The weekly Arizona miner., 1870-10-01
- Y4e Situation ia France.


 France, and as we have seen in the leading American journals, speculations and prophe- cies based on the occurrencies of one days dispatches. entirely overthrown by those oi the next, so any anticipatinns of the course of events at this time is likely to be pr'ven as erroneous as any made during the past month. Sixty days ago it was generally con ceded that France was second ;o no military power in Europe. Since the war in the Cri- mea where the French arms were covered with laurels, the war spirit has been carefully fostered in France, advantage has been ta- ken of all the new improvements m war'ke implements, both for land and naval warfare. And when war was declared against Prussia, it was the general expectation in the United States, that the first successes would be achieved by the French, and that the con test would be long and bitter The unparal- leled success of the Prussians has astoni,hed the world; they placed armies of men in the field to meet the French advance with RIOS, marvellous celerity. IL appeared as though instead of being surprised by the declaration of war, they had been in daily expectation of it for years, and were in the most perfect state of preparation. From the first skirmish between the advance guards of the two ar mics, the Prussians became the aggressors, and history has no record of such a series of vic tories As were won over the French at Wcis- senburg, Thionville, Worth, Hagenau, Bitehie, Saarlouis, Gravelotte, Etienne, Dun, Chalons, Verdun and Sedan. At every point the French were outnumbered and outgeneraled The slaughter on both sides has been im- mense; the loss of life in the most fercely contested battle fields of our late civil gar. seems small compared with that of several of these. The loss of men killed on the Prus- sian side seems by all accounts to be equal at least to that of the French, which is account ed for by the fact that the French were act ing on the defensive, and ever with that ad- vs"ts6e 'H tDvn fa'vr, yIefung after most vslorous deeds only to superior numbers At Sedan the most glorious and decisive triumph of the Prussians was reached. There bat tie occurred in which the loss sustained bv the German army is stated at S0OOO men. There Napoleon III, Emperor of the French. surrendered himself prisoner of war And that may be called the end of the first act the scene changes-immediately upon the surrender of Napoleon cry of rejoicing was raised through all France as though a victory had been gained. It was cry of joy at the prospect of freedom for a nation-ioy over the escape of the people from the tyrany of monarchial government. A Republic was declared at once exied Republicans returned to France, such men as Victor Hugo. Jules Favre, Louis Blanc, Henri Rochefort, Gam. betti and others of that stamp, are at the head of affairs, and notice was at once given Prussia that the French people were now A party in the frsy-sbd that they do not pro. pose to surrender France or any part of it without struggle. Our last advices show that the Prussian armies were still advancing toward Paris, where every possible prepara- tion was making to give them warm recep. ton. The fortrcsses and fortified towns of Thionyille, Strasburg, Metz and Toul, were still in possession of the French. and were making vigorous defence. A national spiri, of resistance seemed to animate the whole people, and achievements of men, proyis- ions and munitions of war, were accumuat- ing in Paris 10 an extent which justified the belief that 250, 900 men would be ready to oppose the entrance Of the Prussians into the capital of France.
 In the mean time the Republican govern ment had made propositions of peace based on the entire withdrawal of the invaders From French territory. But the troops were still advancing on Paris. King William, of Prussia had manifested determination not recognize the Republic--to treat only with officials of the Empire of Napoleon---snd Co endeayor to take Paris, that be might from that city dictate his own terms of peace. The French Republic has been recognized by Spain, Portugal, Italy and the United States. and the astounding success of the Prussians is not more source of surprise, and worthy Of notice, than the universal change of opin. ion and feeling throughout those countries and England, and the expression of that feel ing in the public prints in consequence of the refusal of King William to open relations with the Ministry of the French Republic. As between the Empire of Napoleon and Prussia the sympathy of all the people of the progressive nations was with the 3ermaps.