The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-15 00:00:00

THE SITUATION IN PARIS.

FRIDAY.

We are still without news of any military operations,
and indeed without news of any kind. The Government
has promised that all intelligence shall be forwarded to
to the different mairies as soon as it is received, so that
the public will not be kept in suspense 'an hour
longer than is needful. Well, to-day out comes
a bulletin informing us that the rumour of the
Prussians having got into Nancy is not true,
and, further, that any news whatsoever not confirmed by
an official note affixed to the mairies, and signed by the
Minister of the Interior, can have no official character.
Here is comfort ! A report which no sensible person
believed is declared false, and once more are we told that
no item of intelligence which does not come through the
Interior Ministry can be accurate : the official bulletin is
the only correct card. The public, somewhat reasonably,
are dissatisfied with this sort of stuff. Of course
it could not be told that a battle was being fought

when there was really none on the way. But
it would be only too glad to be informed on such points as
the dispatch of reinforcements to the front ; how many
men are going, and of what quality are they. It would
likewise take great pleasure in a little enlightenment on

the subject of the supply service. It would be most happy
to receive any news which might reassure it that France
was not again to be made the ridicule of the whole world
through the neglect of the most ordinary precautions ;
that the soldiers should not be sent to battle without food,

and that they should not be constrained to live upon the
potatoes in the fields. Upon all these matters it has no
information whatever. Everything is kept back.

The public is without details even of the two
great battles ; for MacMahon's report, though
straightforward, is very meagre, and General Frossard's
narrative is not forthcoming at all.
Even the special correspondents have sadly come to
grief. There are very few war letters in the papers to-
day. Some of the lively Paris writers are missing alto-
gether, and it is feared that others are prisoners,
or have been killed in some of the fights. Others, finding
it quite hopeless to attempt anything in the way of
description, are returning to Paris. Edmond About is
one of the missing. Great fears are entertained respect-
ing him. One of the most interesting of the many stories
of adventures by correspondents, whether French or Eng-
lish, is told in the Figaro and Gaulois. MM. Chabrillat
and Cardon are joint representatives of both those papers.
They were present at Worth and saw the battle from the

top of a tower. When, after many vicissitudes, the French
were overpowered and driven from the field, the Prussians
came swarming into Worth, and there captured the two
literary gentlemen, with others. They were in great
danger of being shot; but fortunately the Duke of Coburg
came up and saved them. They spent one very unplea-
sant night locked up. The next morning, however, the
Crown Prince himself interfered on their behalf ; they
were treated like gentlemen, and finally released.

Before their departure they had an interview with the
Crown Prince, who, under these strange circumstances,
made a very important statement. He observed : " I was
in Paris at the end of December, and saw the Emperor,
who always shewed the greatest kindness to my wife and
myself. The day that I went to wish him good bye he
said he had at last found a minister to form a
new Cabinet, M. 011ivier. He in no way expected
the present war." The Prince, too, was rather dis
posed to be communicative on other points. He ex-
pressed great admiration at the behaviour of the French
cavalry; though terribly cut up by the-German infantry,
they formed again and again with all the precision of
ordinary drill. The Cuirassiers especially had performed
good service when protecting the retreat. The Prince also
thought the French artillery very good. He admitted
having sustained very se were losses.

In no respect is the public more irritated, in the matter
of news, than at the uncertainty which prevails respecting
the command of the army. Nobody knows who is the
real leader. The Emperor has proved so incompetent
that not even the most ultra " Arcadian " of the Corps
Legislatif dare protest when the Left demanded
that he should cease to command the army.
Public opinion was unanimous in insisting

that he should withdraw. In obedience to this over-
powering request, the announcement was made that
Marshal Bazaine was to command the army of Metz. But
the whole army is not at Metz. MacMahon has the shat-
tered remnants of his own corps and two others in the Nancy
district. Are these under the orders of Marshal Bazaine,
or does each marshal rule his own half of the whole army.
without any final power of decision? Or is the Emperor
that final power? On all these points the public are re-
fused information. The state of affairs is wholly unsatis-
factory.

Political affairs have relapsed into a state
quietude, but not indifference. The public is
watching; and a vast amount of private intrigue, all
based on the supposition that the Empire will speedily
fall, is being carried on. The Republicans will certainly
attempt to realise their wishes if a battle be lost, and a
very good chance they will have, for all Paris
is on their side, and Paris, in a case of this kind,
would le ad the rest of France. On the other hand,
the moderate men will with equal certainty make an
attempt in favour of some sort of constitutional monarchy,
and they will in all probability be supported by the
30,000 troops who are now in the capital. Yes ; such is
the position that 30,000 of France's best soldiers are
withdrawn from their proper place in front of the enemy.
to keep down the Parisians ! Should this army remain in
the capital, the chart es of a Republican insurrection will
not be bright ; but let the exigencies of war once secure
their dispatch to the front, then farewell to monarchial
hopes. The letters of the Orleanist Princes, claiming
their right to be admitted to the army can be regarded
only as a political manifesto. It is absurd to suppose that.
the Emperor would allow such dangerous enemies to ap-
pear in the ranks. But in such stirring times there is a
good chance of t'hese virtuous and highly respected princes
coming into power ; and they act judiciously in keeping
tbemsaves before the public.