THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2352, 15 October 1870, Page 2

THE PROGRESS OF THE WAR.

FEELING IX KMiLAXI). As you already know the efforts of our Government to bring about a pacific solution of tins quarrel were unceasing. From the first note of alarm down to the laft moment when any hope of successful mediation remained, these efforts were never relaxed, and although, unhappily, of no avail, it is some satisfaction to know, that the course followed by our Government during these critical and excited days, lias received the hearty approval of all parties in the country. It is also satisfactory to know, that the Parliament and the country have been unanimous in supporting the Ministry in the measures deemed necessary in relation to the contingencies which may possibly arise. For a time the question in every man’s mouth was, ‘ ‘ will England be drawn

into this contest ?” but the prompt decision of the Government on the only two points from which any danger was likely to spring has completely .assured the country. Those two points are, first the necessity of maintaining our treaty Obligations to other countries; avd second, the difficulty of enforcing on onr own people a strict neutrality. In regard to the latter, a Bill was introduced and passed giving the Executive much greater powers, to prevent the infringement of the Acts, by cnabl ng them to seize vessels, lire., more easily than before, so that the risk of another Alabama dispute has been greatly reduced'. W uch learned discussion has taken place on the subject of these neutrality lawij and the inconsistency, of allowing arms and ammunition to be exported, while vessels of war are prohibited, has been strongly pointed out. The Prussians too complained that we should allow Birmingham to become almost a French arsenal, and enable her fleet to remain in the Baltic by our coals from the Tyne. Our Government, however, have been firm in refusing to define what is, and what is not, contraband of war. It is quite clear that any prohibition on the subject—which would include all the articles which directly and indirectly are of use to an army, W opld put a stop almost to the entire commerce Of the cqpwtiy. Peebles, if the laws of England in regard to this matter are indefinite, the laws of other nations Jjre equally loose; and it is evident that laws of an international character must he made by mutual agreement, and made binding on all. The apprehensions of danger arising from a possible bf/gaejj fif neutrality have, therefore, been .reduced tq the niiifirrfutn py the prompt and decisive action of the Government. CONSTERNATION' IN PAH IS. Brilliant as were thes victories, we should not so soon have known their full significance but from the consternation of the French. It so happened tbijt tJjrj.fi vejw Saturday had been excited by the' romour of a great victory, A placard wae posted op the Bourse, stating that Prince Frederick Charles of Prussia, with all his staff, 25.000 nun and 50 guns, had been taken by the French, and that the fortress of Landau had fallen into their hands. Some such report, it is now ascertained, had been circulated at Metz. The Rentes rose, the news spread, flags were bung out all along the streets; but it was soon observed that the Government gave no sign ; there was a revulsion of feeling; the mob rushed upon the Bourse and threatened to hum it down, and were only driven back by the arrival of troops. The excitement in Paris was now intense; old residents had never known the populace more stirred. Following the discovery of this

imposture, there wajf'a'"suspicion of worse behind. The absence of news became intolerable, and jthere was a general clamour for intelligence. The defeat at Weissenburg had roused the temper of the people, and led to some excesses, and now it was seen that the policy of keeping them in ignorance was a dangerous mistake. The journals jus-.ly complained that it was intolerable that they should learn from English sources events that were taking place on their own territory. A crowd docked from the Bourse, and under the windows of the Minister of Justice, demanded M. Ollivier. He ap ;ear:.d on the balcony, and assured the crowd that the author of the false news had been arrested. “All the news we receive,” said M. Ollivier, “will bo communicated immediately, but only when the Government is certain about it. When the news is good, we shall oommunicate it with delight; when bad, we shad confide in your patriotism and patience. As to your demand to have the Bourse shut up, I can say nothing. Such a serious measure can only be taken with the consent of the entire Government. Every, thing said and done here is repeated throughout France. I have conlidence in you because you have confidence in us. Let us separate crying Vice la Palvic! Repeat that cry to everybody you see.” A little later another crowd of 30' jO peop'e appeared, and called for him. He repeated his assurances. “If such agitation as this were to be often repeated, it would be a great victory for Prussia, and would give but a poor idea of your patriotism. Disperse, I beseech you.” An hour afterwards a proclamation appeared, signed by all the member. 3 of the Council of Ministers. “In the name of the country, fn the name of our heroic army, we beg yon to be calm, patient, and to keep order. Disorder in Paris would bo a victory for the Prussians. As soon as any certain news arrives, whether good or bad, you will know it. Let us be united, and have but one thought, one wish, one sentiment—the success of our arms.” Already the Ministry must have known the danger, and been anxious to prepare the people for a reverse. Neither is it posdb)e to describe the state of Paris. The two crushing defeats which the Er nch have sustained have completely overturned the former position of things. Two days ago the city was in a state of the wildest revolutionary fever. Vigorous measures on the part of the military, and a change of Ministry, have pro 'need a lull ; but what may be its state to morrow no man can tell. The city has been declared in a state of siege ; 33,000 men arc laboring on the fortifications ; 10,009 soldiers can hardly preserve order in the streets ; and the gates of the Tuilcries, where the Empress Regent sits surrounded by troops, are closed. Nor is the army in much better plight; disorganised and dispirited ; with no confidence in its leaders, who have just been changed, and retreating before a victorious enemy, greatly superior in numbers, in discipline, and in generalship, who are pressing it closely from every side.

Such, in a few words, is the present position of France, and its magnificent army, which we it forth only a few days ago boasting that on the Emperor’s Fete Day (loth August) it would he marching; along the streets of Berlin,

Turing the period from the declaration of war to the 2nd August no engagement beyond a few unimportant skirmishes took place. But the resources of both countries were being taxed to the utmost to bring forward the huge masses of men and material oi war ; all the ordinary traffic on the lines of railways were completely set aside, and night and day the living tide rolled on from west and east to the deadly .meeting place. On the 28th July the Emperor arrived at Metz to assume the command-in-chief ot his army, which at that time appears to have numbered about 400,000 men. About the same time, on the other side of the Rhine, the King placed himself at the head of the Prussian forces, which must have numbered over 500,000. But little seems to have been known of each other’s plans. The French intended no doubt to advance and attack their enemy on his own territory, and if they had done so at the time when they were supposed to be ready, the result misdib have been very different; but days elapsed without any movement being made. The delay was fatal. It allowed the • Prussians, who had certainly been taken by surprise in the first instance, and who evidently meant to remain on the defensive, to mass their army on the frontier, and prepare to aback.

THE TURCOS AT WEISSENBURU. The Figaro gives, from private letter, an account of the conduct of the Algerines at Weissenhnrg“ They could never he brought to obey the call to retreat, and when taxed with not attending to it, would reply,' • Retrik ! giil-v/hi ci ? ma,cache snhlr, macache comprendir !-’ - This heroic ignorance it was that caused 500 of them to betaken prisoners at .Weisscuhurg. 'They hurled themselves upon the Prussians without thinking what went on in their rear. ' They broke anfl massacred wl|a£ever" was |u tlieir way. A regiment of the Royal Guard was turned and crushed by this human waterspout. The remainder of the division, crushed by the numerical superiority of its adversaries, wee forced, to yield ; the sjgrial of retreat was sounded hut the Tureos, 1 according ‘to custom, took no heed of it. Douay ealloped up to warn them, but was struck by a bad, and fell mortally wounded. The ardor of the Tureos was doubled. They rushed upon another regiment, and, in a jiaroxysiiV Of fury,' 1 mafle f v/jdo ■ passage through the eucniy’s line of battle, whiefi they went through at the pan de charge, pro ; duciug an effect like a scythe attached to a locomotive. They were in the rear of the enemy. The chef <k hataillon put his lorgnette to his eye. “ Hold, where are our comrades ? ’ said he. He saw them marching pc a distant, pgjseivei]. his dangerous position, and tried to force a fresh passage to rejoin them. But what could 800 inch do against 40,000. He was surrounded on all sides, and compelled to surrender with bis brave detachment,”