The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-08-12


armies from the protection of their
limited sea coast, endangered by the
great superiority of the French naval
forces, losing sight altogether of the
fact-with which he has since been
made familiar-that Prussia could
most effectually defend her sea coast
on the soil Of France. Whatever may
have been the influences operating
upon the Emperor. his conduct has
been as timid and vascillating as it
was in his ridiculous effort to revolu-
tionize France at Boulogne.
The result. thus far. shows that the
statesmen, generals and soldiers of
Prussia more correctly estimate the
value and importance of time. The
movements of the armies and the bat
ties fought, also indicate that Baron
Won Moltke, with the reckless disre-
gard of the time honored rules of war
which he manifested in the Sadowa
campaign, has located the point for
the grand concentration Of his armies
in the rear of the French line of de-
Tense. and that nc is steadily fighting
his way-right, left and center-to
that objective point. Ordinarily. this
movement is regarded by military
critics as extremely hazardous, but
the old veteran has unlimited conf
dence In his officers and men, and
doubtless in case any of his divisions
should meet with a repulse, has his
arrangements so perfected as TO pre-
vent its proving disastrous.
Since the fighting, on Saturday Of
last week, mysterious stiffness is OBJ
served in both armies. The secret Of
the hesitation on the part of the Prus-
slams to push their columns forward
may be found in the confusion that
reigns in Paris. Bismarck may be
acting upon his own axiom. that to
"evade war is the highest achieve.
ment of craftsmanship" and hopes to
profit by the confusion and demorali.
zation that prevails at the French
Capital. Whether this be wise, can
only be determined by subsequent
events. While il is true that disorder
reigns at Paris, reports indicate that
order is being established among the
defeated divisions and corps of the
French army, and that the spirits Of
the men-the elan of which we have
heard so much-is being restored. In
addition, the army is being rapidly
increased by the arrival of new levies,
as well as by veteran troops from Rome,
and confidence is already so far re-
stored that talk of assuming the Of
fensive-the favorite mode of fighting
with the French-is freely INDUCED
in, both by officers and men. We are
not so sure but that the delay of the
Prussians viii prove as unfortunate to
them as did Napoleon's hesitation at
the outset to the French arms.
Notwithstanding the positiveness of
the London dispatch, announcing the
arrival of the Prince Imperial at the
French Embassy, in that city, we
doubt its genuineness, or, at least. the
correctness of it's statement. Napo-
leon will not dare to manifest such
distrust of the French people, unless
he has already despaired of SUCCESS
and seeks only to provide eomforta.
BILE place of retreat for himself and
family. While he is not celebrated
for personal courage, he would hardly
display his cowardice so Extensively as
to send off his son and the crown
Jewels In the manner indicated by the
London telegram. Besides. it is con-
tradicted by other dispatches from
Paris and Metz.
We anticipate more stirring news
if such a thing is possible-within the
next orty-eight hours. We do moi
conceive it possible for the contend
ing armies to avoid collision longer
than that. unless diplomacy is to take
the place Of fighting, which is moi
probable under the circumstances
Napoleon can not reign over France
defeated and Inundated. The French
J people will hardly consent to treat fol
peace with Prussian soldiers en-,
! camped in triumph within their Dor.
ders. Therefore, still greater battles
r and slaughter we regard as inevitable
/ before peace returns. with healing on
her wings, to bless the distracted and
bleeding nations.