The New York Herald Newspaper, September 17, 1870, Page 3

THE WAR. The German Army Taking Up Position Around Paris, Trochu Gone to Oppose a Movement on the Loire. Interesting Account ofthe Situ- ation in Paris. Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Men Defending the City. The Question of ‘Peace Still Unsolved. Vietor Hugo’s Views on the Situation. Further Particulars of Bazaine’s Escape from Metz. Terrible Bombardment and Heroic Defence of Strashourg, a Marshal MacMahon Alive and in Belgium. THE MILITARY OPERATIONS. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, Prussians Concentrating Around Puris—Posi- tions of Their Forces—A German Force Moving Upon the Army of the Loire—A French Force Gone to Oppose It. PaRIs, Sept. 16, 1870, ‘The Prussians are closing in on Paris in a way that indicates an attack on the southern and southeastern sides, and in that direction so as to secure thelr sup- piles and at the same time prevent reinforcements from the south and west to the besieged. ‘THEIR POSITIONS, My advices to-day report the German forces mass- ing at some distance from the city, around which they are slowly concentrating. Their advance is at Breteuil and Neuilly-sur-Marne, and their scouting parties have occupiea Corbell and Clamart. At the present moment it is stated that there are fifteen ‘honsand Prussians at Joinville, situated only seven miles from Paria, HE PRUSSIANS MOVING ON THE ARMY OF THE LOIRE. All the troops of the regular army, as well as a large force of Francs-Tireurs, recently encampea tn and around Paris, have left the city to oppose the move- ments of the Prussians in thelr advance upon thé Army of the Loire. THE ARMY OF THE LOIRE ORGANIZING, The military headquarters at Tours are rapialy or- ganizing a large army, to be known as the Army of the Loire. It is to be formed of the contingents from the Western Departments and those bordering ‘on the Pyrenees, VOLUNTEERING IN FRANCE. In the Departments of Bouches du Rhone and Gard the volunteer enrolments exceed fifty thousand. In all France over a million have been enrolled, Italian volunteers in great numbers have arrived at Lyons. Aavices received by the Minister of War show that the sharpshooters and free corps are capturing many Prussians in the suburbs. Bazaine’s army is well supplied with provisions at : Metz ‘The Prussians having captured a railroad train at Senlis, travel in that direction stops immediately, Prussian Attack on Railroad Trains—Four Hundred and Ten Thousand Men Under Arms in Paris—Formidable Preparations for Defence—Ofiicial Account ef the Explosion at Sedan. Lonpon, Sept. 16, 1870. It ts reported that railroad trains leaving Paris yesterday and to-day were attacked and captured by the Prussians. Several passengers on board ‘were killed and wounded. After to-day communi- cation with Paris will be uncertain. FOUR HUNDRED AND TEN THOUSAND ARMED MEN IN PARIS. Military men of experience here say the power of the city to resist 1s limited only by the supply of food. ‘Trochu has 410,000 men under arms, who will become good soldiers bebind the ramparta, The citizensare determined to emulate Strasbourg. If the city holds out three months the Prussians will be driven back to the Rhine. FORMIDABLE PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE, Trochn’s prociamation on Wednesday to the troops discloses the fact-that the most efficient preparations for defence have been made. The enemy will have to make their way over barricades i they succeed in battering down the walis or getting in by surprise, THE EXPLOSION AT LAON. The HERALD special correspondent telegraphs fsom Berlin Friday afternoon that Duke William of Mecklenburg’s oMcial report says the capitulation of Laon took place on the basis of that of Sedan— arms to be laid down, the Garde Mobile to be dis- charged on parole and the line infantry to go under escort to the city. Many officers, including the French commander, remained in the yard of the citadel. When the last man had passed the aitadel gate mvo powerful detonations were heard in quick succession. The powder magazine, Shelia, cartridges and mine exploded, and all in the yard were busied under the ruins, There was fear- ful destruction, and the loses cannot be ascer- sained. BADEN TROOPS AT COLMAR. A force of 5,000 infantry and cavalry of the Grand Duchy of Baden, with twenty cannon, occupied Col- mar on Thursday, after a skirmish with the French sifemen, FRENCH BUYING ARMS AND AMMUNITION IX ENG- LAND, .The following French orders for arms and ammunition have been executed in Engiand:— 400 boxes of rifes from small arms com- pany of Birmingharh; six cases of rines from Willlamson Brothers; 6,000 Sniders, ready for de- livery in London, price sixty-three Shillings each; 50,000 long Sniders, asgigned to Rose, Leadenhall streets 20,000 Jong and short Sniders; 10,000 agsorted chassepors, mitrailieuses and needle guns; 1,000 army Remington re. volvers, Total now executing by contract in Birmingham, Shetfield and London, 400,000. One London house contracts to supply 1,500,000 cartridges weekly, Total orders, 30,000,900, The arme and NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1870-TRIPLE SHEET cartridges are ali sent from Dover, Folkstone, New- haven and Liverpool, On Wednesday evening the first of a series of mock sallies to be made by the besieged was made ‘With 80,000 regular troops, The Prussian attack on Paris will be directed at first against Vincennes, and a large body of Parisian troops will confront them there, THE ESCAPE FROM METZ. , TELEGEAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. “Canrobert, with Six Thousand Men, March- ing to Parle—Bazaine Moving ou Sedan. . BOUILLON, Sept, 16, 1870, Canrobert’s forces, which lately cut through the Pruasstans at Metz and are now marching towards Paris, were six thousand strong. Marshal Bazaine himself has gone to Sedan. THE SIEGE OF STRASBOURG, TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Special Report of the Condition of the Fort- ress~A Terrible Cannonade and Dreadful Result—The Prussians Preparing to Assault by Storm—Flag of Truce frem General Ulrich—Women and Wounded to Leave—No Surrender. Lowpon, Sept. 16, 1870. I received a telegram report from the HERALD special correspondent at Brumath early this morn- ing. The despatch is dated Brumath yesterday (16th instant), in the afternoon, The HERALD writer says:—I have just arrived here from the front of the besieged fortress of Strasbourg. The Prussians continued the terrible fire from their heavy artillery during the morning, and the cannonade is still in progress ag I write, Tne Ger- man batteries operate from the third line of siege parallel, The fire hag effected. ut Of destruction in the Walls Sid | Mieteoog tad e and around the citade) The Prussian troops will, doubtless, make their assault on. the place by storm to-morrow (Friday). Several fires have broken cyt in the city doing an amazing Amount of damage, but these casualties are really inevitable, owing to the incessant bombard- ment fire-which 1s maintained by the Prussians. At an early hour this (Thursday) morning a French flag of truce was displayed from the fortress. The Prussian cannonade ceased immediately, as it was at once conjectured, inaced believed, that the holst- ing of the flag preceded an offer of capitulation, In this the siegera were disappointed. A French officer of the Guard advanced immedl- ately under cover of the flag of truce towards the Prussian first line, and delivered a message from General Ulrich, the French commander, asking in his own name for a temporary cessation of the firing, So as to enable him to send forth from the fortress 9 party of females, only a few, with @ number of wounded civilians, persons who bad hitherto per- sisted wilfully in rematning inside, but now wished to leave the city. General Ulrich’s request was granted immediately by the Prugstan officers, I have haa @ conversation with some French fugitives and refugees coming from Stras- bourg. They stated to me that the suffer. ing of the people inside the fortifications is intense and of the most painful character. Provisions are served Out daily in the most limited quantities and with most rigid military exactitude. ‘The everyday mortality caused by sickness of differ- ent sorts, induced by a constant deprivation of most of the first necessaries of life, is very great. Thursday, the 16th instant, the citizens made an appeal to General Ulrich, beseeching nim, for the second time, to yleld to the inevitable destiny of war and surrender to the Prasstans, 4 General Ulrich said that he must reply, as com- mander of Strasbourg, to the effect that he was well aware that the existing situation was @ most pain- ful, @ cruel one, but that he must at all hazards dis- charge his whole duty to their common countty, France, and hence continue to endure it. ‘The citizons retired. “The fall of the fortress cannot be delayed for any length of time. “ The Situation Desperate—Why an Assault is Deferred by the Prussians. LONDON, Sept. 16—Noon. In his last despatches General Ulrich, the com- mandant at Strasbourg, admits that the situation is desperate. General Von Werther, the Prussian commander, defers the general assault on the city in order that the garrison may not be uselessly butchered. General Ulrich Has No Iden of Surrendering. PARIS, Sept. 16, 1870, The Minister of War is in receipt of late despatches from General Ulrich, the commandant at Strasbourg. He reports that the bombardment ts constant and terrific. The city has been badly damaged. He adds that he has no idea of surrendering, THE SITUATION IN PARIS. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD, Paris in Her Isolation—Cut off from the Outside World—Left to “Herself Alonc”—street Scenes in the Crisis Working and Drilling Soiled and Dull, but Resojute and Devoted. PARIS, Sept. 16, 1870, A feeling of profound quiet, peace I may term it, came over the clty to-day; a peace occasioned by the general realization by the inhabitants of a sense of their complete isolation from France out- side. For the first time in the history of the siege the Parisians experienced and acknowledged the fact that they were cut off almost entirely fromthe busy world which moves beyend their fortifications, and that they have been thus rendered completely and utterly dependent upon their own exertions and grand efforts for the future. They knew and said that their fate was now in their own hands. I felt that if the present mail from Paris should get through to its destination it will be almost the last, or very nearly the last, which will be permittgd to leave the capital. IN THE STREETS. The only symptoms of city bustle inside just now are those which are presented by the movement of artillery from one place to another; almost the only noise which one hears 1s that sent forth by the measured tread of infantry marching, counter- marching, and in ‘double quick” to the most effective points of defence, The last vestige of good, dear old Paris—Paris full of gayety, life and brilltancy and joy or dissipation— has vanished. Henceforth Paris must apply itseif to earnest work. Deprivation of almost every social comfort, personal terror, sudden death, must from this hour forth be the momentarily experienced or expected lot of all who remain inside the walls, RESOLUTION FOR DEFENCE. The people of Paris continue terribly calm. They exhibit no outward evidence of fear, make no bra- ‘vado, employ no flourish for effect, Where their spirit of intense patriotism is uncontrollable and mant- Tested at all audibly the exhibition assumes the character either of flerceness or of desperation. Last night I passed through the printing office of the Zlecteur Libre, the semioMcial newspaper organ of the new government of France. The com- positors were waiting for “copy.” They stood ranged in tune, however, and were busily engaged im practising the manualat-arms exercise as they remained expecting the manuscript. They wished to become perfect in the use of the musket. In one department quite a number of the men were found deeply absorbed in the work of their trade. ORDERLY, BUT SUFFERING. I passed subsequently through a large portion of the city. There was not a single policeman visible, yet my appreciation of public order, tranquillity and social secnmsy Was never more perfect, eyen In the happiest moments, heretofore. The only change which I remarked more immediately, and it was suMctently painful, was that which had taken place from the old time wonderful cleanliness of the streets, Garbage and household refuse of every description were laid about anywhere and everywhere as I went along. There was no approach towards the removal of tne nuisance, Tho side walks were unswept. Matters of much more mo- nfentous import than these held the attention of the public. The Parisian mind was engaged, as it is now, In consideration of the best means of self-pre- servation, Life or death trembled in the balance for the people, and it was known and felt that the blow may fall on the life both of the city and of the French nation at any moment, VICTOR HUGO AT HI3 HOME AND IN HIS FAMILY— HIS SPECIAL UTTERANCE OF DEFIANCE THROUGR THE NERALD, I dined with M. Victor Hugo yesterday evening. His two sons, with their youthful wives, and the other members of his family, were of the company. After dinner the illustrious French wniter, in reply to some general remarks which I ve.tured to make respecting the situation of public affairs, uttered many striking, startling sentences, He satd:—“I will go, sir, to the heart of the city of Parts, and there tender my services to France. 1 will seek to share the perils of my countrymen on the ramparts of our city, I have no public office or govern- mental réle to fill. My poor and humble presence in the line of the fortifications may be useful. I will be there, Iwill go forth daily. I will go, air, un- armed among the men, I will stimulate them still further, if that is possible now, by my words the ardor of our patriotic defenders, I will do this, sir, as @ Frenchman, I will do it be- cause I regard the Prussian attack on Paris 9s being absurd and cruel. Prussia commenced thig war against Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon Bonaparte 1s now a prisoner in the hands of the E of Prug- sia. That king, sir, has sent this Bonaparte to a patie for Jodement, | ae piss nti @ huge retinue of servante—tnen to Wail upon him. To us, who never provoked him, this same King of Prussia sends war, sends bombs, sends shells of fire, brings death and desolation. There has never yet been an act so atrocious or utterly ridiculous, We have no men- tion of the like in history. ...0% te ek - “1 do not KNOW," continued M. Hugo, as a cloud of mingled sorrow and defiance overspread his coun- tenance, “what part may fall to my lot to play before the awful, dreadful drama closes, but 1 know this, that Paris has now before her the choice of a grand, determined defence against her foreign assailants, or that of a cowardly, inglorious surrender to the invader. If, although it seems impossible to me, Paris should decide for the latter alternative, it re- mains only for me to retire from her hearth and re- turn to my exile in my old retreat in Guernsey. If Paris elect for the former, for a glorious defence, I trust that I shall see every quarter of the city blown up, one after the other, see it perish bit by bit, hurrying the Prussian enemy, corps after corps, battalion after battalion and company after com- pany, in the same common grave with my ruined but resolute fellow citizens.’? IN UNION WITH HIS HOUSEHOLD, As M. Hugo uttered these sentiments, in words of eloquent, tarilling language, and witha voice of measured gravity, Ilooked anxiously in the faces of the ladies who sat at the table. Their countenances werd grave and solemn, but at the same moment serene and almost apparently happy. They did not exhibit the faintest trace of dread at the possibility, almost certainty, of the near consummation of that fearful catastrophe which it may be said 1s now upon Paris. RESURRECTION AND UNION OF THE DEMOORACY, “This is the way,” said M. Hugo, after a “in which Paris must perish. While the spectacle of her fall, sir, may horrify the world and bring grief to Christianity for a season, the crash will at the game instant ring out and proclaim the resurrection of the defhocracy in France and in Germany—a resur- rected democracy which will soon avenge her terri- ble fate, and avenge it completely, but, let us hope, not terribly.” NATIONAL SUPPORT. By recording this expression of M, Victor Hugo I give youonly a fair, unequivocal specimen of the state of feeling which prevails here on every side. God grant that kurope at large may be permitted 4 little more time before the dire fulfilment, so as to enable her present rulers to take measures to arrest, “even now, such a fearful slaughter. THE “RED FLAG” IN THE PROVINCES. The hoisting of the “red Mag” of the democracy at Lyons, in defiance of tne rule of republican gov- ernment, has created much pain and a considerable amount of uneasiness in executive circles here, Severe measures will be adopted against the of- fenders. . RECUSANTS. The names of the newspapér editors who have left Paris in its hour of danger will be published, PATRIOTS WITH HARD HONEST HANDS, ‘The workingmen of the city form sixty-six army battalions, or a corps of 80,000 men. They are among the most resolute and flercest of the defenders, and have resolved to endure and make tt a war of exter- mination. A LITTLE FUN STILL. Visitors to Paris will reme: ir Cotte’s restaurant, situated at the corner of the Rue Royale and Rue St. Honoire, As I quitted the Place dela Concorde on my tour J saw a crowd of persons gazing at the closed shutters on its windows. I went over and found written in large letters, with chalk, on one shutter the words:—“Closed in consequence of rob- bery. Forty centimes (elght sous) for a small loaf, worth two sous. One franc and seventy contimes (fourteen cents) for brock beer. Justice has been done. Closed, by order of the sovereign people, uu the end of the war.”” Paris ina State of Siege—The Prussians at Meaux—Electric Lights=The Railroads— The Imperial Correspondence. Paris, Sept. 16—P, M. The city has been declared in a state of siege, and Dolgcombatants are to be expelled. The Ministry has made public officially that ‘the Prussian head- quarters were at Meaux.” In order to be fully ap- prised of the movements of the enemy by night electric lights have been placed on all the forts around the city. By this time the forests all about the capital are entirely consumed. There have been no railroad trains beyond Pontoise since Wednes- day last. The railroad between Paris and Lyons has been cut by order of the French authorities, It 1s reported that the republican government is in possession of the cipher correspondence between the Emperor and Empress since the commencement of the war. The key to the cipher bas also been discovered, Some startling developments are ex- pected. It was reported here this afternoon that the civil- lans are withdrawing from Strasbourg. A report was also current that the American ship Queen had arrived at Toulon with 500 American vol- unteers and 7,000 rifles, ‘The officers of the Bank of France no longer make weekly returns of the movement of specie, &c, Pietri, the nephew of the iate Prefect of the Seine, has been arrested here. Megy, who was condemned by the High Court to @ long term of imprisonment, under the old régime, has been liberated. How the City is Supplied With Food—Ammu. nition Plenty—Arrangements for Watching the Enemy—How Photography is to be Ap- plied—Father Hyacinthe’s Letter—France and America, LONDON, Sept. 16, 1870, A Paris correspondent of the New York HERALD, writing from Paris to this city, under date of Sep- tember 15, says:— Bread and meat have fallen in price, but salt and Provisions have risen. An immense supply of pow- der, 3,000,000 kilogrammes, is within the walls. A signal telegraph has been put on Arc de Triomph, to correspond with that on Fort Valerien Anew system of signals has been arranged of colored lights, When the trees are removed the movements of the enemy will be visible trom the signal station. Underground wires will run from station to station; balloons will be used, and photographic bird's-eye views taken continually of the enemy's advance and sent instantly to General Trochu. Troops are daily arriving who escaped from Sedan; among others, last nighs, a general in peasant’s ature, Pére Hyacinthe has published » letter expressing i li ll the warmest gratitude to the United States for her Prompt recognition of the repubic, He bas been Prevented by iliness from going as chaplain in the army. The letter addressed by Minister Washburne to the Minister of Foreign A‘fairs 1s, says the letter, @ page in the history of Mberty in both worlds; re- vives the memory of Washington and Lafayette, and proves that if despotism succeedea in dividing the two governments liberty had not for s moment ceased to unite the two nations. Europe, on whose soll the blood oF our heroes defeated has been shed, ‘still Keeps silent, while America, notwithstanding the ocean separates us, makes her voice heard. THE ARMY SITUATION IN PARIS. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Marching Out to Meet the Prussians—Active in the Interior Desence—German Spiew—A Rethechild the Alert—Reinforcements from tho Country—Plan of Attack on the Advance—Funds Going Up. Paris, Sept, 16—P. M. An entire corps d’armée has marched from Paris in order to meet and attack the Prussians, who are ‘still advancing rapidly towards the city, Several men belonging to the Prussian Uhlans contingent have been arrested inside the fortificae tions of Paris, during the past night and this morn- ing. They were in disguise clothing, and acung a3 spies generally for the German commanders, ‘The Prussians have captured a military train laden with war munitions on the ratiroad line at Chantilly, and fired on another train which was ¢n route or communication with Paris, M. Rothschild, Junior, of the great banker's family, ig out serving on the city ramparts alongside the workmen aud laborers who are employed on the de- . Reinforéements of the Garde Mobile continue to arrive from the country dally. The men are in good humor and conidept, and report for duty imme- lately. ance Paper is becoming scarce, and most of the city newspapers have been reduced Lo a half size sheet, Five thousand chaasepot rifles were delivered to the troops from the armories yesterday. * Observation balloons, which are held fast at cer- tain convenient points of ihe city limits, are sent up daily and observations are thus made of the force and position of the enemy. Thousands of refugees, hatling from the surronnd- ing country and the more 1mmediate neighborhood, are marching into Paris bourly. The republican and democratic committees are busily engaged in orgau- daing outside the city. A series of reports from different parts of the city, dated at a still later hour than the foregoing, inform me for the HERALD, that the Prussian advance 13 continued steadily. Troops are marching from tho city walls in the direction of St. Denis. Itis believed that they in- tend to fight the more advanced forces of the Prus- sians and afterwards retreat towards the fortitica- tions on the approach of the main body of the Ger- man army. The government funds remain steady. Emile Girardin retires from politics and public life. THE QUESTION OF PEACE. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Berlin Summary of the Pence Negotiations Opinion of a Russinn Official Paper—Tho Freach Republic Will Never Cede an Tach of Territory—Chances of Peace—Bismarck’s Reply to Jules Favre. Lonpon, Sept. 16, 1870, ‘The 7imes this morning has @ special telegram from Berlin, giving the following summary as pre- senting the latest intelligence on the questions of mediation:— Russia declines all further effort for mediation. Mr. Bancroft, the American Minister, denies having invoked Amertean intervention. Prussia is satisfied with the reseteat attitude of England, as defeating the French hope for armed intervention. Germany demands the.cession of Alsace and Lorraine, A RUSSIAN OFFICIAL PAPER ON THE SITUATION. The Journal of St. Peversburg (oficial organ) re- grets the refusal of ine Prussian government to treat with any other than the French Emperor for peace, The Journal! says, a8 Napoleon cannot again reign in France, he cannot, as a consequence, enforce the treaty. THE STORY ABOUT THE COUNCIL AT RHEIMS DENIED, ‘The sensational despatch of a Berlin correspond. ent to the Manchester Examiner this evening as to the terms of peace resolved on by the representa- tives of the German States in council with the King at Rheims is generally discredited here. It is con- sidered that the statement that Bavaria and Baden renounce any claun for enlargement of territory proves its falsity. WHAT TERMS OF PEACE FRANCE WILL AGREE UPON. A Paris correspondent writes to the evening edl- tion of the Times as follows:—“There are those who thinMit possible that France wouid give up a portion of her fleet, pay the cost of the present war, raze the walls of Strasbourg and Metz, abolish the con- scription and accept a limitation of the army as the price of peace; but nobody believes that she will cede a foot of territory.” BISMARCK’S REPLY TO JULES FAVRE. It {gs reported that the Foreign Office here has #1s- marck’s reply to the demand of Jules Favre for an armistice. Count Bismarck says there are questions yet to be settled with France before the suspension of hostilities is possible. bts CHANCES. OF PEACE. The measures of defence at Paris are now so great it is expected that fact will act strongly in favor of peace. The Paris jourpals to-day persist that media- tion 1s possible. THE REPUBLIC TO FURNISH TREATY GUARANTEES. It is reported, says a despatch from Paris, that whereas the Prussians demand guarantees in case of peace the provisional government is preparing to furnish them, NO INTERVENTION IN FAVOR OF FRANCE. The Peuple Francais says none tof the foreign Powers have offered to intervene in favor of France and no such offers would be accepted. LONDON REPORTS. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Useless Destruction of Property—The Crown Jewels Again. Lonpbon, Sept. 16, 1870. The French have uselessly destroyed all the works of art on the highway and roads kading out of Parts. Notwithstanding the wholesale destruction of pro- perty the advance of the Prussian army has not been delayed a single hour. A statement Is In circulation here that the Crown diamonds lodged by the Empress in the Bank of France are of paste, and that the real ones were sold long since through an American dentist named Eyans, and the money converted to the use of the imperial family. The Eraminer urges that cordial support be given to the French republican government. The National Guards in the provinces are suffering for want of food and forage. The Ublans are reported at Courcelles. Great destitution and suffering exist among the miners and other workmen on the German frontier. REPORTS FROM HAVRE. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Scenes in and Round the Docks—Paris Well Supplied. HAVRE, Sept. 16, 1870, ‘The Journal says the docks at Havre ure over+ tasked. Cotton, coffee, grain and other gooas, even Mahogany, are being loaded rapidly on French ves- sels for shipment elsewhere, in order to save them from the Prussians, . ‘The same paper has the following in reference to certatn that Paris 18 supplied with 3,000,000 kilo- grams of gunpowder, twice as much as was expend- ed at Sebastopol. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. The French Blockade Raised—The Ports Again Free. Paris, Sept. 16, 1870, The French naval blockade of the ports of the Baltic and North Seas has been oMcially raised by order and proclamation of the new government in Paris, The Baltic ports are again free, THE IMPERIAL EXILE. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Napoleon’ VixitorsAmericans Calling on Him—The Emperox’s Attendants, Customs, Exercise. BALTIC. Lonpon, Sept. 16, 1870, A despatch from Berlin states that only a few curious travellers have thus far visited Wilhelms- hvhe since the arrival there of the Emperor Napo- leon, and more than half of them were Americans, On Friday last the Duchess of Hamilton visited the Emperor. He dresses in undress uniform, and has Dr. Conneau perpetually on his right during his almost incessant walks. Princes Murat and Mos- kowa, Dr. Charles Pajot and Viscount Reille are in his company much of the time, etn MACMAHON ALIVE, Arrival of General MacMahon in Belgium. . BOovILton, Sept. 16, 1870, Marshal MacMahon, accompanted by General Chazal, of the Belgian army, arrived in this town Wo-day, : SUCCOR FOR -FRANCE, grrr nn Men, Arms ‘nd Munitions of War for Our Ancient Ally. ‘The Steamer Lafayette Detained Till Tuesday by Order ‘of the French Secretary ot War—Pas- sengers Have a Right to Visit Paris—The Lawe Do Not Prohibit the Shipment oi Arms—A Hint to Soldiers Out of Employment. De Tocqueville, In his admirable analysis of the laws, habits and charagter of our people, failed to give adequate explanation of one of our most marked characteristics. Exposing with unflinching courage the faults of the system of government in part, which, a3 a whole, excited his admiration, and praising with a wealth of eloquence the thousand and one points of excellence in the American gov- ernmental machine, he overlooked the fact that the noblest trait in the character of this republican community of States and peoples was then, as it ts now, impartial justice. A republic of free States, educated and enlightened, never errs in matters where the principle of justice is involved. Their government may halt and falter and be distracted tm council on great public emergencies, but the nation 1s ever right. ‘The traditional friendship of the United States for France, her earliest and best friend against Eng- lish lust of power, damped the ardor of our people on the breaking out of the terrible war which now attracts the attention of the world in favor of Prussia, which appeared to be in the right in the quarrel; but the cumulative evidence of the pur- pose of him whom Louis Blanc dubbed “Napoleon le Petit,” to carry fire and sword into the heart of peaceful Germany, merely that France should bear the burdev of his unequalled despotism for another decade, made the cause of Prussia just in our eyes. When, however, the fortune of war and the col- lapse of the rotten military system of the imperial adventurer ina series of engagements opened the way to Paris for the implacable Prussians, and the boom of hostile cannon on French soll roused repub- lican France ito ife and revenge, there was an in- stant change, The war of Pruasia against France was no longer a war of kings, but a deadly conflict between monarchy and republicanism. Our supine government, slow as it isin the assertion of Amerl- can and republican ideas, was compelled to deciare the sentiments of America by recognizing the French republic as a sister State, From Maine to California, toe use a familiar phrase, the people of the United States were unanimous tor our ancient ally, Even the Germans, who were so enthusiistte for “Konig William” while that old genileman represented the idea of Germ: to French mnperial agression, grew cool, lutely indiffer ‘the man who slaughtered the liberty-loving people in the streets ot Berlin in 1543 could not now reiain the confidence of our German republicans and democrats while his declared pur- pose was the crushing out of an enfranchised people who, while declaring for liberty, equality and frater- nity, ardently desire peace, commerce and industry. It is owing tu this feeling of our\ citizens for tie French people, struggling tor thelr newly acquired Tights as republicans, that there is manifested to- day a decided disposition to intervene in the present War in favor of Peleg oes France, and that this n feeling has lately found expression in acts which, while entirely within the laws of th@ United States, are still encouraging to the beselged Parisians, There are abundant facts to justify the statement that an active movement Is on foot in this and neighboring cities to send from this port to France immediately and in quantities the best breech-loud- ing arms the country can produce, and that prepa- rations are also being made to forward large de- tachments of fighting men to take care ol those arms. This announcement, however, though it may cause some uneasiness to the representatives of Prussia in this country, Will not disturb the repose of the fede- ral marshal, nor need it alarm the triends of France, who are working with commendable but most un- necessary caution. Passengers can go to Havre from this port in any numbers legally, and arms can be shipped either by sailing vessels or steamers in any quantities under the laws of the United States in the open day. The arms can be forwarded for the belligerent republicans without fear or favor; but passengers must mind ther p’s and q's, beth while leaving this country and in France. The United States government will not institute an inquisition into the motives, aims or intentions of American citizens who may sire to witness the siege of Paris and take passage on a French steamer tor that purpose, even Ira tew thousand boxes of Yankee’ Chassepots were stored in tho hold of the vessel, ‘The act passed in April, 1817, known as the Neu- trality law, offers no obstacle to the assistance of the French republic by citizens of the United States, ‘The celebratea O'Connell once said that he could drive @ coach ana four through every English act of Parliament, But it would be just a8 easy to steam @ transport full of men and munitions of@ war through our Neutrality law. Under this law the fo! lowing acts are forbidden to be done under severe penalties within the territory or the jurisdiction of the United States:— Firad—Accepting and exercising & commission to serve either of the sald bellierents by land or by wea against the other belligerent. ‘Se und—bniisting or entering into the service of either of the raid veiligerents as @ soldier, or us a marine or seaman on board of any vessel of war, letter of marque or privateer. ‘hird—Hiring or retaining another person to eniiat or enter himselt in the service of either of the said beiligerenta as a soldier, oF a8 a marine Or seaman on board of any vessel of war, leter of marque or privateer. Fourth—Hiring auother person to go jurisdiction of the United States wi wforexaid, Fyth- Hiring another the United states with aforesald, Sith. -Retaining another person to go beyond the limita of the United States with intent to be enfister as aforesaid. Seventh ining another person to go Beyond the limits of the United States with intent to be entered into service as aforesaid. (But the nald act in not to be coustrued to ex tend to a citizen or subject of either belligerent who, being transiently within the United States, shall, on bowrd of any vensel of war, within the Unite vessel of war, enlist or enter bimself, or hire c other subject’ or citizenof the same beliiger transiently within the United States to enlist o} self to nerve such belligerent on board such v if the United States sali then be at peace witu erent.) Eigs th-Fitt and arm, or procuring to be fitted’ out anu armed, or know- fugly velhy concerned in the furnishing, hitting ont or wrinin of uny ship or veasel with intent that such stip or vessel shall be employed in the service of either of the said beill- erenta, Wivi-t-—Ieauing or delivering a commianion within the tert. tory or jurisdiction of the Outed States for any abip or vessel to the intent that she may be employed as atoresal: uRMeDting, OF procuring to be in- creased or augmented, oF kuowingiy being concerned in tn- creasing or augmenting the force of any ahip-of-war, criixer or other armed vessel which at the time of her arrival wiilita the United States was « ship of-war, cruiser or armed vessel in the service of either of the sald belligerent, or belonging ‘ tizena of elther, by adding to the number el, oF by changing those on board of her cultbre, or by the addition thereto of any solely applicable to war. cventh-— beginning oF setting on’ foot, or providing or pre- pating the means for any military expedition or enterprise to carried ou from the territory or jurisdiction of the United Bates against the territory or Jomiaions of either of the said nts, But while these clauses seem formidabie tt should be understood that by ie proclamation of the Presi- dent of the United States, issued on the 22d of beyond the limits or erson to go beyond the limits of Intent to be entered into service as which at the ‘time of its arrival States was fitted and equipped as suca retain an- such belii- ut and arming, or attempting to fit out the sltuayon in Parin:—The Jourmat sava that it ia } Ausust, 1870. iL is declared Jawhul for all Deraons to Mannfactnre and sell, within the United States, arms and munitions of war and other articles Enora as “contraband of war,” to belligerents not at war with the United States, ‘They cannot them, however, but Frenchmen cag in French steamers, or in vessels chartered by the French gov- ernment. Nor is it rs for our government, under the provisions of this act or by We President's prociamation, to prevent emigration to France, Verdum sap, Now, then, the question ts, who will give tical expression to the general symp for the French republic, now menaced by the hosts of King William of Prussia, % seine. id arms and munitions of war the #\ Tepublica at Breech-loading rifles an me, jarge quantities, passeo; wi Pihing to dare Prussian shells and to look at the beautifal scenery of Lreland War Is ended and beiore they return, are wanted. Where are tue singers of tho ‘Marselllaise” and those who are grateful for the noble assistance of France to America and to Ireiand? The French mail steamer Lafayette (tn ing name !), How in this port, has been detained by the French Minister of War, and will not leave until next Tuesday. The mails were to have been on board at nogt goon eleven this morning, as they close. at ten; but all persons who wish to correspond with the r friends in Paris will have plenty of time to add @ {ew more pages Of news and gossip. All sorte o£ rumors were rie in the city last night £ to the cause of the order for the detention the steamer, but all were wide of the mark. The faot is that a Jatee Guanety, of arms are being pre here for the French government, but they will not be ready until Tues norning, Wien they will be slipped on board the Laiayeite.' The ship will also take out quite @ number of passengers who are anxious to witness the ap] roaching. lay of works 1n the environs of Paris. One hundred and Ofty pass rh PES a rooms yesterday; bub it A expected ‘lat " amber will be increased to 600 before Tuesday. In the meanwhile the French Consul, art int of the Transauiantique steamship Company, the officers of the Lafayette are very reticent. When they read the above report, how- ever, they may see the wisdom of acting without so much unnevessary caution, FRENCH OPINIQN OF THE GER- MANS. What M. About Says of Pransin. In an article in the Soir of August 26, entitled “A Holy Wrath,” M. Edmund About writes in terms of extraordinary bitterness against the Germans, He Saye s— We did not know our enemies, We were innocent enough to believe them abhnost like ourselves, In the intoxteation of success they have been unmask~ ed, and We may read into their very souls. * * What they wish for is now known. They wish to take and carry away everything that we possess, ‘They have as yet ruined only two provinces ; they now march upon Paris in the hope of striking a great biow. * * What diference is there be- tween King William and a@ brigand like Passa- tore or ‘takos Arvanitakis? The difference that there als between a robber and @ petiy thief. ‘Their mode of action 1s tdentical; night marches; Mman@uvres concealed by the shade of forests, tricks: on all occasions, attacks when the proportion of the two opponents is as five to one, assassination, con- Magration and pillage. Of ali this France is not ig- norant. We kuow with whatarace of rascals we haveto do. And anger—an honorable and holy anger—has goon succeeded to the surprise of firstdays. At first we were astonished, we did not undersiand; @ town of'thirty thousand souls allowed itself to be conquered by live Uhians, because the tung appeared to be 60 improbable, When our purse or our life has been seriously demanded of us it is Seriously that we must set about destroying first’ the Prussian army, then Prussia. The com) of King William who have entered France will never wave 1t. If they have poured upon our verritory their entire population, as the bo 680 much the better for us We shal then go to Berlin to crush in pieces in its nest this barbarism, this stupid feudalism, All the roads will be covered, but I hope that we shall choose by preference the Grand Duchy of Baden, Wurtem- berg, und Bavaria. These are three small monarchies, which owe their existence to us, for it was we Who spontaneously creaved them at the beginning of the century. And the Bavarians have become the valets @Marmée of Prussia! themselves the pleasure of invading us in thei train. d_ the tavern keepers, the ruffans, smugglers of Baden and of Kehi—the miserable creatures Who ,Would clean our poots wich their moustaches if we were to spend or iose our money with them—have loaded their carriages with the booty of the noble French people; they are the rav- ens of the enemy? You wil repay ail that with usury, unclean rascals? We did not wish any evil to the German race; whose fanit ts it if we have be- come its enemies, and if France can save civiliza- tion only by destroying ali tins Teutonic vermin? It 1s necessary that the 1st of January, 1871, should see all Europe purged from ait these Hohenzolerns, Jrom ail these petty country squires, from all these Jeudaltsts, from all these Jesuits in helmets, It 16 necessary that we should have upon our eastern frontier a Germany divided, ruined, aud muzzled jor a century. = intent to be enlisted as | FRENCH AND PRUSSI LERY. ‘The Grent Guns and Their Merits in Action, [Before Metz (August 22) correspondence of Pall- Mall Gazette, N ARTIL- To return to Thursday's pattle:—After a careful exammation of the French position I must beg to re- scind my dictum as to the Prussian artillery prac- tice having been inferior to that of their euemies, [ was deceived by the nature of the ground, which prevented my seeing the shelis pursting on the pla- teau occupied by the French, I being on much lower ground near Gravelotte, sul the ground to the rear of the Verdun road 1s so ploughed with shells that it would be absurd to deny the good practice made. The Prussians go to work with (heir big guns as they do with their riles—*siow and sure’’—the cap- tain of each gun taking aim as carefully as if he were shooting off a tle for a prize at Shoeburyness. As to the persistency of the meb in not peat trigger until sure oftheir alm, a characteristic story has been told me of a jager im the battle at Spicheren, He was in a wood also held by the French trailieurs, and kept putting his needle gun up to his shoulder, and bringing it down again without firing. An of- cer standing by got impatient, and exclaimed, “Shoot, you stupid, don’t stand there all day.’ “No, no,” answered the soldier, quietly, “Ich habe thn nicht”—“ah, s0,”" he added, bringing his rife down with @ look of delight as a French skirmisher rolled over with @ bullet througn™ius head. This itis that makes the needle jgun fire so deadly—the men are taught never to fire without feeling confident of hit- Ung. And this sort of fire has a much greater moral eifect than the blazing away of the French—often from the hip as hard as they can load and fire. Ican speak [rom experience as to this, for when I heard the Chassepot balls singing above my head without domg any damage I soon forgot ail about them in excitement of watchtng the Prussian attack, even when one came so close to my ear as to make it sing again. What would have been my sensations had the men fallen at every shot is another matter. This is, indeed, one of the reasons of the great slaughter caused at close quarters by the mitrail- leurs; the men who had only seen them fre at @ dis- tance despised them, and so rushed om them reck- essly, and were frignifully butchered. The mitrati- urs—eight in humber—were {n as many separate earthworks behind the Verdun road on Thursday. ‘They were 80 placed that it was next to tm ble for ‘the Prussian artillery to reach them, being little lower than the road, and just sweeping it. ‘This not only served to protect them from the ene- my’s sheils, but prevented the gunners from fring at too great distances, for the mitraillears were eee 80 low down that they could ouly reach the Prussiaos eliler on the road itself or on the last 200 yards up the slope. We below could tell even after dark when the uttacking columns were ciosely en- gaged by the sullen roar of the niltrailieurs—a quite pecullar sound, Biainly distinguishable even above the deafening roar of Thursday's artiliervy, I much regret the Prussians did not capture one, that I might descrive it for the benefit oi your readers, T did succeed myself in capturing (on Friday, bien entendn) a loaded case just ready lo be emptied Into the breech of one of the “infant Louis’” pet wea- pons, This case, made of strong cardboard, is com- posed of tw ve separate cells for as many cartildges. The front, or ld, 1s torn of when the cariridges are wanted, and a slight shake makes them fall into the bret The cartridges them- Selves strongly resemble ordinary centrai fire Daw or Boxer cartriiges, oDly they are bigger and longer—about six inches long aud an tuch in diame- ter. ‘The balls are the shape of an Enflela ball, and I should fancy about double the weight. Round one of works lu Wiuch & mitrailieur bad stood | counted forty-three empty cases, and forty-three multiplied by twenty-five equals 1,075—pretty well for one gun, cousideriug that tue ninety guns which belong to the Eighth army corps have only tired 7,000 shot and shell iu the baities of Spicheren, Colomubay, Reson- ville and Gravelowe, or seventy-one shots each im four batu iu the two latter of which artillery played a very large part. During partof Tharsday’s battle I was only ten yards belind four Krupp four-pounders, and had thus vod Chauce of seeing the working of Krupp breech. pes. At the risk of oifendiag my many Prussian nds Lmust say that 1 saw nothing to prove the periority whieh they claim for their breech. loading guns over the muzzle-loading guns, After more (han one discharge the gunner at the breech. plece Lad to tug tremendousiy bard to get the breech open, and once I saw the lever had Ww be applied before the gun could be reloaded, I have spent many 4 long day on the sands of Shoebury ness, and it would be mere flattery to pretend that the prac. tice on Thursday was comparable to what our own gunners can do. Relative to the French the Prassian ire Was superior J must allow, but absolutely excel- lent J beg leave to doubt its being. Qn the other hand the bursung of tie shelis appeared to me to be good, nearly all seeming to burst at the right time, and there are but few unexploded shells to be seen on the feld of battle, 1 doubt whether the Prussians fired any shells with time fuses; the French certainly did, for towards dusk one couid see them biazing through the alr from Fort St. Quentin, ACCIDENTALLY KILLED, Patrick Thornton, twenty-four years of age, and: residing at No. 916 DeKalb avenue, was almost in- stuntly killed yesterday afternoon by a heavy tron pee failing upon him in the yard of Mr. Davidson, ate Lafayette avenue, Corouer Jones was “