The Sun.
London, England, 1870-09-19 00:00:00

THE WAR.

PARIS INVESTED.

FRIDAY.
The Germans, or as people here call them, the Prus-
sians, are now before the gates ; and the wished-for
moment has arrived. I say " wished-for," because the
suspense of waiting for the termination of the vic-
torious Teuton march from Sedan has become
utterly intolerable to everybody here. People are
anxious to terminate it, no matter at what price.
For the peacefully disposed the horrors of an actual siege
cannot be much worse than the miseries endured in this
space of preparation ; whilst there are unquestionably
thousands of good men who are firmly convinced that the
heroism of Paris under its great trial will redeem all the
disasters of the battle field, and that the coming siege will
prove one of the most remarkable military events in his-
tory. Hence they are desirous of beginning. But to the
Government the few days of unexpected delay, for it was
thought that we should have had the Germans in sight at the
beginning of the week, have proved most valuable. Much
bad beendone by Mondpy, but much remained, and at least
a part is accomplished. In the way of soldier drilling, of
food providing, obstacle removing, and fortification
finishing, it is wonderful how much a single day can
bring about. The array of defence, in the shape of
men, walls, and food, is really very respectable. I
cannot say anything about ammunition, which
is a sore and doubtful point, but in other respects great
progress has been made. The total number of available
rifles in the capital is variously given, but it cannot be
under 300,000, and it may be nearer 400,000. Such a
heterogeneous multitude as this is oould do little in the open
field, but fighting behind walls is another affair. The raw
recruit becomes the match of a first-rate soldier when the first
is protected bya rampart, and the other is in the open field.
The men assembled here make no discreditable show.
They consist of about 10,000 free shooters, all active men
who have taken to fighting through the love of the thing,
and therefore ought to acquit themselves well ; 100,000
Gardes Mobiles who are capital stuff for the formation of
an army—though they require more time ; an indefinite
number of sedentary National Gardes, who also shew
creditably ; a few thousand sailors and others ; and a
large body of regular troops who, however, are, perhaps
of less value than any of the other defenders, so demora,
used are they with the late events in the field. Taking
the army as a whole, however, it is not to be
despised. The improvement within the last few days is
really remarkable, and quite inspirits the public. Very
good order is kept, though the troops are a motley crew.
They obey their officers, which is more than can be said
of the well-dressed levies who fought at Sedan.

General Trochu has just held a review. A large por-
tion of the Paris army, probably equal to 150,000 men,
was on the ground. They covered an immense space,
4retching all along the Boulevards, Quays, and Places
iko the Champs Elysees. It was vain to attempt
any manoeuvres with such a tremendous array. They had
the utmost difficulty in finding a standing place. All that
was done was to arrange them in the best order, and then
pass by the ranks and inspect. The result was certainly
not unfavourable. True, the men looked odd, for there

are no uniforms for the vast majority, and their common
clothes, with scarcely a sign of military appendage about
them, have a very queer look. But the persons of these
Gardes, espf,=-ially those from the provinces, are generally
of the best kind, indeed much better than the men of the
line, for the Mobiles are often sons of well-to-do people,
who have bought them off, and who have now to face a
necessity from which there is no escape. On the whole the
Parisians were greatly impressed by the number and good
behaviour of the force assembled.

Of peace there is not a very great deal said, though
Paris of course would prefer a fair settlement to the
desperate risk of a siege. The Dant; reply-
ing to the argument that the people of

France, equally with the Imperial Government,
were responsible for the war, admits that beyond doubt

a considerable portion was eagerfor the fray,but argues that
another portion, far from inconsiderable, was fully alive
to the iniquity and danger of an aggressive war upon
Germany. To Include the whole of the French in the
indictment is wrong; and it is unjust to refuse

assistance in the shape of mediation because

some people in Paris shewed delight when war was de-
_

dared. The Daces expresses disappointment at the atti-
tude of the Times. Other journals express indignation,
as well its disappointment The Soir is the leading ex-

ponent of peace hopes. Every day it cries aloud for

the cessation of hostilities. It has just published
one article, in which it says that the great need
of the situation is a Sister Anne. Sister Anne, it will be
remembered, plays an important part in the finale of

" Bluebeard," by waving her handkerchief and calling
up her brothers whilst Fatima is about to be immo-

sated by the tyrant of many wives. France is
compared by the Soir to Fatima ; Prussia is the ferocious
_ _

Blue Beard, but where is the Sister Anne to call up the
brothers?

There is a variety of items relating to the advance of
the Prussians, but they are not of very special interest in

detail. The sum and substance of the whole is that the
enemy is close to the city, so close that the investment
may be expected to commence at once.

It is wonderful how truth-telling the papers are becom-
ing under the Republic. The Figaro, which formerly
told the most monstrous tales of French success, now
prints a quietbulletin containing the melancholy assurance
that things are not going on well with the fortresses of
the East. Bazaine has tried a sortie, but without success,
and at Strasbourg the Germans are employing such pro-
digious balls that no place of shelter can resist them.

shall gain the victory." These are tlfe only communica-
tions which the Emperor had with General Wimptten
during the action, and it is equally false to state that there
was the least altercation between them. When they sepa.
rated the Emperor embraced the General with warmth:
THE GENERAL AIDES-DE-CAMP OF THE EMPEROR :
PRINCE DE LA MOSSOIVA,
GASTELNEAU,
DE WAURERT,

CTE. REILLY,
VTE. PAJOL.

THE FRENCH PRESS ON THE CHANCES OF
MEDIATION.
The Soir says that if its private information is correct
England has taken a good many steps to bring about a
peace, but she appears to care little for obtaining favour-
able conditions for France. The sacrifices of territory and
of dignity will cost her little if it is we who are to make
them. Count Bismarck has replied to the vague overtures
which have been made by the Foreign-office by inquiring
what guarantee he could have that the signature of M.
Jules Favre and his colleagues would be ratified by
future Governments. While England, and Prussia
her fierce ally, are exchanging these feints of
negotiations, an understanding of a much more
active charaeter: kas been established between
Russia► gekiiirA, 'aid Italy. These three powers are
anxious to prevent the humiliation of France, and the
preponderance of Prussia. They only await the adhesion
of England to act vigorously. But England !
The _mete reiterates its declaration that the opening
of negotiations will depend on the attitude of Paris, and
their satisfactory result upon the force of its resistance.
It declares that if they look at the situation as it is they
will see that the Prussians, in spite of their victories, are
by no means sure of a final success, and that
their requirements should be resolutely repulsed if they
attack lthe honour of France. It is precisely because
they desire peace, and because the Government of the
National Defence desires it also, that they have the right
to be firm, and refuse to agree to terms which will entail
absolute ruin or relative humiliation.
The Journal des Debats wishes to consider the situation
in all its truth and severity, for a misconception of the
state of affairs was the origin of their misfortunes. It is
an illusion for the nation to suppose that because the
Government which provoked the war has been over-
thrown it is not responsible for its acts, its follies, or its
crimes. This is a mistake, because that same Govern-
ment, whatever might have been its faults, was for
twenty years the Government of France, and appeared
so to the rest of the world. It was not the French who
overthrew it, but the King of Prussia. Another
illusion is that of counting upon the disinterested
support of Europe, and putting faith in negotiations
which may themselves entail other dangers. Europe
will only consult her own interest while she appears-to
take care of ours. It is idle to appeal to a sentiment
which has no place in the political positivism of our days.
If France makes peace she must not do so on conditions
which will render her position false and insecure. The
Powers which act as mediators have to take into account
the manner in which France can pay the cost of a war
which has been so unfortunate for her, without offering
conditions to her from which she must revolt, and which
would be incompatible with a real peace by laying the
foundation of a source of disorder in Europe. This is
what they must bear in mind for France in the present
and for themselves in the future.
The Sieele asks if political spirit has vanished from the
European world ? One would really suppose so, to judge
by the attitude of some neutral Powers. Without speak-
ing of England, which displays an incarnate egotism ;
Russia, who has directed all her policy to the attainment
of a Northern empire, hangs back; but if she expects
Prussia to yield her a place in her dominion she is mis-
taken. If England and Russia are mistaken in holding
back, what can be said of Austria ? She will never find
so good an occasion at the present for revenging Sadowa,
for the road to Berlin is open to her, and she might send
an army there in a few weeks' time. Where will Turkey
find money for her loans, and fleets to cover the Bosphorus,
if the great Mediterranean power of France should fall in
the struggle with Germany ? The neutral Powers should
bear in mind that most disastrous effects for them will
follow from the defeat of France.
The Unian joins the number of those journals who
scorn the idea of a peace which follows upon reverses.
"Alas ! it says, "we had enough of the capitulation of
Sedan ;we do not want two of them. The only desirable
peace is for those who preserve their honour, but a peace
concluded under existing circumstances, would be lower-
ing to our dignity. Let us remember our fathers, who
made France, and our children who will demand an
account of the trust confided to our hands. Do not let us
reckon on Europe. but upon ourselves, and we shall
find that the ancient spirit of France has not deserted
her."

The Temps does not believe that the neutral Powers
intend to take up the work of mediation in earnest.
The Presse, on the other hand, has great faith in the
result of M. Thiers's mission. It thinks that all wise
statesmen must recognise the dangerous power which
Prussia has gained during the last four years, and which
has resulted from the fatal apathy which the Cabinets of
Europe exhibited during the war with Austria.
The Potpie Francais says that Austria would be willing
to take up the cause of France, but is partly deterred 1
from the influence of race and the national characteristics
which are identical in Prussia and Austria. The Austrian
people are at the same time proud of the success which
has been obtained by those who speak their language, and
alarmed at the consequences of the triumph of Prussia.
The Etoile believes that the best intervention will be
that of guns, and the Moniteur Universel holds the same
opinion to a great extent.
The Patrie declares that the idea of mediation is not irre-
concilable with that of a vigorous preparation for defence.
In admitting that there is some chance of mediation it
says that it can only be realised if the whole of Europe
shall find Paris prepared to obtain at any sacrifice a
revenge for Sedan.
The departmental press passes some remarks on the
condition of affairs at present.
The Journal du Havre says that a large sum has been
subscribed for the defence of the town.
The Union de L'Ouest thinks that M. Thiers was the
only political man who saw the dangers of the war, and
he must, consequently, exercise a great influence on the
Cabinets of Europe.
The Phare de la Loire says that there is no chance of an
armistice unless the neutral Powers impose it on Prussia,
and threaten her, in the event of a refusal, that they will
unite their forces to those of France. Unless the Foreign
Cabinets should adopt this course without delay, the siege
of Paris will begin, and diplomacy must stay its efforts •
until the gigantic drama has been played out.
The Journal Indre et Loire observes that when
Europe recognises that France will not agree to any con-
ditions which are hurtful to the pride of the people, then
the generosity and courage of the different nations will
combine to use their influence in a cause which concerns '
their own destinies as well as those of their ally.