The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-07
The War Ncws-More Fiyhtins-rhe Situa-
tiOn Critical.

tion Critical.
Our war news this morning is more lively
than 1t has bsen sir Sc this struggle commenced.
| The forces of the two Powers have come into
| closer contact The Wissembourg position
| has been, according to our latest news, taken
and retaken. In whose hands il now Is it is
difficult to tell. The one certain fact Is that
yesterday was all through from sunrise to sun :
set day of severe lighting. Late in the after
noon it was supposed that victory was on the
side of France. Later still, as will be seen
from our Geographic war news, the tide was in
favor of Prussia The despatch, which is
dated "Near Worth, 4:30 z. M seems to
| imply that late on Saturday the Grown Prince
of Prussia had got the better of MacMahon.
| The words of the Crown Prince from the battle
ied--"A victorious battle has been fought
near Worth MacMahon was totally beaten -
leave us no room to doubt that late last night
Prussia had the best of the fight.
The situation is thus more interes sting than
ever. With bated breath we hang upon the
announcements Of the cable Any moment
way 10 Berlin, or that the Prusslaus are on
their way to Paris.
Paris is said to be dreadrully excited and
full Of impotence at what seems dangerous
delay. France, in fact. believes that the EN-
peror ought to win, and France is impatient
because the Emperor has not said Prussia
is annihilated and we are in Berlin" In other
words, the French people tremble, lest, before
they know where they are, the Prussan ad-
vanced guard should appear in sight Of Paris
Late last night the rejoicing was great in Ber-
lin. Late last night the Impotence was great
in Paris. The French Cabinet issued pro-
clamation tending to soOthe the citizens. The
document hopes, in other words, for better
news next time.
One great fact stands prominently out. What
is il? 1t is that the fighting, which has really
begun, has been confined to the frontier.
The living wall, or, If the reader will, the
wall of fire, has been as fearful and as full of
resistance on the one side as on the other.
The needle gun seems quite as good as the
Chassepot, If not better. We have not heard
much of the Prussian revolving cannon or of
anything which at all resembles the French
mitrailleurs but we are not left at liberty to
doubt that Prussia has weapons of warfare
which satisfactorily serve her purpose.
Regarding the outside Powers we have not
much that is new to communicate. If there
be anything new it is this, that Austria and
Italy have come to some common understand
ing What the understanding is we are not
told. We are only told that the understand
ing is IN favor of France. Denmark is no
longer doubtful. She has at last openly and
honestly, and wisely, too, gone in for neutral
ity. We have no fear that Austria or
Italy will act rashly. Italy is occupied,
and occupied sufficiently, with Rome
and the Pope. Austria knows that
she dare not move-Russia has her
hand upon her. The first movement of Aus
tria in favor of France-and she cannot move
in favor of Prussia--would be her ruin.
Great Britain looks anxiously on and keeps
her eve on Belgium. Her army is being put
on war footing, and her magnificent feet is
almost impatient for action. Ii is more than
possible, however, that although France has
nineteen warshps in the Baltic, and although
she is otherwise attempting the r5te of queen
of the seas, the British nation will keep out Of
this fray. Russia says she will not spoil the
fight unless provoked. 1t is reasonable, we
think, to conclude that the outside Powers
will simply look on.
The result Of this war is go uncertain that it
is really unsafe to speculate. triumphant
Germany would imply complete rearrange-
meut of Europe; and unless Napoleon went
in for republican institutions the presumption
is that it would be the ruin Of the Bonaparte
dynasty A triumphant France would check
the progress Of Germln nniGcation for many
long years. Whichever Power should win,
let us hope for the peoples and for liberty.