The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-22 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 22, 1870.

THE WAR.

THE CAIVIPAIGN ON '1 HE RHINE.
PARIS, JULY 20.

The Francais mentions three plans of campaign between
which the Emperor will probably choose—first, to advance
by the Valley of the Moselle, entering Prussialinder .Nover
of Sierck, Thionville, and Metz, to meet the Prussians on
the lines of the Sarre ; second to advance into the Pala-
tinate, via Wissembourg and Landau ; third, to cross the
Rhine simultaneously at several points.
Questioned as to his departure for the war at a private
banquet on Tuesday, the Emperor gave no decided reply,
but the Prince Imperial, less circumspect, said that it
would be perhaps in about five or six days. This news
was somewhat disappointing. " Why, it will be all over,"
exclaimed one officer. "Do not be uneasy," said his
Majesty, " you will still find plenty to do."
According to official reports the Prussian troops, who
at first appeared to be massing between Luxemburg and
the Palatinate, have now withdrawn towards the for-
tresses of Coblentz and Mayence.
The Baden Government, in reply to an inquiry made
by the French Government, has stated that it never in-
tended to employ explosive bullets.
ITALIAN SYMPATHY WITH FRANCE.

The Francais of the 20th says that Italy has given
France the best assurances, and has declared that grati-
tude would determine her in certain circumstances to give
active support to France. •
The Journal des Debats also says that Italy has
resolved to maintain a friendly attitude towards France,
who has not demanded any material assistance. The
Debats considers that this disposition of Italy should
determine the French Government to withdraw its troops
from Roman territory and render them useful in the war
with Prussia.

ment of importance took place between the French and
the Austrians at Montebello. Nor was the campaign of
1866 partichlarly striking for swift action in taking the
field, though the progress of hostilities when once they had
begun was astounding. It is notorious that the dispute
which led to the war was preceded by months of
negotiation during which both parties made ready. On
the 24th of April five army corps were put on a war foot-
ing with all the artillery and cavalry ; on the 4th of May
they were mobilised ; and in a very few days four other
corps were similarly got ready. On the 19th of May the
concentration of troops commenced, and yet it required
twenty-one days to accumulate on the frontier the
formidable army which fairly took the field on the 19th
of June. Sadowa was fought on the 3rd
of July. The Journal des Debats compares
:the two campaigns of 1866 and 1859, and thinks the
French showed. the greatest rapidity. It took the Prus-
sians six weeks to arrive on their great battle-field after
they had begun to concentrate their troops, already put
on a war footing, whereas in France it required only the
same time to put the forces on a war footing, concentrate
them, and strike a great blow. This comparison may be
taken for what it is worth. It is at any rate clear that
there is as yet no occasion for inventing operations on the
Rhine before they have actually commenced.
The attitude of Italy has been a matter of grave considera-
tion here ever since the declaration in the Corps Ldgislatif.
People, however, now seem to take it for granted that
the southern power will maintain an attitude of friendly
'neutrality towards France. Two other courses were open
to her: she might have assisted Prussia in the certainty
of thereby securing Rome by turning the scale agiinst
France ; or she might have helped France and received as
her reward the same prize. But by remaining quiet it would
seem probable that the same end will be gained. The French
troops may yet be withdrawn from the Eternal City,
and then, if Italy chooses to take possession, there will be
nobody to molest her. The Emperor might find in the decla-
ration of Infallibility an excuse for withdrawing his pro-
tection from the Pope. It may be interesting to subjoin
what the Debats says on this subject : "As to material
assistance, she (Italy) has neither to give nor to refuse it,
for that kind of help has not been asked of her. We
believe that our Government desires to make the struggle
one solely between France and Prussia. For if France
sought an alliance with Italy, Russia might be tempted
to contract a similar alliance, and the war would become
European. To ask of Italy anything more than her
moral support would be to provoke grave compli-
cations. Such moral support is assured to us. Italy
does not wish to give us any embarrassment.
In presence of such a disposition we can with-
draw our troops from Rome." This is very plain and
it comes from a good source. Why should Italy fight for
Rome if she can get it for nothing ? Another war, indeed,
would absolutely ruin Italy. In the present state of her
finances it would be positive destruction. Whilst speak-
ing of alliances it may be well to give a rumour which is
published in the Liberte. "It is said that in case of an
alliance between France and Denmark—which is very
probable—the Orl6an.s Princes will serve in the forces of
our ally." Scarcely likely after the rejection of the peti-
tion to be allowed to enter France. "We receive sad
and deplorable news from Munich," says the Patrie. This
dismal intelligence is that Bavaria has decided to join
Prussia, and, moreover, it is pretty clear that all South
Germany will do the same. No wonder the Patrie is
angry. It, in common with the other official journals,
hoped, even against hope,that theSouthGerman states would
remain quiet. No such thing is going to happen, and the
Patric blusters in consequence. It declares that the King
of Bavaria is risking his crown by his rash assistance to
Prussia. He would risk it still more decidedly if he
assisted France.

Yesterday the Senate voted the pressing law for new
war credits demanded by the Government, and also the
luw which fixes at 140,000 men the contingent to be called
out for 1870. The war has already had its effect in
retarding legislation. The bill for the regulation of
press prosecutions has been relegated to the next session,
as also has been the measure repealing those hateful laws
of general surety which give the Government arbitrary
power over the liberties of citizens whenever ari ebullition
of discontent is to he apprehended, or whenever the
Government pretends to be in such fear.
The war fever remains where it was—in the quiescent
stage. There are no more street demonstrations, nor any
signs of last Friday and Saturday's furore. One effect of
the war has been to revive the enthusiasm for the
" Marseillaise" which is now sung even at caf4s-chantants,
and more classical places of amusement. In some cases
the " Marseillaise " forms half the evening's entertain-
ment, for the audience strike out part of the programme
and substitute this favourite, this immortal popular idol.
The police ban has, after so many years rigorous enforce-
ment, been removed from this great air, and it was even
performed, on one occasion, at the Emperor's dinner
table. 01 the preparations for war it would be wearisome
to say much, and, moreover, there is very little to say.
The journals to-day are singularly destitute of information
on this point. A stranger, not knowing that a war had
arisen, might imagine from the aspect of the papers that
a few military reviews and manoeuvres are going on in
different parts of the country ; but would never dream
that everything is being pushed on with the utmost haste
for the compaign on the Rhine. However, some
facts seem pretty well removed beyond the limit of doubt.
There are now five army corps on the frontier, without
counting the Imperial Guard, which is partly there. The
first, commanded by MacMahon, has its headquarters at
Strasbourg. The second, under Frossard, is centred
round about Saint Avold ; it is formed of the troops from
the camp of Chalons. The third corps holds the centre of
the position at Metz. Marshal Bazaine commands it. His'
troops are partly drawn from Africa, and partly from the
army os Paris. The fourth corps is at Thouville ; the
fifth is at the other end of the line by Bitche. These
corps are each composed of one division of cavalry, and of
either three or four divisions of infantry. The reserve is
at present at Chalons with Marshal Canrobert. Altogther,
according to the account given in the Figaro, there are
already on or near the frontier twenty-three divisions of
infantry and seven of cavalry ready to take the field,
whilst behind there is a formidable reserve—

not to say anything of the National Guard. This
is certainly a far superior force to the army of Italy,
which consisted of only fifteen divisions of infantry and
ten brigades of cavalry. With regard to the Prussians
of course nothing certain is known ; but the prevalent
expectation is that the German forces, as before, will be
divided into two armies, the one of the North commanded
by Prince Frederick Charles, and the other—of the South
—by the Crown Prince. There will also be an army of
reserve commanded by the King in person, and held in
readiness for any maritime expedition that may be at-
tempted. The navy preparations in France are going on
with the same rapidity and success as those of the army.
The naval authorities have well occupied their time since
the Crimean war, when the department was sadly in
arrear with its equipments.

ON THE FRONTIER.
METZ, TUESDAY.
Everywhere between Paris and Metz are to be seen
trains full of troops en route for the frontier. The soldiers
display the greatest enthusiasm. Cries of " Vive I'Em-
pereur !" resound on every side, and as the trains come
into Metz the inhabitants crowd to meet them, though,
truth to tell, the appearance of the martial heroes is not
at first very birilliant, since they are not all fully
equipped, and are covered with dust. The town
itself is completely boulererse. The streets are
crowded with vehicles bearing provisions and the
luggage of the officers, and it is difficult to
obtain even a servant's room at the hotels for 20fr. a day.
Everyone at Metz is hard at work, though there is less
singing and shouting than at Paris. Here again the
memories of 1815 are bitterly cherished, and the soldiers
of the reserve have all rejoined their respective corps,
while the Garde Mobile has assembled in crowds and de-
manded leave to march. MetE with its ramparts, its
bastions, its bridges, and the . Moselle inundating its
fosses, presents a formidable front. There are it
is said 50,000 men here, and the variety of
the uniforms, which include those of the Zouaves
and the Foot Chasseurs are sufficiently picturesque.
Private telegrams are subject to great delays, so
the public is informed by a notice on the doors
of the telegraph office. The Parisian press is already
represented at Metz, although it was positively stated that
no newspaper correspondents were to be allowed. The
Siecle, the Opinion Nationale, and the.Gaulois have their
representatives here. Some of these adventurous
gentlemen, intend following the army among the Chasseurs
k Pied. The confidence of the troops in the success of
their arms is very great, but they do not despise their
enemy. The soldiers say, "It will he hard work, there
will be plenty of firing," but they never dream of anything
but ultimate success.

STRASBOURG, TUESDAY

Strasbourg occupies a position of considerable import-
ance with regard to the war. It is one of the strong
points which protect the capital from the advance of an
invading army from the east, and forms, with Met; a
defence against a movement from the north. The
valleys of the Oise and the Saone, whore the condition of
Soissons proved so disastrous to the French in 1814,
have since then been put in a state of
complete defence. Strasbourg itself is very strongly
fortified, and would need a very large force to subdue it.
Troops are being poured into it so very fast that provi-
sions are actually running short. The bridge of boats has
been removed, and a rumour that some boats were trying
to land called out all the garrison for a short interval.
However, it proved to be nothing. The military equip-
ments, especially of the officers, are not yet complete.
Tents are not forthcoming, even Paris being unable to
furnish them, so that in case of a speedy departure they
must sleep under the open sky—no great hardship in this
weather. Epaulettes have been suppressed, and rows of
gold lace arraAged, according to military grades, replace
them. It is something of a hardship to Frenchmen that
the officers at Strasbourg are as yet insufficienty supplied
with this lace.

PREP tRATIONS IN BELGIUM.
BRUSSELS, TUESDAY.

Small neighbouring States are always jeopardised more
or less by wars between powerful neighbours. In the
present case the danger to Belgium of the violation of her
neutrality is moeb imminent, and fully justifies the pre-
parations which are now progressing on all sidbs. Bel-
gium has no desire to be embroiled in the war, but as it is
pretty certain that neither party would refrain from
entering her territory if they found it served their purpose,
it is not unnatural that the King and his Ministers should
decide to be prepared for the worst. The work is
going on rapidly. A number of regiments have been
armed and formed into two corps under the command of
the king himself. All round the frontier bodies .of troops
are placed for observation purposes ; and it has been
•resolved to pull up the Belgian railways and break down
the bridges whenever either belligerent advances to take
possession of them. Mines have been laid under the whole
of the railway from Arlon to Luxembourg. The citadel
of Gand and other fortresses are being put in a state of
defence. The Civic Guard in case of war will do garrison
duty, and to this end they have been supplied
with new and improved arms. At Beverloo the more
complicated manoeuvres are given up; the troops are now
exercised with their arms and baggage at promenade
work, in order to fit them for the labours of the march.
All visitors are excluded from the camp, and the strictest
surveillance is kept up. Further detail apart, a line of
battle of from 70,000 to 80,000 men will be ready to meet
whatever force may present itself as an enemy. This
army is well armed with a good breechloader, and the
artillery is of excellent quality. Alone the Belgian army
would count for little ; but both Prussia and France will
be careful of adding such a support to the ranks of its
antagonists.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

ARREST OF THE TIMES CORRE-
SPONDENT IN FRANCE.

A. correspondent of the Daily News, telegraphing from
Metz yesterday, says the correspondent of, the Times has
been arrested there as a Prussian spy. He was locked up
all night, and not liberated until morning. Two English
officers have been sent away by railway in the custody of
the gendarmes.