The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1870.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2297, 16 September 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1870.

Making every allowance for the exaggeration that seems inseparable from war news, the advantage thus fur appears to have' been on the side of the Prussians. Their promptitude! in advancing into Prance and making it phe battle ground has had the effect of Causing a panic. The to hand are not arranged in the clearest and most orderly style. There ap-

peurtf '|l) bo ;a of dates and events that renders itdifficult to follow the course of the war. But it is evident that Napoleon has suffered severe reverses. Whenever France has been the battle ground, the same frantic anxiety has been displayed that is pourtrayed in the telegrams—in 181 4 and 1815 with greater reason than at present. So eventful has been the career of the Emperor, so fraught with unexpected turns of fortune in his favor, that no one would venture to predict what chance may have occurred to retrieve his position. Judged of by the common events of war, the Prussian advance in the face of such enormous forces must be necessarily slow, The first marches into an enemy’s country are comparatively easy. But a general has not only to look before, but behind him. Every step has not only to be gained but secured. There must be a way to retreat -as well as to advance —to receive supplies and fresh troops. Unless, therefore, the French armies are destroyed, dispersed, or completely disorganised, every forward step towards Paris will be beset with increasing danger ami difficulty to the invaders.’ But now-a-days wars are different from what they used to be—more dangerous, more costly, and sooner over. Should the telegraphic news of Prussia’s success prove true, our next information may tell of Napoleon’s dream of finding a dynasty baing for ever dissipated, and that he and his family are refugees im that England that‘has more than once sheltered him. The picture of the panic in Paris is very graphic. A Ministry disgraced, a deliberative Assembly divided, the people disorderly, credit stopped, because the payment of just debts is by law postponed—society, in fact, in a state of anarchy only one step short of rebellion ; and this the result of a few days of war and a reverse or two. It contrasts strangely with the calm forethought displayed by our own Home Government. The danger that threatened of England being drawn into war was, that either Prussia or France might attempt to absorb Belgium. To prevent this, by treaty the independence of that country is secured. This contingency provided against, Great Britain’s work was done. The other two countries were left to settle the national duel their own way, and English senators to enjoy their field sports. This is so far reassuring to us : but we must not close our eyes to the possibility that all may uot yet be over. It is impossible to say what complications may yet arise. We have quite us little faith in Bismarck as in Napoleon — Arcades amho. So long as those, and men of like ideas, rule in Europe, there is no security for peace ; and again we press upon the attention of all classes the no-preparation for defending Port Chalmers. The check received by the Fi’ench army has pointed out the result of want of confidence in the ability of civic rulers to meet the contingencies that may arise. Now suppose an enemy’s frigate off our coast, can we imagine - anything like our consternation. First we should have the Mayor and Council of Port Chalmers, accompanied by the masters of ships, lighters, and other craft, coming up as a deputation to his Honor the Superintendent, and asking him to take steps to keep the enemy out. Then Capt. Atkinson would be sent for, and probably Major Bathgate might also be one of the council of war. Both those gentlemen would guarantee to give a good account of the enemy if they could catch him on shore, but they Avould consider they would be guilty of wilful murder to expose our Volunteers and Militia to the broadside guns of an enemy without a breastwork to shelter them ; neither would they guarantee that a single shot from our Armstrong guns would ever reach the hull of an enemy enshrouded in a friugework of chains. Then we should have scheme after scheme from amateur engineers, and scientific engineers; we should have demagogues speechifying, women quaki ing, saints praying, and sinners cursing. We have no doubt that all this might easily be prevented, and that very little expense would most effectually defend the place. It may be, for aught we know, that all necessary measures are already arranged; and, if so, it is much better that, they should not be made public, for that would be showing the enemy our cards. If such be the case, it would give confidence by in general terms announcing the fact; but if not, it would tend much to a sense of security if the public were assured that so much attention was given to the subject by the Executive, that should any such necessity arise, every movement could be effected promptly, precisely, and without confusion. These are essentials to success.