The New York herald., 1870-08-14

The reported appearance Of Prussian cavalry at
Luneville, Frouard and Pona Mousson means very
little more than the movements OF raidlng parties
upon the line OF The railroad. And even this Is not
certain, because we nave received no information
that any Prussian force has been seen west OF the
Meurhe and tile Mosee rivers aud the railroad lies
mostly on that sde Lunevillc before which cavalry
IL reported 10 have appeared is a town OF
some 1900 Inhabitants, lying on the Paris and
sirasbourG Ralhoad, and on the VeZoure river,
near It's junction with the Meurthe IL Is o
great cavalry station and contains extensive bar
racks. As u strategic point 1t Is not of importance.
The town ~ some fifteen miles eastsoutheast OF
Nancy. Frouard IL small village on the Mosele at
the confluence or the Meurthe. Here the railroad to
S;rasboarg from Paris branches OF to Metz. few
miles southeast OF Frouard the fortress of Toul,
which commands the route to Paris. Pont-a-Mous-
son, the asl place where the Prussan cavalry are
SAID TO have arrived is town OF 5000 inhabitants
situated on the Mosec river fifteen miles north
northwest OF Nancy and fourteen miles south of
Metz.
1t Will be noticed by the reader who takes the
trouble to examine map that all Of these places
are cast OF the Mosclle and Meurtle rivers so that
we may safely Infer from this lact that the Prussan
operations are confined to the territory embraced
between the rivers named and the German frontier
and IL line running north Of the railroad 70 Stras-
bourg. II also bc inferred that The French have
Temporarily abandoned . part OF Alsace and Lor-
raine, sril holding the important iorresses scattered
over the country. Notwithstanding the rumors
that straspoulg aud Phalspourg have fallen,
We believe that they are sti,l held
by the French. Strasbourg certainly cannot
have surrendered already. Even IN time OF peace
IL always contains an immense supply Of provisions
intended Tor the use OF the garrison III the event OF
q sudden or unexpected investment. As regards
the strength OF the garrlson, need only
say that the city contains over 0,000 inhab
tants OF which number the men liable 10 military
duty in time Of siege exceed $4,000. This force
with the regulars, will be amply sun-
Client to repel any number OF Prussans
Sirlsbourg is of too vast Importance to he readily
surrendered. AS regards the minor fcrtresses, such
as phalsbourg Marsal, Bitohe Haguenau, we
inclined to the opinion that events will prove they
have never been out OF French possession. All these
strongholds certainly contain large quantities of
provisions and ammuni,ion; anu by nature ana
science they have been made strong that they
cannot be carried by assault except at sacrifice Of
life which would make the victor worse OF than he
| vanquished Bitche Is absolutely impregnable,
| while Phalsbourg Is nearly Likely enough the
small fortified points nave been abandoned by the
French and occupied by the Prus sans hut nothing
| more.
But no matter who holds these forresses it is cer-
tain that The forces OF the Crown Prince have crossed
the VoSges mountains, and advancing to form a
| junction with the main army before Metz. We are
| rather puzzei to know where Marshal MacMahon's
! army Is despatch published yesterday reported
that the Marshas aud De Faiy's corps were arrv-
! ing at Metz. This il true, would imply an entire
abandonment Of the line or the Vosres and a con
centration for one supreme effort In general en-
gagement. 1t would also leave Nancy unprotected
save by The local troops; buo the city Is situated
on the left bank OF the Meurthe, and Is not OF
sufficient Importance to tniuencc the Crown Prince
To detach any considerable force rom his command
to besiege IT, Granting, then, that the whole French
army is AT Metz it must number far from 400 600
men, without counting Tie Gardc Mobile. Such q
concentration ought to be followed by offensive
movements. No definite Information has peen re-
ceivcd OF the whereabouts OF the Crown Prince but
from all that we can learn he cannot yet be within
supporting distance o, Prince Frederick Charles and
General Sieumetz-tae columns OF which last
| named commanders have assuredy formed a
| jGncton days ago. There are, then two
courses left for the French pursue should they AS
| sumo the offeasive. vigorous attack now upon
| the forces at 81. Avoid Jurniny the left nank OF
Prince Frederick Charles, would probably force the
| Prussians back upon Treves; the French might
wait until the Crown Prince came up, anu then by
suddenly massing force the Pruss,aD centre. Should
! no offensive moveinen: be attempted Napoleon Will
doubtless await The attack OF tie Prussians behind
his intrenchments at Metz
In EXPIRE sing these opinions Of the situation we
have not taken into consideration the fact that
Marsnai Bazline Is -chier of but three
corps, and not OF the entire army. Sone Importance
should be attached to this, because If the entire
army concentrated at Metz there wou Id
hardly be such division OF commands, unless the
object was to consolidate three corps one grand
corps d'armee. But even then cannot see the ne
cessy for that when the whole army is on the same
| field. Bearing this fact in mind, ana remembering
| the statements which have been made for several
| days that the French were evacuatng Metz
| We incline to the conclusion that three ana
perhaps four, OF the corps are at some
siby in the vicinity OF TOul, and If there the Oh.
ect Is to attack the Prussians the left flank and
rear the moment they attack Metz. Again. their
corps may be In the vctaity OF Thi0nvtle with tue
same object, except that it would be the right flank
which would be struck Undenlably this last named
movement would be .tngy hazardous but If
it successful it would be decisive IN its re.
suits aud would literally annhate the German
army IN France. In the absence of any authentic
information it is difficult to locate either army
with any degree OF certainty, but there Is no doubt
that great battle cannot be avoided many days
perhaps hours--IOuger.
TIE FIETCH GENERALS.