Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-11
Features of one struggIe.

From the st. Louis Republican, 9Th
II is a matter of serious consideration
that the very first defeat of the French
armies throws them back to the center OF
the government, and forces them to neg
lect all the other cities Of France. The
only thought which at this moment
troubles the Emperor, the Cabinet, the
army and the people, is the salvation OF
Paris. The system of Capitalization has
so identified the country and the capital,
that nothing seems lost as long as Paris
is not invaded by the enemy. And here
the terrible fate of France appears in its
most frightful eolors. In spite Of most
complete system of ramparts and
trenches, erected at the expense of up
ward of three hundred millions Of francs,
it will need wall Of human beings to
obstruct the road to the heart of the
city such as na-country in the world has
understs control. From within, Paris
cannot be defended, because at every
point of the thirty-two miles of the for
tifications the forces of the defense
ought to be of equal strength, whilst the
beleaguering enemy needs only to con-
centrate his power on one point, in order
TO enter the city by assault. A battle,
therefore, may be fought under the walls
or near the vicinity of Paris. which Sc
cures the city to the successful army.
Is there any reason TO believe that the
victorious invaders shall not be strong
enough to defeat the French in last
battle, after having succeeded in cutting
their way through France from the Rhine
10 Paris? s.
The system Of Capitalization may offer
certain elements Of strength, but If it is,
as in the case of France, established on
the almost complete Indifference toward
the organic and constitutional portions
Of the country, IL becomes the very EN-
bodiment Of weakness. The French viii
have to defeat the German armies in
open battle-fields in order TO save Paris.
The Notifications, insufieiently armed
as they are, at any rate may offer some
additional protection; but the very i'm
mensity OF their extension involves the
impossibility Of their successful defense.
Another very important point of the
present situation is the combination of
statesmen and generals in Prussia, whilsG
in France the military and political
genius is concentrated in single per
son. There is not the least doubt that
Mcmahon was ordered to attack the left
wing Of the Germans under the Crown
Prince, in order To wipe out the stain of
the disastrous affair at Weissenburg.
The order isolated Mcmahon from the
main army, and his defeat in the end
was the necessary consequence of being
Obliged to execute a within of the EN-
per0r, which had no connection with the
general plan Of attack, but which was
exclusively destined to quiet the Paris
ians and make them forget defeat in a
subsequent victory.
Such a blunder is impossible in the
Prussian camp, because the King does
not believe himself the only source Of all
wisdom, political and military. With
the Prussians every movement is part
of general plan, which, Of course, may
&c changed according to overwhelming
but which statesmanlike I
Bismarck and tacticianlike Moltke have /
and which are now executed .
By generals like the two princes of the |
royal family. Herwarih Won Bittenfeld, (
5Oeben aud others. The temper Of the I
population Of Berlin would not influence
heir plans IN the least