The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-05 00:00:00

THE FRENCH PROSPECTS.

The special correspondent of the Telegraph, writing
from the Royal Head-quarters at Versailles, November
29th, says :—Probably the same bad fortune that has
attended the French throughout the whole campaign
will wait upon their efforts now. Had such an
army as that under Aurelles de Paladine been in
the field before the surrender of Metz, there is but
little doubt that it could have raised the siege of
Paris, and compelled the investing troops to fight
a pitched battle. Metz surrendered just in time to
allow Prince Frederick Charles to interpose his three
Corps between the relieving forces and the beleageured
town. It is probable that the state of Paris will necessi-
tate a course of action on the part of De Paladine which,
if it could have been delayed, and conducted in concert
with the other French armies in the field, might have
been more effectual, and would have had, at least, a better
chance of success. In any case, the ultimate re-
sult is not doubtful. The fresh levies of France,
however brave they may be, and animated, as they
certainly are, by a spirit of honourable and high resolve,
cannot stand against the veteran troops opposed to them,
inured to hardship, accustomed to danger, and bold with
the confidence engendered by unqualified success. Neither
is there much likelihood that a sortie can now be at-
tended with a favourable result. The Germans have
strongly entrenched and fortified their positions—
places that a few weeks ago were tolerably open are now
almost impregnable to attack ; and an issuing force will
find its troops arrested and hurled back, like waves
of the ocean beating vainly against a rock-bound
coast. The general opinion here, among those
who ought to know, is, that Paris must sur-
render in a week or ten days at most, and cer-
tainly, to judge by the letters of your correspondent
and others who have bravely stuck to their posts in the
unhappy city,things must be in a very bad way indeed. Still
there are, probably, private stores hoarded away, which
when they are " requisitioned " by Government, as they
certainly will be, will serve to put off the evil
day for a little time. All accounts also agree
in stating that there are plenty of breadstuffs, and
wine in abundance. That such a diet will en-
tail an immense degree of misery, and produce
much disease and death, is, of course, certain ; but it is
probable that a population which has shewn so much
devotion and patient courage will continue to hold out for
some time upon bread and wine. The strong men will
not be so much affected ; but it is terrible to contemplate
the sufferings that will - ensue to the young chil-
dren, the weak women, and the sickly and aged
men. Fuel is becoming very scarce. Cold starves
as well as hunger ; and the intensity of winter's frosts
will have as much to do in bringing about capitulation as
the actual scarcity of food. Still, I do not agree with
those who think the end so very near. It was generally
supposed that the city would fall without any further
effort on the part of the garrison, though this supposition
has been disproved ; and equally mistaken, I think, are
those who expect to see the Germans in Paris before
Christmas Day.