, would at least be very instructive, and would clear up those knotty points of French history whether or not the many movements in the name of the republic since 1798 have bad a spontaneous impulse from the people, or whether, as has been persistently declared by their opponents, they were all manceuvred in socialist clubs and conclaves of the enemies of good order. It seems to be concluded at several points in Europe that whatever else may come out of this war at least that Cesar is dead, with none 80 poor to do him reverence—that the Napo- leonic empire is ended forever. It will be a strange exemplification of the way the world wags if, indeed, this King of Prussia, who is merely the military figurehead of his army, shall really stamp out what was founded by the greatest soldier Europe ever saw, and that, as thus between brawn and brain, the lat- ter shall be nowhere. All our stories from Europe to this effect have come from sources in which we know that the wish is father to the thought; yet these men only say earlier what others must say a liitle later. Facts give the ultimate verdict by which the world must stand; and sa vote of France taken to-day, even if the last vote were an honest one, would not give the same decision. France wants a gov- ernment that can either avoid war or win when it comes. Failing the republic and the empire, an Orleans sovereign is perhaps inevi- table. This will satisfy Prussia, Russia and England, and cannot dissatisfy Italy or Aus- tria. It will also meet the wishes of, perhaps, the strongest party in France, when strength is measured by any more rational way than that of the plebiscitum. It was the strongest point of the Bonapartes that they, in the his- tory of France, were the only middle term between the impossible extremes of the demo- crats and the legitimists ; but this is a charac- ter that to-day falls more decidedly to the Orleans princes, who have assiduously courted the popular attention and good will, and have guined both. There will doubtless be territorial changes. Prussia will claim to cut off from France as much as France would have gained from Prus- sia if she had secured the Rhine frontier. Russia’s protest is heard against this, and also the proposition of England, aimed to meet the views of both sides—to please Prussia by reducing France, and to please Russia by pre- venting the aggrandizement of Prussia. This proposition is for the erection of another Bel- gium—another State to figure on the upper Rhine as Belgium does on the lower Rhine. Alsace and Lorraine are to constitute this State. Thus is France's chalice com- mended to her own lips. The first Napoleon made the Confederation of the Rhine to be a barrier for France on the German side of the river, and now Germany will exact, perhaps, the material guarantee of a similar barrier on the French side of the river. With a peace involving this France cannot be content; but she must take it as part of the woe that comes to the vanquished. Peace, however, that involves such heartburning is not so lasting as some others, American Mediation tor Peace—An Admir- able Opportunity. Amid the din of contending empires that now fills Europe and arrests the attention of the world the names of Great Britain, Russia, Austria, Italy, and even of Spain and the Scandinavian powers have been mentioned as possible allies for the fight or mediators to secure a peace. All of these have proclaimed neutrality, yet some of them are continually mentioned as interested, on this side or on that, in the issue of the contest. Now, at last, in the supreme peril of France, we hear Eng- land, the hereditary foe of French policy; Russia, the humiliated in the Crimea and the threatened in Poland, and Austria, the shaven and shorn of Northern Italy, suggested as the friends iu time of need for that great and enlightened Power whose first appearance on the arena of liberal action in the modern time was when the soldiers of Lafayette and the sailors of Rochambeau joined the feeble armies and fleets of the young American nation in their desperate effort for our inde- pendence. The traditional policy of the United States, tranamitted to us from the lips of Washington She Wer ta Eerepe—What is to Bo the It is pretty clear that France has before ber and still religiously observed by this republic, fa the avoidance of entangling foreign alli- ances.~ Good sense has proven the wisdom of this rule, and our people revere it; our Presi- dent has just issued proclamation warning our citizens against any participation, as such, fn the pending struggle, and his words are universally applauded; but thore is no reason why the great American people should not, at this moment, make its mighty voice heard in behalf of peace. France, who listened to us in Mexico, will listen to us in Europe. Germany is represented by millions of her children on this soil. Neither Power has reason to suspect or doubt us, and the wide Atlantic extinguishes all thought of jealousy. Frenchmen and Germans alike meet here on common ground and are regarded as our brethren. Many of them hold high social and even political position among us, and wield the wealth that helps to build our future empire. What more opportune, more natural or more glorious office, then, for this great gov- ernment to fill than that of disinterested inter- cessor for peace between two nations of whom it is thg fast and real friend? Is not this something worthy of the young, fresh, whole-souled American statesmanship that should distinzuish our bright day? King William has gracefully acknowledged the effort of Pius IX. His people hold millions of our securities, and he can do no less by us. France cannot and will not doubt us. Peace must quickly come, peace is imminent; the outspoken appeal of America would, we earnestly believe, bring the negotiations for peace within the passing week. The President’s Ne The President has thought proper to issue a proclamation declaring the neutrality of the United States in the war existing between France and Germany. This official document will be found published in another part of the paper. Such a proclamation might seem to some unnecessary, a8 we are removed so far from the seat of war,’ but the President gives good reasons for the act when he says, “‘great numbers of the citizens of the United States reside within the territories or dominions of each of the belligerents and carry on trade therein;” that “great numbers of the aub- jects or cilizens of each of the belligerents reside wilhin the territory or juris- diction of the United States and carry on commerce, trade or other: busi- ness therein,” which makes it necessary to inform all these of the perfect neutral posi- tion of this country and of the laws that bear upon the subject. Then, the President pro- perly deemed it important that the citizens of the United States should know what the treaties and policy of the belligerents are with regard to neutrals privateering and the carry- ing of goods in netitral vessels. The interna- tional law regarding neutrals and privateering has undergone some changes within the last few years, and it was proper our people should be informed of that. The laws of the United States, as the Presi- dent says, do not interfere with the expression of opinion or sympathy, or with the open man- ufacture or sale of arms or munitions of war; nevertheless they impose upon all persons within or under the jurisdiction of the United States the duty of an impartial neutrality. ‘ality Proclamation. The President, then, clearly sets forth what is forbidden by the neutrality law. It is forbidden to accept and exercise a commission to serve either of the belligerents by land or sea; to enlist or enter into the service of either as a soldier, marine, or a seaman on board of any vessel of war or privateer; to hire or retain another person to enlist or enter into such service of the bellige- rents; to hire another person to go beyond the limits or jurisdiction of the United States with intent to be enlisted or to be entered into service as aforesaid; to retain another person for such purpose; to fit out and arm, or to attempt to fit out or procure to be fitted out and arm, any ship or vessel for the service of either of the belligerents; to issue or de- liver a commission for any vessel to the intent that she may be employed as aforesaid, and to increase or augment the force of any ship- of-war, cruiser, or other armed vessel within the jurisdiction of the United States in the service of the belligerents, or by adding to the arma- ment or equipment thereto of anything solely applicable to war. But the neutrality law is not to beconstrued to extend to a citizen or subject of either of the belligerents, who, being tran- siently within the United States, in the matter of going into the service of his country on board any vessel that may arrive in the United States. The President's proclamation shows, too, that by a treaty with Prussia the vessels of war, public or private, of that Power, can carry freely wheresoever they please the ves- sels and effects taken from her enemy without being obliged to pay any duties, charges or fees to officers of admiralty, of customs or any others, and that such prizes shall not be arrested, searched or put under legal process when they come to or enter the ports of the United States, but may be freely carried out again at any time by their captors to the places expressed in their commissions. The Presi- dent further says that he has been officially informed by the Minister of the North German Confederation that private property on the high seas will be exempted from seizure by the ships of Prussia without regard to reciprocity. He also says that the French Minister at Washington has informed him officially that orders have been given by the French government that in the con- duct of the war the commanders of the French forces on land and on the seas shall scrupulously observe toward neutral Powers the rules of international law, and that they shall strictly adhere to the prin- ciplesset forth in the declaration of the Oon- gress of Paris of the 16th of April, 1856, which declares that privateering is and remains abolished ; that the neutral flag covers enemy's goods, with the exception of contra- band of war; that neutral goods, with the exception of contraband of war, are not liable to capture under the enemy's flag, and that blockades in order to be binding must be effective. The Presi- dent adds that although the United States were not aparty to this declaration of 1856, the French government informs him that French vessels will not seize enemy's property found on board a vessel of the Ynited States. 4 AUGUST 23, 1870.--TRIPLE SHEET. provided that property be not contraband of war. In conclusion the President warns all per- sons within the jurisdiction of the United States against taking part, directly or indi- rectly, in the war, and enjoins them to remain at peace with each of the belligerents, as well as to observe a strict and an impartial neu- trality, telling our citizens at the same time that if they violate the laws and this neu- trality they can expect no redress from the government. It will be seen by this that our neutrality law is very strict. Should any of onr citizens violate it in the present war they need not expect protection or redress, General Grant gives them timely warning. We have seen in the case of Cuba what has been the fate of Americans there, even when not engaged in the war or in aiding the bellige- rents. Our government is not so ready to protect Americans abroad even when not in the wrong, and it will certainly not shield those who violate the laws. Tho Situation in Earopo-Pence Close at Hand, Our view of the scene and the condition of the war, as expressed yesterday morning, Is fully sustained. The main body of the French Army of the Moselle under General Bazaine is thrown back upon Metz, and its communica- tions with both Verdun and Paris are cut off. The camp at Chalons is reported to be broken up and the Gardes Mobiles recently assembled there are said to be in full retreat on Paris without sufficient arms or provisions. Indeed, one despatch briefly announces a battle in the immediate vicinity of Chalons and another great victory by the Prussian Crown Prince. Of this, however, we have no distinct con- firmation, Meanwhile there can be no doubt that the Prince has communicated with the German armies of the north and centre, now jointly under the command of King William, and that he feels strong enough to continue his advance on Paris. His vanguard already hovers in sight of Sezanne, indicating a march direct upon the French capital by the line of La Ferte Gaucher, Coulommiers and Couilly, since the route by the valley of the Aube would be further to the south, and on the arc instead of the line of the semi-circle, and, consequently, longer, more tedious and far more perilous than the other. We are in- clined to think that if any of his troops have been seen in that direction they are mere scouting parties. It is impossible to reconcile with this move- ment the declaration that MacMahon’s head- quarters are at St. Dizier, which is much to the eastward of Vitry-le-Francois, where the Germans under the Crown Prince were seen on Saturday, unless the French Marshal has also been surrountied and cut off. In fine, this statement looks like an error. Paris is making strenuous exertion to complete her preparations for defence. Major General Trochu is acting with equal firmness and liberality. All classes and parties are appealed to for the common defence of the country; the radical journals lately suspended are allowed to reappear, and the Orleans princes, in spite of the Emperor's recent refusal, are permitted to come back to France. Napo- leon seems to be utterly ignored and is even stated to be in flight from France, after having been treated with indignity by the troops at Chalons. The Empress Eugénie has appealed to the mediation of Queen Victoria of England, who is said- to have written to King William. Meanwhile, French iron-clads have appeared off Dantzig, occasioning much alarm. On the southeast, the city of Stras- bourg is reported in flames and on the eve of capitulation. Like a bright band of light in a midnight sky the assured certainty of a speedy armis- tice and peace is at this juncture seen across the darkened horizon of France. The Supreme Pontiff has uttered his appeal, and King Wil- liam has magnanimously spoken. Russia, Austria, Italy (where the Prince Napoleon is diligently at work) and England are quietly but strenuously striving for this great purpose. We feel certain that the result will be heard within two or three days. Christendom is shocked and horrified at the slaughter. Prus- sia herself appeals to the great Powers ‘‘to save France from anarchy,” and all good influences aid the petition. At the same time avery striking sympton is revealed in our markets here. Gold struggles and declines ‘because our bonds goup abroad as the cause of peace advances; and already men ask themselves is there any good reason why gold shonld sell in Broad street at a premium higher than what should barely pay the differ- ence of exchange between Europe and this country? Exchange on the Old World is now at about 10} per cent. Our five-twenty bonds are selling at a pre- mium of from 10 to 14 per cent here, and the discount for the same in London is from 10 to 12} per cent, and at Frankfort 74 to 10. The premium here being from 2 to 4 per cent higher than the discount on the same bonds in Europe, why should not gold sell to-day in Wall and Broad streets for 10} to 11, in view of the early end of the war? We see it taking that direction, and hence infer that the acute business mind of New York sees that the inevitable collapse of the empire has come, that peace is imminent, and that the best interests of both Europe and America are about to emerge from tremendous perils. Special History of the War by Mail. The arrival of the French mail steamship Pereire at this port yesterday, after her extra- ordinarily rapid passage, with the mail details to hand by the Cunard steamship Scotia, enable us to continue our special history of the progress of the war in Europe to the 14th of August. The compilation of news which we publish to-day is both useful and instructive. It reports the appearance of the first symptoms of that commercial derangement which is almost certain to follow from the shock caused by the existence of this terrible military convulsion between two such Powers as France and Prussia, The increasing alarm of the great neutrals is also noted. England’s guarantee engagements for the preservation of Belgian neutrality were regarded by # large part of the British people as being advised.in a moment of unhealthy diplomatic haste, and of being, in conse- quence, of a rather serious import under ex- isting political circumstances. From the |, Prussian army wo have a report of the sharp, i fighting which took place at Steinmetz’s brief but intelligible statement of the Prussian victory at Saarbruck is also given. Bismarck was watchful, anxious and on the alert. The Prussian Premier's remark as to the probable value of General Turr's services to the King is exceedingly characteristic of the man, MacMahon was evidently surprised by the Germans at Haguenan, and suffered heavily for his want of vigilance. When the battle of Haguenau opened a large force of the French Turcos were engaged in bathing in a river near by. They were forced to rush into action in a Perfectly nude state, and even thus performed prodigies of valor before they were mowed down by the grape shot of the Prussian guns. Paris had heard bad news for the second time. The French Cabinet was alarmed. The city surged toward riot, but thé population remained still patriotic and resolute against invasion. A Prussian naval monitor was sunk by a French iron-clad in the Baltic. The war debates in the French Legislature were of a most ani- mated and excited character. The French nation was to be sustained. The disturbance of the social economies was deeply regretted. Ireland remained French in heart and sympa- thy. Our special writer in Dublin says that one hundred thousand Irishmen could be had easily on the island for Napoleon's service if Queen Victoria would permit such a recruit- ment. Our writer gives a very clear exposi- tion in analysis of this condition of Irish feel- ing, stating why it prevails and the direction in which it tend The Attitude wark ef Peace. Brave little Switzerland, among her moun- tain fastnesses, does much by her bold atti- tude to circumscribe the war in space and limit itin time. Belgium maintaining her neutrality stifly on the north, and the Swiss cantons equally determined on the south, have com- pelled the German armies to enter France by a‘comparatively narrow gateway on the Rhine frontier, as they would have narrowed the operations of the French hosts had the latter won the move and invaded Germany. This is already a most salutary influence and a rest- ing point for the hopes of all true men that so terrible a conflict shall be brought to a speedy termination. Switzerland has been repeatedly invaded by Austrian, Prussian, Russian and french armies, and in the days of the Firat Napo- leonic empire nearly lost her independence ; but the old Helvetic spirit was inextinguish- able, and she rose triumphant and secure at last. However, she had a sore trial in the Sénderbund war of 1846-47, followed by the joint note of Austria, Prussia and France menacing her in 1848; but the successes of General Dufour against the seceding cantons and the revolution of 1818 rescued her. Since then she has been wary and reasonably distrustful, and now, notwithstanding the assurances of beth belligerent Powers, she has called out an effective force of 50,000 men splendidly drilled, armed and equipped, and has ranged them along her froatiers. Our latest despatches inform us that the Germans have thrown a bridge across the Rhine, close to Basle in Swiss territory and above Miilhausen, in France. This is in menacing proximity to the Swiss frontier, and the troops of the republic are on the alert. Should there be the slightest invasion of her territory the old Helvetian republic will repel it, as she has ever done, when threatened by outside aggression. All praise to her proud spirit and to the important influence that this decided attitude is exerting to hasten the now early and inevitable peace which a less virile and positive policy might have long postponed by leaving the open and level Swiss territory on the Rhine free to the advance and retreat of the contending armies. Combining prudence with courage, the repub- lic of William Tell retains a position as proud and independent as the Lammergeyer in his eyrie among the inaccessible summits of the Alps. Preparations for a Siege in Paris. The Siécle of yesterday said :—‘‘Paris is dispelling illusions. It is certain we must accept a siege.” The reported strategical movements which Marshal MacMahon is per- forming preliminary to an action which Marshal Bazaine, at last supplied with food and ammuaition, is prepared to sustain, may result in completely changing the adverse tide of fortune that has threatened to overwhelm the French armies. Paris may thus be spared the trials and horrors of a siege. But the noble appeal of General Trochu to the strongest possible source of resistance against invasion, that is to the moral force of the French nation, must have roused the Parisians to a heroic spirit of endurance and effort, at the same time that it indicated the possible necessity of defending Paris. By issuing that appeal General Trochu made the first essen- tial preparation for a siege. He has doubt- less neglected no material preparation for such a contingency. Yesterday the clearing away of the parts of the Bois de Boulogne, near the city wall began; the fortifica- tions of Paris have been strengthened and manned; the entrances to the city may be closed at any moment by drawbridges; ample supplies of arms and ammunition have been provided; Paris has been victualled for six months at least, and vast quantities of all kinds of provisions have been brought in free of duty during the last few weeks. The recommendation of the Paris journals that private families should lay in a stock of salt meat, fish, flour, preserved vege- tables, potatoes and pulse, has been wisely heeded. Special correspondents of English papers to the contrary notwithstanding, there is but little risk of starvation even during a longer siege than the most determined pessi- mists can anticipate, if there is to be any siege atall. Nevertheless the anxieties of the Paris population in view of the possibility of asiege are naturally intense. They must be shared, moreover, by the relatives and friends of the English and American families which still re- main in Paris. Many of these families, but by no means all, have already hurried away to Switzerland or to England, and each steamer which arrives at this port brings home some members of the large American colony which has so long found. delightful home in Paris. A considerable number of American boys and girls and medical students, ‘and not Ss fow American families, - ore till under the protection of Minister Washbourne, who must have his hands full to take care both of his compatriots and of the German resi- dents in the French capital. Let us hope that this double duty of the United States Minister will not burden him too heavily nor too long. If the worst apprehensions should be realized and the siege guns of the Crown Prince of Prussia should thunder at the gates of Paris, let us hope that if by no other means, yet hy the intervention of foreign Powers, or by @ finer stroke of policy than Bismarck has evor hitherto made, the siege may be raised before a single life shall have been sacrificed within the limits of the metropolis, and before any of its splendid monuments shall have been shat- tered by shot and shell. Meanwhile Edmond About testifies that the grave self-devotion of all.classes is admirable. ‘‘Paris is preparing for g desperate defence.” Nine hundred and eighty-five years ago the inhabitants of Paris made a heroic and successful defence against a siege by the Normands. The Parisians of the nineteenth century cannot be inferior to the Parisians of the ninth century, and, aided by all the appliances of modern military science, it will be strange if they fail to make an equally heroic and successful defence against a siege by the Prussians, Peace Movements of Napoleon and Eageaio— “Too Late.” We have the news that the Prince Napoleo> isin Florence, and that his mission is to demand the mediation of Italy. The Marquis de Lavalette, the French Minister to England, it is farther reported, has been instructed to make demands at London similar to those of the Prince Napoleon. These two Ministers represent the wishes of the Emperor Napoleon, as the head of the government of France, and we presume that similar demands from the same instructions have been or will be made upoa Austria and Russia, Bat why, for instance, does the Prince Napoleon demand instead of solicit the mediation of Italy? We suppose the demand is made under the authority of an agreement between the high contracting par- ties in the Congress of Paris of 1856. In the sitting of that Congress, May 14, referring to article seven of the treaty with Ruasia on the one part, and England, France, Turkey and Sardinia on the other part, for the preservation of peace between Russia and Turkey through an application from either party for the mediation of some friendly Power in case of another quarrel, the Eari of , Clarendon, in behalf of Great Britain, con- ceived ‘‘that this happy innovation might receive a more geueral application, and thus become a barrier against conflicts which fre~ quently only break forth because it is aot always possible to enter into an explanation and come to an understanding. He proposed, therefore, to agree upon a resolution cal- culated to afford to the maintenance of peace that chance of duration hereafter, without prejudice, however, to the independence of governments.” Count Walewski, in behalf of France, declared himself authorized to support this idea expressed by the first plenipotentiary of Great Britain; and after some discussion among the plenipotentiaries they came to this agreement, that in the name of their govera- ments respectively (Great Britain, France, Russia, Turkey, Austria, Prussia and Sar- dinia—now the kingdom of Italy) they ‘do not hesitate to express the wish that States between which aay serious misunderstanding may arise should, before appealing to arms, have recourse, as far as circumstances might allow, to the good offices of a friendly Power.” The Congress also hoped that the governments not represented therein woald uaite in this agreement. Thisis protocol twenty-three of the treaty of Paris; but it will be observed that iit invites an application, in case of a quarrel between any two of the States concerned, for the mediation of some friendly Power before, and not after, appealing to arms. Had Napoleon in, this quarrel with Prussia, before appealing to arms, applied for the mediation of England it is safe to say this war would have been avoided. Not only did he fail, however, to make such application, but he emphatically refused the mediation earnestly offered him from England, and apparently treated with silent contempt the generous offer of the Pope. Napoleon, or France, in short, wanted war and not peace, and the pretext upon which he declared war placed him from the beginning in antagonism to the enlightened public opinion of the civi- lized world. The King of Prassia, after the surrender of the crown of Spain by Prince Leopold, was called upon to promise that hereafter would he in no event consent to the acceptance of the Spanish throne by any mem- ber of the Hohenzollern family, and on the King’s declining immediately to yield to this demand Napoleon declared war. Now he wants peace; but he is ‘‘too late” for the empire and his dynasty. France will evi- dently finish the war and make peace, regard- leas of the Emperor or his family. The Empress, it appears, has meantime appealed to her amiable friend Queen Victoria to interpose in behalf of peace; but the Queen intimates that this is a Cabinet matter, and that the present is not a favorable opportunity for England's intervention for peace. The only dignified way of escape for the Emperor now appears, therefore, to be in his abdication in favor of his son, with the Empress as Regent. It is probable that such an abdica- tion would be no more regarded in reference to the succession than was the abdication of Napoleon the First; but it is a proceeding which, in gracefully ylelding to the crisis, will give at least something of dignity to the Emperor's surrender of the government of France. ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF MONEY. Arthur R. Skinner was arrested yesterday by de-. tective Videto, on the charge of having pocketet $126, which he drew on @ check of the Tanners? Bank of Catskill, belonging to a Mrs, Sarah Snow, at the corver of Fulton and Pineapple streets, About a week since Skinner was arrested at the instance of Vega & Oo., tobacco dealers in Pearl and Cedar streets, New York, who had employed him as book~ keeper, and who ohargea him with faise rapresenta- Uons, &c. Skinner, however, was dischi a ie New York, Vega & Co. having withdrawn their complatut, whereupon Chief Cainpbell, of Brooklyn, ordered detective Videto to rearrest him on the chatge preferred by Mrs. Snow, which waa done yesterday as stated above. Aftér the arrest Mra, tmow called on the Chief and expressed a desire to ‘withdraw the charge made by her, inasmuoh aa etgaty dollars of her money Rad been returned; but when informed that this was compounding a felony she lost all desire to withtraw the charge ana wilt = against Skinng jay to Jaaticn Buckley’a