The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-29 00:00:00

A FRENCHMAN ON THE WAR.

The extract which I send you of a letter which I
have lately received from an old French friend residing
at Beauvaie is not only distinguished by its good sense
respecting the policy of continuing the war, but draws
a picture of some of the disastrous results of the
struggle which will not have been represented to many
of your readers (writes " F. 1)." to the London 1 into).
Let us imagine for a moment the distress that would
be caused in this country if the October dividends at
the Bank were not paid, and if there were a general
stoppage of payments of interest by public companies.
Yet this is what our unfortunate French friends now
experienced. In addition, the farmers do not pay
their rents, for they have no money, and, as my friend
justly remarks, every day adds to the heap of misery
that must react all over the country, and cause serious
and permanent embarrassment even to the rich. In
the case of relatives of my own this has already hap-
pened. People cannot get their dividends, and are
only able to raise money at all by disposing of their
property at a ruinous loss. Vapid declamations by
Jules Favre and the celestial Gambetta appear very
heroic, perhaps, to some of their admire's, but let these
gentlemen ask the thousands of French families who
are slowly but surely being ruined, whether they pre-
fer rain to cession of territory, and nobody in his senses
can doubt what the answer would be.
_

For the information of some of your readers I add
that the expression "Messieurs du Pare" is a cant
term in France for Republicans.

"Beatty&Ls, Oa. 12.

'The news that Beauvais has been occupied may have
caused you some alarm about your old friend. There is,
however, no occasion for It. Beauvats, as the newspapers
have no doubt Informed you, was occupied without • blow
being struck. About a fortnight ago nearly 3,000 men, in-
cluding tat entry, cavalry, and artillery, arrived there. 'the
town had neither walls, regular troop., nor Mobiles. The
National Guard, which was ill-armed and ill-drilled, was
left to its own resources The inhabitants accordingly capitu-
lated ; they could not do anything else. Since that time the
Prussiaus have taken up their quarters at Beaavais, which
they apparently desire to make a centre of military opera-
tion., and it Is said they will remain there until the end
of the war. They are quartered on the inhabitants, and I
have myself two to board and lodge. I have put them
under the charge of—, and he seems to discharge his
trust to the satisfaction of all concerned, for the soldiers
make no complaint, and I find that he keeps them as econo-
mically as is dmirahle. . There is, however, no complaint
made against the Prussian soldiers, and excepting that their
appetites are excessive, not • word can be said against them,
for they are in general gentle, civil, and considerate, and
as their discipline Is very severe, they do not in any way
molest the townspeople- Beauvais if In consequence very
quiet, but at the same time dull and sad. A great number
of the wealthy families have left, and busiest., Is completely
at • stand. No silver coin Is to be seen now, and paymenta,
when neamaary, have to be made In bank-note. or in small
bills, which the town has issued to take the place of coin for
the payment of daily perchased from tradespeople. Add to
the want of malt and the general embarrassment which
arlees from no longer receiving dividends at the public
offices, which are closed, or at the °Mom of societies and
companies, almost all of which are at Paris, and now, of
course, inaccessible, and from no longer receiving rents
from farmers, who, not being able to sell their crops, can-
not pay their landlords, and you will understand the
general sadness which has settled down upon us. To
theme mimes of Marais in Beauvais, which are nearly
common to all France, must be added another peculiar to
the countries, which have been occupied by the invaders.
The Prussians have not come to conquer the town, but to re-
victual their army before Paris, so that Independently of the
burden of supporting them, which la heavy, and which will
become very heavy if the occupation is continued, we Bea
daily grate, dour, forage, and cattle being removed all
the direction of Paris. It is true, no doubt, that the Prue/-
ohms generally pay for what they take, but its all commerce
is at an end, and the highways are Interrupted at many
points, they will certainly reduce the country to starvation.
We foresee that dories the winter the rich sill and it dial.
cult to live, while for thepoor it will be • time of the greatest
misery. What you say of the esuses of our misfortunes is
very just and sensible In the foremost place among them,
however, I should put • mischievous newspaper prism and the
mummer's of the Opposition, which have not only weakened
the Gnverement and reduced It in public estimation, but has
destroyed the discipline In the army. It is in feet this ab-
sence of discipline, even by the admission of the Prussian.
themselves, which has been one of the chief sourced of our
disasters. But whatever have been the mires of the war,
it is in Itself most deplorable, and the Government of
Alleseieurs ass Pare renders it every day more disastrous.
It appears to me evident that by no exertion en our pert ean
we recover our position. We should then at any cost make
gams, and not run up • longer MIL Peals may doubtless
hold out, but invested a• it is it must at length rarroodtr.
Before that Mum the Germans, who, It appears, Cannot be
kept back, will extend their occupation and ruin the country.
In short I think the war • most foolish one. Are we • step
in advance of our position • month ago? Certainly not.
preach
'wis
r.bh tot,
In one month hence we shall be where we are, with this
difference that our disasters will increase and rain will be
s,ptreha'it they continue n'tinjtu"e' the was du
and Pond
retain power,d and iii, better to consolidate their Govern.
mart, Ii tldses.l
anoe d outranee."