The New York Herald Newspaper, October 18, 1870, Page 3

RIS. Herald. Special War News From Tours. Bxeitement and Consternation Over the Defeat at Orleans, Kathustasm Over Gambetta’s Announce- ment of Vietory at Paris, PA Three Shots Fired Into the French Capital on Friday. Reported Battle Before the -' Walls on Saturday. THREE THOUSAND PRUSSIANS KILLED. Contradictory Reports from the Army Heavy Cannonading in the Direc- tion of Thionville. Wules Favre Said to be Megotiat- ing a Peace. An American Plan of Peace Under Consideration. WAR NEWS FROM TOURS. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. ky Bxcitements by Keports from the Ficld— What Was Said of the Situation at Orleans and ep the Loire—Prussinn Advance and Pruesina Defeats Alleged Alternately—Scenes im the Streets and at the Railroad Depot— ‘The Cafes Filled—General Bourbaki’s Pre- sence—Arms Purchased in England. Lonpoy, Oct. 17, 1870. A special letter from Tours, addressed to the Nsw YORE HARALD, under date of the 14th fst, reports as Idlows:— Within the past forty-eight honrs the peculiar ebaracter of the French people has been vrought ‘mto anusual prominence. Yesterday all was gloom and despair among them on account of the circu- lation of a frat report of the capture and partial de struction of the city of Orleans by fire by the Pras- man troops, and still later of another to the effect that the Franc-tireurs nad sustained a signal defeat, owing in the main to the men being supplied with ‘worthless or defective arms. Tho Mayor of Orleans had fled from the city, it was said, in a cowardly manner, and the Prussians, having crossed the Laire, were marching in force on the piace. %m Tours proper the government departmental e@@cials were filled with consternation and vastly excited by this latter news. Books, State papers and all the tecords of the executive were hastily packed up and made ready for transport to some Place ef greater security. Detachments of tireurs were marched off hur- riealy in the direction of Urieans, supported in the wear by a strong pody of the Ohagseurs de Vincenpes. ‘The railroad depot situated on the south side of Me city was literally besieged with the members of families who were eager to escape from the place, and “extra” trains were made ready and announced for departure. Quite a number of people actually deft om the cars, taking nothing with thei only just what they could carry on their persons. A JOYOUS CHANGE. ‘To-day, says the HERALD writer by telegram from fours, everything has experienced a magical, as it were, change. At an early hour in the morning re- ports were spread in the city which asserted that the French arms had been suddenly crowned with wacoess. Inthe afternoon an officis] executive no- tiee Was posted over the city, announcing to the people that the soldiers of the garrison of Paris had made a “brilliant sortie from that city on the besieg- ‘ng army, repulsed the Prussians at all points and eaptured the different positions which the Germans had held during the past three weeks.” Within one hour after the publication ot these of- cial statements came a@ report to the effect that the Prussian army was in full retreat from Orleans, ‘The excliement and joyous enthusiasm which ‘was produced among the citizens of Tours by such intelligence were just as extreme in their intensity of delight as had been the recently prevailing depres- ston In its gloom. The Rue Royale was immediately Milled with a dense crowd, made up chietty of the military. Cavairymen, iufantrymen, artillerymen, Ureurs and Gardes Nationale all ran about bran- @ishing their arms in the air, and shouting and sing- ing “‘Vivas” and songs of joy. They were most ter- mible in their declarations of what they intended to do in the field, and of the feats which they were de- termined vo perform against the Prussians. Non- combatant civillans muugled with the soldiers in great numbers, Old men, women and little children turned out en riasse, and thus swelled up a street throng which appeared to be increasing momenta- rily. Indeed it appeared aa if Tours had “gone mad” with delight over the government war news. IN THE CAVES, At the approacn of nightfall the number of people im the streets commenced to diminish, but the cares became filled to overflowing, In front of each such house a group ef people would congregate, hear the ews agein and again repeated, cheer and disperse. ‘Then would eome another crowd, and still another, each congregation being engaged in an eager dis- cussion of each fresh rumor, to whioh the quantities of wines and liqueurs which the people imbibed did Ot fail to impart a very high coloring. OPFIOIAL STATEMENT. In the evening Minister Gambetta issued an ad- dress of congratulation to the inhabitants, The pa- Der was of @ very hopeful character, mentioning the names of the pesitions which were recaptured from the Prussians, and calling on the French people in Tours to shew increased energy and activity in con- sequence of the victories, and thus emulate the grand example of the heroic defenders of Paris, ‘whe issue of & government proclamation suspend- ¢@.the present system of rule of promotions in the French army during the war, so that men may rise to the very highest command by the exbibition of personal bravery and merit, a8 soldiers did in the yevoluionary war of the First Napoleon, added NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, UCTOBER 18, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET. specially to the prevailing excivement. The military men read the paper over and over again, and dis- cussed tt contents with a degree of the most noisy excitement and boisterous approval. Four thousand men of the tireurs, exceedingly Well drilled, marchod frem the city just before night closed in. Thetr destination was kept secret by the officials. . OEMBRAL BOURBAKI’S ARRIVAL AND APPBARANCE. Asif to add to the popular fermentation of the Gay. General Bourbaki arrived in Tours during the afternoon. The news of his presence spread all over the place rapidly, ana fresh crowds ran out to en- Geavor vo obtain a gilmpee even of the man who is regarded by the nation as one of the very best officers in the French army. The General appeared Greesed in @ semi-military uniform, covered with dust and travel stained. He is rugged and tough in bis phystque, and certainly did not evince any symptoms of having suifered great hardships in Mets, He is near fifty years of age, but looked younger than that by at least ten years. General Bourbaki, says the writer, as you know—and may have specially published im the Heracp—entered the tanks of the French zouaves at a very early age, and distinguished him- self at Zaatcha, where he led the African turcos to the assault, having @ cigar in his mouth and & wooden “cudgel” or big stick in his hand. In the Crimea he had charge of the Freneh field telegraph. At Inkermau he was the firet to come to the assist- ance of the British troopa with his zouaves, and at me capture of the Malakoff he was sevarely wounded, A distingnishing trait in the character of Bourbaki is his frank bearing and the outspoken manner in which he expresses his opinion on all subjects in which it is required to the very highest authorities. Itis currently reported in Tours that the General asked, immediately on his arrival, to be commissioned to organize an army which would operate specially for the relief of Metz. BRITION NBUTRALITY—THE ARMS SUPPLY. ‘The great need here, says the writer, is doubtless the want of arms, and with respect te this the fol- lowing statement is strictly true:—I know from undoubted authority that after the loss of two hun- dred thousand atand of arms at Sedan the French government sent over to England an order to repair the deficiency by the purchase of as many rifles as vheir agent could possibly obtain—that is, to get all they could, but not expecting, of course, anything like the number mentioned. When the French agents arrived in Birmingham they found that the Prus- sian authorities had already advanced large sums of money on the stock of muskets then offering for sale, having a special agreement to the effect that the mortgages would be foreclosed if sales should be made subsequently on French account. The conse. quence was that the French army agents were only able to pick up some few “chance lots” which had not been covered by the bills of sale to the Prussians, France now offers to purchase any number of good, serviceable riffes in America, at a cost of two hun- dred and fifty francs each for delivery in a French port, 3 THE MILITARY OPERATIONS TELEGRAMS 10 THE NEW YORK HERALD. Tho First Shots Fired tuto Paris on Friday— Reported Battle Before the City—Three Thousand Prussiaus Killed@—The Bombard- ment of St. Cloud—Prussian Movements Near Oricane—Reported Offer of Bazaine to Surrender—The Capture of Solssons—Other Fortressen to be Attacked—Krench Nava Movemente—Soveral War Notes. Lonpon, Oct. 17, 1870, Three opening shots of the Prussian bombard- ment of Paris were fired from Bellevue, on Friday’ the 11th tostant. THBEE THOUSAND PRUSSIANS KILLED BEFORE PARIS ON SATURDAY. A despatch frem Marienbarg (Belgium’), dated yesterday, reports that @ balloon. which left Paris at seven o’clock that morning, with feur passengers and two sacks of matis, alighted there at one o'clock im the afternoon. M. Godard, the aeronaut, reports Paris as ati courageous. A battle occurred on Sat- urday, the~26th, ontside the walls, wherein 3,000 Prussians were killed. DRTAILS OF THE SORTIE. A correspondent at Boulogne sends fuller details of the sortie unger Generai Trochu, which on Satur- day completed the work which had been begun on Wednesday, of driving the Germans from their investing positions to the south and west of Paris. The action was begun by a rival artillery of the forts, which opened # continnous ana terrible fire, dism ounting the Prussian guns and throwing their troops into confusion. The French advanced under cover of their tremendous cannonade in three columns are upon Chevilly, @ second upon Sevres, anda third by Ruel upon Bougival. The third was the most serious attack, its object being to dislodge the right of the Prussian Fifth army Corpe, com- posed of the flower of the Prussian army under Von Kirohbach, the Posen Pomeranians, who held the bridge over the Seine at this pomt by which communication was kept open with st. Denis by way of Le Menil-le-Rol, The pattie wos severe and sharply contested, though it is universally, testified that the Prussians fought with less spirit and resolution than heretofore. They were engaged when the attack commenced in prep@@ing to move to the south an@ eastward, the works assailed having been found untenable under the French fire from the jfortresses, and this cir- eumstance ts held to account in part for their aisplaying lees determination than usual in their resistance. The defeat of the Pomer- anians at Bonguval compelled the Bavarians at Bayneux and Chatillon into a hasty retreat, a por- Uon of them being driven as far as Plemis Piquet. A division ef the troops of General Von and Zuder Tann Rathamhenven undertook to check the pursult and held with stubborn tenacity the positions of Chevilly and L’Hay. The Germans lost, in killed ‘wounded and prisoners, more than 8,000 men, with artillery, standards and large supplies. Their cirele ef investment is completely broken at Bergival where the French have destroyed tne bridges thrown by them across the Seine, and are blowing up their works, The most advanced point now held by the Germans on the south of Paris is their out- post beyond jhe Plateawof Villejuif, which itself is nearly three miles beyond the outposta of Fort Bicetre. THE BOMBARDMENT OF ST. CLOUD. ‘The correspondent of the London Times, writing from Berlin, says the bombardment of St. Cioud is condemned by the semi-ofMicial and evening papers as an act of vandalism, committed by the very ones who deplored the necessity for bombarding Paris. On the 10th Inst. a bomb fired from Fort Mont de Valerien fell in the bedroom ef Napoleon the Firat, at St, Cloud, destroying the famous mirrors, WEAKNESS OF THE PARIS GARRISON. ‘The absence of power in the garrison of Paris to act on the offensive becomes daily more evident. No sorties have been made since September 40. ‘The Prussians have not yet opened with their artillery, while on the other band the Frenchmen fire in- cessantly. PRUSSIAN MOVEMENTS NEAR ORLEANS. ‘The Prussians have evacuated Beaugency. They biew up the viaduct there before marching out, The Prussians are stlil at Meung, but in small force. REPORTED OFFER OF BAZAINE TO SURRENDER, A telegram from Berlin, dated to-day, reports that Marshal Bazaine has made an offer of capitulation, On this subject @ despatch from Brussels says the re- port that General Boyer has left Metz for Versailles to negotiate a surrender of the fortress: ia considered authentic there. BELGIAN FRONTIER ARMY RRINFORCED. ‘The Belgian army at Namur was to-day reinforced with cavalry and artillery, in view of the position of affairs on the Moselle since the defeat of the Germans by Bazaine and their retreat to Pont-a- Mousaon. THE CAPTURE OF SoIssoNs, Soissons capitulated on Sunday morning, and at three o'alony In the sftarnoon the Grand Doka nt Mecklenburg entered the town at the head of his | government inspires the greatest alarm in the best army. The German \gases throughout the siege Were trifing, Four thousand priseners and 132 guns were taken, PARTICULARS OF THE hr “ares gan me CaPITULA- 1ON. A cprreapondent at Ostend sends details of the fall of Solssons, The town capitulated only after the most terrible destruction of iife and property. Three hundred and fifty nouses are estimated to have been laid im ashes im the two Faubourgs of Rheims and of &. Christo- pher. The Prussians occupied the Faubourg of Rheims five days before the capitulation, and the National Guard compelled them te burn it by their incessant and destructive fire, When the Prussians attacked the Faubourg of St. Christopher for the Campiegne read, the National Guard set fre themselves to ther ewn houses, and & terrific hand to hand encounter ensued in the streets and up to the Porte St. Christopher. The fauvourg Was carried, house by house, tne troops fighting in many places with clubbed muskets. Women and children fying bewildered and in fear for refage from one side of the town to the other under tae cross-fire of the combatants were struck down and killed, TTe Germars were driven back through the burning town four times in succession, but they were Constantly reinforced and bore the French down by sheer welght of numbers. No quarter was shown in the fight of the fauburg; the wounded were bayonettea where they fell. Women huried furni- ture and stones out of the honses on the heads of the enemy. The result of this herole resistance was an awful sacrifice of human life, The slaughter of the Germans was so terrible that the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg wrung his hands and wept. He posl- lively refused to order an attempt to storm the town, but sent a flag to the French commander begging him to capitulate in the name of humanity, ‘The loss of property has been only less dreadful than the loss of life, Foundries, mills, houses, re- fineries—the splendid giassworks of 8t. Gobein, Where the finest mirrors in the world are made— have all been destroyed. Many beautiful villas as far as La Folte and Cervance have been demolished, The deaf and dumb asylum of St. Medard, and the convent of the Sisters of Mercy have been burned; the spires of St. Jean des Vignes, at the arsenal, the most beautiful in France, have been injured, as have also the cathedral, one of the finest in Europe, and the ancient chureh of St. Leger. OTHER FORTRESSES IN NORTHERN FRANCE TO BE AT- TACKED. There is reason to believe that the army which captured Soissons, 22,000 strong, will attack other strong places in Northern France, A SECOND RAILWAY ROUTE TO TE GERMAN ARMY. The capture of Soissons opens a second railway route to Paris, and the Prussians will pat tt to use atonce. The other line only reaches to Meaux. MEASURES FOR THE DEFENCE OF ROUEN, A telegram from Rouen, dated yesterday, says that the news news that the Prussians are marching into Normandy bas caused active mea- sures to be taken there for the defence of the city, The National and Mebile Guards have taken the fel, witn some regiments of regular troops, to re- pel any attack. With the fall of Rouen communica- tion between Northern snd Western France would be severed, A FRENCH REPUBLICAN CORPS, Among the captives by the Prussians at Orleans a few days ago were several soldiers belonging to a corps with the novel name of “The Body Guard of Uhe Republican Government,” BALLOONS FROM PARIS. A balloon from Paris, with @ quarter of a ton of letters, has fallen at Namur, and another alighted at Valenciennes with 200 pounds of correspondence, THB “REDS” DEMONSTRATION IN PARIS. A balloon fetter from Paris of the 14th, to-day re- celved by way of Rouen, confirms the news of the advantages won by the garrison on the 12th, and of the preparations of the Germans to retreat from the soutn side of Paris. It Gescribes also the total and absurd failure of a small faction of the extreme reds to get up a demon- stration against the government for postponing the elections te the Constituent Assembly. The people of Paris assembled in great numbers, but instead of attacking the government they cheered for General Trochu and Jules Wavre, and put down the revolu- tion by ridicule. A speech which was attempted to be made in the Place de la Concorde, by a friend of Gustave Flourens, was drowned in roars of laughter until, a pause occurring, a National Guard, who had stood near the statue of Strasbourg, got up on the pedestal and cried out in a stentorian voice, ‘Let the statue speak—and let the Prussians hear!” This short ‘Speech endeq the affair in @ vast outburst of cheers. The crowd began to sing the ‘‘Marselllalse,” aud dispersed quietly. Henri Rochefort had earnestly denounced the whole matter, and the journals which advocated it have since ceased to appear, no ene being willing to buy them at the risks. GENERAL. NEWS, The cattle disease is extending among the cattle collected by the Germans eutelde of the city. Those Within the encenite are carefully superintended and are doing well. The weather for two days pas had suddenly become cold, raw and wet, and must have increased the sufferings of the enemy in their camps. MOVEMENTS OF THE FRENCH FLEET. ‘The French fleet is again assembling off Dunkirk. ‘This fact, coupled with the unexpected arrival of a squadron m the North Sea, causes the Germans to again remove the lights and restore the terpe- does and other obstacles in the Elbe. The squadron in the North Sea is accompanied by flat bottomed boats, The Germans apprehend miscnief. THE GERMAN ARMY IX WANT OF FooD, A correspondent at Ostend sends word that the complaints from the armies in France a! incessant and increasing. The Cologne Zeitung and the National Zettung unite in declaring tat the troops in France are menaced with actual famine, Not a word has been published for many days in Germany of the operations vefore Metz, or of the fate of the army of Baden, under General von Werder, now involved in the Vosges, and endeavor- ing to reach the troops on the Moselle. Further news from Marshal Bazaine is expected with great anxiety. AN ENGAGEMENT NEAR AMIENS EXPECTED, A correspondent at Boulogne-sur-Mer sends word that the Fuardes Nationales of the Pas de Calais left to-day by ratiway for Amiens, where a force 1s organizing to march against and attack the Germans moving northward from Soissons, not, a9 it is believed, with any intention of assaulting the northern cities, but in search of provisions. ADDRESS OF GARIBALDI 10 THE SOLDIER: A correspondent at Boulogne sends from Tonts the news that General Garibaldi: was received yesterday at Besaucon with immense enthusi- asm. ‘The General yesterday reviewed a large, force of the Gardes Mobiles, Gardes Nationales and Francs Tireurs. He adaressed them in an animated speech, which was respouded to with ex- treme ardor by the troops and the people. He sald:— ‘Soldiers of free France—I see in your gallant bat- talions the nucleus of the army of the United States of Europe, the army of liberty and the army of law. The monarchies of the Old World are condemned. | ‘They are in arms to-day for the last time. Monarchy im Europe fell at Sedan, and it is dying forever before Paris. I see among you not Frenchmen only, but Europeans! not Europeans onty but men. In your ranks American volunteers— the soldiers of Washington and of Lincoln— the immortal and invincible enemis of despot- ism in every form, are fighting by the side of the sons of the Rhine and of the Loire. Italians are hastening over the Alps, republican Spaniards are hastening over the Pyrenees to battie with yon, Not against Germany, but against monarchy; not ggainst a people misled, but against the princes who musiead all peopies. From all parts of France thousands of young and brave men are hastening to the field of action. France yesterday bowed in sackcloth to the earth, looks to-day, clad tn arms, proudly up to heaven. With France Europe will arise rejuvenated. You are fighting for the freedom of the Continent, for the rights of humanity, Onward, then, to the Vosges GERMAN FINANCES, In London to-day the bankers decline to nego- | Wate paper on Germany, and particularly on Berlin. The attempt made to feel the English market with a view to anew Prussian war loan has resulted in Jailora. and the financial condition of the Prussian , intormed circles at Berlin, BXCITAMENT OVER THE REAPPRARANCB OF THE VRENCH PLEBT, In Hamburg and Bremen there is great THE POLITICAL QUESTION. TELEGRAM TO THE NEW YORK HERALD. excitement over the reappearance’ of the | Mr. Wachburne Aili tm Paris—Rumore of French feet, the emailer vessels of which are already exceedingly active on the North German coast. Many small vessels have been picked up and despatched as prizes to France within the last three days, and fears of serious mischief are expressed. The buoys which had been replaced have all been hastily removed again. FRENCH CAPTURES IN BRAZIL WATERS. A telegram from Lisbon, dated to-day, reports that later dates from Rio Janeiro announce that the Ger- man schooners Lucia and Concordia have been cap- tured by the French gunboat Hamelin. 4 GERMAN STEAMER CHASED. The Hamburg-American steamer Thuringia, while proceeding from Greenock to Hamourg, was pursued by several veasels of the French fleet, In escaping she ran down a collier, which immediately sunk. No lives were lost. SEVERAL WAR NOTES. A decree issued by the Parls government on the 11th extends the time for the payment of commer- clal bills to November 14, More than a millon of muskets have been given out to the National and Moblie Guards, and the dis- tribution continues, Advices from Metz state that the epidemics in and around that city are growing worse, Another émeute has occurred at Lyons. It was promptly suppressed, There are rumors of fighting near Rouen. No French war ships have yet been seen off the river Elbe, Sheep are also affected with the cattle plague be- fore Metz and Paris, The Empress Dowager of Brazil has contributed one thousand florins for the relief of the German Wounded, A French flag captured at Metz has been for- warded to King William before Paris, by Prince Frederick Charlies, The Franc-tireurs, near Epinal on the 13th checked the advance of the Prussians in that direc- tion in an engagement which lasted three hours, A squad of thirty uhlans was repulsed by the Franc-tireurs at Laurent d’Eaux, on the left bank of the Loire. M. Kern, the Swiss Ambassador, has informed his government that the Corps Diplomatique will remain in Paris for the present, General Von Rosenburg succeeds the Graud Duke of Mecklenburg in the government of Rheims. ‘The comedian Felix was killed fighting gallantly the storming of Orleans. Siexe Guos for Nouf Brisach—Another Balloon from Purie—UContradictory Reports from the Loire—Fighti on the Moselle—Bourbaki in Command—French Inactlon—Garibaldi and the Church—Department Declared Under Siege—Lawliesuness in France—Pro- posed Federation of the Southern Provinces Gambetta Gone to Lyons—Miscellancous War Nows. Tours, Oct. 17, 1870, The Prussians, finding their efforts at Neuf Brisach futile, have sent to Strasbourg for heavy siege trains, ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER BALLOON FROM PARIS. A telegram from St. Quentin, dated to-day, reports that a balloon from Paris has just landed at Billy, near Marie, bringing many letters and official despatches, which will be forwarded immediately, CONTRADICTORY REPORTS FROM THE LOIRE. We are still without official news from La Ferte St, Aubin. The Prussians have established their head- quarters there. There are the most contradictory reports concerning the Prussian and French armies near Orleans. Both sides are receiving reinforce- ments, FIGHTING ON THE MOSELLE—THIONVILLE RBEIN- FORCED. Atelegram from Bettenbarg, Belgium, dated yes- terday and just received here, reports that heavy cannonadiog was heard to-day in the direction of Thionville and Metz. Within afew days Thionville has been reinforced and supplied with fresh provi- sions. BOURBAK! TO COMMAND THE ARMY OF THE NORTH. General Bourbaki was recently tendered the com- mand of all the armies of France excepting those at Parig aud at Metz, which he declined; but has ac- cepted the command of the Army of the North, and goes to Lille towlay to organize his forces. General Bourbaki assures the government that the general commanding the Army of the Loire 1s entirely Capable, fast mons me ares DISGUST AT FRENCH INACTION. The Moniteur notes with disgust the utter absence of any efforts thus far to cut the railway communi. cations behind the Prussians, and thus jeopardize their supplies, The writer thinks that only a slight diversion would be needed, anywhere between Paris and the Rnine, to compel the sudden withdrawal of the German army from before Paris, GARIBALDI AN ENEMY OF THE CHURCH. ‘The Archbishop of Tours publishes @ denial of the statement in the Tours correspondence of the Lon- don Daily News that he went to meet Garibaldi on his arrival. The Archbishop says he considers Gari- baldf an adversary of the Church, and refused to meet him officially. ENTHUSIASM IN ROUEN. A despatch from Rouen, dated yesterday, states that there is much enthusiasm there among the troops. All circumstances indicate that the enemy dare not advance in that direction. DEPARTMENTS PLACED UNDER MARTIAL LAW. All departments within 100 kilometres of the enemy have been declared im a state of siege, and will be required to organize a military committee of defence, LAWLESSNESS IN FRANCE, Many of the local authorities im different parts of France are arriving to notily the government of the lawlessness in their respeciive districts, and the difficulty they experience in preserving order. PROPOSED FEDERATION OF THE SOUTHERN PRO- VINCES, The Constitutionnel denounces the contemplated Project for @ separate federation of the southern de- partments, with Marseilles for the capital, ana con- denms the provisional government for not immedi- ately repressing the movement, SORTIE FROM NBUF BREISAOH. A despatch from Neuf Breisach announces that the garrison made a successful sortie yesterday morning. A thick fog prevailed and the Prussians were surprised. Many were killed and wounded. GAMBETTA GONE TO THE SOUTH. M. Gambetta this morning started for Lyons and Besancon. This was tn obedience to the petition of the journals and people of these cilles. REVIEW OF NATIONAL GUARDS IN LYONA. The Prefect of Lyons yesterday reviewed 50,000 National Guards, Great enthusiasm was manifested, WAY M. ESQUIROS RESIGNED. M. Esquiros has resigned his office at Marseilles because M, Gambetta, the Secretary of the Interior, disapproved of his suspension of the Gazette du Midi. A DISAFFECTED GARRISON. ‘The French garrison at Witteisheim, near Neue Breisach, recently proposed to the commandant to surrender, The latter promptly refused. SEIZURE OF ARMS AT BREST. ‘The authorities at Brest bave seized all the arms not contracted for in the steamer Ville de Paris, wheih has just arrived. The prices will be fixed by the War Department and the arms will then be paid for, Arms reaching France not according to con- tract will be seized. MORE EXPOSITIONS OF IMPERIAL RULE. The Moniteur publishes a singular report, made by Rouber in 1807, on persons whose names had been suggested in connection with the Ministry of the Interior. Another report found in the Tulleries speaks platuly with regard to Haussmann, Pietri, Magne aad other prominent men of the empire, MARSHAL BAZAINE’S POLITICS, A despatch from Rouen dated yesterday says that a brother of Bazaine has published a protest against tne insinuations lately publisted that the Marshal is aBonapartist, Bazaine is not a Marshal of the em- pire, but @ Marshal of France. MISCELLANEOUS WAR ITEMS. Cernuschi, the celebrated italian banker, has been proposed as the successor of M. Roland as governor of the Bank of France. The municipal authorities of Ab) Prussians tuyeatencd to exccute, liberated » Whom the have been Peace Negetiatione—Rassia on u European Congrene—Necret Missions frem France. Lonpon, Oct. 17, 1870, Mr, Wasbburne, the American Minister to France, ia still in Paris. r BUMORS OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. A telegram from Brussels dated to-day says that the rumor that negotiations are pending for peace on the basis of the cession of Alsace and Luxem- bourg to Prussia ts believed to be well founded, and it t9 stated that another interview between Bis- marek and Favre to that end will soon be held, ANOTHER STORY—FAVRE WILL NOY CEDE TERRI- TORY. UnomMicial communications were received to- day at the Foreign Office in Downing street and at the American Legation in reference to the recent negotiations carried on between the French and the Germans by General Burnside, Jules Favre, for the French government, disdain. fully rejects all propositions for peace which involve any cession of the territory or any dismantling of the fortresses of France. He, however, expresses @ willingness to submit the settlement of the ques- tion to arbitration by the republican government of the United States. The events of the past week have confirmed the French government in their attitude, and it is now recognized here in oMcial circles that the position of the German armies in France is no longer such as to justify the German governments in insisting upon thelr origina! de- mands, AN AMERICAN PLAN OF PEACE. A correspondent at Ostend sends that General Burnside, General Sheridan Mr. Russell Jones, our Minister to Bel- wium, aré im conference at Brassels over propositions which they have been invited by the Prussian government to submit to the French authorities. General Sheridan has left Versailles, seeing nO prospect of any progress being made by the German besiegers, and General Burn- side has littte doubt that the French army in Paris 18 preparing for offensive operations on the most formidable scale. The Minister of word and Holland, Baron Gericke de Herwynen, and the Prussian Minister, the Prince de Croy, had a long conference with these gentle- men and Mr. Jones yesterday, It 1s rumored that Prussia offers a project for the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine to the Grand Duchey of Luxembourg, the whole to be erected into an independent neu- tral State under the Prince Henry of Orange- Nassau, brother of King Willlam III. of Hol'and. ‘This annexation to be effected after a ple. bisettum, and Prussia to guarantee the inde- pendence of the eleclions. Count Bismarck is ex- pected at Brussels, which by common consent seems to be selected as the diplomatic centre of the Operations of the moment. Russia insists upon @ Congress of the Powers, in which all the questions now pending in Europe may be fully considered and settled, includ- ing that of the Black Tea Treaty. It is belleved in Brussels that an understanding was had at St. Petersburg between Prince Catschakof and M. Tnlers that ta an European Congress France would sup- port the Eastern policy of Russia in return for the Russian support of the French basis of peace, GERMAN OPPOSITION TO COUNT BISMARCK’S SCHEMES, The opposition 1» Southern Germany to the project of proclaiming @ German empire, with King William to be crowned as Kaiser in Frankfort, is growing louder and deeper, The press of Stuttgardt and Munich both ridioule and denoance it. The> Wurtember- gers state that the present war has shown Germany to be sufficiently united to defeud herself, and that no more is needed for ner. The projects of Count Bismarck for Prussian supremacy are re- pelled. There is great distress also throughout all parts of Germany; the people in the Rhine regions are nearly destitute of food; the factories are stop- ping work in Silesia and in Saxony. THE TORIES ATTACKING GLADSTONE. ‘The tories are preparing to make the most of the change In the situation. The Standard of to-mor- row will contain an article declaring that Mr. Gladstone's Ministry have earned for Eng- land the disgust aud contempt of both the bellige- rent powers, while America essays the opportunity, if she chooses to accept it, of taking England's place In the concert of nations by ® successful mediation between excited France and exhausted Gerniany. INTERVENTION MEETING IN LONDON. A crowded meeting was last night held in favor of English intervention in the Franco-German war. It was resolved by the committee, after a full, debate, that a great procession of the people should be assembled on Wednes- day night on Palace Yard, to proceed thence ina body to the house of Mr. Gladstone and denounce the failure of the government to intervene for Peace; and that it should then reach to the residence of the Prussian ambassador, there to express the horror and disgust of the working claswes at the prosecution of the war. On _learn- ing this the government announced its intention of closing Palace Yard and of ar- Testing the leaders of the movement. Another meeting was held this afternoon, at which it wag resolved to summon out the associations to the number of fifty thousand men, with arms 1! neces- sary, and insist on the rights ef the people to be heard In thetr own way. RUSSIA ON A EUROPEAN CONGRESS. Russia has rejected M. Thiers’ project for 1 Von- gress of the great Powers to settle the questions be- tween France and Prussia unless the treaty of 1856 can be revised by the same body. FRENCH SECRET MISSIONS TO MADRID AND LONDON. A telegram from Tours says that M. Kératry, who recently arrived here from Paris, will go to Madria on @ secret mission. M. Lauriez has becn sent to London on an tinportant mission, M. Lefevre has returned to Viennaona special mission from Jules Favre. TRE GREAT GERMAN FAIR. Inaugural Meeting Laat Eveni ‘Speech hy William Cullen Bryant—A Larae Attendance and an Immense Success. The fair in aid of all the wounded soldiers, whuat- ever their nationality, found within tne German lines, and of the thousands of unfortunate German women and children widowed and orphaned by the War, was inaugurated Jast evening by appropriate— one might almost say affecting—ceremonies. The Thirty-seventh regiment Armory, at the corner of Broadway and Thirty-fourth street, wich has been lent for the purposes or the fair, was beau- Ufully decorated with American and North German flags. The stalls displayed the usual number of use- less and useful knickkuacks, but were arranged with singular taste, and were presided over vy the fairest and most fascinating of German ladies, One stall, in the centre of the main room, de- serves special pratse. It was devoted to the sale of bouquets, and consisted of a fort of primitive pagoda, reen fir branches and evergreens, surrounded by @ citculat counter. The charitable bou- uetibres aitending this stall were extremely beauti- ‘al, aud did a brisk trade in buttonhole sprigs and nosegays. ‘he stalls of Mrs. Consul Generai Roes- ing, Mra. Schmidt and Mrs. Oeirich seemed also to attract considerable notice. The attendance was extremely . The bali was fairly crammed ‘With visitors, who moved along from stall to gtail with the greatest dimiculty. At about # quarter to eight Consul General Roestng, in the central room, assumed the chau as the President of the inaugural meeting, He made a short address, defending the position of Germany in the pending struggle. He said that France had forced the beople into the war. It was to be hoped, Rowever, that peace would soon be re- stored, and’ in the meantime it was our plain duty to do our best to assist the wounded. Whatever money might me gained by the fair would be applied, without regard to nationality, to the aid of ali the wounded within the Prussian lines and to the rehef of German widows and or- phans, Mr. WiLtiAM C, Bryant was then introduced and addressed the audience, dwelling at some length on the horrors entailed by the war and the duty devolv- Ing Upon Don-combatants to alleviate, as far as pos- sible, the sufferings of the wounded and bereaved, He aiso inferenuially intimated that if Napoleon were W die it should be upon the gibvet, for wantonly constructed of dark EEE EE EEE preeipitating such miserics upon the people of wae great nations. Garman} alter wich, toes coapie ee tone tel en jerman) wi lor uple im, discouresd @ number Of ‘and sentimental The {air will last @ couple of weeks. (ne of ite special features iv a Dewspaper, published each alte» nate day, detailing the progress Of the operation AQUATIC. Great Imternational Beat Race in Nova Heotia. HALIFAX, Oct. 17, 1870. ‘The Royal Halifax Yacht Club has appointed a com- malttee to make arrangements for @ four cared boat Tace in Haitfax harbor next August or September, open to the world. It is contemplated to offer a rize large enough to induce the Tyne crew to enter the compertion. The clap expects to have as dine contest as has ever taken place. $4,000 has been subscribed woward train! the Halifax crew. ‘The Lachine boat race ex * general interest in ¢ sport, money will be freely subseribed. ate 5 at PRISON REFORM CONGRESS. ” CINCINNATI, Oct. 11, 1870. The intercst in the Prison Reform Congress con tinues unabated. A large amount of important busl- ness was transacted lo-day and several very inatrne- lve papers were read, Governor Baker introduced a resolution, which was adopted, for the appointment of a committe of five to inquire tnto the expediency of forming a na- Uonal prison and reformatory association; and Mr. Brockway another, declaring that the tne had come for the calling of un international prison Co and referring this question to the same commi' Later in the day the committee reporied in favor of the project of the proposed national tion, and Pagetiiag ° - Somes of tel steps to eud. 80 reported 3 plan conducting the preparations for the proposed Inter- national Congress, and invited Dr. Wines to act the pumped of the present Congress in wo The Business Committee reported a series of pro- positions Ou the subject of prison discipline reform in thirty-five sections, aud the Cet went through about half of them, adopting o with few amendments. On motion of Dr, Woves it was resolved that ths Congress close {ts sessions and adjourn sine dia to-morrow evening, Hil BFE KINGS COUNTY POLITICS, Republican Primaries. The republican primartes for the election of dele- gates to the City, County, Assembly and Con- gressional Conventions were held last evening in the several wards of Brooklyn and in the county towns, Flatbush, Flatlands, New Utrecht, New Lots and Gravesend. There was considerable squabpling tn some of the close republican Wards, growing out of the division of sentiment existing among the leaders of the party in the General Committee. No arrests were wade by the police, however. The conventions will be held to-day (Wednesday) and ow Monday of next week. LUBEL SUIT IN BUFFALO, High Value of a Congressman’s Character. BUPFALO, Oct. 17, 1870. The great libel suit of the Hon. D. S. Bennet aguinst James M. Matthews and Josiah D. Warren, the proprietors of the Commerctar Advertiser of Uus city for the sum of $100,000 commenced this morning in the Cireutt Court, be- fore Judge D. Boardman, of Ithaca. Bennet waa represented hy E. Carleton Sprague, William Doush- wier, United States District Attorney; W. C. Bi and William H. Green, The defendants were repre- et by A. P. Launing, L. L. Lewis and George Clevelana. The defendanis admitted the subject matter al- leged in the libel, and pleaded justification. The rosecution objected to the justification, and offer a jengthy wees was Ca rcgpewel§ the Court. The prosecution, ‘Tr examining certain witnesses, Tested thelr case, The defendants offerea certain testimony as to the reputation of D. S. Bennet, which was objected to by the prosecutor and the Court declined to accept the testimony. The case was adiourned until to-morrow. “AFFAIRS IN BALTIMORE. Republican Uceting—The Nilsson Reception in the Monumental City. BALTIMORE, Oct. 17, 1870, ‘The republicans of the Third Congressional district held a large ratification meeting to-night in Ex- change place, this city, Mr. C. ©. ‘Fulton, of tne American, presiding. Speeches were made by Post- master Geveral Creswell, W. W. Saunders (colored) and others. Concordia Hall was crowded to-night at the first Nilsson concert. Mie. Nilsson received » warmer grecting than has ever heen ex- tended by 2 Baltimore audience to a vocalst. Miss Cary, Brignoll, Verger and Vieuxtemps gave great satisfaction, ‘The receipts of the house were over $4,000. A despatch from Cumberland, Md., states that William McKatg, Jr., son of Colonel McKaig, of that city, was shot dead to-day by @ young man namew Black, -—— ” ‘The Board of Aldermen assembled a} two o'clock yesterday afternoon, President Coman in the chair. A resolution was adopted to change the name of Seventy-fourth street, between Madison and Fifth avenues, to “Kilpatrick place.” Resolutions were adopted directing the Comptroiler to procure a suitable site for the erection of a new station house building for the police foree of the ‘Twenty-eighth precinct; directing the to pay to the widow of Henry Rodgers, late ant Alderman for the Ninth Assembly dist the salary of sach oMce due hum up to the time of bis death: to pave with Belgian pavement Seventy-frat street, from Eighth to Tenth avenues; also First avenue, from Twenty-sixth to Thirty-sixth streets, The Board of Assistant Aldermen also held » Meeting, aut (ransacted routine business only, UNIVERSALISM. Meeting of the Young Men’s and Women Universalist Association, The formal opening of the Young Mens’ ana Womens’ Universalist Association of the city of New York took place last evening in the chureh of Our Saviour, ‘hirty-f.th street, near Sixth avenue. The ceremonies were announced to take place in the rooms of te association, No. 1,288 Broadway, but as they were found to be by tar too to ommodate, even with stand. ing room, the many who congregatea tw Witness gthe début of the new society, all hands afjourned to the church above mentioned. Appropriate and interesting addresses were made by Rev. Dr. Chapin, Horace Greeley, Rev. James M. Pull: president of the association; Rev, E. 0. Sweetser, Rev. E. C. Bolles, Rev. Charles Fluhrer, Rev, Charies F. Lee and others. The object of tho association was shown to be the proclaiming to the world, and the citizens of New York in particular, who and what the Universalists are. Mr. Sweetser inarked that the public at large are ~ wgoorant a the doctrines of Universalism, and he G there was no betier way to enlighten them than ly forming just such associations as this one, BROOKLYN'S SABBATH INSTRUCTION, The Sunday School Anniversary. ‘The forty-second aunual anniversary meeting of the Sunday School Guton was held last evening at De Witt Talmadge’s Tabernacle, Schermerhorn street. Krom the aunual report, which was read by Rey. A. A. Smith, It was shown that there were 181 schools represented tu the Union, the omcers and teachers of which were 6,960 in Dumber; 277 Were wales and 3.157 were females. ‘The scholars number 50,630, of which 22,095 are males aud mp) females. 38. libraries The conversions reported wete 7: numbers 400,941 volumes, The amount of money expended for libraries, benevolent and other pur- poses during the year amounted to $52,876, An address was made by Rev. Edward Eggtesto: upon the duties of teaches. James > v McGee, Preai- dent of the Union, and ‘att Smith, also an- dressed the convention, after wich the meeting ad- jonrned, A TRAGEDY. A Willinusburxs Maa Cut Down with an Axe— A Woman the Cause of the Tragedy. Between ten and eleven o'clock last night two voller makers, named Daniel Waish and Thomas Burns, met tn the liquor store No, 114 North Sixtn street, Willlamsburg, aNd soon became imvolved in & quarrel over the character of a woman with whom they were botn acquainted, quarrel culminated in a bloody tragedy, Walsh havi an axeand with it inflicted iwa frighttul w. im the back of Burns’ head. Walsh was a by omicer Kelly, of the Fifth precinet, and Police Si Creamer dressed Burns’ wounds, which he believes to be of & fatal nature. _ ARDY. INTELLIGENCE. ’ A Board of Officers, consisting of Coiouel John B. Smith (unassigned), Major Silas Craspin, of the Ord nance Deparunent, and. Captain James MeKirilan, of the Eleventh infantry, assembled ut tae Oueance OMice in Washington to-day to eonsider and recon: mend the amount of rova Which si for Wie Use OF the Homin attarh wet Fd onet scabbard. and Tie medi Mn walen Le 6 should be made.