J m ' taia pri 1
VOL. XIV NO. 39.
PHILADELPHIA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1870.
DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS.
FIRST EDITION
THE WAR IN EUROPE.
The Latest Situation.
The Battles Near Metz.
Great Prussian Victories.
The Advance on Besancon.
Its
Vital Importance.
The Latest Advices by Mail.
Finances ,of the War.
Napoleon at the Front.
ZZis Account of Saarbruck.
King William Leaving Berlin.
THE SITUATION.
The Batt le nenr Men -The Nlege or Ntrai
barff A Prussian Advnuce In the Month
rant of France Alleged Occupation oritennn
cen, and Threatening of Paris by the Uelfert
Uonte.
Last night's despatches leave the situation ia
Europe in great uncertainty. Among the things
that can be counted on as assured is the fact
that the French have not abandoned Metz,
although it would appear that they have aban
doned the line of the Moselle. At 2 o'clock on
the morning of Sunday, the 14th, the Emperor,
accompanied by ''the tranquil infaut," left Metz
for Verdun, a strongly fortified town about
thirty miles west of Metz, on the railroad to
Rheims. lie left behind him a considerable gar
rison, and a proclamation charging it "never to
allow the enemy to take possession of this bul
wark of France."
Tho Untiles near Metz.,
Later in the day, it would appear that such of
i the army as were in the neighborhood of Metz
attempted to cross to the left or west bank of
the Moselle, to accompany the Emperor in his
retreat towards Chalons, but while they were
crossing the river, the Prussians under General
Von Steinmctz fell upon them in great force and
a battle ensued, lasting, according to Napoleon's
., own account, about four hours. The result of
the fight, according to the Emperor's own
bulletin, was a repulse of the Prussians with a
great loss to them. But King William, who is
rather better authorlt', declares that victory was
on the Prussian side; and unofficial
accounts from Forbach, now in the
possession of the Prussians, state
that the French were thrown into great confu
sion, and were routed with great slaughter,
after having made a gallant stand. None of the
reports received up to the time at which we
write give the exact locality of the conflict or
the subsequent movements of either army. Na
poleon's bulletin announcing a French victory
was dated 10 P. M. of August 14, at Longnevllle,
which is on the railroad from Frouard to
Chalons, about SO miles south of Verdun, the
place for which he started on leaving Metz at 2
o'clock in the morning, and accessible from Metz
or Verdun only by making a long railroad cir
cuit through Chalons. What took Napoleon to
LoBgueville, and how he got there, are still
mysteiious. Advices from Paris state that the
corps of Generals L'Admlrault and De Caen were
engaged in this conflict on the French side, and
announce the arrival of the Emperor and the
Infant at Verdun, thus further complicating the
movements of the Imperial warriors.
And directly on top of the conflicting bulle
tins about the battle at the passage of the Mo
selle come reports from LuxemDurg of another
conflict in the neighborhood of Metz, as having
been fought yesterday morning, lasting from
four o'clock until nine, and resulting in a Prus
sian victory. This alleged battle la even more
mysterious than that of Sunday, and will pro'
bably turn out to have been the same affair.
Advices from the Prussian side state that the
second line oi the German army, com
posed almost wholly of Prussian troops, is
moving forward to support the first line, which
has now advanced so far into the enemy's coun
try. The Paris Temps of yesterday gives a
slight clue to the movements of both armies by
stating that the object of the Prussians was to
get between Metz and its base of supplies, this
object being defeated by the repulse of the in
vaders and the failure of their attempt to pre
vent the French from crossing to the west bank
of the Moselle. 4
The Klece of Strasburar.
Advices from the neighborhood of Strasburg,
through French sources, state that the Prussians
. do not appear to really Intend to besiege that
fortress, being desirous merely of cutting off its
supplies, for which purpose they have blown up
the bridges and otherwise tampered with the
v railway to Basel. The city, it is claimed, is fully
garrisoned and provisioned for a siege, and the
supply of water is under the control of the
authorities and cannot be cut off.
Prnssiaa Movement In tho 8oumeat
France.
On August Oth there were reports that the
Prussians had occupied Mulhauaen, an Important
City of 80,000 inhabitants, situated at the inter
section of the Rhone and Rhine Caual by the
railroad from Btrasburg to Basel, 61 miles 8. 8.
W.' of the former place, and about 13 miles from
inn Baden frontier. Only a few days ago, bow
ever, it was reported that the French still held
Mulhausen, and now comes another report from
Carlsruhe that the Prussians have occupied it
and Besaacon. The latter is a stro gly
fortified city of about 45,000 inhabi
tant, situated on the river Doubs and on the
Rhone and Rhine Canal, about ti3 mile south-
t west of Mulbausea and Babel. It contains
a citadel which stands on a high rock
and is regarded as impregnable. The railroad
from MpJba-jeen to Cfcalon-eur-Saone passes
through the city. Forty-five miles to the north
east of Bceancon, and on the railroad named, is
situated the fortress of Belfort, the southern
point of the French front. The fortifications
of this place are very formidable, 20.000 m a
scarcely sufficing to man them. As the country
between Belfort and Paris is flat and open, and
contains but one obstacle to tho march of a
hostile army on Paris by this route the fortified
town of Langres, situated near thesourco of the
river Marne, about 05 miles W. N. W. of'
Belfort the alleged movement of tho Prussians
upon Besancon is full of peril to the French.
This very fact causes us to doubt the truth of
the report that a considerable portion of the
enemy has been permlttsd to advanco to this
point without encountering a French force.
Belfort is almost directly west of Basel, and just
to the southeast there is a projection in the
Swiss frontier, bringing it within fifteen miles
of the border, so that the alleged Prus
sian advance would have to pass within a
few miles of Belfort, or pass to the
north ot that fortress through the southern spur
of the Vosges. The same despatch which speaks
of the advance on Mulhausen and Besuncon,
states that 100,000 of the Prussian Landwehr
are crossing the frontier, but does not intimate
whether or not this advance is being made in
support of the movement to the south of Belfort
Among the practicable routes from Germany
to Paris is this by way of Belfort, and it was to
guard against the advanco of a hostile army in
this direction that persistent efforts have been
made to strengthen the fortifications of Bclfort.
After many changes in ownership during a
period of six hundred years, the town was finally
ceded to France by Austria by the treaty of
Westphalia in 1048. The defenses were
then taken in hand by Vauban,
who enclosed tho town and citadel within a bas
tioned wall completely hiding the former from
view. The works as they now exist were only
finished about forty years ago, when two addi
tional lines or circles of defence were added by
General de Bellouet, by which it was thought
Bclfort had been made a position of equal
strength with Metz and Strasbiyg.
THE LATEST.
The .Second Buttle Nenr Met'..
Despatches from Berlin under our Second
Edition head give some particulars of the second
encounter near Met., which took place lata
yesterday afternoon, and resulted in a decided
Prussian victory. The 1st and Tth Corps of the
Prussian army, which, at last accounts, were
under the command respectively of Gene
rals von Manteuffol and Von Zastrow,
after . inflicting a loss of 4000 on
the French, drovethem inside their walls, and
subsequently a grand reconnoiesanco, under
King William in person, was maintained for
some hours, within two lines of the French de
fenses, without an effort being made to dis
lodge the Prussians.
WAR rJFAVQ BY ZVIAIL.
ADVICES TO AUCJUsT ti.
By the arrival at New York of the steamship
City of Brussels, we have advices by mail from"
Europe to the Oth of August.
THE SINEWS OF WAR.
Fliinnrlal
Aspect I the
Fr&nco-Priisilan
rstrtiRuie.
The London Spectator has the following re
marks on the financial aspect of the war be
tween France and Prussia:
It is clear, wo think, that the war for the time
it lasts must be one of the most costly which
has ever been waged. 'J his is an inevitable cou-
eequence of the magnitude of the armies that
ore to fight. The Italian war of 185',) cost
France at least '.30,000,000, though it lasted
only six weeks, and France made no such effort
as she will now be called upon to make. Prussia
in lWiO spent nearly as much on three weeks'
actual campaigning, and in spite of requisitions
on all her neighbors, recourse to borrowing was
still necessary to make good the exhaustion of
her treasury.
But Prussia in 180G was only half the power
with which France now enters the lists, and
had no equal antagonist to cope with. It is plain
that if these previous wars, short as they were,
were so expensive, the cost to either couibataut
will now be vastly in excess. What it may
mount up to we almost fear to put into figures.
The parliaments of each power have begun by
voting credits for .t:J5, 000,000, or rather more,
apiece, but even these large sums will be mere
instalments. ,
The only parallel we can think of is that of
the American civil war, when the North, which
by itself was hardly so great a State as either
i ranee or Prussia, kept a million of men under
arms at a cost of not less than 200,000,000 a
year. Much of this expense was caused bv high
pay and bounties, a waste not likely to 'be so
heavy under the better organization of the com
batants now engaged; but if we say 100,000,000
a year to keep a million of men lighting hi Eu
rope, we should be far within the mark.
The normal army budget of either combatant
is nearly 15,000,000, and war will at once
treble and quadruple ibis by increasing the men
under arms who have to be equipped and fed.
On this account alone there will be uu additional
expense of 20,000,000 or 25,000,000 to each
8tate by the change from a "peace" to a war
footing, and it Is not extravagant to estimate
the wear and tear of a war the ammunition
spent, the gunpowder blown awny, the loss of
materiel, tho cost of transport, the extra expen
diture for supplies in haste to be atleat double
that amount.
That the war will cost each party from
6,000,000 to 10,000,000 a mouth, besides its
ordinary war budget, is a very moderate calcu
lation. No doubt each side has been preparing
since 1600, accumulating stores and supplies,
victualing fortresses, and otherwise autlcipatmg
the current expenses of a war. But the amount
thus anticipated would be a mere trifle in the
lavish outlay of a few mouths' fighting. The
war will not last many weeks before both com
batants have spent above twenty millions
apiece, and in a very few months the figure on
each side may sum up to the huudred millions.
Both powers are good for many monthb' war,
even at me tremendous rate of expenditure in
volved. Tbera is certainly no doubt about
France, in spite of the chroule deficits and in
creasing debt which have beeu characteristic of
the empire. Frencto tinauce has been dreadfully
mismanaged, and the people have heavy taxes
to bear from which economy would have saved
them; but when all is raid, the bard fact remains
that there fctlll is rapacity in France to bear a
heavy additional loau-tne French revenue is
elastic, uud a few years' natural increase will
provide fur a good deal more interest. To put
the annual growth at three quarters of a million
l only, which is under the mark, the progress of
ten years would nearly cover the annual Inter
cept of the loans required for a war expenditure
of 200,000,000.
Of course the French Government would not
be able to borrow all that at four per cent., but
the anticipation of another year or two's re
covery of revenue would permit the offer of a
higher rate. There Is this further consideration,
Xiidi reat war, eucb, as is implied by aa expoa-
d'tnre of 200.000.000 In a few months, would
probably leave the combatants in such a state J
that economy in other expenditure would not oe
difficult. At present the cost of governing
France, apart from the debt and the depart
mental and local budgets, is something like
50,000,000 a year; and in England we spend
lees than 40,000,000. though all our salaries are
on a higher scale. Clearly Franco need not be
nndone by an addition of eight or ten millions
tho annual interest of Its debt, when economy
is so practicable and its revenue is so elastic. It
is true that after such a war, its debt, which is ,
upwards of .',00,000,000 now, would equal or
surpass that of England: bnt France in 1870 is
certainly a more powerful State than England
wa in 1815.
Turning to Prussia or, as we should rather
say, Germany we can eee no truce of inability
to make at leat an equal effort. The antago
nist of France displays a curious equality with
it in almost all flnaccial conditions except one,
In which It Is strikingly superior to France. In
population, to begin with, the North German
Confederation and the South German States
allied with it number about the same as France.
'Ihc Confederation itself includes 30.000,000;
Baden, 1,450,000; Wnrtemberg, 1,750,000; and
Bavaria, 4,800,000. Total, 38,000,000. And the
last census of France in lttOC gives exactly the
same figure.
In economical advancement the two countries
are, moreover, about the same; they are two
thirds agricultural, and though Germany has
more ships, and more coal aud manufactures,
yet as French agriculture is naturally more pro
ductive, the two States maybe considered very
nearly balanced. The aggregate budgets of
Germany, again, approach very closely that of
Frnnco in bulk. The gross revenue of the Con
ft delation is 40,000,000, and of the other States
12,000,000 total, 52,000,000; which, with the
smaller debt of Germany the one point where
Germany is superior leaves as mnch as in
France for all the purposes of government.
Oddly enough, the expenditure o the
two armies is about the same. France
spends between thirteen and fourteen
millions sterling, and Germany between twelve
and thirteen millions, no very strlkingdifference,
though it should be noted that the French have
lately had a great deal of extraordinary expendi
ture berides. But even if Germany is not so
rich ns France, ber resources are much less
pledged. The total debt of the confederated and
South-German states is under 200 000,000, about
one-third of that of France, so that there is a
margin of 400,000,000 to draw upon before
the' become as indebted as France now is. It
cannot be thought, then, that Germany any
more than Erance, is financially unfit for the
Bfrnggle now about to begin.
Germany has a smaller revenue than France,
because Its people in proportion to their means
are less burdened; and it needs a smaller reve
nue, because it has less debt, and is also more
economical. Its margin will be so much tho
greater for an indefinitely protracted struggle.
At the same time, tho resources of France are
such, that long before financial exhaustion comes
to it, both combatants will probably enough oc
weary of the strife.
NOTES OF THE WAR.
The Export of Amninnltloa.
The London Times declares that it is a matter
perfectly within England's own competence to
abftnin from supplying warlike munitions to
cither side in the contest; and, whatever the
practice hitherto observed, it cannot but be de
sirable to adopt this course. It is a course of
action, indeed, which can by no pretence be de:
manded as of right. Prussia would be the last
power which could claim any abandonment of
neutral rights in this respect, since throughout
a Oruiicaa. wac urn aooraea tne itussian -in-
vernment every possible facility for the purchase
and transit of warlike stores. There is nothing
in international law to prohibit the manufac
tories of Belgium being equally employed at
this moment both by Prussia and France.
Runalan Sympathies.
A correspondent at Warsaw, writing on the
24th ult., says: "War is now the universal talk
here, and the Poles, sanguine as ever, in spite of
their repeated disappointments, are again be
ginning: to hope for a chance of recovering them
selves. As for the Russians, they are divided
into two parties. The military want war, and
sympathize with France; the Government 6cems
lor tne present to nave aeciaea ior neutrality,
but it has a strong leaning towards Prussia. I
have heard a report, on pretty irood authority.
tnat a number of Russian soldiers have been
Bent to Thorn to serve in tho Prussian army, of
course with the Prussian uniform and In Prus
sian pay. Other sign of war there is none; and
it is certain that the old Russian party, which
is very influential at court, wisnes Kussia to be
neutral."
The Scandinavian Powers.
A correspondent ot the Manchester Guardian
writes: "The Russian Government have been
very urgent in dissuading King Christian from
abandoning the attitude of neutrality he has
hitherto been enabled to preserve. They have
warned him distinctly that in the event of a
sudden termination of the war there is immi
nent danger of Prussia insisting upon being
compensated for her losses by the annexation
of the residue of the Danish territories; and
that in that case the Czar would insist upon a
corresponding cession on the opposite side of
tne sound, ine court oi (Stockholm knows
this, and is in a great fright. The Kins of Den
Biark has allowed his brother, as hostage, to
take service in tne Prussian army; but the podu'
1-r feeling:, both in Denmark and Sweden, is
becoming uncontrollable, and the Governments
will be ere long swept into the vortex. '
Knaland's Neutrality.
The London correspondent of the Constita-
tionnei, who turns nis letters "John Wilkson,
has 6cnt the following communication to that
journal:
'To give your readers an idea of the impose!
bility of England breaking her neutrality, we
may" cite an example which shows the chaos
into which the organization of the army baa
fallen. A few days ago a detachment of artil
lery was sent from Woolwich to Aldershot to
brine back some guns to tne depot, but tne car
riaties were so damaged that it was found neces-
fary to spike the guns. It was with the greatest
diiliculty tnat tne carriages, wnoae planks were
disioiuted. and whose wheels onlv held on bv a
miracle, were carried away. We are assured
that the whole war material is in the same eoa
dition. There is a want of ammunition; the
weapons (Snider and Martini) are greatly iufe
rior to those of France or Prussia. It is not an
army, It's a ruin." Evidently "Wilkson" Is not
a patriot.
Position of Italy.
The Daib JYetos congratulates Italy on the re
moval of the French garrison from Rome. It
remains to be seen whether tho Pope can bold
his own osrainst his subjects bvthe aid of his
miscellaneous army after the departure or tne
French. Nor is it impossible that the ultimate
result may be the establishment of an Italian
garrison at Komo under General La .Marmora
who is already designated for a command on the
Papal frontier, and whose presence in Rome at
the head of his troops would not perhaps be so
disagreeable to the Pope as the reappearance of
Guribaldian volunteers within a day's march of
the atiean. Another consequence of the war
is less legitimate.
The French Parly la Italy.
The Pall Mall Gazette savs: "As an evidence
of the spirit of the French party in Italy, and
the f traits to which their line of policy obliges
them to resort, it is said tnat (ieneral L Mar
mora, who is the leader of this section ot poll
ticians. Is now engaged on a publication which
is to exhibit the opinions of the Prussian press
on the Italian army in tne campaign of lttoo,
i uese criticisms ana tne judgment ot tne Ber
lin War Office are certainly not flattering testi
monies to the state of discipline, or, Indeed, the
alor of the army, and will not fall at this mo
ment to produce an unfavorable feeling toward
Germany. The urgent demands for prompt
action which the Prussian Cabinet so pressingly
lorced upon mo military authorities in Italy,
and which were not always models of forbear
ance or delicacy in their tone, will now be held
up as evidence of the insulting spirit of an arro
gant and exacting ally, and. if read without
connection of the circumstances which called
them forth, will very easily be received as
signs of a Belfish policy and a very ungracious
people. That La Marmora will by this brochure
ray off an old grudge is far more probable than
tnat no will render a valuable service to nis
country."
vne Treaty oi Vienna.
The Daily Ketes thinks it hardly fair in Mr.
Disraeli to raise the ghost of the treaty of
Vienna merely In order that It might be ridi
culed, it secured comparative peace in iturope
for nearly forty years. But to refer to it as an
engagement actually in force can only serve to
shake public confidence in the observance of
other and more recent treaties, about whose
continued vitality no question or doubt can
arise. Such treaties are those which secure the
neutrality of -Belgium and Luxemburg. But it
will be lime to speaK about tbem, as Mr. Disraeli
himself admitted, when their neutrality is
Invaded or menaced. In that case the duty of
mis country worn a oe piain ana manliest, and
simply as a matter of self-interest, putting the
claims of international morality for the moment
out ot signt, it cannot be supposed that we
snouia snrinn iron performing it.
NArOLEON AT THE FRONT.
Ilia Reception at metz The 'Sea-tSreea
Smile
Metz Correpontlenc London Standard,
The Kmneror and Prince NaDOleon arrlvei to
night at 7 1'. M., therefore the ball will soon open
the ball where every air is set for a dance of death.
Fart and Inevitable inference. As I hurried down
to the letter-box at the railway station, where the
malls are taxen up at 7iu o ciock, tne streets were
lined with crowds, half military, half civilian, at
tending tne coming or tne sovereign, uurioua
rather than enthusiastic those crowds, but exces
sively good-humored I had great dtnlculty in
pushing my way down to the station. The passage
was kept clear by gendarmes on foot and- Cent
Gardes on horse, who charged wildly back
ward ana iorwara now ana again, wntie a
picket of trusty Zouaves in their undress of
lez and canvas breeches paced under the massive
arches of the Porte gerpenoise. .By dint of much
entreaty l was allowed to pass tie Darner guarded
by the Zouaves, aid got down to the terminus,
which was surrounded by all the idlers of Metz.
noisy juveniles being by far in the greatest propor
tion. A shout of "Vive l'Kmpereur ' was raised at
Intervals by tne young blood, nut the fact is.
Frenchmen do not know how to cheer; a few
Paddles should be sent across to teach them. The
Cent Gardes (so called because their full strength
is 14U) curveueu on me naue nuiore T,ne station l
had lust cast my letter Into tho box when a move
ment of the crowd Indicated that his Imperial Ma
jesty had come, and was about to enter his bonne
mile oi Metz ior tne second time since
his accession to the throne. Ills first visit
was on the 87tU oi September, 1S67, on
which occasion he stopped two days in
the town. Hats were lifted and a hearty cheer was
raised, the. boys, 88 youth's tradition Is, leading
cheerily oir. The four Cent Gardes in front drew
their long, straight swords, wheeled about, and
headed the procession at a walk. After them came
a nalr of outriders lb the dark green Imperial liverv.
with creamy buckskin breeches, sitting chestnut
horses, with blinkers to their eyes and a chime of
valdat bens ronna tneir neexs. Then, again, a quar
tet of Cent Gardes, and, alone, with an open space
to himself, a rider in costume of harlenuki brilliance.
with a beadle's cocked hat over his lordly brow, and
huntsman's whip in his yellow-gloved hand. The
Kmperor s carriage louowed, a plain barouche drawn
by four horses, ridden by postilions, ills Imperial
Majesty occupied the right side of the back seat,
lie was dressed in the uniform of a general of
division, and wore on his left breast a star
of the Legion of " Honor. " ""He looks
ill." remarked a friend who was beside me:
but this friend had never seen him before. A sal
low complexion is peculiar to the family. The pre
sent emperor nas it; so nave rriuce .-Nanoieon and
Prince l'lerre, and so naa the Great captain, from
whom the house has its rise, and whose marble-like
in my judgment. Napoleon iil Is In excellent
na nr tnrmnor rwnmea to nn aanv rint. in n tir.nrir'iii
health, but a little jaded, as well he may be. He
smiled, not the sickly sea-green smile that very In
competent ana partial wunens, Air. KiDgiake, lent
him at Solferino. where, forsooth, he played the role
of coward, but a gratified and contented smile. He
was accompanied oy General cie waubert de Genus,
and two other aides-de-camp. A squad of Cent
Gardes followed the carriage, and then came a se-
tuuu vlu imu tiiu uint wuioiuiug uio a iiuo jiii
perlal, attended by two olllcers of rank. The
child waspaie;ne nas tne aeucacyor color or his
august mother, out ue was run or ooyisn animation,
and mieu nis cap ana repiacea it almost continu
ously as the crowd cheered him. At first the popu
lace did not appear to know who the little lad in the
Bub-lieutenant's uniform was, but the women, as if
by some acute womamy instincr, sprang to a conclu
sion at once, and were first and loudest in their
cries, "Long live the Prince Imperial." More Cent
Gardes clattered by. and then in ealeche and nalr
came Marshal Bazaine: bnt there was no favor for
even a Marshal of France to-night, and the multi
tude closed in, pressing iunousiy behind the impe
rial CKCUlt. -.
KING WILLIAM.
r i
Ills Departure from Berlin for the Pteld
A special correspondent of the London Sens gives
the following description oi tne rrussiaa mug s de
nannre ior netaquariers:
U jou had been near King William's palace this
moriiiug and had remembered the farewell parades
of the Hoyal Guard In 18ns, you would have had that
year brought very vividly Vefore you. There was
tho old King in high spirits smiling pleasantly at his
men. There was the line of glittering bayonets, the
1 1 w l,..lninn hulni. .Kami a n A . K a n 1 1 11 . n : r.ln
borne proudly aloft. The First Guard regiment
was represented by as fine a set of young
fellows as you could wish to see. Wltn
bearskins on their heads, they would have
looked immensely tall, and even
with the spiked helmet they had an imposing ap
pearance. The new flags of the regiment were
brought out from the palace, covered uy thelrwater
proof cases, aud -were placed on the right of the
line. A cheer burst from the crowd, and another
louder cheer as King William passed along. His
Majesty was on foot, aud after Inspecting the troops
lie teturned to the steps of the palace to see theu
march away. Loudly swelled the music above the
shouts of the people. Never did men step more
closely together than the soldiers of the 1st Kegi
ment. Their feet seemed to strike the pavement
with sharp and regular blows. . Frederick the Great
himself mix lit have approved the discipline of the
corps. Now they had left the palace and were
moving down the V uter den Linden with a crowd
ruubtug by their side. Men and boys scrambled
after as fast as they could. There was no more
shouting, for the people kept their breath for jost
ling around the street corners and hurrying on to
the rallwr.y. y
This was the final departure. Smart and tidy as
the corps looked, it was in heavy marching order-
too nt avy an order, 1 tin uk; nut let mat pass, u ue
soldiers carried evervthiuir with them coats and
haversacks, flasks and cooking tins, with a short
sword in addition to the bayonet, aud a spare pair
of boots to be ready for the chances of the cam
paign. We have before spoken or Landwehr men,
of the great mustering of reserves to defend tue
country. But here, as we see the Guard regiments
set forth, we see the pomp of war as It might he
With no Landwehr svstem. Fine strapping lads,
well drilled ana well offlcered, march away to the
lively strains of the military band. Who looks back
or doubts the result T Who but is ready to Bluet
Frenchmen, or Russians, or auybody else, when the
word is given and the silver eagle is rtisud on high T
They are not such dark, suuhurut warriors as have
come from Paris and from Chalons in the Imperial
Guard, but If these Prussians meet their rivals in an
open field it will be a Roland for au Oliver. So they
tramp ou to the railway.
SiAKimUCK.
The Emperor's Aer.oiint f tho Capture ol the
Town by in trench on Auut
from GaliyiHHi Mennenger, Au. i.
A telegraphic despatch from the Emperor's private
secretary was received by the Minister of the inte
rior last evening at ten luloutea past live, ordering,
by his Majesty's direction, the following note to be
communicated to the Paris journals :
JVUtz, Aug. 8. This day, at eleven In the fore
noon, the French troops had a serious engagement
with the forces of Prussia. Our army assumed the
Cfiensive, and, crossing the frontier, invaded the
Prussian territory. Notwithstanding the strength
t f the enemy's position, some of our battalions saf-
ncea to carry tne heights which command Haar
brurk. and onr artillery in a short time succeeded
in driving the enemy from the town. The Impetuous
or set ot tne if rencn was so great that they suiiered
but trifling loss.
The engagement commenced at 11 and terminated
at l.
Tne Emperor was present at the operations: and
the Prince Imperial, who accompanied hH Majesty
ever) where, received, on the firt battleti of the
campaign, the baptism of fire. His presence Dad
ana coolness in danger were worthy of the name
which he bears. His Majesty and the Prince were
back at Metz soon after 4.
THE PAST
Battles Between Prance and Prn--la In the
rant on w naildetbe victory I.ny.
The following list of battles which have taken
nlsce between the French and Prussian forces In the
last two centuries Is furnished by a correspondent
of the London Daily Aeuw
PRUSSIAN VICTORIES.
1. 1706. .Turin Prussians and AustrUns.
8. l70..Malplaquet Prussians, English and
Austrians.
3. 1767..Itosshach Prussians.
4. 17f..CTefeld Prussians.
5. 17r9..Mlnden Prussians.
6. Ibl3. .GroBsbeeren Prussians.
7. 18l3..1)ennewltz Prussians.
8. 18l3..Katzbach Prussians.
9. 1813. .Uaeelsberir Prussians.
10. lbl3..Kulm Prussians, Russians,and
Austrian.
11. l813..Wartenburg Prussians.
12. l8l3..Lelpsic Prussians and Allies.
13. 1814..Bnenue (la Ita-
thlere) Prussians.
14. 1814.. Laon Prussians and Allies.
15. 1814. .C'raouni Prussians and Allies.
16. i8l4..Arcls sur Aube.... Prussians and Allies.
17. l14..McJtmartre .Prussians aud Allies.
18. 181B.. Waterloo English and Prussians.
19. 181S..Wavre Prussians.
.0. 18iu..Quatre Bras English and Prussians.
FRENCH TICTORIES.
1. 1799..valmy Prussians and Allies.
2. 18(i6.. Jena &. Auerstadt. Prussians.
8.807..Frtedland Prussians aud Russians.
4. 1113. Lutzea Prussians and uussiaus.
6. 1141 4 Montmlrall Prussians.
6. 1814..Monterou Prussians and Allies.
UNPECIDED BATTLES.
1. 1807..Eylau. Prussians and Russians.
2. 1813.. Bautzen Prussians aud Itussians.
3. 18i5..Llgny Prussians and Russians.
4. 1813 .Dresden No Prussians.
THE BASK OF FRANCE.
Its Snapenidoa of Specie Payments and
riuanciai uonattton.
The New York Tribune, in an article on the
suspension of specie payments by the Bank of
I ranee, says:
The grave measure of suspending specie pay
ments, adopted by the Bank o f ranee, suggests
inquiry into the affairs of that concern. The
bank possessed on the 28th ult. the large sum
of 2U8,73,5;G 04 in coin and bullion (reckoning
5 francs to the dollar), while the notes issued
amounted to f 305,457, 70, or about tne circula
tion of the National Banks of this country.
The deposits in Paris and the provinces
amounted to 116,672,346 14, which illustrates
the widespread Interests affected by the course
adopted, in both private and commercial cir
cles. The statement above quoted proves that tho
bank is in a perfectly solvent condition. It is,
therefore, only as a war measure of the most
urgent character that the present step can be
accounted for, tne directors naving until quite .
recently not even deigned to take into conside
ration the suggestions of some journals in favor
of suspension.
t here nave, nowever, oecn many indications
tbat the bank was drifting towards suspension.
Finding tbat many were demanding coin for
notes, the bank last month took advantage of
silver still being a legal-tender, to get rid of the
enormous mass of silver coin that for years has
incumbered its vaults. To applicants for cash
notes it gave half in gold and half in silver;
then it changed, and gave 5 per cent, in gold,
and 05 per cent, in silver; and afterwards
it offered only part in silver and the
rest in 50 franc notes. There was no
thing of course to prevent the 50 franc
notes being at once presented for payment, but
in that case tne Holders were reimoursea en
tirely in silver. The bank thus did a good
stroke oi business, out tne pnonc were annoyea
at being obliged to receive the heavy, cumber
some, inconvenient, ana almost iorgotten uve
franc pieces. Money-changers, of whom there
are a multitude in Paris, were en their part,
however, delighted with the resolution of the
tank. They levied "fancy prices on the public
who wanted gold for notes or silver, and re
ceived 5 to 6 per cent, premium in their more
important dealings. '
The subject ol suspending specie payments
considerably engaged the attention of the French
press. In the fiebata M. Leon Bay, welljknown
ior nis writings on political economy, saiu, on
the question of establishing a forced currency:
"It unfortunately happens that there are many
people who cease to reason when you talk to them
of Prussia, and who would let the moat fatal Injury
be done to their country if one could contrive to
give such acts the false colors of patriotism. Forced
currency means bankruptcy, it is the avowal of im
potence and weakness, and we are not struck by
either one or the other; such is what should be said
in a spirit of patriotism, for It is to our honor, and it
Is true. Unlike Prussia, we have a commerce which
the preliminaries of war have not stopped. And yet
with a stroke of the pen there are people who would
have us lose the advantage oi mat aumirauie situa
tion. To do so would be simply madness. The
Bank of France has 1X) millions in coin to meet the
1400 millions in notes: and they would have it pub
licly fall to meet its engagements ! We can only re
peat that this would be lolly ; they may hope ferit
in Prussia, but it will not occur in France."
He proceeds to argue that Prussia could not
withdraw gold from France without giving an
equivalent, which hostilities render it impossi
ble for her to do, but he ignores the fact that
the bank would have to contend with tho de
mand for coin which niLitary reverses would
arouse among French note holders and
depositors. Lvidence of this is seen in
the run on last Friday and - Satnrday, when
somo persons had to wait five hours for their turn,
and 7.000.000 francs in coin wero paid out. He
concludes by remarking "that of the securities
held In Prussia there is but one kind negotiable
abroad, that Is. American bonds, but if these be
exported, it will not be to Frauce, but to Ame
rica, wnicn nas been ior some time aosorotnz
her own public funds, and continually offers
vendors better prices than they can procure in
Enrone."
The Parlement and other journals took the
opposite view, and recommended every possible
means to prevent neucu gum iruui rcacuiu
PruBtia.
The history and organization of the Bank of
France may be orieny stated, in l7io a banic
was founded in t ans under mat name, wnicn
wastwo years subsequently changed to the Royal
Bank, lender this organization it remained
until 1803, when having been unsuccessful It
was placed upon its present basis as the Bank
ot France, witn a capital or w,uuu,uw oi irancs,
which was in 180d increased to 90,000,000 of
francs. It is, as shown already, a bank ot
deposit. discount, and circulation;
issuing its own notes payable on
demand, aud having exclusive monopoly of
that Drivile tre for the entire country. It Is
public institution, the Government appointing
a governor and two deputy governors, all of
whom must ue stocKuoiuers in tue oaua. ine
affairs of the institution are managed by
council-geneial of 20 members, who are elected
bv ttOO of the principal stockholders. It has
branches at Rouen, Nantes, St. Klieune, Rheims,
and other towns.
This Afteraeoa'e (iaolatloaa.
London, Aug. Id 9 P. M American Bee unties
steady. Erie. 18. Atlantic and Great Western. 22.
Liverpool. Aug. 16. Shipments of ootton from
Bombay to August is, ic,uo bales, iced Western
wheat, 8s. lOd.es. lid.; receipt of wheat for three
uays, io,vw quarters, an jsweru-su. iwiuw, t4.
TICKET SPECULATORS.
Taey are Finally Broncht to Grief.
It is reasonable to believe that every free white
cltinen In the country has seen the play of Rip Van
Winkle once, and it Is almost morally certain that
every one of them lives In the profound determina
tion to see It again at the first opportunity. Upon
no other hypothesis can the assault upon Booth's
Theatre last night be explained. There wss
a . Urge mass meeting about the doors
for half an hour before they were
opened, In the centre of which a gronn of
ticket speculators Impersonated orators. And the
dense throng pouring down Twenty-third street
suggested In all but Its dress and eagerness a possi
ble exhibition of free fireworks somewhere in the
Sixth avenue. As It was impossible for this as
semblage to get their tickets simultaneously, the
more patient fell into a long queue and the impa
tient were beset by the speculators. It was under
stood that a scheme bad been formed by the mana
gers to crush the sidewalk peddlers, and the opening
night of the season here and at Mblo's was ex
pected to be a test or the strength of the
two parties. At both thesw establishments
the tickets purchased of the spenlator
were refused at the doors. They managed,
however, In the hurry and excitement, to
sell a great many, and the consequence was that in
a little while the sidewalks were made exceedingly
lively by men demandirg their money back, and oy
speculators threatening all sorts of legal vengeance
upon the managers. At Nlblo's a placard was exhi
bited on the walk, notifying the public that tickets
purchased there would be refused. Nothing of this
kind was visible at Booth's, and very many gentle
men desirous of obtaining seats before the hoose
became full were Induced to pay large premiums for
them only to have the tickets refused at the en
trance. A. J'. H'orid to day.
FirVANCl. AUD COIISUfJC.
- - -
Kvxnixo TrLiORAPH Omni,)
'Inewlty, Aog. lrt, lew. J
Tho city national banks gave us last night a
very unfavorable statement of accoants for the
past week, the effect of which may be to harden
the rates of loans, at least at the bank connters,
and ultimately on the street also. There is a
falling off in the deposits of $1,321,575, In legal
tenders of (753,495, and in specie of f2S2,831.
This is a very heavy loss when taken in connec
tion with minor losses durmg the past eight
weeks, and it looks as if we were destined to
have a sharp monetary pinch when the regular
fall trade opens. A speculative movement in
stocks at the same time would increase the em
barrassment of business men materially. Rates
are not changed as yet, but very firm.
Gold opened weak, in response to the recent
Prussian successes, bnt subsequently advanced;
opening price at W; closing price at noon
about 117.
Government bonds are moderately active,
foreign buyers being again In the market.
Prices have advanced about per cent.
Stocks were moderately active, but price
show no substantial change. In State loan
there were Bales of the war coupon Cs at 103,
and 6s, 3d series, at 111. Old OityCs sold at
101, and new do. at 101.
Reading Railroad sold at 480; Camden and
Amboy at llo; Pennsylvania at 58; Lehigh
Valley at 57; Oil Creek and Allegheny at 45a
45,Y. Philadelphia and Erie was in quite lively
aemana ana soia at z, o. o.
The balance ot the list was steady, but the
transactions were unimportant. A few shares of
Mechanics' Bank sold at 32, and Central Trans
portation at 61 f-
PHILADELPHIA STOCK EXCHANGE SALES.
Reported by De Haven k Bro., No. 40 S. Third street.
FIRST BOARD.
15000 Pa 6a, 3d se.. ill
4 sh PennaR tflv
14000 Pa 68 W LCp.
lots.... 103
13000 B-20s, '65, May
4 Nov..8d..ltl;
14000 N Pcnna 6s. is. 96
tuoocity 6s, N.ls.lOlv
I'.'COO dO 18.101 V
iinoo do... man. lot v
tftoON Penha 7s... 9.5
4000 Phlla A E7s.. 88
8 sh Mech Bank.. 82
11 shC Am R. is. 116V
206 do is. 69v
3 sh Reading R... 4sr
100 do IS. 49','
10.,. do.... 48,v
800 dalS.S80.48 1-16
sou dos30wn.4d l-i
10 Sh OCA A B.C. 46 V
100 do Bfi. 43
87 do 45V
100 Sh Sch NV....C 8i
4 sh Leh Nav 34
42 sh LehV R. ls. 67V
400 Bh Ph & KlB.bOO 27)4
80 do ba.VMi
40 sh Cent Trans.. 61k' I
Jay Cooke & Co. ouote Government securities sa
follows: TJ. 8. CS Of 1881, 114XAU5; 6-208 Of 1864,
liaxaiw1,': do. 1834. llliiiv: da Nov. I8t,
lll(mi;dc-. do., July, llO(nov; do. da, 1SC7,
liu3iiu', ; uo. ixs, iiuiiicx ; IU-40B, 107 '-,(4
108' ; PacincB,l12'1l2V. Gold, 1167.
MESSRS. JJB HAVEN X 15ROTHKK, NO. 40 N. Third
Street, Philadelphia, report the following quotations:
UV. 68 Of 1861, 114,VU14X; do. 18C2, 112,Vi$112,' S
da io64, lll(lll ; do. 18(5, mx3lll,'i 5 lo. 1865,
new.lHKdlKiv; do. 1867, do. 110(110: da 1868,
aa noii tiio f ; iu-4ys, iniciob. u. . bo year
6 per cent. Currency, 112(1 12 V; Due Com p. Int.
Notes, 19; Gold, 1167;4117!; Sliver, 1113U4;
Union Pacific Railroad 1st Mori. Bonds. 820(4830:
Central PactUo Railroad, 865 870; Union Pacific
Land Grant Bonds, 766(4770.
Philadelphia Trade Report.
TtESDAV, Aug. 16. The Flour market continues
dull, there being no demand except from the home
consumers, who purchase only enough to supply
their immediate wants. The sales foot up 400A00
barrels, Including superfine at tft-6035-76; extras at
t66-87.H; Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota extra
family at $0-60a7-25; Pennsylvania da do. at $7(4
f s8'75, as In quality, ltye Flour Is steady at 16.
rrices ot corn jyichi are nominal.
The demand for Wheat is quite limited, and, with
liberal receipts and large offerings, prices favor
buyers. Bales of 8ooo bushels, including new Western
red at $1-43(3 145; do. white at $l-4.'xoil-50; and old
Pennsylvania and Ohio red at $l-47l-60. Itye is
steady at $1 for new Delaware. Corn attracts but
little attention. Bales of yellow at $1(4106, and
Western mixed at 95($96c. oats are uucnanged.
Sales of 3000 bushels new Western at 8l&3c
Nothing doing in Barley or Malt.
Bark In the absence of sales we quote Na 1
Quercitron at $30 per ton.
Whisky la lower. 60 barrels Western iron-bound
sold at 98C.
LITEST Sllll'f Itttt IMLLUUL-MrJ.
For additional Marin Stiet see Inside Pa-ie.
PORT OF PHILADELPHIA .....AUGUST 16
BTAT1 OF rnlKMOMETKH AT THK IVgNINd TELEGRAPH
OKPICK.
T A. M 70 1 11 A. M 81 1 9 P. M S5
CLEARED THI8 MORNING.
Br. bark Tropic Bird, Duikee, Cronstadt, B. Crawley
& Co.
Schr Reading BR. No. 93, Hendricks, New Haven,
Sinnlckson fc Co.
Schr Minnesota, Phinncy, Fair Haven, do.
Schr Uszleton, Cuiumlngs, Taunton, do.
Kcbr Sophie Wilson, Walls, East Cambridge, do.
bclir Young America, Patton, Albany, do.
ARRIVED THIS MORNINS.
Steamship J. W. Kverman, Hinckley, 70 hoars from
Charleston, 8. C, with cotton, etc., to Souder 4
Adams.
(Steamer Nevsda, Gumley, from Hartford, with
mdse. to W. M. Bali d A Co.
Brig Louis C. Madeira, Mosslander, 9 days from
Cardenas, with sugar to C. C. M. O Callaghan
vessel to D. 8. Stetson 4. Co.
Br. brig John Nauderson, Coulter, 9 days from
Matanstas, with old Iron to Davis fc Warner vessel
to Kouder & Adams.
Schr E. W. Pratt, Kendncks, from Bosten.
Schr E. S. McSbane, A res, from Boston.
MEMoTtANDA,
Ship Stur of Hope, peitersou, from Memel for
Phiiudelphis, at Elsinot e 2ith ult.
Ship Covadunga, Vives, hence, cleared at Gibral
tar 971b ult. for Alexuudrla.
Nor. bun Vaa, from London for Philadelphia,
was spoken 13th lust., lat 40 23, long. 9, by a New
York pilot boat.
. Bars Eveliua, from Boston for Philadelphia, was
spoken lith Inst, oif Nantucket liwlnp, by a New
York pilot bout
- Bark Wallace, Jordan, hence, arrived at Antwerp
8d lusu '
Bark Venus, Purdy, hence, arrived at Antwerp 4th
instant.
Hark Maria, Mortensen, keuce, anived at Barce
lona 27tb ulu
Park Eugenia, Larrabee, hence, arr'd at Corunna
86th ult.
Bark I.aboromus, Porter, from Gottenburg for
Philadelphia, was off Dover 2d lust.
Bark Ankathcr, UendrickscD. henca for Sie'tlru
I st Eisinore 28ih ult.