The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-09-10
TEE WAR m EUROPE.
The Germans Triumphant.


Terrible Fighting The battle of iSedan--
Napoleon and McMalons Army Sur
rendered--D DocafuH of tie French En-
pire-Fronce Republic, @tA 7rochu
as President.
We copy the following from the Erie
Gazette:
The events of the past week have been
startling, and to great extent unexpected.
The terrible battles which have followed
with unparalleled rapaidity eliminated at
Sedan on the I'd inst, in complete victory
Of the Prusian army over McMahon's for
ccs, when the French capitulated, the EN-
peror Napoleon being among the number.
The surrender of Napoleon was no doubt
compulsory. With Bazaine shut up in
Metz, and this fate of McMahon, the dis
ciplined troops of France are gone. 1t now
remains to be seen what course will be
adopted BY the French people under the
new order Of things.
Whether the war will soou close is by no
means certain, for reports come that the
French at Paris are unyeilding, and are
not ready TO give up the contest. And yet
we cannot but believe that France is in bet
ter condition to-day to treat for peace than
she will be at any time in the future. Look
for moment at the events of few weeks
past and see if they do not lend some plau-
stability to our views.
On the 18th Of July last war was de.
clared by Napoleon. Time surely has re-
veeled that Prussia was ready, but France
was not. Two weeks later a half million
men stood facing eachother on the Rhenlsh
frontier, On the I'd of August a heavy
column of French troops moved forwards
Saarbruck it was only an out post and
the enemy, few hundred strong, fell back.
France was elated and Paris resounded with
cheers for the first victory Her JOY was
trancient. While she was rejoicing the
right wing OF her magnificent army was
being overwhelmed and we'll nigh annihi-
lated at Weissnburg and Woerth. Simu-
taneously with the advance of the Prussian
Crown Prince, General Steinmetz moved
forward, recaptured Saarbruck, and fell
heavily upon Frossare at Forback. The
immediate withdrawal of the French line
to the Moselle was imparitive. But here he
could not stop. thanked at Nancy, another
retreat was necessary, McMahen succeed
cd in getting back to Chalons, but Marshal
Bazaine, in attempting to do SO, encounter
ed an enemy thrice his numbers, and after
five days terrific fighting was securely Gagged
within the fortress OF Metz. With an ar
my two hundred thousand strong McMa-
hon left Rheims on the 23d,of August, de-
termned to rescue his unfortunate confed-
crate three days after, with his perilous
jou,uy but half accomplished, he finds a
wall of bayonets across bis path. To re-
treat without fighting was impossible. At
the end OF three days conflict his army is
driven within the town of SeGen, encom-
passed by victorious and determined foe,
in no condition to resist further, and, with
the Emperor Napoleon it lays down its
aims
Meanwhile, new order of things is in
augurated in Paris a Republic is proclaim
ed, and General Trochu is appointed Presi
dent by provisional government, compos
ed Of eleven members of the Corps Legis
latl and all the deputies Paris, which We
are told has been ratified by popular acclaim
alton. The Offices of the provisional govern
ment are as follows: Minister of the interior
Leon Gambetta ; minister Of foreign affairs
Jules Favre; minister of finance, Pierre
Magne; minister of public instruction
Jules Simon minister of justice, Emanue
Cremeux; minister of war, General Trochr
! president of the council, M. Grevy; secre
tary general of the provisional government
Andre Lavertujon.
The city was tranquil at latest advices
The new Mayor has issued the followin!
proclamation:
HOTEL DE VILE, Paris, Sept. 6.
Citizens have been called by the peo
pie and government of the national defense
to the mayoralty of Paris, while waiting fo
you to be called to elect your municipality
have taken possession of this city hall il
the name of the Republic, which was tn,
scene of the patriotic event of 1892, 1880
and lS4S. speak to you now as you
father did in 1892. Citizens, the courtry
is in danger Rally round the Partisan nun
icipality defended to-day from siege by 4
soldier of the Republic! Vive La Repub
lique,
ETIgNNE ARAGo.