The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-09-06 00:00:00

THE FRENCH DECEIVED.

The French have undoubtedly been greatly
deceived by their rulers in this war. Up to
the very last they were told smooth things.
The Saturday evening newspapers announcing
the capitulation of MacMahon's army and the
surrender of the Emperor, also had news
from Paris dated Friday afternoon, saying.
"No precise intelligence has yet been re-
ceived respecting yesterday's battle, but the
general impression here is that it resulted
favourably for the French army." Again,
"The prompt measures of Marshal
MacMahon prevented the Prussians from
reaping a substantial advantage." Or this,
"It is announced that Marshal Bazaine isin
a good position, that neither provisions nor
ammunition are deficient, and that he can
leave Metz whenever he wishes." Comment
upon such statements at a time when the
position of the French armies was desperate
is unnecessary; but one reflection naturally
suggests itselr—that there will come a terrible
day of reckoning by-and-by, if the men who
have virtually and actually, if not formally,
betrayed France, do not fly from the reach of
the national indignation.

OVERWHELMING DEFEAT
OF THE FRENCH.

The efforts of MacNfalion and Bazaine to
effect a junction of their forces failing com-
pletely, MacMahon's corps on Friday capi-
tulated and the Emperor surrendered to the
King of Prussia.
The direct path from Chalons to Metz was
barred against MacNfahon, and he had to
march by a semicircular route, the extreme
northern point of which adjoined the Belgium
territory. The Germans, instead of march-
ing round the arc of this semicircle, pushed
across it, and, with their usual discrimination,
caught the French at the northern point—a
most awkward corner of Gallic territory,
entangled amongst rivers, and close to the
hilly Belgian frontier. The Germans attacked
and were victorious. The French were driven
across the Meuse, with the loss of many guns,
their camp equipage, and 7,000 prisoners.
They fell back towards Sedan with the enemy
close ill pursuit, and only faced round in the
morning of Wednesday, the 3 rst. when they
took up a position in the plain of Douzy.
Here the engagement was long and severe;
the same positions were again and again lost
and retaken, but the Germans turned the
right flank of the enemy, who was thus com-
pelled to fall back on Sedan, leaving the
Germans masters of the field. The French,
however, renewed thd attack on Thursday, in
a third battle, which raged from early morn-
ing till evening, but at the end of which they
were again driven into Sedan, and the
Germans pressed round the place.
Being so overtaken and defeated, the
scheme for relieving Bazaine ended in irre-
trievable disaster.

It is alleged that the sortie made by
Bazaine and his engagements, first at Cour-
celles, and then at St. Barbe, to the north-
east of Metz, were parts of a programme
concerted between the two Marshals. If this
be so the plan must have been laid for action
on a particular day,or days, with the assump-
tion that MacMahon would be considerably
nearer Metz, than Sedan. NlacMahon being
prevented from moving with the rapidity he
would, we can understand huw the sLlienie
came to collapse.
DISPATCH OF KING WILLIAM TO
QUEEN AUGUSTA.

BERLIN, Sept. 3.—The Queen has received
the following telegram from the King
"BEFORE SEDAN, Sept. 2, 1.22 p.m.—A
capitulation, whereby the whole army at
Sedan are prisoners or war, has just been
concluded with General Wimpffen, who was
in command instead of the wounded Marshal
McMahon.

"The Emperor only surrendered himself to
me, as he himself has no command, and left
everything to the Regency in Paris. His
place of residence I shall appoint, after I
have had an interview with him at a rendez-
vous, which will immediately take place.
IVhat a course events have assumed by God's
guidance I"

DISARMAMENT OF BELLIGERENTS

ON BELGIAN TERRITORY.

A KLUN, SCIA 2.—The Belgians have cap-
tured a French General and his whole staff,
4,000 men, 700 horses, several pieces of
artillery, and also io l'russians.