The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-10
THE CIR ISIS.
THE MILITARY SITUATION.

Napoleon Concentrating his Troops at Metz
Tho PrusslaDs Preparing TO Bes1ege the
Fortress.
In the perilous position of affairs on the
frontier not less than in Paris, the beginning Of
the end is seen. The Prussians have occupied
earreguemines As we'll as Forbach. This place
is a town of about 5000 inhabitants, on the left
bank of the Saar, which here just touches the
border line, nine miles south of Saarbruck, and
about fifteen miles w. N. w. of Bitche. The
0ccupationI is also announced of Hagenau, the
French fortress, sixteen miles north of Stras-
burg, at the point where the uncompleted rail-
road running towards Bitche and Sarreguemines
branches off from the main line from Strasburg
20 Mannheim. II was just north of Hagenau
tnat the battle of last Saturday between the
Crown Prince and Marshal MacNahon was
aOusht.
The Siege of StrasburG.
a cable telegram from Carlsruhe announces
that &, 900 troops, mostly from South Germany,
have surrounded Strasburg, and the surrender
of that fortress is anticipated, as it is garrisoned
by but 1000 men. The Notifications of Stras-
burg, however, are of very formidable charac-
ter, and strong enough to enable comparatively
small force to hold an enemy at bay. The
works were greatly improved under the super
vision of Vauban, and in later times, and fur
tber improvements were in progress at the out
break of the war. The fortified city is Of tri-
angular form, enclosed by Fashioned ramparts,
strengthened by numerous outworks, and en-
tered by seven gates. At its eastern extremity
is strong pentagonal citadel, built by Vauban.
The city stands upon level ground, and
is nearly six miles in circuit. Nume
sous outworks land detached forts. large
and small, finished and unfinished add
to its strength, and in connection with
the. citadel on the eastern side contribute
20 much support to the main works as to render
the fortress almost equal to that of Metz. The
Fashioned wall is surrounded by moat filled
with water, and by means of numerous sluices
the whole surrounding country may be over
nowed. The defenses of the city, however, de-
pend greatly on these aqueous appliances and
fess than three weeks ago the water was so low
as to materially weaken their strength. Stras-
burg is situated on the river ILL., about a mile
from the west bank of the Rhine, and 250 miles
east by south from Paris. 1t has population
of about $4,000.
The Prussian Advance on MuIhausen.
4 rumor comes from London that the Prus-
slams are in Mulhausen, but the report lacks
confirmation. Mulhausen, or Mulhouse, as the
French call it, is situated the river III, which
flows into the Rhine at Strasburg, and is 81 miles
8. 8. W. of that place, on the railroad running
from Strasburg 10 Basle, in Switzerland. 1t is
about twelve miles from the Baden frontier.
II is divided into the old and new town,
the former of which is built on
an island in the river, and is reached
by four bridges. The new town, TO the south
east of the old town, extends from the right
hank of the Ill to the Rhone and Rhine Canal,
which has a capacious basin at this point.
Mulhausen ranks as one of the most important
towns of France. II was for many centuries
the capital of a small republic of the Swiss Con-
Sederation, but in 179S it became incorporated
with France. The population in 1852 was about
$4,000.
The Siege of Metz.
Advices from Metz state that Marshal Bazaine,
whose appointment to the command in chief IL
confirmed, has 10000 or 10000 men under
him. including Frossard's corps, at that place
while MacMahon has but 0000 at Saverne, on
the railroad from Strasburg to Nancy, and thai
Canrobert is at the latter place with $4,000
more. another despatch from Metz states that
the Prussians are concentrating in large force
in front of that city. This indicates that they
are about TO attempt the siege of that strong
hold, formidable task which will tax theiI
powers to the utmost. 1t may be, however
that the object OF the Prussian commanders ii
merely 90 engage the attention of the French by
threatening Melz, while more serious move
nents are In progress at other points.