The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-05
FRANCE.


FRANCE.
War RumOrs-Great Continontal Changes Ex-
pected-The Chasscpot Gun q Failure-An
American Invention Alphabetically In
Paris.
PARIS Sept. %, 1858.
The air just now Is filed with rumors OF war and
revolution The widest stories are circulated about
the tmminence Of q gigantic war between France
and Germany, the papers are filled with leading ar
tices on the possibility Of conflict and every one ID
uneasy and nervous because or the very general
feeling that crisis must come in spite Of the
efforts OF the Emperor to prevent it-providing
always that he so desires, which, after all, Is the
question. In spite fthe many very good reasons to
induce one to believe that war is likely to break
out very soon, there are other reasons why
the Emperor should postpone hostllities. In
the first place, Notwithstanding Marshal Niel's
assertion that France Is the only nation
ready for war. I have reason to believe that
rly armed that prevents the Emperor from under
taking fall campaign on the Rhine. There have
been faint whispers more than once that the Chasse
pot gun is not what the Emperor or his o'cers de-
sired. have reason to know that all tins Is true.
Not only is the Chassepot not what the people be-
lieve 1t to be- but 1t Is almost a complete failure
The more extended the experience Of the army
with the arm the greater dissatisfaction. The sol
out to be one Of the most worthless dangerous and
uncertain guns ever supplied an army. Whenever
battalion exercised n nrlng two or three soldiers
and sometimes entire hands. You can. easily
imagine the effect OF casualties Of that
more than almost ANYTHING that Defall them, and
the amount OF solid excavations heaped upon "the
most complete arm in the world" Is quite enough to
The inherent faults of the Chassepot are many. In
the first place 1t is very uncertain OF fire. In wet or
dan anfh thar pyuhn on11 hnC not toll
the greatest care Of his cartridges they become de-
Perforated and fail to ignite. Then the machinery
rainy day the gun becomes almost useless after five
or SIX discharges The solder has frequently to use
his feet to kick back the movable breech in order to
insert cartridge. Often he cannot move IL with
TINS extraordinary force and the gun Is literally dis
abled. The spring that forces the needle int the
during damp weather and viii not work. II cart
ridge misses IRE the breech must be thrown back
and the cartridge drawn by means OF an iron hook
which each soldier carries The greatest care is requ
site In drawing the cartridge to prevent breaking the
light silk sack which contains the powder. II the
gun has been discharged many times the cartridge
breaks the powder falls out, and the soldier must
use q ramrod to force back the ball. work not
readily or successfully carried out in the excitement
and heat OF conflict. Again, the gutta percha ring
which prevents the escape OF gas at the breech ID
driven into the 6reech plug and functions Ct badly
burns the eyes and faces OF the soldiers This Is not
an attractive feature in the arm and Is consequently
but little admired by the poor fellows who have TO
undergo double peril-a Shot from the enemy and
an explosion Of his own gun. These are but por-
ton OF the grievous faults OF the Chassepo already
developed. Others exist quite as serious. All com
bined have made the gun unpopular with the soldier
and unsatisfactory TO the Emperor II Is for this one
reason only that the Chassep0t has not been tried
on the banks OF the Rhine. AS soon as the army
is armed in proper manner the black clouds
desired by Napoleon but 1t is not be undertaken
at any disadvantage. The needle gun OF the PruS-
SLAMS although clumsy a ra superior h',s 70 ,ne
war will occur by their initiation. That may be
set down rs certainty. OF course, the Emperor
and his Officers have not been ignorant Of the weak
points developed in the favorite French gun. long
series OF costly and exhaustive experiments have
been going on since the adoption OF the gun, and
efforts have been made In every way TO obvate the
defects found from time to time But In spite OF all
the skin and ingenuity OF the French artisans the
Ordnance Department has been unable to overcome
the most serious faults, and 1t now frankly admits
that the gun is not what the government desired and
Is not what the needs OF the times mperativey de-
mand. The Emperor, have reason to believe, is in
full accord with the ordnance officers, and has de-
that view - a new series or experiments have been
Instituted to ascertain whether the arm can
be so altered as to become efficient and
praseworthy. Two or three systems OF alteration
have been tried, and 1t Is probable that one on an
American plan will be adopted, and with 1t y radical
change in the character OF the ammunition. The
not suitable for breech loading arms and ne is about
determined to adopt the metallic cartridge closely re-
sembling those in use by the United States. As this
radical change In the style OF small arms will require
some time TO complete peace may be considered
tOeraDiy assured until IL Is eUcCteu, unless
other nation makes war. 1t Will require eight
months to alter the arms OF the French army, and
you need not look for war before next spring OF
summer. The American plan, which has probably
been adopted will entail expense OF four francs
for each gun, and the transformation be accom-
the requisite quantity or cartridges viii have been
prepared and the army will be ready for an advance.
This Is precisely the situation now lin France, and
from 1t you can draw your own conclusions In re-
gard to the probabilities OF immediate war.
Among those who are thoroughly familiar with the
true situation Of affairs In France at the present mo-
ment the idea of immediate conflict with Prussia
finds no acceptance What the next spring may
bring forth no one can conjecture, but the general
opium Is that we shall have terrible conflict that
will either make or unnake the Emperor Napoleon.
Mr.. Calvert vaux. the eminent architect and land
OF the Central Park OF New York and the Prospect
PARK OF Brooklyn, has arrived in Paris with view
Of examining all the parks rr IN and about about
that he may adopt the best features OF the
new and old parks Tor the Prospect Park Of Brook
Ign, whose directors have sent him abroad for that
purpose. Mr.. vaux has already visited the finest
parks IN England and proposes to examine the
The Prospect Park, ana the Central Park OF New
York. are likely to be greatly benefited by the tour
OF inspection which Mr.. vanx Will conscienpousy
make as he 10 gentleman OF excellent professional
attainments and refined taste. The most attractive
and valuable features Of the finest parks in Europe
will be adopted and developed in America and In
time you may promise yourselves the possession Of
the most elegant and beautiful parks In the world
The directors Of the Brooklyn Park are certainly
wise and liberal In sending an agent abroad to
gather the most charming bouquets for their own
garden. 1t viii not do to be insular in ones views
and ideas when one Is providing for the wants aud
tastes OF future generations.
There are number Of American artists here at
! present en- rOtue to Rome. Rinepert, one OF the
cleverest sculptors that America has produced,
although he Is still young IL here. after vacation
In which he has laid in ne stock OF health for his
hard winters work. Hazeltine the sculptor, Is
also here, resting after season OF labor In Rome.
Hotchkss the painter, one OF our rising artists,
LETT to-day for Rome. McEntee, Coleman and other
painters are in Perrugia. Italy, sketching. They 90
to Rome In October Patti appears at the Italiens
4 the first Of October In "Lucia.v Her engagement
continues for six weeks, when she goes to Brussels
for few nights and then to st. Petersburg to fulfill
| her winter engagement. Miss Minnie Hauck ~ IN
Paris devotlng herself to her studios with deter