Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-11-09
Telegram 10 tho New iofh Herald.
.yapoIson's Defcntc.

aNUNOffOH hfffsH''f
LoNpoN, Nov 3, 1870,
The Figaro ofthis evening publishes
a version Of the Emperor Napolcon's
pamphlet on the campaign Of 1870 and
tho causes which led TO the capitula.
ton ut Sedan.
Tho Emperor recalls his manifesto
issued Just after the declaration Of war,
aud the misgivings with which he lis
tened to the cry, "On to Berlin"
lie says his plan was to mass $50,
900 men at Metz, 10000 at Slrasburg
and $4,000 at Chalons, and to cross
the Rhine near Ilaguenau with large
force in order TO separate Southern
Germany from the Northern Conicd.
Grafton. lie hoped to win the first
great battle, and secure the alliance
OF Austria and Italy with France in
imposingncutralty on Bavaria, Baden
and Wurtemburg.
The defects in the French military
system and the delay in bringing up
men and material defeated this plan.
He enumorates the difficulties encoun-
tered, but acquits TO War Office OF
blame.
The Germans having had ample
time TO bring their forces into the
field, the French were outnumbered
and put on the defensive. A new
plan was necessary, involving a re-
treat on Chalons. This the regency
disapproved as discouraging to the
public, and the Emperor was urged to
resume the offensive.
Yielding, MacNahon's advice and
plan were adopted.
lie alludes to his situation after be
had given up the command of the ar,
my, aud when his name and authority
were ignored At Paris; as exceeding
ly painful.
lie acquicsced in the march for the
relief of Metz, though conscious of the
danger Of that enterprise. lie des-
cribes the operations aud analyses the
battles which preceded the surrender
at Sedan.
Afler describing the battle of Sedan
he proceeds to give the details of his
interview with the King of Prussia
He says when he told Wilhelm he had
given full powers to the regency, and
with it alone negotiations for peace
could be conducted, he merely deliv.
cred his own person into the hands oI
the King, and not France. He told
the King that, the war having turned
unfortunately, he could not throw of
the responsibility. Nevertheless, he
had only obeyed the violchtly excited
national feeling.
The pamphlet concludes as follows
"The successes of the Prussians are
due to the superiority of their mum.
bers, the rigorous discipline of their
army and the power exercised through.
out Germany by the principle of au.
thority"
May our unhappy countrymen now
prisoners profit during their soiourn
in Prussia by approaching all which
gives strength 10 The army, the pow.
ers that be respected, the law obeyed,
the military aud patriotic spirit dom.
mating over all interests and opinions,
and, to sum up, the army always re.
fleets the state of society. When
authority was exercised France was
strong and respected and the consti.
tuition Of the army presented re.
markablc solidity; but when excesses
of the tribune aud the press were per.
mitted they enfeeblcd authority and
introduced everywhere q spirit ofcrit.
icism and insubordnation, and the
army felt the effect of 1t. God grant
that the terrible drama now cnacting
may serve as lesson for the future,
and that our country may rise again
from the catastrophe which now over.
whelms her.