The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-20 00:00:00

DOLEFUL CONFESSIONS.

A few days ago a copy of the Gaulois, which is pub-
lished in Paris, fell into the hands of the Germans
encamped round the city. It contained a remarkable
article on the prospects of the siege ; drawing conclusions
so unfavourable to the prospects of the defence that the
Prussian official journal has republished it in full. The
writer, who is supposed to be an experienced military
officer, represents that the danger of starvation
is for Paris a real one. " Though the German
armies carry no tents, they are yet comfortably
lodged in the towns, villages, villas, farm -
houses, and chateaux studding the environs of Paris.
When we invaded Russia in 1812 we found the country a
desert ; in France the invaders have everything at hand
that they can want. They have houses to live in, beds,
linen, furniture, wine in the cellars, and every variety of
fruit and vegetables in the fields. They have
magnificent forests all round Paris for fuel to protect
them against the cold of the winter. Why, then,
should they not wait till we are famished? While our
provisions are being gradually exhausted theirs will be re-
plenished by railway, and, if their soldiers suffer from ex-
posure to the weather, ours, bivouaCking near the forts or
standing sentinel on the ramparts, will have to undergo
the same ordeal. If, therefore, the enemy has the best
possible motive for prolonging his present inactivity, we,
on the other hand, should pursue the opposite policy.
Every day that elapses without our gaining an advantage
accelerates our doom. But what can we do ? Are wo to
count upon Bazaine ? Are we to reckon upon rescue by
the fresh armies forming in the South? I have the
courage to tell the truth, and I cannot but say that the
only serviceßa,zaine can render us for the time being is to
detain 150,000 or 200,000 invaders at Metz. As to any-
thing more, it is just now out of his power." Not much con-
fidence, either, has the critic in the chances of relief from the
Loire army. " Another French army is forming behind
the Loire, and we are promised will soon arrive here,
under the command of a gallant General, said to have
eluded the vigilance of the Prussians. This army will
be of great use to us some day. But we must not
forget that no army can be improvised. To assemble and
equip 100,000 men does not make them soldiers. They
must first learn their trade, get acquainted with their arms,
comrades, and officers, and gain confidence in their ow n
strength, before they can be marshalled into the field. All
this requires time. If once properly inured to their work
this army will render us great service by interrupting the
Prussian communications and menacing the enemy's rear.
They might even concert with Bazaine a combined attack
upon the Prussians, and make their situation a very
dangerous one. But this can only occur if we are the
first to strike. All depends upon our taking the
initiative in what more immediately concerns us
than anybody else. All, in fact, will be gained or lost ac-
cording as we (the Parisians) fall upon the enemy,
diminish his numbers, and disable him from completing
his task without sending for reinforcements. A few days
ago we might, by strong reconnoitrements, have prevented
the enemy from throwing up the earthworks that now
protect his front. At present we shall have to fight
pitched battles to dislodge him. Let us do so at once if
we wish to conquer."

The Staatsanzeiger states that the German army ruuud
Paris ha never exceeded 220,000 men.

MARSHAL BAZAINE AND THE REPUBLIC.

The brother of Marshal Bazaine has written from Trou-
vine on the sth of October to a friend as follows :

" You ask me what is to be thought of the remarks in
the journals to the effect that Marshal Bazaine has de-
clared to everyone that he holds his command from the
Emperor, from whom only he can receive orders, and that
he does not recognise the Government of the Republic.
This report has no foundation except in a despatch from
Berlin of the 26th of September, published in the Times
of the 29th, according to which the Marshal was at pains
to inform a Prussian officer with whom he conversed of
his opinions on the subject. These assertions have no
importance for those who are acquainted, as
everyone ought to be by this time, with the
veracity of the despatches of Prussian origin, and
with the feeling of the Times concerning France.
About the time alluded to the Times and another Prussian
dispatch announced pretended offers of capitulation on the
part of the Marshal. A little while ago Bismarck con-
sidered himself justified in informing the English Am-
bassador that the Marshal could not hold out more than
a week. Yesterday dispatches were circulated which de-
clared that famine and disease existed in the army before
Metz. There is no kind of false news that is not invented
concerning this army and its leader. Believe me, my
friend, he whom Jules Favre in his admirable and touch-
ing report of his interview with Bismarck calls all-
glorious Bazaine, does not consider himself and does not
call himself the Marshal of the Emperor; ho styles him-
self Marshal of France, and his brother assures you he
will never forget that he is so. " BAZAINE."