FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

Press, Volume L, Issue 15047, 15 August 1914, Page 14

FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR

SHORT, SHARP, DECISIVE. It is interesting, at tho present juncture (remarks a contemporary) to recall the last great struggle for supremacy between the military forces of Germany ! and France. Tho course of events in , the short but terrible war of 1870-71 • astonished Europo by its unexpected ' character, revealing at once the solidity ; of Prussian strength, and the hoUowne» of Imperial power in France. "War was declared on July loth, 1870, and it had been the iutontion of the [French Emperor to cross the Rhine at I Maxan and push his armies between 1 the North and "South German States, so as to force tho latter into neutrality. This regnired superiority in number and mobility at the very outeet, besides good "generalship, and in these respects Franco found herself in every respect inferior, to the Genfinns. Tho Germans, whose arrangements for mobilisation were so perfect as to

be completed by July 30th, had 518.800 men, with 1554 guns, who were divided into three armies—the first under General Steinmetz, the second Prince Frederick Charles, and the third; under the Crown Prince- It took the French to the beginning of August to get tof ether 270,000 men, and these were eficient in transport and equipment. EARLY DISASTERS. The French Emperor assumed chief command, and had 123,000 men between Metz *nd the frontier at Saarbruck, some 47,000 under Marshal MacMahon on the eastern elope of the Vosges Mountains, and 35,000 in reserve at Chalons. . , . , . General Douay's advanced brigade of 5000 was defeated at Woissenburg, and the Germans pressed on to \Yortn, where McMahon had taken up a strong position with his main body (4o,00U). Tho battle, fought on August 6th, was disastrous to the French, who fled m confusion through the Vosges Mounr tains On the same day the Battle of Spichercn was fought between 67,000 of tho Germany Army and 32,000 of Frossard's corps. Tho French were iorced to retreat, but this time in an orderly manner. As the result of these disasters, the Emperor found it necessary to retire towards Metz, and, after a fierce and undecided rearguard action at Borny, on August 14th, entered that fortress en the following day with 176,000 men and 540 guns. Tho Emperor then abandoned the chief command to Marshal Bazaine. SURRENDER OF METZ. At least 72 hours would have been necessary to complete the withdrawal from Metz under tho circumstances, and tho Germans had already placed some cavalry across the road near Mars-la-Tour. On tho 16th they were vigoronsly supported by othor troops, and succeeded in stopping the westward movement of the French. Next day the French concentrated on the Gravelotto position, 11 miles in extent. On August 18th tho pitched battle of Gravelotte was fought, and resulted in tho French beingi driven back on Metz. Hero they were surrounded, and after several gallant but unsuccessful attempts to break out, surrendered on October 27thTHE LAST HOPE. Thus within a month the regular armies of France had been rendered powerless to check the German advance. Hut in the meantime the Gardes Mobilee had been called out, and, with the remains of MacMahon's army, formed, »- f Chalons, a body of 120,000 men, with 324 guns, much disorganised and almost entirely without discipline. With these it was determined to attempt to join hands with Bazaine by a northerly march, which was commenced on August 2lst, without intelligence reaching the Germans, part of whoso second army was again in motion towards Paris. THE SURRENDER OF SEDAN. On August 25th the Germans gob news of MacMahon's movements, and at once turned the direction of their march so as to intercept him. Tho effect of want of discipline and contradictory ordors had greatly delayed his march, and he was much harassed by the enemy, until finally, on August 30th, tho fifth corpa, under De Failly having encamped uear Beaumont without taking the precaution of protecting themselves by a chain of outposts— in epite of having been attacked the previous day—was surprised and driven northward on Sedan. The French troops wero in a terrible plight, and suffered severely from the German artillery. Tho latter had nearly 500 guns playing upon tho • defenders, who were crowded into Sedan and under its walls, and at 5 p.m. the white flag was hoisted on the citadel. Next day the Emperor, who was with his army, surrendered ■with 83,000 men. A REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED. ' On the 4th, Paris was in rebellion, the Senate dissolved, the Empress-Re-gent a fugitive on her way to England, and France proclaimed a Republic amid tumultuous excitement.

Before tho close of September. Stxaaburg, one of the last hopes of France, had capitulated, and Paris woe completely invested by German troops. By October sth, the Prussian King had takon np hie .headquarters at Versailles. THE SIEGE OF PARIS.

Gigantic efforts were made to raise armies in Ike provinces for the relief of Paris- From Paris, where almost every able-bodied man was enrolled in the ranks, frequent sorties were- made, and bloody battles fought, in tho villages to the east and south —Lβ Rourgot, Lβ Hay, Champigny, Bougival, Ramey, etc., several of which were taken and retaken more than once.

Tho city also underwent a bombardment for several days, from which, however, it suffered little, and it.was not until compelled by hunger, on January, 1871, after a four months' investment, that negotiations wero opened with the enemy at Versailles. The united- efforts of the different branches of "Tho Provisional Government of Defence," respectively installed at Paris and Tours, then succeeded in bringing about an armistice, and a portion of tho investing army entered the city, wlu'ch had till then been cut off from all communication from the outer world, except by balloons and carrier pigeons, and finally threatened by famine. The Germans entered Pans, but re-' mained only a few hours, and with tho concurrence of Germany, the French nation proceeded by a general election of representatives ,to provide for the exigencies of the country.