EVENING T T A O VOL. XIV NO. 34. PHILADELPHIA, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1870. DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS. FIRST EDITION THE WAR' IH EUROPE. rritc Military Situation JSiege of IVXetz and Strasburg. rJ?lio Defense olI?a.Tis. 7be Political Situation. The Nmv Pi-cmier. Sketch of Count Palikao. War Reports by Mail. The French and Herman Annies. Preliminary Diplomacy. Vob Werther and De Gramont. BtC KlC.( Etc.. Etc, Etc. TUH CRISIS. THE MILITAltr SITUATION. Nnnoleon Concentrating hla Troops at Met The. PrukstuDs Preparing to lieelege the Fortrewu. In the perilous position of affairs on the frontier, not less than in Paris, the beginning of tie end is seen. The Prussians have occupied rJarreguenilnes as well as Forbach. This place is a town of about 0000 inhabitants, on the left bank of the Saar, which here just touches the border line, nine miles south of Saarbruck, and about fifteca miles W. N. W. of Bitche. The occupation is also announced of Hagenau, the French fortress, sixteen miles north of Stras burg, at the point where the uncompleted rail road running towards Bitche and Sarreguemines branches oil from the main line from Strasburg to Manheim. It was Just north of Hagenau that the battle of last Saturday between the Crown Prince and Marshal MacMahon was tuht. The 8le:e of Ntrnttburn. A cable telegram from Carlsruhe announces that 60,000 troops, mostly from South Germauy, nave surrounded Strasburg, and the surrender of that fortress is anticipated, as it is garrisoned by but 5000 men. The fortifications of Stras burg, however, are of a very formidable charac ter, and strong enough to enable a comparatively tmall force to hold an enemy at bay. The works were greatly improved under the super vision of Vauban, and in later times, and fur ther improvements were in progress at the out break of the war. The fortified city is of tri angular form, enclosed by bastioned ramparts, strengthened by numerous outworks, and en tered by seven gates. At Its eastern extremity is a strong pentagonal citadel, built by Vauban. The city stands upon level ground, and Is nearly six miles in circuit. Nume tons outworks -.and detached forts, large nod small, finished and unfinished, add to Its strength, and in connection with the citadel on the eastern side contribute to much support to the main works as to render the fortress almost equal to that of Metz. The battfoned wall is surrounded by a moat filled with water, and by means of numerous sluices the whole surrounding country may be over flowed. The defenses of the city, however, de pend greatly on these aqueous appliances, and ress than three weeks ago the water was so low as to materially weaken their strength. Stras burg is situated on the river 111, about a mile from the west bank of the Rhine, and 250 miles east by Eonth from Paris. It has a population of about IM.OOO. The Pruaalan Advance on IMulliau.en. A rumor comes from Loudon that the Prus sians are in Mulbausen, but the report lacks confirmation. Mulhausen, or Mulhouse, as the French call it, is situated on the river 111, which flows into the Rhine at Strasburg,and Is 61 miles 8. 8. W. of that place, on the railroad running from Strasburg t9 Basle, in Switzerland. It is about twelve miles from the Baden frontier. It la divided into the old and .new town, the former of which is built on as island in the river, and is reached ly four bridges. The new town, to the south east of the old town, extends from the right lank of the 111 to the Rhone and Rhine Canal, which has a capacious basin at this point Mulhausen ranks as one of the most important town of France. It was for many centuries the capital of a email republic of the Swiss Con federation, but in 1798 it became incorporated with France. The population in 1853 was about so.coo. The feiiege of fflelz. Advices from Metz state that Marshal Bazalne, whoee appointment to the command in chief Is confirmed, has 130,000 or 150,000 men under him, including Frocsard's corps, at that place. while MacMahon has but 50,000 at Saverne, on the railroad from Strasburg to Nancy, and that Canrobert is at the latter place with 50,000 more. Another despatch from Metz states that the Prussians are concentrating in large force in front of that city. This Indicates that they arc about to attempt the siege of that strong hold, a formidable task which will tax their powers to the utmost. It may be, however, that the object of the Prussian commanders is merely to engage the attention of the French by ihreateuiug Mew, while more eerious llovc uetit are in progress at other points. Metz, which is now the centre of the hopes of France, is situated at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille, at the head of a branch of the railway from Paris to Strasbure, 170 miles east of the former. It has a population at present of about 65,000, and is one of the strongest fortresses on the continent. Work on its defenses has not ceased since it passed under French dominion, in 1552, and so elaborate and formidable have they been rendered that an army of at least 120,000, with an extraordinary amount of war material, would be needed to undertake its siege. Of the forti fications of the sixteenth century there remain only the intrenchments of Guise, the Scrpenoise tower, the gate of the Germans, and the tower D'EnTcr. The gate of the Ger mans seems to have been preserved to give an idea of all those which formerly existed, and which have been demolished as useless since the adoption of the new system of fortifications. They were but strong castles with four towers surmounted with batteries, and having each a castellan. There are noticeable on the walls of the tower D'Enfcr traces of Spanish cannon balls, and there is shown therein the dungeon where, during six months, the monks were shut up who plotted to deliver the place to the Im perial troops. The approaches to the town are defended by two forts, six lunettes, and one earth-work. These two forts were built by Cormontaigne, that of Belle-Crolx, with the lunette of Cheneau, presents a development of galleries of mines of about 10,000 metres, crowns on the east the heights from which one can leap into the city. The mines are con nected with the arsenal, so that they can be blown up in case the fort falls kito the hands of an enemy. The other, called Fort Moselle, or the "Double Crown," is situated toward the north. Its works, consisting of ditches and flanking forti fications, render it very difficult of attack by the cannon of an enemy. The ditches are very deep, and are filled up with bayonets, swords, shells, grenades, etc., which are covered with the ground so carefully that the most practiced eye is scarcely able to detect them. All the buildings outside the place are wooden frame work, so that they can bo destroyed at a mo ment's warning. Built in 1737, the redoubt, called the "Redoubt of Pate," occupies the posi tion of the ancient Nauniachle, and forms, when they raise the waters of the Seille, an island, which one approaches by a subterranean gal lery. In case of a siege, the waters of the Mo selle and the Seille can be raised sufficiently to inundate the low ground to the south and south west of the town. The outworks once In the possession of an enemy, a formidable wall, pierced by nine gates furnished with draw bridges, and surrounded by numerous bastions, would be encountered. Metz prides itself upon never having opened its gates to an enemy, and the Prussians will be the first to enter it only after a desperate struggle. The Pnnsca of the VoHses. A despatch lrom Metz, dated August 8, even ing, states that the army was theii concen trating to march to the Vosges Mountains for the defence of its passages. This purpose has doubtless been changed by the appearance of a Prussian army in front of the city. The Vosges Mountains run parallel with the Rhine, form ing an additional barrier for the French fron tier. They extend from the Jura Mountains on the south, and, penetrating Belgium connect on the northwest with the Ardennes. Their average height is 4000 feet, and general width twenty-five miles, the summits being covered with vast forests. Like the mountains of the Black Forest across the Rhine, they are highest and broadest in their southern part. All the practicable passes have been fortified according to their import ance. The most northern road is commanded by the fortress at Bitche, which In 1793 and 1815 withstood several spirited attempts on the part of the Prussians to capture it. Reports of the capture of this place by the Prussians have been received, but they are too indefinite to be reliable. As the Prussians hold both Sarregue mines and Forbach, a few miles on either side, it is not likely that it can be retained by the French, even if it has not already been aban doned. The great central passage through the Vosges is by way of Saverne, twenty miles northwest of Strasburg, where Marshal MacMahon has concentrated the army put to rout by the Crown Prince on the 7th at Woerth. Pfalzburg, a third class fortification, about five miles north west of Saverne, guards this passage. It was built by Vauban, and, although not very strong at present, successfully resisted all the assaults made upon it in the tremendous straggles against the Allies in 1814-15. Between Saverne and Bel fort are only two practicable passes by way of St. Die, and by way of Remlremont and these are strongly guarded by the fortresses in the plain, and by Belfort. The latter stands in the middle of the opening between the Jura and Vosges Moun tains, and is an Important junction for all kinds of land communications, being in the direct road between Basle and Paris. It has been modernized and strengthened, and is probably quite equal to the demand upon it, considering that the pass Is so far south, and that Belfort Is supported by several other forts along the Doubs. Belfort is about one hundred miles 8 S. W. of Strasburg, and almost directly west of Basle. The Prrll of Pari. The situation in the capital has been ren dered even more perilous by the excited scene in the Corps Lcgislatif yesterday, which culm! nated in the resignation of the whole Ollivler Ministry. The most strenuous exertions are being made to place the city in a position to resist the assaults of the enemy, if they should break past the line of Metz and Nancy. The fortifications are being strengthened by 33,000 workmen, assisted by 20,000 sailors from the fleet. The entire work Is in charge of Inspector-General Alpland, at whose disposal, if we may believe the Paris telegrams, the most considerable contractors of the city have placed "their fortunes, their personal service, their material, and tbelr experience. As an indlca tion of the temper of the people of the capital, the shouts of "On to the frontier!" which greeted the regular troops yesterday at the assembling of the Corps LegUlatlf are noticeable. But there is no doubt that Paris, at the present moment, is not lebs inimical to the Napoloonlc regime than it was at the last elections, and that the greatest danger to be apprehended by the Gov ernment is from the disaffected popula tion in whose hands arms aro no being placed for the defense of the country, Frenchmen have queer notions of patriotism, and are not backward about putting them in force when they have the chance. In this connection the following extracts from a letter from a Paris correspondent, writing in the last days of July, are important: ' I am rellnblr Informed that the fortlflcatlons of Paris are to be Dlaced In a state ot defense with the utmost despatch. Most of your readers have seen mem. i ou Know mat fans is snrrounnea nrst Dy a chain of detached forts, and next by a continuous series of bastions with ditch and glacis. Some of the forts are already In a state of defense, hut the encienle continue Is not. What has to he done is this: the parapet has to be protected by gabions and faso lnes; embrasures have to be cut, platforms con structed, and ordnance mounted. Marshal Mel wanted to have this done In 1W7, but he was over ruled. Next the ditch, which is Interrupted by the road at every gate of the city, has to be cut across It; draw-bridges will have to be provided, and probably a tambour, i. e., a kind or Deld-work, built ia front. The an nouncement that this wag to be done forthwith has caused no small excitement. It is, however, no harm that the Parisians should be made to know that there are realities In war beyond mere shout ing on trie jjouievards. The National Guard will have to take Its turn of duty on the fortifications, be put through the drill, etc. The works are to be carried on, 1 believe I have already told you, under the superintendence of General Count de Chabaud Latour, of the Engineers. The arming of the fortifi cations will be a gigantic undertaking. I cannot Imagine Its being done under a year's time. The encitnte continue laid out in a straight line would be eigmeen nines in lengtn." THE POLITICAL SITUATION. The CrlHla In the Corps Legtalatlf Ke1na- tlon of the Ollivler tfllnUtry Uount Palikao. the New Premier. Yesterday afternoon the Corps Lcgislatif and the Senate were reassembled, by command of the Empress Regent. In the former body everything was ready for an explosion, and M. Ollivler gave the signal for it by stating that the Government had waited to call the deputies together "until the situation was compromised." "This is too audacious," exclaimed M. Jules Favre on the instant, and after a scene of ter rible confusion and sharp recriminations, M. Ollivler endeavored to make a stand by op posing the demand for the order of the day, which was adopted in spite of his opposition; whereupon, after a short consultation, the re signation of the ministry was announced, and its acceptance by the Empress Regent. In making this announcement, and pledging thc support of the old ministry to the new one and the country, M. Ollivier stated that the Count de Palikao had been charged by the Empress Regent with the formation of a new ministry. No further business was transacted in either Chamber after the resignation of Ollivler and his colleagues was announced, and the probable course of the new Premier is yet a matter of doubt. We append a sketch of Count de Palikao. the New Premier. Bis full name Is (Jlias. uaillaume Marie Cousin da MontauWan, Count dePallkao, and he was born on the 24th of June, 1790. Be was employed at an early age In Algiers, and distinguished himself there as a cavalry officer. On September 4, 1S36, he was made chief of a squadron of horse ; on the 7th May, 1843, lieutenant-colonel ; aud on 2d of August, 1S4J5, colonel of the 2d Chasseurs. He became general of brigade on the 21st of September, 1651, and com manded the division of Tlemcen; general of division after ssth September, 1S55, he com manded the Division of Constantine. Recalled to t rance ne was put at tne neaa oi trie 21 st Military Division during the siege of Limoges. The year 1660 was marked in the life of General Cousin- Montauban by one of the most extraordinary events of modern history. Invested wi'h the chief com mand of the French expedition into China, he had the honor of accomplishing that almost fabulous invasion which brought the arms and banners of the French and English even to the capital of this vast and distant empire. The capture of the forts of Tekouatthe mouth of the Pelho on the 20th of August, the great victory of Palikao over General Sang-ko-hio-sin, on the 2lst of September, the de struction of the royal palace, the entry into Pekln on the 12th of October, forced the Chinese to accept the treaties Imposed by the allies, and assured, at least temporarily, the respect of European Interests In the extreme East. The General left there at the end of the same year and returned by way of Japan, many of whose prin cipal cities he visited, and re-entered France in the month of July, 1661. In recompense for these great successes, the Emperor had already elevated him to the dignity of the grand cross of the Legion of Honor on the 26th of December, 1660, and had, made him Senator on the 4th of March, 1661. On the 22d of January, 1662, he conferred on him the title .of Count de Palikao, and submitted to the Corps Leglslatlf a project of pension ing him, which excited a lively opposition there. The General demanded ita withdrawal; the Emperor opposed this, and the project was accepted by the Chamber with a modification. On the 22d of June, 1865, he was made, in place of Marshal Can robert, who was called to Paris, commander of the 4th Army Corps, of which the headquarters are at Lyons, and of the 6th Military Division. He was made commander of the Legion of Honor on the 23d December, 1648, and Graud Officer 26th Decem ber, 1S59. In 1660, when he was given the grand cross, he could count forty-two years of effective service, twenty-eight campaigns, and one wound. At the outbreak of the present war It was rumored that Count Palikao was to be put in command of the 2d (Army Corps, but this command was Bubse quently given to the unfortunate Frossard, and the new Premier has not thus far figured prominently In the content. WAR NEWS SY XVXAIL. GERMANY. The Strength of Kin Wlllliun'a Aruiy-The .nouin ueruian force. The Frankfort Zeitung, in an elaborate article on the military forces of the North German Confederation, says : The North German Confederation comprises 23 States, Including Hesse, the northern part of wnicn aione belongs to the Confederation. Prussia has military conventions with the King dom of Saxony, with several Thurlnelan States, with Hesse, Mecklenburg Schwerin. and Strelitz. with Oldeiburg, &c. whereby the armies of all tbeee States are closely bound up by the Prus- felan lorces. '1 he forces ot the North German Confedera tion are as follows : FIELD AUMT (FELD-ABMEE). Infantry 394,310 men. Cavalry 53,528 men. Artillery 1,212 pieces, KESEHVE (EKSATZTKUFPEN). Infantry 145,944 men. Cavalry 18,91)1 men. Artillery 234 pieces, GABKISON TROOPS (BESATZUNSTRCPPEN). Infantry '. 143,924 men. Cavalry 10,208 men. Artillery 234 pieces Even were we to deduct many thousands from these figures, which may seem to many readers high, but whicn, nevertheless, are based on otn cliil returns, we should still have a total which considerably exceeds the strength of the French army. In the above computation are not reckoned the armies of the allied 8outh German States, which now follow: BAVARIA. 16 regiments of Infantry, of 3 battalions each, 10 battalions of chasseurs, 10 regiments of cavalry, 2 brigades of artillery, which gives CO.OM men in field troops, 25,757 men reserve, and 22,614 garrison troops making in all 117,435 men and 240 guns. WURTEMBERG. 8 regiments infantry, of 2 battalions-each, 2 battalions of chasseurs, 4 regiments of cavalry, 2 regiments of artillery, which give, in field troops, 22,076 men; reserve, 6540; garrison troops, 6064 making in all 34,080 men and 66 guns. BADEN. 6 rcciments Infantry, of 3 battalions each. 3 regiments cavalry. 3 field divisions of artillery, giving 16,656 field troops, 3905 reserve, and 9640 garrison troops, making in all 30,291 men and 64 guns. Thus the auxiliary troops which tho three South German States wwuld bring to the aid of the North German Confederation amount to tho respectable figure of 169,802 men and 370 guns. icese numoers exactly correspond to tuoao given in an article on the conflicting powers, published in the May number of the Itevue Mill- taire Jc rancaise. I he computation in question must therefore have been made in April, in manifest anticipation of war. Another proof this, that on the other side of the Rhine they nave long Deen looking iorwara to tnis eonmct. It was a great mistake ot the Austrlans in 18-tJ to underrate the strength of their opponent, an error smartly alluded to in the opening sentence of a pamphlet published in I860: "The late war of Austria in Italy betrayed the insufficiency of tne AUBtrian army in every particular, except in the numbers as they appeared on paper." AVe have no wish to fall into any such error. We have, therefore, rigerously examined the statistical returns on which the above figures are based, and can guarantee them to be generally accurate. In the year 1866, 413,500 Prussians crossed the frontier, while 193,000 men remained at home. What Prussia at that time compara tively small was then able to do in the wav of senuiug men nuu tuo neia, me ixortn uerraan Confederation will, of a surety, be able to do now. r or our own part, we have no doubt that France cannot command 400.000 fisrhtinir men. Even tho Jievue Militaire Francaise, in the above article, limits tne trencn lield army to 300,000 men. Here we have a weighty argument in lavor of tne ultimate victory ot Germany. ine Jew urne rresse, taking tor granted that the chief object of the French is to make a division between North and South Germany, maintains that it is the intention of the enemy to pusn into tne district oi tne Lower .Maine. It asserts that the district belonging to Hesse Darmstadt, on botn sides of the Rhine, has been chosen as the scene of the principal offensive operations of France, and Frankfort is said to have been chosen by preference Mayence being outflanked as the chief Beat of occupation. "ine irencn Know," says tne writer, "mat Frankfort, the keystone of the Prussian military railway-transport system, will be the first place to be defended by Prussia. Frankfort is from nineteen to twenty miles (? German miles) dis tant from the French frontier, whenca the threat, constantly repeated by French officers. of taking possession of the seat of the Uondam German federal Government with 150.000 men is, unfortunately, not to be classed among the Imnnool Kl li 1 Iaj The Pretentions of Prussia. The Paris correspondent of the New York Times, writing on July 27, says: An extract of a correspondence apparently eemi-ouiciai in us origin, irom ileriin, to the iiazi lte a Augsoourg, will glve some ideas of the pretensions of Bismarck and William IV, in case ot tne victory oi tneir arms. "France not having as yet made known the limits of its pretensions, it does not become us to make Known, )ust yet, wnat win be tne exactions or Ger many : what Is certain is that the question of nation alitles will not be resolved until the French have been driven beyond the Vosges. The hour la not less of Boissons and Toiblac, Clovls destroyed on one Blue ine jtoman aomimons in uaui, ana on tne otner brought into subjection the Alamans of the Khenlsn Palatinate. Since this epoch, few combats have been of so great moment either In Franoe or in Ger many. It la true that Leipslc decided the fate of the Emperor of the French who considered himself the successor or cnanemagne, but tne question, in asmuch as it concerns the two people, remained un resolved, for France, vanquished, retained her fron tiers more extended than in 1795, and this, without protestation on the part of Austria. Tlie hour for re-oiving tnis question nas struck." FRANCE. Napoleon' Army, and How It la Formed. Previous to the great Revolution of 1789, which shook the foundations of nearly all time' honored and long-established institutions, the standing armies of France were formed by levies, but the extensive and murderous wars which followed this eventful catastrophe having soon absorbed all that could be made available to fill the ranks of the regiments, levying was abandoned and conscription resorted to. This system has since prevailed up to the present day. . The present French army is most decidedly a creation of Napoleon III. He understood best how to avail himself of the opinions of the most eminent military men oi nis own nation, and, far from despising or undervaluing the Ideas which had originated reforms in other coun tries, his quick perception could not fail to con vince bim that, while the Fremh army had formerly been looked upon as superior to all in armament, effective strength, and adaptability for great and lasting contests, a formidable rival had sprung into existence during the last five years, bidding fair to distance all others in modern military improvements ana army organization Lp to the year 1808, the active army was tbe only available force in France, and while it furnished ail tne troops necessary tor Held ope rations in time of war, it likewise defended the frontier, garrisoned tbe fortresses, and disci plined recruits, in tnis manner, the numerical strength of the standing army, while not at all too great in itself, became curtailed to a very alarming degree, as was only too clearly shown during: the Italian campaign of 1859. The aggregate of the troops sent across the Alps to battle against Austria did not comprise mare than one-fourth of the standing army, yet so great was the requisition for various purposes that the formation of an imposing division to check the suspected movemeuts of Prussia and of the German Confederation was only effected tnrougn tne greatest exertions ana under enor mous difficulties. In order to provide against the recurrence of such a contingency, the formation of the Na tional Garde Mobile, on tbe plan of the PruS' sian Landwehr, was decided upon. They have to perform tbe entire military duty required in tbe interior of the country during tbe war, so as to leave the whole of the active army available for the battle-field. The French military force is in three distinct parts the active army, the reserve, and tbe National Garde Mobile. Every able-bodied adult is liable to service in the active army unless he can procure a substi tute. The number of recruits for the army varies according to momentary requirements. During 1868 and 1869 100,000 men were drawn each year, while for 1870 the Minister of War only demanded 90,000 men. The number of young men coming of age amounts to about 320,000 annually, of whom 16,000 may be con sidered fit for service. They draw lots to decide who has to enter the active army, while the re mainder are assigned to service in tbe National Guards, from the iUUXK)re'mtt8 usually det;r nated for active service we must deduct: 9tHK) men for the navy, 15,000 men who either have volunteered before getting of age or who are exempt by special law, and 20,000 men who procure substitutes, and while not liable to enter the active army, have still to serve in the Na tional Garde Mobile, making a total of 4000 men, which leaves only 56,000 men of the entire annual conscription to be disposed of for the army proper. These 56,000 men are again divided Into two classes. The first class, comprising about 43,000 men, have to serve five years in the active army. after which they are assigned for service In the reserve for four years. The second class, of about 13,000 men, nave to undergo annually five months' military training during the first five years, and may be called upon to serve in the re gular army, and also have to serve the remain ing four years in the reserve. The Two f .reat French Iron-rladn. The Cherbourg correspondent of the London Daily New writes as follows on July 23: The Rochambcau is the famous Dundcrbcrg, which was purchased from tbe United States two years ago, at tho sam time as the Ohou daga, which Prussia was also anxious to have. Everybody recollects that singular vessel, which consists merely of a floating turret, and ia so constructed that projectiles could not strike it at right angles. Although the Rochambcau is infe rior to some other plated vessels in the thickness of its plates, this is compensated for by the weight of its armament, which has been eutlrely replaced, and now consists of 15 guns of 24 and 'il centimetres, carrying to a distance ot 4900 metres balls charged with 216 kilogrammes of powder. This vessel carries the most fsrmidablo armament of tho squadron. The Taureau, which is a ram, has but one gun in its turret. This is 24 centimetres, and takes 24 kilogrammes of powder. It discharges three different kinds of balls of different shapes some solid and flat, some solid and pointed, and others pointed and explosive, i he attacK is made witn the first of these projectiles, in order to shatter the plates of the enemy's vessel, and that the second def cription of projectile may the more easily penetrate. This strange vessel has two engines of 240-horse power and two screws, in order that it may be turned rapidly, and also powerful pumping machinery. IIOHENZOLLERX. Ton Weriher'a Interview with the Duke de Grnnioot The Outrageous Demands of France Napoleon Would Never Have Per mitted the Knthronemont of Prince Leopold. Among the documents the publication of which has been called forth by the North Ger man Diet, is an interesting despatch from Baron von wcrtner, giving an account or his interview with tbe Duke de Gramont and Olllvlor, when he arrived in Paris after leaving Ems. It is dated the 12th of July, and Is as follows: "Our interview was chiefly In reference to the point raised by Count Benedetti that your Koyal Majesty, through the authorization given to the lionenzoiicrn candutarcsnip Tor the throne, without having previously in any way Informed tho Imperial French Government, was not aware of having In jured France, lie asked me if that was really the case. 1 then explained to him that your Koyal jiBjesiy as a niauer oi iorra coma noc reiuse tins authorization after the Prince of Hobenzollern had felt himself called to accept the throne offered to bim, and that your Royal Majesty could by no means believe, on account of the relationship of the Prince to the Emperor, that this candldateshtp would cause otl'ense to be taken in France. Tbe Duke de Gramont hereupon cited the example of the Duke de Nemours for the Belgian throne and Prince Alfred for the Grecian throne, where such an authorization was refused. I contested the analogy with the present '.'use. Duke de Gramont then de clared that it greatly concerned France, as the next neignoor or fcpatn, to take a great interest in tne accession to the throne of that country. The secrecy that was observed In the Honenzollern ne gotiations could only give oil'ene here, and so much the more as the Imperial Court in all political ques tions had always shown the greatest regard for our Government. This proceeding had given great oifense throughout France, and found ex pression in the Chamber, which, he regretted to say, was united in making the question more dlitlcult. The Duke dc Gramont added that he regarded the rennueiatiin of tit Spanish throne hij the Prince of Ilohenzvllern as a Hecotidary conxulera tion, for the Frtnch Qovcmmcnt ivould nrrer have ptr initted his occupation of the throne; but he feared that a permanent disagreement between the two coun tries would take place on account of our proceed ing. The germ must be rooted out. and he regarded It from the point of view that we tn our pro ceeding nau ooservna no rrienmy course towards France, as was acknowledged, as he knew, by all tho great powers. He would can- uiuij oaf 11 u nioiiou uu nai, uuti jticuiuj auu good relations with Prussia, and he knew ot me that 1 was working to tne same end ; we must, therefore. consider together whether there were no meaus to exercise a pacifying Influence, and he proposed for my consideration whether a letter from the King to the Emperor was not the proper way out. He thereby appealed to the chivalrous heart of your lioyal Majesty, which would undoubtedly make the right inspiration. "Thereby could only be said that vour Roval Majesty, after having authorized Prince Leopold of jioiienzoiiern w accept toe mrone oi spam, coma not have thought of approaching too near to the Interests or dignity of the French nation: the King might unite In the renunciation of the Prince of Honenzollern, and with tbe wish and In the hope that every ground of dissension between our two governments would thereby disappear. Such and similar worus, wnicu in general, tnrougn publicity, wonld tend to appease the popular disposition, might bn contained In this letter: still he would pre- viously request that nothing should be said about the relationship with the Emperor. Th,is argument teas peculiarly offensive. "I aemarked to the Duke dc Gramont that such a step would be rendered much more dlitlcult by hia declaration given in iae unamoer oi .Deputies on me tith lust. ; there were Insinuations there that might have been deeply insulting to your Royal Majesty. He wanted to content that, said that Prussia was not named at all, and that his speech was at that tune absolutely necessary to quiet the excited Chamber. In the meantime the Minister of Justice. M. Ollivier, came to our conference, which the Dukti tie Gramont brought to his knowledge. M. ollivier was earnest in recommending the healing and, lu the Interest of peace, necessary influence, and begged me to express myself In stantly in favor of such a letter to your Koyal Ml jesty. Both said that. If 1 did not think I could un dertake It, they would consider themselves obliged to Intrust this question to Count Benedetti. While both of them saying that for their Ministerial posi tion they required such a compromise to quiet the excited minds, they added that such a letter wonld authorize them to appear as defenders of your Royal Majesty In case attacks were not discontinued. Both remarked to me, in conclusion, that they could not conceal from me that our proceeding iu the Ho-henEollern-Spanlsli arlalr has excited the French nation much more thau It has occupied the Em peror. "In our conversation the Duke le Gramont dropped the remark that he believed that the Prtuoe of Hobenzollern renounced at the instance of your Koyal Majesty; butl contested this, and designated the renunciation as certainly renting upon the initia tive of tbe Prince of Honenzollern himself. The two ministers, In their great urgency, wished that I would make the caxe known by telegraph; but I found this unnecessary.'' To this despatch Count Bismarck Intimated to Baron von Werther that he was very much as tonished that he could ever quietly listen to such a proposition of a letter of apology from the King to the Emperor, and that if the Freuch Government had such communications to make, they should be left to make them in writing to be transmitted to Berlin. As tbey s.iw that nothing more was to be accomplished in this way, they sent instructions to Benedetti, who at Fms proposed them to the King with the result already known. BELGIUM. A Belalaa Demonstration Tho Armament of Antwerp. The Brussels correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, writing on the 25th of July, says: The armaments of Antwerp are all but completed. The Grand Duke Wladiinlr, son of the Emperor of Russia, is here at present. In spite of the war and a general election, the Brussels kcrmess is progressing, yesterday we had great fun as the cavalcade went out for tbe first time. It was unspeakably ludicrous to see the big figures Januckco acd Micke, moved ty men bidJen underneath, dancing before the cavalcade and looking in at the first floor windows. The popular enthusiasm and perspiration were tremendous. All Belgian celebrities, past and present, were represented In the cavalcade, from Lambert Balderie, Connt of Louvain, and bis wife Ode, who made Brussels a city in 1046, downftto the Prince de Llgne. Ihe eight groups of which the cavalcade consisted were: 1. The town oi Brussels, represented by a young girl on a car, surrounded by the Indus tries and arts; 2. Brussels in 1040; 3. The Alli ance of the Town of Brabant in 1372; 4. Belgium under the House of Burgundy; 5. In spite of the Due de Gramont, Charles V, with all his Princes and Princesses, and all the nations of Belgium, as In his times the trades of the different town ships were called; 6. The Belgian nobility of tha sixteenth century, with, of course, Egmont and Horn; 7. The renaissance of industry and arts; and 8. Modern Belgium represented by a bust of the King, surrounded by representations of the four constitutional liberties. A number of bands end choral societies, each playing and singing tunes of its own, accompanied, the cavalcade. Tb Defense of Antwerp. A correspondent of La J'atrie, writing from Antwerp, gives his opinion of tho value ef that ereat stronghold of national Independence. First noticing the disposition of the Inhabitants, which he describes as being very friendly and sympa thetic towards Franco, which is ever remembered as the chief agent In the creation of the Belgian kingdom, the correspondent advertsj to the fortifications which have been lately completed. Of the immense northern citadel, constructed since 1859, and intended to receive an army of 40,000 men, he simply says It is now uninhabit able. The action of the tide of the Scheldt upon the sandy soil upon which the citidal is formed is ruinous to the works, and even when a tolerablo dry position is for a time obtained it is only by the constant action of pumping machines. This northern citadel ha3, therefore, says the correspondent, been judged t be useless, and Antwerp is assailable from tbe Polders. That fact is so far recognized that efforts arc now directed to the arming of the southern citadel, created by the Duke of Alba in 157i, and which is now teeming with troops. The whole of tho works surrounding Antwerp are ill-constructed, and, notwithstanding their apparent excellent workmanship, the writer ha-j no doubt that in less than ten years time they will all crumble away, and If before then they should be exposed to tho fire of modern artillery they would bo immediately destroyed. UAB MlBCEIxIsY. The Two Contending Nations. Tbe conflict between France and Prussia makes it interesting to compare tho relative re sources of the two countries. France is con siderably larger than the Confederation, not only in territory but iu population, for the last census gave tho numbers as 88,000,000 French men against 20,000,000 Prussians. In France, however, the normal rate of increase in popula tion is very slow, 100 years being the time oc cupied in doubling tho number, while Prussia takes but forty-two years. In financial mat ters the advantage is on the side of Prussia, whoso budget has never been very heavy. Tho incidence of taxation in Prussia may be put down as about one pound a head, while lu France it is nearly two pounds. Tho national debt of Prussia is baaely two pound!, a head, while Franco has to pay interest ou fifteen pounds a head. In one case the interest is 2,000,000; in tho other it is no less than X24,000,000. France excels Prussia in her economic position. The commerce of France is greater than than that of Prussia, and it has been computed that while the annual income of each Prussian is '22 per head, that of the Frenchman is 27. Prussia, however, is in ad vance of Franee, and in fact of all the European .states, as far as education Is concerned. Itun.ln's Kndeavorii to Avert the War. Tho official journal of Petersburg of the 24th tilt, contains the following: 'The Imperial Russian Government has made all possible en deavors to avert the outbreak of war. Unfor tunately the rapidity with which the warlike resolutions were taken rendered our efforts for the maintenance of peace abortive. The Em peror is resolved to observe neutrality so Ions? as Russia S interests are not affected by tha eventualities of the campaign. The Russian Government undertakes to support every endeavor to circumscribe the operations and diminish the duration of the war. The Frenett Buying Iloreea In Ireland. The Loudon Daily News of July 24 says:" A large number of very fine and hardy horses are dally reaching Liverpool from several ef the Irish ports, and from their excellent condition as regards bone, sinew, and wind, it is qnite evi dent that the French horse-buyers in Ireland are not bad judges of animals suitable for hard work. A good number look as if they were in tended for tbe artillery service; but the majority, among which were a few splendid high-bred horses, are no doubt required for cavalry pur poses. Tho people in charge of the horses were somewhat "doubtful" as to which portthe horses would embark for France. A Southampton despatch says a large mimber of horses have left the docks there for French ports. Disaffection In Austria. To appeals made by Viennese journals to the Bohemians to forget their rancor, and in the present emergency to remember only that they are Austrlans. the Czech papers return a very cool reply. The Fokrok, for instance, asks if "tbe dog is to kiss the stick that beat it?" and the A'arodni declares that the "Czechs remem ber wbat Austria has done for them, and will act accordingly." At 6uch times as these smothered animosities blaze out with a vengeance. FEMALE CLERKS EXCITED. Ilovr Napoleon Died In the Treannrr Depart uiroi. The commotion in the Treasury Department to-day was indescribable when it was breezed through tho bulldin; that tbe Secretary had re ceived a despatch from New York that Napoleon was dead. It flew like wildfire. Not the tortu ous passages nor the winding stairways were a barrier to its progress. Not even were the 'peremptory rules, posted here and there on the walls, powerful enough to forbid the rush to and fro of those who were more greedy than others to communicate the news. The men talked phi losophically about it. One Bald: "Well, he ia old enough to die anyhow !" Another said: "Wbat would Eugenie do?" And one more jovial than all wondered "if it would increase his pay any." Down the hall you could hear, "so much for foolluif with guns that shoot beer kegs." But when tho females got bold of it, of course it was good-bye secrecy. Talk about Prince Arthur's walk through the Treasury; it wasn't a circumstance. Never did the girls slap those, tantalizing veils over their heads with such basty eagerness to tell another "something between you and me." Neither "Prince Arthur's visit" nor "Morse's crawling to Georgetown" beat them to quarters bo quickly. They walked tbe passages and talked aa it it were a holiday or a lunch time, and, if the latter, tbey were well supplied. One 6ald, "Oh! did you hear It?" "Yes indeed, Isn't it awful?" "He died of " "Oh hush! aint you ashamed?" "I'm so sorry for poor Eugenie." "Oh! pshaw! she'll get another man. "And the little Prince Imperial, "I wish he'd come over here." "Yes, he must be a dear little fellow' "Just to think, hla mother will have to depend on him for support." "Why, no, he'll be Emperor of France." "How can he if they banish him?" "Well, If he comes here he can stay at the White House." "Then he can come over to the Treasury sometimes, can't be?" "Yea," said a little oae with light cni lev hnlr, "but what docs he amount to, toux teen "yeare oldl" Washington Star, last eten-ing.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers