New-York tribune., 1870-09-06
TRIBUNE WAR LETTERS.

GRAVELOTTE-THE NEWS IN FRANKFORT
TIE CITY WILD WITH ENTHUSIAsM-GERMAN
ESTIMATE OF THE FRENCH TROOPS-GERMAN
TREATMENT OF FRENCH PRISONERS.
IFROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
FRANKFoRT, Aug. 20.-The uncertainty which
was felt with regard to recent warke operations did not
long prevail At late hour last night the publication OF
telegram from the King OF Prussia dispeed the doubts
which had been generally entertained, ana aroused the
enthusiasm OF the entire population of this city This
time the victory not only complete hut was also
pregnant with glorious results. BY the majority II was
regarded a. a second Waterloo The thorough rout OF
the army commanded by Marshal Bazaine and the sew
crance of that army's communication with Paris ap-
peared disaster which could hardly be repaired by
strategy mtgated by the most extraordinary dis
play Of bravery. On the roofs OF the public build
ngs flags were hoisted. From the windows Of hotels
and private houses flags were hung out. An
excited crowd tlrOnged the streets. Cheers were
again and again raised for the army which
had fought 50 well and conquered so splendidly. Nor
did the silent significant words OF the dispatch re-
main without addition which magnlhed their import
ance S0re, circulatedto the effect that cannon
had been captured by the hundred and prisoners by the
tDou,aud How these stories originated no one knows
and no one cared inquire. The people were prepared
to believe ANYTHING They held that the official infor
NATION was sufficiently comprehensive 10 permit of the
acceptance of any detail however startling and strange
tmoug the statements made was one that several pOr
touS of the beaten army had fed and taken refuge on
Belgian soil Whether this even possible nobody
asked II really trne it considered as equivalent
10 the loss Of a certain number Of French sol
d..rs because it was held that the Belgian au
,borities would at once dsarm and imprisOn the
futves IL some quarters credit taken for correct
Interpretation Of the previous teegams (which TO the
majority appeared 10 be painfully obscure and distress
incy Ominous. The predominant feeling was one OF
tbaukfuluc.s that all had ended WELL and that the pros
.,t,t for affn IN he "A
assuming a definite form. Even in the hour OF their
cxtation the Germans always remember the price at
which they have reaped trunphs While the supe-
Torty OF their is demonstrated, the sacrlhce OF
human life l. enormous With the shouts they raise in
token OF rejoicing are mingled many bitter thoughts
about the losses on the battlefield Those who congau
lated each other the Victories add that the slaughter
must be prOdigiOus. The sympathy with the wounded
and the fallen equals if il does not exceed the admra
ton for the victorious survivors.
Perhaps the eatiOn caused by this last and crOwning
triumph may prove the source of conclusion which, al
though plausihle will yet he proved by the issue 20
have been utterly wrong. The notion OF serious resist
nce TO the onward march OF the German army Is not en-
teriancd. II is argued that the number OF regular
troop. AT Chalons and elsewhere is too small 10 offer
barrier TO the advancing force. The Garde Mobile is re-
,,,rded as a name and little more II is believed that
m raw levies will merely be food for powder, should
they ever take the field The articles in the Paris news
naers calling upon the country TO rise man, and
10 hurI back invader by sheer force Of numbers,
aided by such weapons scythes hatchets, and
.rowbars have been translated, in order 10 show
e German public the sort OF opposition which is being
orenared for their troops. The effect has been TO
nce the Germans that the French have lost their heads
feeling has been engendered which bodies good 10
France Only few weeks ago the Germans admitted
mat the task they had undertaken gigantic
that the foe against which they in for
,dabe antagonist. The people were prepared to wage
s.nguuary and terrible They were not afraid to
, the enemy but they not slow 10 grant that all
ne couraee endurance and patriotism were necessary
IN order 10 support them under the ordeal Experience
bs. t,ugbt them that many Of their anticipaons were
overstroined that many OF their fears were baseess
rbev here had a success for which the most sanguine
were uuprepared and which, in the eyes OF those who
tormerly desponded, borders on the miraculous
The reaction has now begun. Instead or al
mitting the claim of the French 10 be the mrs
military nation in Europe, the Germans are ashamed
the way I'm which, according % them they suffered them
sevesto be msed by pretentious phrases and toWcrt
boasts They regard the military prestige OF the ffeh'i
ar they regard that Of the Autrans thing OF the past
for the respect which they formerly displayed mas peci
substituted increased contempt. They are ceaslht
hate those whom they have commenced TO despse lhh
repeat, bodies i for France because while such spin
dominates the people the terms imposed cannot but b
very heavy and humiliatng Before censuring the Ger
people would be well 20 give heed 10 the prOyOca
tiOn they have received In every possible way th'
french have insulted and tOrmented them They have
been Eed up the execratOnO Of Europe set OF barba
rams The food they eat the liquors they drink the book
they WRITE the language they speak have been rdi