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A
VOL. XIV NO. Gl.
PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1870.
DOUBLE SHEET THREE CENTS.
E
KVMNIN
O
DTD Q TITrPTrfc'Wf
THE WAR IN EUROPE.
Her Fortifications.
Their Character and Extent.
The Vulnerable Point.
The Prussian Plan of Attack.
Ktc, Etc., Etc., IStC, HtC,
IMPERILLED PARIS.
The Cfnentlon between Peace and a HI ear e o
. FarU-The Pruaalan Plan of Attack The
fortification, cf the Capital, their Character
nnd Extent.
The air is filled with rumors of movements which
liave a tendency to bring the great straggle in
France to an early and peaceful solution. But there
is nothing definite and entirely reliable, and mean
while the Prussians are steadily marching on Par In,
the bulk of their forces being, at the latest advices,
within thirty miles or the city, while th9 cavalry
advance had approached to within ten miles of the
fortifications. Therefore, unless the negotiations
for peace speedily assume a decisive character, the
army of the Crown Prince will be in sight of the
capital in a day r two, and the siege of Paris will be
formally opened.
If we may place implicit reliance in the spirit
hitherto manifested by the people and authorities of
the capital, there can be but one result to the under
taking failure. Paris is firmly persuaded that she
is impregnable from assault. Against starvation,
however, she Is not so well assured, as the latest
advices place the amount of provisions on baud as
sufflcient only for two months' consumption. If,
however, it will require 900,000 Prussians to fully In
vest the city, as was claimed yesterday by the Hiecle,
the alternative of starvation or surrender
will not probably be presented. With
all its enormous resources, Germany
could scarcely maintain an army of 900,000 men
aronnd Paris for two fall months, and keep the
whole of France in subjection at the same time.
But nobody outside of Paris believes that such an
enormouB force will be required to invest the city,
and the chances of a successful issue to an assault
or a siege are about on a par with the chances of a
failure in either undertaking. The fate of Paris Is
a problem which time alone can solve.
. A siege or an assault being inevitable to all a p.
pearances, unless peace Is speedily proclaimed, the
central objects of Interest at present are the forti
fications of the French capital. From the elaborate
report of Major Delafleld, a member of the military
commission which was sent from this country to
Europe during the Crimean war in 1855, we compile
a more Interesting and accurate description of these
fortifications than has yet been published.
' General Plan of the Fortification,
The general jrtan-of the Xortitl cations consists of a
continuous enceinte, protecting the city from t,orm,
and a surrounding girdle of exterior forts, lnt ?ded
to fulfil two Important objects: first, to preve. the
bombardment of the city ; and second, the establish
ment of a great intrenched camp under the guns of
the place, in which a numerous garrison may com-
bait with advantage, even though It may be inferior
in numerical strength to the besieging force.
The Enceinte and It Hupporta.
The enceinte of Paris takes the form of a large
pentagon, upon the unequal sides of which are traced
ninety-four bastioned forts, disposed upon right
lines, with five general changes of direction. Those
fronts are about 11T0 feet on the exterior side, are
rivetted with a scarp of 82 feet in height, of very in
different rubble work within these words are itali
cised in the report from which we quote faced by
a soft stone in courses of eight to tun Inches, sup
potting the solid earthen rampart and parapet. 1
i The ditch haB a width of 81 feet, the connteiscarp
a height of 19 feet, and not rivetted, and with a
slope of 45 degrees. On the outside of the ditch there
is no exterior work, simply a glacis, separated by a
slight beam front the counterscarp which was
rapidly being reduced by time to the common Blope
of the counterscarp when the report was written
The glacis covers the masonry of the scarps but
partially. Behind this enceinte, the peremeter of
which exceeds 80 miles, runs a wide military road,
from which ramps ascend to the bastions and cur
tains. Between this road and the last bouses of the
city large spaces have been retained for military
edifices and rendezvous of troops.
The interior of the bastions is entirely clear, with
the exception of a few, In which it has been found
necessary to construct earthen cavaliers, either for
the defilement of the adjacent terre plelns, or of ihe
military road, or to batter and command the hollows
on the exterior. This enceinte, notwithstanding its
simplicity, is Bald to have cost two-thirds of the
total value of the city, Independent of the national
edifices.
The circumstance of presenting many fronts on a
right line, rendered necessary by its extension, in
creases considerably Its strength, protecting most of
Its faces and curtains from ricochet, and depriving
the besieger of a principal advantage, that of en
veloping and concentrating all his efforts to a centre,
The absence, however, of deml-lunes greatly impairs
this advantageous disposition of fronts on a right
line, depriving the fronts of all cross 11 res, leaving
them only direct fires, which are no stronger beyond
the ditches than fronts composed of right lines, or
"m eremailliere," with the exception of good flankiw)
defenses of the ditches, which are all liable to
ricochet fire and to be overwhelmed by vertical fire
also.
The Exterior Form.
The second line of the Paris defenses consists of
sixteen forts (an additional fort has been built since
Major Delatield's report was written, so that there
are seventeen in all at the present time).
There are three forts around St. Denis (nearly
north of the centre of Paris), forming at this point
an independent defensive position, next to which is
the Fort d'Aubervllliers, between the roads leading
to the north-northeastern frontier. On the right of
the latter are four forts surrounding the heights of
Montreull (northeast from the centre of Paris), oc
copying the summit of the plateau and resting upon
the river Marne. The ancient castle of Vlncennes
lithe central point and the arsenal of this centril
position. Thus this eastern side of Paris is a great
battle-field and camp grounl, fortified by
permanent works, between which are seve
ral permanent redoubts, on sites commanding
ravines and hollows not seen from the forts. The
value of this position would be greatly increased
by field-works constructed under their co-operating
influence during an Impending siege, and this battle
field, ocenpied In proper force, might be victoriously
deputed aga'nst a great'y superior numerical force.
The redoubts of Pauunderle and Qrevllle, united
by an earthen rampart with strong prohle, occupy a
narrow neck of land formed by a great bend of the
jver Marne, to the southeast of the centre of Pans,
preserving the communication of Fort do Noguct
on the heights of Montreull and Fort de Charenton,
between the Marne and the Seine, together with
this avenue of approach, covering the rear of the
position of Montreull and keeping np the communi
cation with the next group of live forts, which cover
the southern approaches of Paris, occupying the
great highways that radiate from the city through
this extended line.
The west side of the city, twice covered by the
Seine, was jndged sufficiently protected by the Fort
of Mont Valerian, occupying the centre of all this
line from Fort dLsly aronnd to 8t, Denis. An enemy
would not venture an advance into the bends of the
river. This is also the side opposite to the line of a
probable Invasion, a circumstance of much import
ance in connection with a place of such immense
developments. (This remark Indicates ' that the
American officers when they examined these forts
lnlRSR clearly thought that any besieging force
likely to be brought against Paris would undoubt
edly come from Germany.) Two more forts have
been contemplated to occupy points In this line
between Mont Valerian and St. Denis, and opposite
St. Cloud and Sevres.
On an average these forts are 8150 yards from the
continuous enceinte, and about the same distance
apart. They are all connected by a military road
sirordirg speedy commuEication between each. An
army surrounding Paris within cannon range of the
detached forts would not occupy less than twenty
five miles. It is not, observes Major DelaBelil,
hazarding much to say that in event of a truly national
war, embodying all the resources and interest of the
nation, them fortification of Pari would render it.
impregnable against any alliance that could be formed
Against her, and in that light fulfils all the conditions
the engineer can offer in defense of the capital, and in
this cane of the heart of the Empire.
! Since the report from which we have quoted was
written, the defenses of Paris have been materially
strengthened, and are probably in a better condition
to defend the city than when the American officers
viewed them.
Vott of the Fortification
The fronts of the enceintes of Paris, without any
exterior works, and with an earthen counterscarp,
cost each soo.ooof., about l60,ooo, or tis.ooo.ooo in all.
The cobt of the exterior forts, exclusive of the pur
chase of the site, was : Fort Mont Valerian, $105,
000; Fort Charenton, 1789,800; the mean cost of the
quadrangular forts, of which there were fourteen
when the report was written, was 1700,000, or n,800,-
000 for the whole fourteen, which foots up the entire
bill for the fortifications of Paris, as they existed In
18&5, to the imposing figure of $20,654,800.
The t'onMiruetlon or the Defenae.
It was Vauban who, during the reign of Louis XV.
conceived the idea of surrounding Paris with a
double enceinte, but the King refused the money,
and it was not until 181)3 that a system of permanent
fortifications was' commenced. Previous to that
date, the only barrier against an Invading army was
the old octroi or customs wall, demolished five or
six years ago, which followed the line
of the present Outer Boulevards at a distance of
about a mile and a half from the new enceinte. In
1814, when the allies approached the city, there was
a great deal of bluster about defending It to the last
extremity, as at present, but there was a mere show
of resistance only, and on the 81st of March It
capitulated, the two corps of regular troops which
it contained agreeing to march out on the same day
that the enemy entered, "commending the capital
to the generosity of the allied powers."
In 18.3:; Marshal Soult demanded from the Cham
ber of Deputies a loan of 80,000,000 francs, about
$7,000,000, for the purpose 'of placing the city in a
position to resist an invading army. After much
wrangling, the money was voted, and seventeen
pentagonal forts were constructed, eleven upon the
right bank of the Seine, and six on the left bank.
All these were the ordinary detached casemate forts,
or no avaiL wnatever against tne perfected ma
chinery of war of the present day, and as early as
1840 they were cast aside for the present elaborate
system of defense.
In 1S30 a commission was appointed to examine
the reports on the defense of the city which had
been presented In 1821 and 1825. The labors of the
commission resulted in the project of a law which
received the approval of the Government, and was
presented to the Chambers for their action. In this
project of a law was embraced a grant of 140,000,000
francs, about $28,000,000, for the construction of a
donble line of defense. M. Thiers, at that time, wits
at the head of Louis Philippe's Government, and he
pressed the matter with all his energy
There was no present prospect of an attaok
upon the city by any hostile force, but
the attitude of the Republicans and Bonapartlsts
was bo threatening that the security of the dynasty
rendered it necessary for Paris to be fortified against
itself. With the prime object, therefore, of enabling
the Government to hold the city against the mob ef
the Faubourgs, M. Thiers earnestly pressed the new
scheme of defense, and on Jnne 25. 1841, It received
the approval of the Chambers. Then the present
system of fortifications, already described, was com
menced, and by additional appropriations down to
the present time, for the purpose of keeping the
defenses in the highest state of perfection, it is esti
mated that their total cost has been swelled to about
$100,000,000.
The Vulnerable Point.
"Here, sire," said Vauban, as he handed the keys
of Verdun to the King of France, "here is a fortress
which all my art would not suffice to take." Yet
Vauban himself lived to see Verdun three times In
the hands of an enemy, and it was he who first con
ceived the idea of rendering Paris impregnable by
the double line of defense which was at last
adopted.
The most vulnerable point In the fortifications is
on the St. Denis side. A Prussian staff officer of
high rank has sketched the following plan of attack
upon this exposed quarter:
"The points of attack are naturally on the north
and northeast. They are the weak sides; the
eastern fronts are partly covered by the Marne; the
south and west are strong, and their attack might
compromise the besiegers
line of retreat. On the
norm
the Parts and Strasburg Railway would serve
for transport from the Rhine. Admitting that the
Prussian army must be stronger than the French
army, and that the French in the field, being kept at
a aisiance. cannot annoy tne besieging force, isu
Denis should be the first point of attack. We might
then advance on Montmartre without the risk of a
flanking fire from the forts. We should attack
simultaneously the three forts of St. Penis and that
of Aubervlillers, ana then make a fetnt ou the east.
The siege would resemble that of SebastopoL St.
Denis is on the right bank of the Seine, which
leaves a tongue of land that must be sensed by the
besieging force. The besiegers will then observe
the citadel of Mont Valerian; they will cut railways
on the left bank of the Ketue, and throw a bridge
across to communicate with the Uoops on the- right
nanK."
To carry out this plan of attack, according to the
some authorities, a force of 180,000 men only would
be required, and the Crown Prince has at least that
many troops under his command at present. Of
these, 60,000 wonld be set agalnsc the three forts of
St. Denis and on the tongue of land between SU
Denis and Mont Valerian, 20,000 placed north of St,
Denis, and 0,000 in front of AubervMlers; 80,000
covering these forces In the forest of Bondy, 20,000
more stationed at Uouyet, 30,000 at Neullly, and
BO.ooo between Neuilly and Vidcneuve would com'
plete the disposition of the force
The course pursued bv the Crown Prince since the
capitulation of Sedan would appear to indicate that
he is following the plan of attack sketched above ts
the letter. The corps which Is approaching, by the
valley of the Aisne may be expected to march
Btralght on St Denis, while that which is advancing
from Erernar will probably pass through the forest
of Bondy, on the northeast, and complete the Hue
from Neullly, on the Marne dlreotly east of the city,
to the enrve in the Seine at Bt. Denis. Tjiese specu
lations, however, may be proven worthless by a
change in the plan of attack, pr seedless by an early
cessation of hostilities.
SECOND EDITION I
WAR NEWS BY CABLE.
The New Republic
Recognized by Spain and Italy.
tl. ij n
nib wuvance on rans
Retarded by Heavy Rains.
Napoleon Treated as a Sovereign.
negotiations for Armistice
Removal of the French Ministry.
Etc., Etc., 'Etc.. Etc., Etc
FROM EUROPE.
Italy nnd Spain Recnlze tbe French Ite-
PUDIIO.
Paris, Sept. 10. The Figaro of this morning
says the republic of France has been officially
recognized by Italy and Spain.
The Prussian Retarded by Heavy lifting.
Tbe heavy rains of the last few days have
retarded the Prussians between Retuel and
Rbelms. It is only with much difficulty that
their artillery can be moved over thejheavy roads.
At several places nenr Paris the trees h tve been
cut down so as to impede the progress of the
enemy. The Garde Mobile have attacked the
Prussians nt different points, killing, wounding,
nnd capturing numbers of them.
The t.arde Rationale
are to do night dnty on the ramparts.
Gustavo FlourenB is here.
Napoleon to be Treated an a Sovereign.
London, Sepf. 10. King William has given
orders that Napoleon shall be treated as the
sovereign of France.
Lord Lyons' niiaalon Denied.
It is denied that Lord Lyons has gone to King
William's headquarters.
The Standard's correspondent, writing from
Paris, says that the Prussians cannot success
fully besiege the city with their six hundred
thousand men.
It Is said that the
Casualties of the War
thus far aggregate four hundred thousand, and
more than one-half of this immense number are
either dead or maimed for life.
Nraettatlonu for an Armltttlce
The PariB correspondent of the A'ews writes
that England having declined to negotiate for
un armistice, Austria has undertaken it.
Removal of the French Ministry.
Paris, Sept. 10. It is certain that the Minis
ters of Finance, War, and Foreign Affairs will
go to Tours at once.
M. Gambetta, Minister of the Interior, will
remain here, but will send a delegate to Tours.
It is believed that even if the communications
are cot, matters have been so arranged that the
authorities will arrange to correspond between
Tours and Paris. The diplomatic corps will go
to Tours to-day.
Preparing for the Defense.
Last evening a number of fine houses in the
environs of the city were destroyed by fire by
order of the authorities.
The Crown Jewels.
The Secretary-General of the Bank of France
says that the crown jewels are not there. The
Government authorities took care to have them
deposited in a safe place inside of the city.
Hecretlon of Valuable,.
The jewellers here have ceased displaying
their valuable goods in show windows, and the
greater part of such have been sent to a place of
safety.
Favorable Report from Htraabnrs.
A letter received from Strasburg says the
condition of the city Is much better than was
supposed. The garrison has plenty of munitions
and focd for two months.
Formidable Gunboat,
are arriving here from Toulon. They are iron
clad, draw but little water, and are heavily
armed. They are to be used in the river Seine.
(letting Ready for tbo Enemy.
By order of the military authorities a tram
way is being constructed aronnd the city, inside
of the fortifications, to facilitate the removal of
stores, etc.
Large numbers of cavalry have reached Ver
Eaillcs from Sedan. A short rest is only needed,
when they will be enabled to resume active
service. They will be detailed to watch the
environs.
Newspaper Office Threatened.
It is feared that the mob contemplate an attack
on the office of the Marseillaise. The Figaro
newspaper has also been threatened.
This Itlornlaa's Quotation,.
London. HenU 10 ll-ao A. M. Consols for money.
62; for account, 92V. American securities quiet.
IT. 8. 6-20S Of 1863. 89 id: of i860. Old. 88 V! Of 18J7.
88: 10-408, 84. Stocks quiet. Erie, Illinois
Central. US: Atlantlo and Great western. 83 V.
Jjvkbpool. Sept. 1011-80 A. M. Cotton quiet
middling upland, 9Vd. ; middling Orleans, 9't The
sales are estimated at 8000 bales, lied Western
wheat. 88. 3d. Linseed oil. 81s.
London, bept. 10. Tallow firm. Linseed oil dull
FROM NEW YORK.
The French t able.
New York, Sept. 10 The Western Union
Telegraph Company has received the following
despatch:
Brest, France, Sept. 10. The telegraph ser
vice is suspended with the Department of the
Seine. We can only accept now for Paris
Government messages, press messages, and mes
sages relating to military stores, etc. we can
take private messages for Paris, but they must
stand the chance of their being mailed from
here." . .
" Shipment ml Specie.
New York, Sept. 10 Specie was shipped
this morning by the following vessels: Per
steamer Java, 1315,000; Calabria, $210,000;
City of London, 740,000; France, 153,000.
Total, f 1,818,000. -
FOURTH EDITION
LATER FROM EUROPE.
The Peril' of Paris.
The Foe at the Gates.
Tn.vn.tinn nf anf...
The Constitutional Assembly.
THE SURRENDER OF SEDAN.
Full Official Particulars.
LATH DOIVIESTIC 1MEWS
Etc. Etc., Etc., Etc., Etc.
FROM EUROPE.
Prince Pierre Bonaparte.
Paris, Sept. 10 Some of the journals hav
ing reported that Prince Pierre Bonaparte
wept when he met tbe Emperor, the former
writes a letter to the journals denying the story,
and adding that both his friends and his ene
mies know that he has more manly habits.
Taxing- Pnrls Refugee.
Citizens of Paris who have gone away are to
be taxed in proportion to the rents paid by
them for lodging the Garde Mobile. When
these c'lizens retnrn they will le called on for
payment from this date.
All the Theatre
of the city are r ow closed.
Revolution v. Anarchy.
It is noticed that the protestations against the
violence recently made by ultra journals has
had the best effect upon' the minds of tbe peo
ple, who are tbns made aware that revolution
does not mean anarchy.
Kxclteuient In Ilavre.
Advices from Ilavre say that the crowd of
strangers is so great there that the hotels are
overwhelmed.
lioats ior eontnampton reiuse to carry pas
sengers. Trains arrive at Havre from Paris
hoars behind time, so heavily are they loaded.
The scenes at the depot in this city are very
affecting. Great crowds gather there as the
time approaches for the departure of trains
The cars in all cases are overcrowded, and many
people are necessarily left behind. Many fami
lies are leaving tbe city in vehicles. Exorbi
tant prices are charged, as it Is not supposed
theee vehicles and horses will ever be returned.
Assembling; the National Convention.
The journals approve the project for the con
vocation of the Assemblee Constltuante as de
priving the Prussians of any chance to make a
claim for indemnity, there being no regular
Government.
The Forests of Clamart mil Itleudon
are being destroyed by order of the Govern
ment.
The "Marseillaise" Newspaper.
It is just annonnced that the publication of
the Marseillaise newspaper has been suspended.
All the editors have abandoned tbe concern.
Official Particulars of tbe Surrender of Hedan.
Berlin, September 10 The following des
patch, dated at the Prussian headquarters at
Rhcims, last night, has been received to day:
More than ao,w French prisoners were cap
tured in front of Sedan before the capitulation
on the 2d instant. By the capitulation 83,000
prisoners fell into our hands. Of these 14,000
were wounded. Besides the prisoners, 400 field
pieces, including 70 mitrailleuses, 150 siege
guns, 10,000 horses, and an immense amount of
war material, were surrendered.
Bavaria and the Confederation.
London, Sept. 10. The Bavarian Govern
ment is negotiating for admission into the
North German Confederation.
Stragglers from the Armies
are still pillaging on the Belgian frontier.
This Afternoon's Quotations.
London, Sept. 10 a P. M. Consols for money, 93;
and for account, 92W. American securities steady.
i; lilted States 6-80s of 1862. 89 ; of 1805, old, 89; of
lbBi, 88; 10-408, 84. jtne ltau wav, is ; Illinois Cen
tral, 112)4 ; Atlantic and Oreac Western, 23 &.
Livuu-ool. Sept. 102 P. M. Cotton quiet;
middling uplands, 9V&; middliug Orleans, 9vrd.
Sales 10,000 bales. Including 2500 bales for export
sua speculation. forK, rzus. ; lani, na. ; user, liss.
oa. ; .Linseea tin, 4.31 tus.
FROM THE DOMINION.
Fort Garry Advlees.
Toronto, Canada, Sept. 10. Adv.ces have been
received from Fort Harry to the so in of A utrust.
The regular troops had commenced leaving on their
return noma uoionei wo.siey nag issued a compli
mentary order to the troops on their good conduct
and emcieucy.
Tbe arrival of the new Governor is anxiously
looked lor.
Iso Government is now existing, the commander
of the military navmg no civil powers.
There is no intelligence of the whereabouts of
Kiel and us followers.
The Coming Boat Race.
Montreal, Sept. 10. Both boat crews are in
splendid condition and each very oontideut. Thev
are training regularly. There is not much betting
bo far, but it is expected to be very heavy by trie
erst of the week. At present it is about even. The
"Toners'' are rather the favorites.
FROM THE WEST.
Kansas Politico.
Topeka, Kansas, Sept. 10. The State 'Con
vention to-day nominated J. N. Harvey, present
incumbent, for Governor. The platform
adopted takes strong gronnds against tbe
alienation of public lands to railroads or
monopolise; sympathizes with the Prussians, and
hopes that the European war will end in tbe
establishment of Republics in Europe. Nothing
is said on financial subjects.
St. Louis, Sept. 10.
The Execution of John Urabio
for the murder of Joel Drake, in DeKalbcojinty,
on tbe nltrht of January 1, 1870, took place at
8t Joseph yesterday.
Obituary.
A. II. Hallowell, formerly editor of tbe St.
Joseph 1I mid, died at Jefferson City yesterday,
FROM WASUimiOX.
1 The Sloax and Chlppewan.
Despatch to the Associated Press.
Washington, 8ept. 10. Father (fenin, mis
sionary among the Sioux and Chippewa Indians,
In Dacotah Territory, has forwarded to the
President a treaty cf peace made and signed to
gether at Fort Abercromble, on the 15th of
August, by those tribes, In the presence of Gene
ral L. C. Hunt, commanding the post. The men
of the Sionx nation add to the treaty a request
that the President will order through the Indian
Bureau that an appropriation of their money be
made and applied to the erection ot a Catholic
chapel on their reserve. They also desire that
if practicable some of them be chosen to come
to Washington to see the President and confer
with him on matters regarding the agency.
Treasury Statistic.
Despatch to the Associated Press.
Washington, gent. 10 Mutilated bank notes
burned for the week ending at this date, $330,000.
Total amount bnrned, ii2H,6C2,6l8. Currency issued
ior urns uesirujeu name unit, J'Jt,4TOJ. Total
amount destroyed, 127,645.575. Balanoe due for mu
tilated notes, 11,017,143. Circulation outstanding
tins date, iwu,4S!5,6'.t. xne v. , t reasurer tioirts ns
security for circulating notes this date, $:u t.o-u.srxi ;
as security for deposits of pttbilc moneys, f iti,34i,600.
Shipments during week to Assistant Treasurers, de
positaries, national banks, and others: notes, fl,H04.
869; fractional enrrency, 1719,69(17. Receipts of
fractional currency during the week, f420,oo'). Frac
tional currency destroyed during the week, l iort.OiH).
FROM THE WESI.
Defaulting Army Officer.
Milwackkk. Sept. 10. Scrsreont llantineton.head
ef the United States recruiting otllee here, nnder
uenerai MCKiooen, aecampea on memgntor the
6h, after forging an indorsement on several checks
and stealing considerable Government clothing. A
reward is offered for his arrest.
TERRIBLE DISASTER AT SEA.
Loss of tbe British Iron-clad Captain with all
on Board -Five Hundred Lives at One Fell
Hwoop Description of the Vessel.
London, Sept. 6. I am enabled to send yon the
Admiralty telegram just received from Admiral sir
Andrew Miuan, on ooara ner juajesrys snip tne
Lord Warden, off Cape Flnisterre, In Gallcta. The
despatch is dated the 7th of September, comes by
way of Lisbon, and is as follows:
To the Lords of the Admlraltv: I very much re
gret to have to send you the painful intelligence
that tier Majesty ssuip uapiaiu uiusi nave louuuerea
durirjg the night close to this ship. At 2 o'clock
this morning a sudden gale came up from the south
east, with a very heavy sea. At daybreak this
morning the Captain was missing. This afternoon
we found one of her boats adrift and several of her
spars floating. I fear that all on board have miser
ably perished in number, 500 souls. The Incon
stant will sail this afternoon with a full report.
Further intelligence win 00 communicated when
received. Alexander Miixan.
Dimensions and Armament of tbe Vessel The
rnmi u.eierts.
One of the largest and most powerfully armed
shirs of the British navy has just come down with
all her complement of 600 men. Apart from any
other explanation, we are entitled to suppose that
the Captain has sunk off Flnlsterre because of cer
tain delects in her constraction, which competent
judges pronounced fatal defects which have lately
formed me BUDjeci 01 au acrimonious newspaper
controversy between her builders, Laird Brothers,
of Birkenhead, and the Chief Constructor of the
British iavy, K. J. Keeu. captain coles, the de
signer of tnis anu 01 tne oiner tmiisn war snips con
structed on the turret principle, has gone down
along with the latest and most unfortunate evidence
ol his skill.
The hlBtory or tne captain is briefly this: In
April, lwe, "the Admiralty decided to give Captain
Coles an opportunity of reducing to practice htrf
own views of what a sea-going turret cruiser shouli
be, the conditions under which she was to be de
signed and built were these:
That nroviirion'ghould be mode for ths sffl oient nrntao.
tion of the vital psrt, of the ibip from heavy soot.
Knr the health and comfort of a oraw euttiuient in num.
ber, not only to work the Kan, but to work the sliio with
,hip-ofwar.
That she ahonld have infftoient ,ped, sad that ah.
brnld posses tne Bea-going qualit ies or a good oruser.
The result was a vessel regaidiug whom her
builders furnish the following figures:
Tonnage 4,972
Displacement, tons. t.oho
Area of midship section, feet 1,186
Nominal horse-power 000
Indicated norse-power B.9S9
Speed, knots. 14,239
one was iun; piuwu. ner uruiur ueing, oa mo im
portant parts, eight Inches thick.
one curneu iu uer iumcw luur io-iuu guun, unpn
hie of throwing 6oo-poand shot. For bow and Btern
fire she carried sluKle 7-lnch guns forward and aft.
the was heavily masted, in addition to her great
engine power and ner pair or screws, and it was
claimed that while on her trial cruise she could tack
under sail on a circle round a supposed antagonist"
as handily as one of the old style of wooden frigates.
The s:in,e observer described her mode of attack as
follows'
Eh, eovns her battery of (ton and clar1ier enemy',
deck sat tbe same time by the oontiouous tire from tne
brefcb-loaders oi bei rmail arm men, wboar, anally shel
tered behind the hammock bn astworka surrounding the
iimitr dock above the turrets and in the tons. In ever
part of this treble-tided arrangement of men in the tar.
ret, men on in, upper ueea aa aaii trimmer, ana men on
the upper deck and in tbe tops as small-arm men, there w
no confusion."
Yet with all the favorable reports of friendly
critics, the Captain was pronounced a failure by the
chief practical authority of the British Navy. The
ruoht conclusive facts against her were that she had
been made tsoo to 900 tons too heavy, and. that thus
she floated two feet deeper than was intended. The
Messrs. iAird did not attempt to dmy the miscalcu
lation of weight-gross as it must appear to any one
conversant with naval architecture but attempted
to shield themselves under the actual resulu she
had achieved in point of speed and manoeuvring;.
Tbey adduced the testimony of an Admiral to the
fonowu g eneci:
"lb. Captain is a mart formidable ship, snd oonld, I
believe, by her snpeiiur armameut. destroy all the broad
side ships of ibis sqaadron in detail. Stieis very
ay in a seaway, and oan uae ber guns in any sea in wbica
an action is likely to be fought bb, can b,
cleared for action in five mUme. The arrance-
irrnta 'or butt'e are vert gooa. nnere is much
ronifort axd acoommodttioa on board ; officers and snip's
company ate well btrtoed
Mr. lteed brinsrs the report of another Admiral in
rebuttal, and, in view of the Captain's actual fute, it
reads very much like a prophecy :
"The weak point in the Captain seems to be the absence
of dirtet fore-and-aft tire, particularly ahead. A vessel
armed as the Captain oaunot advance end-on in line
abreast with otter ships, and tire ebot in advance without
oauger of oolliaion."' The lowuem of freeboard exposes
het to plunging tiro through tbe decks, at the base of
tbe turrets, Tom ahead, astern, diagonally, aQd
abeam. The maokinery of the turrets is thus, in my
opinion, endangered. The masting is much over
dune beyond the strength, of ber complement,
6W), and interferes very much with he steaming bead to
wind. 1 be spare spars are preparations for a bon
fire ; studding-sails and their gear a great encumbrance,
and unnecessary. The wreck of such large masts falling
might be latal, by stopping the turrets or masking their
tire. Tie mizren maat is a standing menace to the two
screws, and should at once ba removed On a
wind, under sail only, the ship can do little or nothing to
windward. Tbe hurricane-deck and boat, aem
to me in much danger of dost ruction by fir, in action."
euch has been the ominous controversy that has
been waged over the ill-faced Captain, and it is to
be feared that her loss will more than Justify the
severest reflections that have been cast upon her
designer and builders. That every soul ou board
seems to have perished with her is a melancholy
commentary on the construction of such floating
engines of havoc and slaughter that prove as fatal
to their inmates as to tbe objects of
their attack. Luring the war we had
more than one instance of how certain
death was to the crew of a sunk monitor, and with
all her preposterous combination of the cruiser with
the monitor, the Captain could scarcely fad to be
equally .ofallibl in the drowning of the men under
her armor-plattd decks. We have supped so full of
horrors during the last few weeks that five hundred
men seems but a slender Ule of slaughter ; but a
peaceful tragedy like this has in it something more
terrible than the ravages of actual war. And more
especially is this so when we read the
accusation against her builders, penned fortnight ago :
"The ship's capabilities are unpaired by this miscalcu
lativn; ber atability la oompiomiaed, and her guns
brought so sear the water that it waa found desirable, the
first time she went duwn the channel, to turn ber turret,
is a iiertiouler position, in order to enable to, guuuurs to
kd wiLC'ii tleJpged by toe sea."
FIFTH EDITION
THE LATEST NEWS.
The March on Paris.
The Prussian ' Advance
Three Days from the City.
Vacating the Paris Suburbs.
RedRepublican Violence
Hallway Tunnels Destroyed
Etc., Etc., Etc. Etc., ' 121c.
FROM EUROPE.
The March en Pari,.
Brussels, Sept. 10 At their present pace
tbe army ol the Prince Royal and the Bavarians
should be in their designated positions around
Paris by Wednesday next. From these points
they will 6lowly close in upon the French forti
fications. A Prossian force was at Compiegne
this forenoon.
Lond6w, Sept. 10.
The Prussian Advance
was reported at Soissons on the Aisne last night.
It is said the Prussians hold Epernay and
Chateau Thierry. A force of 4000 Prussians
passed,Vitry le Francais yesterday.
Vacating the Pari, Suburbs.
Paris, Sept. 10. Suburban residents have
been ordered to evacuate the zone reached by
the guns on the fortifications.
Light-draft French Gunboat,
are descending the lihine.
The Republican Exceaaea,
The Journal des Debats publishes accounts
of excesses committed by "lied" Republicans at
Toulouse and Lyons.
ltaliroad Tnnnala Destroyed.
All the railroad tunnels In the Department of
the Seine et Marne have been blown np by
order of the military authorities. The bridges
have also been destroyed.
Seizure of Needle Gun,.
The journals announce the seizure here of
30,000 needle-guns. These will be distributed
to soldiers foithwlth.
1 the Bank ot Franeo
has been removed to Toulouse.
It is announced that the Prussians were al La
Ferte-souB-Fouac last night.
The Uaa hut Off.
The Gaulois says: "After to-moirow the
supply of gas will be cnt oft from the city, as
we must avoid the dangers ot explosions by
means of the enemies' shells."
No Disorder, Allowed.
The citizens seem determined to prevent dis
orders now, and all persons endeavoring to
excite the populace will be arrested at once.
It is annonnced that a large quantity of
Remlncton Rifle,
lately arrived here from England. At the rail
way depot a great number of Ghassepots were
found piled in wagons. They had apparently
been forgotten three weeks ago, but a good use
will be made of them now.
FROM NEW YORK.
The Warsaw Inflrmarv.
Warsaw, Bept. 10. The managers of the Warsaw
Kducatlonal and IndnstrUl Reformatory, chartered
by the last Legislature, met here yesterday and
organized as follows: President, Kx-Governor Ho
ratio Seymour ; Vice-President, Hon. John B. Skin
ner, of Buffalo; Secretary, W. H. Merrill, of War
saw ; Treasurer, Hon. Augustus Frank, of Warsaw;
Executive Committee, Isaac Butts, ef Rochester;
Hon. Wm. Brlstoe, L. W. Thayer, JS. W. Russell, A.
Frank, and W. H. Alervllle. In the evening Gover
nor Seymour addrrssed a large public meeting upon
the proposed reformatory subject ot prUon reform.
Remarks were made by Judge Skinner and Rev. Mr.
Fisk and Mr. Cravens, agents appointed by the
board.
New York Weekly Rank Statement.
Loans decreased 11T,4H
Specie increased 32,A80
Legal tenders decreased 1,6&8,&77
Deposits decreased 8,839,123
Specie Payment.
To-day , 740,000
i-'or tuo week 1,313,800
New York KtocU and Money Market.
New Yobx, Sept. 10. Stocks steady. Money,
4f.5 per cent. Gold, 113. fi-20s, 1862, coupon,
11-,'; do. IS64, do., 111V; do. 1866, da, HI: da,
lSCft, new, liox ; do. 1867.110; da 1868, HOj : 10-sOs,
106; Virginia ss, new, 65; Missouri 6s, 90; Canton,
62 : Cumberland preferred, 80 ; N. Y. Central aud
Hudson River, 96 ; Krie, 83 ; Reading, 96g-; Adams
Express, 6r; Michigan Central, IH; Michigan
Southern, 9Xi Illinois Central, 136J ; Cleveland
and Pittsburg, 106; Chicago and Rock Isiand,
lis; ! Western Union Telegraph, 81. . .
fiivancis Ann cojiraisiicB.
KVENiva Teliorapb Omail
Saturday, Sept. 10, lrJ7U I
The demand for money this morning is rather
below the average, and It Is becoming evident
that the bulk of pressing wants for the fall trade
has been supplied by an lcipatton. There is
very little currency going West at this time, the
balance of trade being decidedly in favor of all
the Eastern markets. This condition of the
markets is exceptional, and mainly due to the
excessive dullness in the trade for grain and
bread&tnffs. An early termination of the war,
an event which may be now anticipated at any
moment, Is not likulv to Improve the farming
interests, unless their calculations of the war
. ah all prove utterly at fault.
There Is not much change in the tone of lend
ers, but there Is a disposition to lower the rates
for discounts.
Gold is decidedly dull and steady, with sale
up to noon ranging from 117llt).
Government bonds are also quiet, bnt prices,
with one or two exceptions, show a slight im
provement. Stocks were quiet but steady. City sixes sold
at 101 J, for the new bonds an advance.
In Heading Railroad there were good sales at
48. Pennsylvania was taken at M) an ad
vance; little chuvlkill at 43; and Catawissa
preferred at 87.
Sales of Lehigh Navigation at ZiOuM, the
latter b. o. No further sales.
'PHILADELPHIA STOCK EXCHANGE SALES.
Reported by De Haven Bro., Na 40 S.Thlrd street.
FIRST liOAUD.
15000 City ea, Kew.ici;,
Itaooo O C A R K bs 81
100 SU Read R 4,'
lno do
900 no Is. 4?i ;
4 8h LitS h It.... ti
S so Fenna R ...
69','
f9
Sl
34
83
4 - do
60 sh Oata Prf
2K) sh Let) X1H.I..W.
100 do
HO do -, j.
! i ,.). I
. , '