The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-08-25
The Truth About Bazainc.

Inc ITutn ABout bukhinc.
The French have persistontly alleged for
three days PAST that Marshal BAzAINE had
succeeded in making his way out of Metz
marching ly way of Srincourt and Mont
medy; and we yesterday Published another
French report that MACMAHoS had succeed.
cd in efftcting a junction with him.
Neither of these French reports is true.
BAzAISE lie still shut up at Metz and no one
who has read nttcntively the thrilling ac-
count of the battle of last Thursday, which
we published yesterday, can suppose that his
nrmy is likely ever to leave that place except
rs surrendered prisoners That great battle,
bloody beyond description, and most wildly
described by the correspondent who reported
it for our columns, decided that the French
grand army must abandon the idea of march
ing upon Chdlons or Paris 10y any route
whatever. When during this awful fight
the army of Won SrEINMErz formed its
junction with the army of Prince FREDE-
RICK CHARLES, and occupied the front of
Metz on the northwest, it was settled that
my retreat of the French army in the dircc
ton either of Spncoun or Thionville was
henceforth out of the question and since
then an entire Prussian army corps has been
posted at Mezieres, cutting off BAzAIGE's
communication with ThioDville, and com
pletely investing the place.
The latest effort of BAzAISE to escape ap-
pears to have been made in the battle on Sat
urday, the Goth inst, which lasted three
hours. That effort was fruitless Since then
the French Commander in. Chief appears to
have been quietly awaiting whatever might
turn up, and there has been no more fghting
of any account around The walls of Metz.
Has IMAGINATION really marched to relieve
BAzAISE? 1t is asserted by the French au-
thorities that he has done so, and that the
two armies have been united; but It is
evident that this ia also ialsehool The
great point Of interest with the French
at present is TO defend Paris, and if MAC
MAuos has marched anywhere with
5sventy thousand regular troops. said to
Lave been in the camp at Chhlons,
1t istoward Paris that he hes marched. To 60
northeast in the direction of Metz, no matter
By what route, would only be TO invite pur.
suit from the Crown Prince of Prussia, and
10 expose the French to be crushed between
the pursuing forces and the main Prussian
army by which Metz is invested. Whatever
may b. said 10 the contrary, nothing is less
probable than that IMAGINATION should I'M
dertake 80 perilous an enterprise as this.
Instead Of so doing, it is evident that he has
marched toward Paris, and that the Crown
Prince is also moving ththerward upon the
more eostery road through tine valley %
The Aube
Altogether the military situation is still as
desperate as possible for France No glcam of
well-founded hope relieves 1t ) and it is diff
cult now to anticipate any other conclu-
Bions for the war than the total humilia-
tion of the country, and the separation
from it of Lorraine and Alsace rs an indem-
nifty to the Germans. But at any rate, the
final decision cannot be much longer delay
ed. The army of the Crown Prince will
doubtless appear before the Notifications Of
Paris within three or four days and what.
ever may be the sentiment OF the majority
of the French people, however earnest their
resolution to fight TO the last, it is impossible
10 believe that Paris can long hold ont, OF
that after It has fallen the conclusion OF
peace can be long postponed. II is q bitter
aud a fearful result for the honest pride Of
the French people but it il a result that
they can no longer avoid levy of the
I'LL al,
talked of, may be ordered but the Prus
SLAMS will not give them time to organize
new armies or to prepare arms and ammuni
ton. Already we are informed by Mr.
GAIILARDET in his telegram Of Tuesday II
the Courier dcs Eats Cnis that the 1900
or 10000 conscripts which are daily sen
forward from the French capital for the sea
of war are very effectively armed. THE.
have" he says, old.fashioned mu2zleload
ing muskets, and no uniforms but they ar
brave and solid fellows" This sort Of me
would, no doubt, make excellent soldiers i
time and with suitable weapons but II
vain TO think OF opposing raw recruits arme
like those men TO the vctory-hushed vet
rams OF the German armies. The same il
telligent writer also touches in another pa
OF his despatch another point Of vital veal
ness in the present state Of France. Viii
nc reports that there is no cooling in Il
patriotic feeling of the people and that Il
youth Of the schools are daily drilled
Paris he adds that in the Legislative Boz
there If nothing great and nothing scrou
nothing but recrmnatioas end ohstscl
NM in the way OF the Committee Of peien