THE The Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 734, 1 October 1870, Page 2

THE The Grey River Argus. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1870.

Never since the flight of Napoleon the First from the field of Waterloo have there occurred events fraught with so much influence upon the politics of Europe as those which the last two mails have brought us. Fifty-five years ago the great Military Emperor who had successively laid the States of Central Europe under his feet, staked his last card and was irretrievably ruined. Now his nephew, who for nearly eighteen years has worn the Imperial purple, is himself a prisoner in the hands of his enemies, his armies vanquished, and his capital in danger. Modern warfare is so rapid that events follow each other with astonishing qnickness. It seems only the other day that Napoleon, under the guise of vindicating the national interests of France, sought to fasten a quarrel on the Prussian Government, in order that he might have the opportunity of winning back the prestige he was fast losing. He had been so accustomed to believe in the overwhelming superiority of his armies ; and had so long been regarded as the Arbiter of Europe, that he rushed into hostilities with a haste and indecency which drew upon him universal condemnation. It had long been evident, indeed, that the relations between France and Prussia were pointing towards war. It was impossible that Germany could long submit to the necessity of maintaining enormous armaments as a check upon the encroaching designs of France, and probably, had not Napoleon so soon challenged them, the Prussian nation, would have assumed the offensive. It was an unlucky day for Napoleon and for France when the French Ambassador affronted the King of Prussia. There can be no doubt 'that Beneditti was acting under instructions. A pretext, however trivial, was / wanted for war. aud it was found. France declared hostilities against Prussia, the Emperor took command of his armies in person, and marched towards the Prussian frontier, no doubt imbued with the idea that in a few weeks he would dictate peace in Berlin. The step was one that it was impossible for him to retrace. As the London Times truly said at the time, there was no return for the Emperor except as a conqueror. How utterly and completely his vaunting anticipations have been "blasted is now matter of history. Napoleon the Third, upon whose yea or nay the peace of Europe appeared to depend ; at whose frown ambassadors were wont to tremble, and who only a short time ago seemed to have firmly seated his dynasty on the throne of France, is now a prisoner, his crown lost, his family fugitives, and a triumphant enemy marching through the fairest provinces of his country, and threatening Paris itself !

The news brought by the previous mails from Europe clearly indicated that it could only be by an almost superhuman effort, and by extraordinary military skill, that the French armies could extricate themselves from the fate that appeared to threaten them. From the first the Prussians maintained the-advan-tage, and their troops were massing in all directions upon the French positions. The defeats at, and in the neighborhood of Saarbruck, were sufficiently decisive to prove that a more general engagement than had as yet occurred was imminent. The French, under Bazaine, had fallen back upon Metz and Chalons, whilst Strasbourg was surrounded by a large Prussian force. It would appear from our last news that General M'Mahon, with a new army, was marching to join Bazaine's force at Metz, but was driven back with great loss beyond the Meuse. From this ho appears to have proceeded down the Meuse to Sedan and there taken up his position. Bazaine's army meantime seems to have made a movement from Metz, evidently with the idea of forming a junction with M'Mahon, Chalons havingbeen previously evacuated. In attempting this operation, however, he was encountered by the Prussians, and although he crossed the Moselle, was driven back to Metz with terrible loss, and there isolated from the remainder of the French army. The Emperor, who had taken up hi 3 quarters at Rheims, evacuated that position, aud succeeded in joining M'Mahon at Sedan, where tho latest reported great engagement of the opposing forces took place. The result only is known, but it was of a most decisive character. The Emperor was captured, and ninety thousand French troops surrendered. Practically this action settles the war. Although the Prussians are reported to be marching towards Paris, it is improbable that the invasion will be long. Already the whole French nation, which, amidst the confliction of political parties amongst themselves, have hardly been hearty in the war, have risen with common accord to repel the invaders. It is idle to suppose that the Prussians will conquer France ; tl % 1 may follow up their advantages in such a manner as to enable them to dictate terms of peace, but the rest of Europe will hardly look passively upon the unnecessary prolongation of a war that can only end in useless car nage and desolation. Still it cannot be expected that the passions of the opposing peoples will soon cool. Old antipathies have been revived, and old scores have to be paid off oa both sides ; but it is to be hoped that the peaceful intervention of the other Powers will be employed, and be success'u 1 . Prussia also will find it a very different thing fighting the French nation to fighting j» Monarch, who for political reasons of his own, chose to go to war