The New York Herald Newspaper, October 1, 1870, Page 3

PARIS. Total Failure of M. Thiers’ : Mission to Russia. Tho Czar Refuses to Recognize or Receive Him. Important Action Determined Upon by the British Cabinet. A Last Appeal for Peace to be Made to Prussia. Great Britain Opposed to the Dismem- berment of France, Rusela Still Actively Preparing for War. Reported Bloody Battle Near Paris on Tuesday. The Army of the Crown Prince Said to Have Been Badly Beaten. Five Thousand Prisoners and Fifty Cannon Captured. German and French Opinion of the Situation in Metz. The Herald Special Report of the Surrender and Condition of Strasbourg. The City Not So Badly Damaged as Was Supposed. THE QUESTION OF PEACE. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. M. Thiers Mission to Russia a Tetal Fail- ure—The Czar Refuses to Receive or Re- cognize Him—Great Britain Determined Upon Action—A Last Effort for Peace to be Made—No Dismemberment of France=—Time for England to Move= Russia Still Arming. Lonpon, Sept. 80, 1870. The New YorK HERAY correspondent et st. Petersburg telegraphs as follows from that city to- aay:— ‘M. Thiers leaves here to-morrow on his return to ‘Vienna, 8 sadder and a wiser man than before his arrival. The mission he undertook, which was to convince Russia of the great danger to her in suf- fering Prussia to become too great by the annexa- tion of French territory and the ¢clat of uninter- rupted victory over France, has entirely failed. Notwithstanding the earnest and energetic solici- tations of the veteran statesman for ap interview with the Emperor, his Majesty positively, though Politely, declined tosee him. Prince Gartachakoi® represented to M. Thiers the utter impussibility of recognizing him in any offictal capacity, or as pos- sessing any Official authority, and pointed out the inexpediency of the Russian government holding official intercourse with a person whose avowed mission was to create distrust and enmity on the part of Russia towards friendly Powers. Bince his interview with the Minister M. Thiers has expresseu the conviction that France has noth- {ng to hope from Russia. BERLIN SATISFIED. The complete failure of M, Thiers’ mission to St. Petersburg, and the refusal of the Czar to receive him, occasions great satisfaction m Berlin. DETERMINED ACTION OF THE BRITISH CABINET. I have learned from the best authority that at the council of the British Cabinet Ministers held to-day it was determined to make a last and strong ‘appeal to Prussia to consent to peace in considera- tion of the destruction of ali the fortresses in Alsace snd Lorraine, but without dismembering France. It is rumored that'this position of Eng- Jand has been taken through apprehension that the warlike movements of Russia sre inimical to the British empire. This belief occasions a strong ais- inclination to see the power of France too much,bro ken, as her ald may be needed to check Russian de- signs in the East. The press, however, expects little good from the Cabinet meeting held to-day on the subject of foreign affairs, “The result,” says one of the journals, ‘must dissatisfy the belligerents and please nobody.”” GREAT BRITAIN WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE FRENCH REPUBLIC. From another source I get the following informa- tion:—At the Cabinet meeting held to-day the whole subject of the European situation came under discussion. The meeting was fully attended py the ministers. Mr. Henry Bruce, the Home Secre- tary, urged the importance of such action on tne part of England a$ should associate her with Russia in the pacification of Europe; pointing out the danger of leaving the entire initiative of what ho described as “an inevitable interfer. ence to a Power which had much interest in depressing and none in enlarging tne idfuence of Great Britain’ Earl Granville, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Cardwell, the Secretary for War, were not indisposed to this view, put represented the impossibility of action with- out recognizing the French republic, which they maintained existed only by the Irrespon- sible act of the “galleries of the Legislative body.” The Duke of Argyll, Secretary for India, Objected that the republic had been recognized for- mally by the United States government, and that It would be asortof constructive discourtesy to the ‘United States to assume that a government which existed sufficiently and with a suMcient warrant to command American recognition had no sufficient standing in fact to justify treating with and through it for #0 great an object as the settlement of Europe. The Duke of Argyll dwelt particularly upon the Ganger of abandoning the setilement of such great questions in Europe to Russia, whose Policy in Asia wat*0f so much consequence to the present and the future of Great Britain, Mr. Wladstone inclined to the sentiment of the majority of his colleagues, which is believed to be the sentiment also of Her Majesty, that no government exists in France which can pro- perly be recognised by Great Britain at this ume, The advices of the British Minister at Paris, Lord Lyons, were indeed very urgent, in a contrary sense; but the course of the government could not be absolutely determined by a reference to the view of any agent, no matter how well en- titled to the confidence and the respect of the at was that ‘Was not expedient to recognize the only gove‘nment with which any Telations could b@ at prevent established in France. This result has eXcited, (reat dissatisfaction through- out London since it has been made known, and new demonstrations are looked for of a morc serious character than those already chronicled. TIME FOR ENGLAND TO MOVE. The English Ministers meet tn council to-day, after along holiday. The nation is impatient at their tmaction while their generous ally of twenty years ts struggling in her ‘last agony. They will have to move or be driven ignominiously from power. As stated in my despatch of Wednesday, they will adopt the former alternative and take immediate steps to try to prevent the destruction of Paris. Such a catastrophe, if permitted, would dishonor England even more than France. The course of the Cabinet is indicated bya leader in the London Times this morning. It cannot. says the Times, redound to our glory to express an opinion without an intention of enforcing it. It cannot, in the judgment of any person, redound to our glory to abstain from expressing an opinion when de- manded of us because we may find ourselves differ- ing from @ powerful neighbor. Mr. Bruce's speech ‘at Greenock about Alsace and Lorraine is equally significant. PRUSSIA OBJECTS TO ENGLAND SELLING ARMS TO FRANCE. At the Cabinet meeting a correspondence was lala before the Ministry which nas just taken place between Earl Granville and the Prussian Ambassador, Count von Bernstorff. Count von Bernstorff two weeks ago addressed to Karl Granville & formal complaint against the con- tunued shipment of arms from England to France. ‘fo this Earl Granville replied that under the exist- ing laws of England nothing could be done to prevent such shipments, which might be made to one Power as well as to another, and that Parila- ment alone could change the existing laws. On Wednesday last Count Von Bernstorff addressed a second note to Earl Granville specifically stat- ing that the PrussianEmbassy had positive evi- dence of the recent shipment of four hundred cases* of arms from Birmingham to France. “This,” said Count Von Bernstori, “1s certainly no neutrality, as your Excellency’s government must be perfectly aware, In the present state of affairs on the continént that these arms are intended for use in the fleld, at once, against Prussia.’ To this note Earl Granville replied by requesting Count von Bretorf® to lay the proofs of these statements before her Ma- jesty’s government, Yesterday Count von sornstaf, without delay, furnished the proof in support of his statements to the British Foréfgn office, Earl Gran- ville replied by acknowledging the receipt or the Ambassador's last note. No action was taken by the council upon the matter, which rests with the Foreign office. 1HE WAR PREPARATIONS IN RUSSIA. Great military activity prevatis in all the military departments of Russta. Orders have been issued for the concentration of stores at different points near the frontiers. An engineer commission has left St. Petersburg to make an examination of the fortifications of Odessa, with a view of carrying out contemplated alterations. It is seml-officially announced from St. Peters- burg to-day that the military preparations of Russia, have no reference to Turkey, but are intended to secure the interests of peace and jusfice in Europe. This language excites great uneasiness here, con- firming as it does the tenor of recent intelligence looking to the intervention of Russia in the Franco- German wer. {THE FEELING IN FRANKFORT A Hersh correspondent telegraphs from Frank- fort that the prevailing sentiment there among all classes of people is that the armed fortresses on the German frontiers of France must be retained by Prussia as @ guarantee against any future hostile movements on the part of the French, and as a proper price of Prussian victories, ALSACE AND LORRAINE-~ARE THEY GERMAN? A despatch received frot': Cologne says that the Cologne, Prussis Gasette to“ay publishes the views ‘of several corresp: aeemion of the. terms of peace, the writer, whilé sdmitting that the prevailing tongue in Alsace is German, calls the edt- tors to task forthe statement that the samo is true of Lorraine. One of these correspondents, who Passed a great part of his life in that provi nce, says the German element is hardly perceptible, and the language is spoken only in a thin belt adjoining the frontier. DISCOURAGEMENT IN FRENCH OFFICIAL CIRCLES AT A private letter from Tours, dated the 27tn inst., Says the discouragement in oficial circles is as great as among the people at the news that the Generals have declined to defend Orleans. Cremieux {s pecking up, and advises his friends to do the same. He says there are no means for re- sisting an attack on Tours. The Prussians are expected at Tours in @ few days, and the govern- ment must move further West. THE GERMAN BEPUBLIC THREATENED. The democrats tn Germany are becoming loud in protesting against an unnecessary humiliation of France, The continued arrests for the expression of such sentiments give strength to thecurrent, There is@ great dread of refractory tendencies in Prussia among German liberals. They say that should King William proclaim himself Emperor of Germany there wiil be a republic in Fatherlana be- fore five years have elapsed, This is the universal conviction throughout Germany. GERMAN UNITY AGAIN POSTPONED. It has been announced in Berlin that there have been and probably will be no negotiations for an entry of South German States into the Northern Confederation, for the extension of the North Ger- man constitution to the Southern German States Would have no other issue but imperial absorption, THE MILITARY OPERATIONS GREAT BATTLE BEFORE PARIS. TELEGRAMS TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. Reported Bloody Battle Near Paris on Tues- day—The Crown Prince Defeated with Great Lose—The-frussian Line of Investment De- stroyed—Details ofe Engagement. Lonvan, Sept. 80, 1870. A correspondent telegraphs from Ostend, under date of to-day, the following important intelli- gence:— Immense excitement has been caused here this evening by the arrival of special messengers from Valenciennes, bringing the news great vattle fought on the Seine, on day. the 27th, which resulted in the plete defeat of the Crown Prince of Prus- sia under the guns of Mount Valerien. The victory was followed by the evacuation of Versailles and Rambouillet, and the rupture of the German line of investment, the Crown Prince retreating rapidly to the northward in the direction of Pon- térie, Melun and Clermont, upon the army of the King at Meaux and Soissons, THE REPORT DENIED FROM BERLIN. Unoficial German telegrams received from Berlin by way of Brussels contradict this news; butit ig certain that the communications between Paris, Bouen, Amiens and Valenciennes have been partially re- opened, and that official proclamations of the victory of Tuesday, signed by Gambetta, have been received in the latter city, * CONFIRMATION FROM BOULOGNE. A correspondent at Boulogne telegraphs mo that the exciting news has been received in that city from Rouen of a crowning defeat of :the German forees on the south and west of Paris by the army of the Generals Ducrot and Mandinton on Tuesday, the 27th inst. The French forces, which, ag previously reported, had driven the Ger- mans out of Clamart, La Roche Chatillon, Bagneux and Bourg-la-Reine, destroying the fortifications thrown up at those places by the Germans, were heavily re-enforced on Monday by General Trochu, of a Tues- com- and advanced upon the German treut! and Versailles early Tuesday morpthg. DETAILS QF THE BATTLE—THE BADZN TROOPS MU- TINY. ‘The battle began at Virofloy and Velisy, the Ger- mans contesting the French advance with des- perate energy until they were assailed by fresh columns advancing from beneath the guns of Mont Valereii at St. Cloud, through the Bois de Fausses Rereres and Vancresson, when a number of regiments of the Baden troops mutinied on the bat- le fleld and refused to go under fire. Nearly a hun- dred of these troops were shot by order of the Ger- man commander, but the rest still held back, and many of them throwing down their arms dispersed through the forests, RETREAT OF THE GERMANS—THEIR LOSSES. The Crown Prince was finally compelled to order @ retreat upon Bongival, abandoning Versailles to the victorlous French. ‘The German columns which attempted the passage of the Seine at Bongival was kept under a terrible fire from Mont Valerien, which converted their retreat intoa rout, and they were ariven in confusion beyond St, German. Night alone stopped the pursuit, The Germans lost 5,000 prisoners, among whom are Many officers of the staff of tne Crown Prince of Prussia, and fifty cannon and mi- trailleuses. FEELING IN PARIS, The road to Orleans and Tours is reopened and cleared of the enemy. The reports from Paris are that the general state of feeling in the capital is ex- cellent, perfect order prevailing, ana the morale of of the people and troops much improved by the suc- cessive victories of General Trochu and the army of defence, GENERAL WAR NEWS. Increasing Confidence In Paris—Prassians Constructing Works—German Report of the Situation in Metz—Prassian Movement Across the Rhine—General Operations— Barricades in ParisWar Reports trom All Parts of France, LONDON, Sept. 30, 1870, The New York HERALD correspondent in Paris writes from that city, via balloon mail, under date of the 24th instant, that greater animation and increased confidence have prevailed among the people and soldiers since the successful engage- ment with the Prussians on the day previous (Sep- tember 21) at Villejuif, and the brilliant recon- nolssance of Admiral Sasset., The artillery of the French was splendidly served and had great effect, PRUSSIANS CONSTRUCTING WORKS, ‘The Prussian forces are engaged in constructing lunes of earthworks at Bagneux. They are also erecting fortifications before Forts Vanores and Isay, on the terrace of Meudon. Their work is, however, necessarily slow, as thelr working parties are greatly impeded by the French fire. A PRUSSIAN VIEW OF THE SITUATION AT METS, A Berlin letter from the HERALD correspondent states that the masses at the Prussian capital are so elated by the news of the surrender of Strasbourg that they would not be surprised to hear of the early surrender of Metz, although Bazaine is reported to have thirty-three regiments of cavalry and sixty-two fleld batteries, numbering all together thirty thousand horses. It ig reported, however, that the repeated unsuccess- ful sorties have had a depressing effect upon the spirits of the garrison. The rumors regarding the supply of provisions in Metz are so conflicting as to be hardly credible. The magazines are known to contain forege for a large number of horses, although some of the horses have been killed and their riders forced to do service on foot. Bazaine will soon be compelled tomake a final effortto break through, for with the loss ot his artillery teams the last hope will be gone. The voluntary surrender of the Mar- shal is regarded in oficial circles here as most un- likely from his known gallantry and ambitious char- acter. He will doubtless prolong the defence, and gain so enviable a reputation thereby as to obtain prominence under the future government of France. BAZAINE ABLE TO HOLD OUT SIX MONTHS. Qt Ostend sends me to- an diseaent ‘of messenger from Nemur, which contradicts the recent reports of the bad state of the army commissariat at Metz, He reports that the army of Marshal Bazaine, which is encamped around, as well as within the city, and held the Thionville road by the Parte de France, the bridge of Saulry Lados- champ and the bridge of Novoy-le-Véieu¥, has suilcient provisions within the city for six months, with abundance of herd and fresh vegetables. The German armies are Inactive, nothing but skirmishes of slight importance having occurred for some time past. The next important recent de- monatration was a gortle from the fort of Belle-Croix and Les Bottes, on the road to St. Avoid, in which the Freneh captured a few prisoners, and some few lives were lost on beth sides, PRUSSIAN MOVEMENTS ON THE RHINE. Aspecial telegram from the HERALD correspond- ent reports that a large force of troops have en- tered France, crossing the Rhine near Fribourg, close to the Swiss frontier. During the past three days trains have been passing through Frankfort day and night, conveying a fresh corps d’armée, which has hitherto been on duty as a corps of observation onthe northern coast. The mission of these sol- diers 1s to occupy upper Alsace (the French depart- ment of Haut-Rhin) and to prevent the organization of the French new lines. EVACUATION OF RAMBOUILLET AND OCCUPATION OF DOURDAN. The Prussians evacuated Rambouillet, seventeen miles southwest of Versailles, on Thursday, and have occupied Dourdan, eighteen miles southwest of Versailles, It 1s reported that tney have also reached Thivernal and Grigneville, in the Depart- ment of Seine-et-Oise. BARRICADES IN THE STREETS OF PARIS. Later advices from Paris announce that the con- struction of barricades is vigorously pushed, under the supervision of Henri Rochefort and Gustave Flourens. The Mobiles have been armed with a new and dreadfully destructive engine. The inven- tion has just been made, and is kept a profound secret. Greater results are expected from this weapon than from the famous mitrailleuse. KING WILLIAM RECONNOITRING. A correspondent telegraphs from Berlin to-day that a despatch from Ferrieres, the royal Prussian headquarters, states that on Thursday the King re- connoitred the French lines from St. Denis to Ro- mainville. THE PRUSSIANS NOT YET BEFORE ORLEANS OR LYONS, The Prussians have not yet arrived at Orleans, ‘They have desisted froin their westward march and seem to be concentrating around Paris, The re- ported movement of the Prussians on Lyons is also untrue, LOSSES OF THE PRUSSIANS IMMENSE. The French say the Prussian losses since the war began, and particularly at the investment of Paris, have been so immense that the German authorities have taken care to conceal the facts from the news- papers. REPORTED INSUBORDINATION AMONG THE FRENCH. A telegram just received from Tours contains the following news:— ‘There is still considerable insubordiuation in the French army. The officers are apparently unable to prevent disorder and violence among the raw and undisciplined soldiers, Severe examples have been made, DISAFFRCTION IN LYONS, The state of affairs at Lyons continnes to cause great uneasiness, Cluseret deserves to be shot. He ig the greatest enemy that France has, as just now he preaches disunion. United France might still repel the invaders. The red republicans are in the pay of Bismarck, ENROLMENT OF THE TOURS FIREMEN. At Tours the firemen are being enrolled. Large numbers of breech-loaders have been distributed to such of the Garde Nationale as had inferior arms. MARSHAL LEBGIUF'S OPINION OF THE FRENCH ARMY. According to @ statement which appears in L’ Untvers, Marshal Lebceuf, late Napoleon’s chief of Btaff, sought death in the battles around Metz, and displayed the most recklegs valor. He admits that France was unprepared for war, and confesses that he did not dare to tell the Emperor before the war commenced what the state of the army was. THE PRENCH NAVY. A despatch received here from Cherbourg, dated the 20th, says that the greatest part of the French . one fleet retarned to this port to-day. Squadrons have been left in the North Sea and the English Channel aumMiciently Jarge to protect the French coast. MORE ABOUT FRENCH IMPERIAL CORRUPTION. We are likely to have a new light thrown on Jeoker’s operations in Mexico by documents found at the Tuileries, As it has been always suspected, De Morpy made immense sums from them; this appears evident from the facts now turned up, and it will probably appear that De Morny’s mistresses had also large slices, for two of them became suddenly millionaires about that time, ‘The incorruptible character of the magistracy under the empire, so much vaunted in the Corps Législatif, will thus be tlustrated by the trial of that judicial hack, Devienne. A republic may not be suited to the French people’s temperament, but it does the World good in sweeping out of its Augean stable monarchial and tmperial corruption. RELIABILITY OF LONDON REPORTS. The Brussels Independance Belge of to-day says Investigation shows that the “telegrams” dated at Brussels, made public through the Lombard street newsroom at London, are fraudulent, as they are Rot wired at Brussels at all. The same journal also says that the new French government has imposed a spectal tax of four cen- times per number on all newspapers, domestic and foreign. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS, The Times correspondent, writing from Luxem- bourg, says:—Mezierek is very strong, but it was not thought it could hold out. The French prisoners of war have been set at work constructing canals in Hanover. It 18 said tnat the French repulsed the Prussians at Mantes, Colonel Leslie goes as British Military Comwis- sioner to the Prussian front, It turns out that the London imperial organ La Situation is the property of or is supported by Rouher. It 1s curious that the greatest enemy of the journalists ys always starting newspapers. The town of Kehi ts crowded with refugees from Strasbourg, awaiting permission to return to their city. Great scandals are coming to light from the ex- amination of official documents found in the palace of the Tuileries. They are of a character implt- cating the very highest personages in France and other parts of Europe. French Successes Around Paris—Virtual Decree of a Levy En Masse—Napoleon’s Private Pa- pers Having an Airing—Expenditures to be Cut Down—Mixcellancous Reports. Tours, Sept. 30, 1870, ‘The latest news received here from Paris mention a series of successful engagements around the city. The ardor of the besieged had been much increased by these victories. ‘rhe new breach-loading cannon’ had heen placed on the ramparts. Additional engagements have taken place around Paris aince last reports, in which the French are re. ported to have obtained fresh successes. VIRTUAL DECREB OF A LEVY EN MASSE, The government here will issue a decree to-mor- row which devolves upon the prefectg of depart- ments the duty of organizing the mobilized National Guard, which is to be composed of all volunteers and all men between the ages of twenty-one and forty. Those between twenty.one and thirty-flve years of age who are sudject to military regula-, tions are to remain in the mobilized Guard until the Minister of War calls for them, The decree is in fact a levy en masse, ‘The prefects are authorized to take the arms of the National Home Guard and _ transfer them to the Mobilized Guard, and also to make de- mand for private arms wherever found. One article places the companies of Francs-Tireurs at the dia- posal of the Minister of War, and subjects them to military discipline in common with the Mobilized Guard. A special article exempts telegraphic employés from miiltary service. THE EMPERORS PRIVATE PAPERS—WHAT STORIES THEY TELL, A great number of the private documents belong- ing to the Emperor, which were recently seized at the Tuileries by the officers of the new government, have just been. je public here in the columns of the official Of the republic. Many noted per- sons under the old régime are implicated in the scandals. The provisional government at Paris has already dismissed M. Devienne, the President of the Court de Cassatton, he having been shown td’ be mixed up in the scandalous transactions of the ex- Emperor and Marguerite Belanger. ‘The Jecket Corrésporidencé 1 relation to Mexico ‘Was unearthed, implicating the Duc de Morny and others high in the Empergr’s confidence. Besides these there was fouad a letter from Persigny to Napoleon, proving the existence of a black tribunal, and another from the Queen of Holland, written directly after the battle of Sadowa, warning the Emperor against the very events now occurring, Altogether the disclosures thus far made In regard to the private life of Napoleon have subtantiated all the charges that the opposition ever made; and it is thought that the next lot, soon to be published, will be still more scandalous. CUTTING DOWN EXPENDITURES. Late advices from Paris announce that Jules Simon has stopped the pensions to those dramatic writers who needed no assistance. Retrenchments have also been made in the public expenditure by the Minister of Finances by cutting down the salaries of the counsellors of State and the prefects of the de. partments. It 1s also proposed to reduce the pay of the Ministers. The members of the provisional gov- ernment have announced that they do not wish any pay for their services, Counting upon the total sup- pression of the civil list and the Senate, it 1s ex- pected the saving to the government will reach fifty millions, as will be shown by a comparison of the first budget under the new government with the last, under the empire, Itis understood the pay of all the high functionaries will be regulated with a view to the strictest economy. BEAUREGARD A GENERAL OF FRANCE. The report is reiterated that General Beauregard, late of the Confederate army, {3 in the French service. It is stated that he first accepted a colonel’s commission, but that ho has since been appointed general, and is at present organizing troops in the south of France. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS. There are no signs of the enemy in this direction yet. It is reported that the foreign ambassadors met to-day in consequence of the receipt of important news from M, Thiers. ‘The government are considering the question of ordering elections for the Constituent Assembly in October, and it is understood that the paajority of the Ministers are in favor of the plan, Arrangements have been made which, if success- fally carried out, will give us news from Paris every day. Lyons is once more quiet, the factions agitation having partially subsided. The government here have taken effectual measures to prevent the renewal of disturbances in that city. A few additional arrests of Cluseret adherents have been made, The army of the Loire, which is now organizing, will be commanded by General la Motterouge. General Billard, who escape d from Strasbourg In disguise, has reached Lyons. A number of Italian and Spanish volunteers are expected to arrive at Lyons. The weather continues warm and clear. The water in the rivers is so low that the Prussians easily wade across. A despatch dated Rouen, September 29, says that another balloon from Paris landed near Nantes to- day. The courier, with a multitude of letters and packages, has gone forward to Tours, STRASBOURG. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. A Herald Correspondent’s Report of the Last Day of the Siege—The Raising of the White Fiag—Enthusiaem of the German Soldiers— A Visit to the City—1ts Condition—sSufferings f the Inhabitants. of the Enbabitante. 1 nox, Sept. 90, 1870. The following letter has been recetved here from the New Yorx Hxfaup correspondent, who entered the city of Strasbourg with the German army:— : STRASBOURG, Sept. 20, 1870, At last, after six weeks spent in earnest endea- vores to peer into Strasbourg from all available Points, through powerful field glasses, the final event, which all anticipated tand which was never doubted for a moment, hascome to pass, We are actually within the walls of the celebrated, fortress of Strasbourg, THE BREACH IN THE WALLS, My last letter informed you of the progress which had been made in the siege. 1 notified you that the Maintenance of resistance was impossible much longer. Two outposts had then been taken, and an immense breach was made tn the walls soon after, Since then offensive operations had progressed with great strides, From the 24th Inst. the bombard- ment was terrific; it was almost incessant. Night and day nothing was heard save the hollow roar of the’ cannons and mortars, followed by the sharp noise made by the shells as they burst in mid air over the devoted city and fell upon the devoted defenders, This tremendous cannonading had full effect. A breach was made in the walis large enough to admit an army, and it be- came evident to everybody that tho storming of the Place, even if it involved a great sacrifice of life, was Inevitable, Continued resistance could only stay the act of capitulation a few hours at furthest, for the Germans had everything prepared and were Teady to make the assault, THE WHITE FLAG. It was on Tuesday last, the 27th instant, a few munutes before four o'clock im the afternoon, that the officers and men of the German army beheld the Joyful sight of a white fag flying from the famous cathedral. This was speedily followed by the same welcome token from the citadel. a young lieute- nantof the Thirty-fourth regiment was the first to discover the emblem of a desire to parley with the besiegers. Firing instantly ceased, and the next moment a sudden and profound silence followed the hitherto steady booming of the artillery. ENTHUSIASM OF THE GERMAN ARMY. General attention being called to the flags by the unusual manner in which they were exhibited, the truth of the situation was at once guessed. Tremen- dous cheers rose from one portion of the besieging Ines, They were caught up and echoed throughout the entire army. At the moment I was at Mundels- helm with the officers of a Baden regiment, when first information was received of a desire on the part of the besteged to treat for surrender. Tue scene was indescribably exciting. ‘The officers sprang to their feet, embraced each other and clasped one another’s hands. The men speedily fol- lowed their example and some of them actually shea tears of joy at the great triumph which was about to be achieved, Before long came the news that the surrender was a fact. As the terms of capitulation have already been reported, I need not repeat them. A VISIT TO THE CITY, Yesterday I was fortunately enabled to enter the city with @ Baden regiment. The sight was impres- sive and sad, although its harrowing features were somewhat relieved by the evident joy of the citizens at their release from their terrible condition of suf- fering and suspense, MEETING OF THE HOSTILE COMMANDERS. ‘The commanders of the German and French forces, Generals Werder and Uhirich met for the first time, yesterday, after the terms of capitulation had been “ arranged, The meeting took place just inside the gate on the east side of the city. General Uhinch advanced to General Werder, and in a voice much agitatea said:— *¥ have yielded to ap immensely superior force only when further resistance merely involved the needless sacrifice of the lives of my brave men, I have the consolation of knowing that I have yielded to an honorable enemy.” General Werder, who was also much affected, Placed his hands on the shoulders of General Uhirich ana replied, “You nave fought bravely, and the heroism of yourself and your men will receive as much honor from your enemy as it can have from your own countrymen.” CONDITION OF THE CITY. All the arms have been surrendered with the ex- ception of the officers’ side arms. I have made a hasty examination of the city. It seems not to have suffered so much from the bombardment as was supposed. The cathedral appears, and dountiess is, agp ee a nt 80 to prevent ite a tothe Gelign. boise Ave nOdi i tas Wane dee Casee dral have been burned, Here and there are ing of buildings which show the dangers to whtd e city has been exposed in the vicinity of the ca. thedral. On the east side of the city the destruction ts great- est. Here a singular appearance is presented of the inhabitants busily engaged in removing bags of straw, rags, mattresses and every conceivable thing which could be used asa means or stopping unwel- come visitors in the shape of shells, From the win- dows these unique and hasty defences are thrown into the streets, where they lie scattered about, giving to the localities an appearance of a grandgremoval of the inhabitants. ‘The ruins of the theatre present a dismal aspect. Among the buildings destroyed is the fine public library. I am informed, however, that the books had previously been removed, or at least those of greatest value. WHAT THE PEOPLE SUFFERED. There does not appear to have been much actual suffering from want or food, though the means in this regard were husbanded with the greatest care. The principal cause of anxtety was the confinement and want of good water. Several terrible stories of the mortality caused by the bombardment are re- ported, but I am inclined to regard them as exagge- rations. One family, consisting of a father, two daughters, two young sons and an infant had taken refuge in the cellar of their residence, The house was strick bya shell and seton fire, It was de stroyed and all the unhappy fugitives were burned to death. One old gentleman, who has been doing business as a merchant in Stras- bourg for many years, informed me that his daughter was killed bya fragment of shell while walking in the streets, These are a couple of well authenticated cases, but, as I remarked before, the majority of storles afloat I believe to be either wholly false or grossly exaggerated. FEELING OF THE INHABITANTS—UHLRICH’S CONDUCT. ‘The general feeling of the people is one of great thankfulness that the city has capitulated. The re- ports spread abroad of the brutality of General Uhirich are utterly destitute of foundation. Every- body in Strasbourg agrees in declaring that his con- duct towards the citizens was marked by the greatest humanity and consideration, and all classes are loud in praise of him. CONCLUSION. 0 It 18 @ matter for warmest congratulation that no irreparable damage has been inflicted upon this splendid and interesting gity. Ishall hasten to send thid hurriedly written letter to the nearest telegraph station for transmission to London, from whence it will be promptly forwarded j; toyou. I shall write more in detail hereafter, RECEPTION OF THE NEWS IN BERLIN. The New YorRK HERALD correspondent writes from Berlin, under date of September 23, as follows:— While lam writing the streets are enlivened by the presence of vast crowds of people and by the large number of flags fying from the houses. The cause of all this rejoicing is the news of the capitu-. lation of Strasbourg, which is regarded here as another step towards the early termination of the hopeless strife of France against manifest destiny, FRENCH PATRIOTIC AID SOCIETY. On the evening of the 20th of last month a concert in ald of the wounded in the struggle against Prussian invaders was held under #he auspices of the French Patriotic Aid Soctety in this city. In all respects it was successful, and re- sulted in the bringing to the accumulating funds of the society the respectable sum of $2,200. The following named artists, who greatly distinguishea themselves in their several réles, particlpated:—Sig- nors Albites Foon Giorza, mustcal directors; Mme. Gazzaniga, Mme. Viardi-Marti, M. and Mme. Guz- man, Mesars. Le France and Petrilli, cag Oe cert wea no highly encouraging that its 9 be hoped cert was 60 encor ing that 0 another concert by the same excellent artists wipe @iven in the same good cause. CONNECTICUT TOWN ELECTIONS. HARTFORD, Sept. 30, 1870. The annual town elections in Connecticut for town officers onlv occurs on Monday next, the 3d of Octobers ‘The Treasary as am ESective Department of . Government omy The Liberal Club met last eve at Plimpton Hall, Professor Wilcox presiding, and D. F. Gardner Secretary. There was @ goed attendance, among whom were two ladies, caused probably by the ex» pectation that the question of admitting women ea members would be discussed. The subject, how- ever, did not arise. Mr. ALEXANDER DLEMAR, late director of the Bureau of Statistica, read a very interesting paper on the United States Treasury a8 an effective depart. ment of government, He commenced by saying that the treasury department 1s four-fifths of any government, and substantially the government of the United States. The President may be @ man of poor mental powers, but the Secretary of the Trea- sury, to be an efficient officer, m ‘@ man of great executive ability. ‘The head ofthe jury has entire. control of the Revenue Marine Service, Ourrenoy Bueeen, Lighthouse Department, em! ion and & great maay other things, which, in all, make up the most tmportant functions of government. If these were effectively conducted the government would be @ good and efMicieut one. But they were not. At present the Treasury Departmeht 1s con- ducted without that unity of the different parte and coherency 0! working which are absolut necessary to insure quickness and eMciency in the discharge of busineys. As a few of the peculiarities In the management of the Treas- ury, he would state that none of the books are kept by double entry, and no account of stock was ever taken. To take stock might lead to inconvenience and the findi out of where missing goods had gone, and this was not what ht. be called desirable at all times, At the close of the war the Treasury had $$00,000,000 worth of goods, and this was reported as only bringing in $250,000,000, which In turn was not accounted for. Another peculiarity was that no account of receipts and expenditures of the Treasury was ever Kept aince 1860, nor was there any law requiring such to be kept. This lett things so loose that there was noth; to pre- vent the Secretary or any of the clerks of the ‘Treasury from running off with ten or twenty thou- sand dollars, except the Pareles trouble of carry- ing it. The clerk in the Warehouse Department, especially, may cheat the government as much as he likes and never be found out, and if he were it would be no offence. Mr. Delmar then recited some highly amusing anecdotes concerning the officers and the efficiency of the Treasury Department while he was connected with it. Professor WILCOX sald he had afew words to ada to what Mr. Delmar had said. There was not even a daybook kept by the Treasury, and consequently the figures published monthly could not be correct, The true state of the Treasury was unknown to the public, and the talk about the reduction of the yeaoeat debt and taxation was only a@ political ge. D. T. GARDNER ably defended the management of the Treasury Department ina long and well received speech. After which Mr. MONAN gave it as hia opinion that the whole government was only @ stupendous machine of cor- ruption and robbery. Next Friday evening Dr. Van- dernyde will read a paper giving an expose of Reica- enbad’s magnetic experimenta, MYSTIC PARK RACES. Boston, Sept. 30, 1870, The track at Mystic Park was in a very bad condi. ition to-day, on account of the violent rain storm— 80 much 60 that the proprietors deemed it expe- dient to postpone the races until the next fair day. Should the sky become clear to-night, which at this honr—ten Pp. M.—seems improbable, the sweepstakes race will take place to-morrow. If otherwise, an effort will be made to trot off the purse on Monday before the commencement of the mee!ing at Nar- raganset. In the pools this forenoon American Girl sola r $100, Draco Prince for - Lucy for h Geo! Wilkes for $15 an Hotspur and Moun! Boy for $10 each. It will be remembered that the contest is Soe Paes? of $2,500, divided into three premtums, thas rn, Geo! Palmer and Mi Boy are Lad) rege jountain bal out, As matters 100k just now there is littlo Beene of answering the question as to whether ldsmith Maid can trot a mile in 2:18 or better with » a Fanning: mate. James who bet $2,000 to’ $1,000 with J. W. Henry that she could not show that Tate of speed, insists that there were no terms or conditions of the match whereby was guaranteed “a good day and good track,” A forteit of $500 was put up with tne stakes and he claims that unless the mare trots to-morrow the forfeit money will be his and the race should be declared off. This opinion is coincided in by Messrs. Morris & Doe, the proprietors of the track, and tt 1s, there- fore, thought that the affair will prove a fizzle, Oer- tainly it may be presumed that Mr. Doble will not at- tempt such @ feat as that embraced in the conditions of the wager unless he has every advantage which a good day would offer, and as the morrow promises neither of these fit ia tne general supposition thet Ate races will } AQUATIC. A Ripple of Discontent—Ruffling the Course of the Amateur Oarsmon. A special delegate meeting of the Hudson Ama- teur Rowing Association was held last evening at the Gulick Club boat house, Mr. T. Shea, first vice president in the chair, George W. Fortmeyer, secre- tary. Representatives from the Atalanta, Waverley, Gulick, Atlantic, Columbia and Vesper Clubs were present, just constituting a quorum, Communications were received from the Atalan- tas, Colambiasjand’Mutnals, tendering,tnetr resigna- tion, They were not acted upon, however, as this being a special meeting no business but’ that for which it was called could be transacted according to the bylaws, The real object of the meeting was to receive a communication from Commodore Brady relative to the charges of foul pee made against him in the letter of Dr. Russell Withers to Mr. Wilkes, After denying all the charges made in ithe asked that a committee of investigation should be appointed to Inquire into the matter and either exonerate him or declare him guilty. A motion to that effect being made, the Chair appointed Messra. Tuthiil, of the Atlantics, Mr. Keeler, of the Vespers, and Dr. Rus- sell Withers, of the Atalantas. The mecting then adjourned. PATERSON (N. J.) COURT SENTENCES. A Large Batch of Criminals Taken Care of. ft In the Passaic county (N. J.) courta, at Paterson, yesterday, Judge Bedle pronounced the following sentences:— John Brann, Jr., a negro, for attempting to com- mit an outrage on a white girl, was sentenced to the State Prison for three years. A lot of boys, for petty larceny, were sentenced to short terms in the county jail. Henry Campbell, for interfering with a German procession and assaulting a policeman, was fined twenty-five _ dolla’ ani costs and severely reprimanded. Elias A. and Cornelius A. Vreeland were convicted of assault and bat- tery on a wife and mother; the husband got $100 and the son twenty-five dollars and costs. John Smith, for entering with intent to steal, prison, Michael Morgan, steal State Prison; John Keagan, ste months In State Prison; George A. Evans and Jobn Murphy were sentenced to the County Jail for indulg- ing in @ drunken fignt; John B. Zeius, assault and battery, fined twenty-five dollars and costs; John Arnot, stealing melons, fined five dollars and costs; Naaman Search, assault and battery, fined thirty dollars; John H. Smith, same offence, fined ten dollars; John Morrison, for borrowing a horse and carriage tied to @ pos. and taking a ride around town, was astonished by being sentenced to the State Prison for one) year; Joseph S. Todd, ex- bookkeeper of the Grant Locomotive Works, for embezzling the funds of his employers, was sent to the State Prison for one year. Several other lignter seutences were Lmposed for minor offences. * MASSACHUSETTS. Grand Trial @f Fire Engines nt Haverhill. HAVERHILL, Sept, 30, 1870, The grand muster of firemen here to-day included companies from Rhode Island, Maine, New Hamp- shire and Massachusetts, ‘Yhe procession numbered about three thousand men, manning “sixteen steamers, thirty-one hand engines and seven hook and ladder and hose com- panies. Twenty-seven bands and seven drum corps ané the Haverhill Fire Department, under Chief Engineer W. Hl. Turner, escorted the procession. ‘The city governmental authorities and invited guesta occupied carriages in the first division. ‘The storm in the afternoon somewhat marred the general enjoyment, but on the whole the display was the finest of the kind ever seen in this section. Boston (first class), took the prize, having played horizontally 224 feet and 6 inches. The Fire King, of of Cambridge, @ third class engine, threw 216 feet and 2 inches. Mass., ed horizontally 212 feet and 6 taches; the Datugeror ban, Me. 200 feet and 8 laches, and the inches, The Tiger, of Lynn., » Played & din tance of 203 feet and 8 inches, The of ‘The steam engines labored under the disadvantage of having the wind across their stream, while the the divection of thelr playing. WASHINGTON, Sept, 30, 1870. The Supreme Court of the United States wiil not December term, which will end the first Monday of December, when a new term will commence, In the trial of the steamers the Melville, No. 6, of amon played 219 feet, 10 inches, and the In hand engines the Torrent, of Marlborough, pee none] of North Bridgewater, Mass., 205 feet Bath, Me., bursted a chamber, ‘ hand engines were favored with having the wind in THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. meet the Sist October in continuation of the lass call of the docket will be resumed at case 204