Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1870-08-20
THE PRESENT EUROPEAN CAM
PAIGNSs

The San Francisco Chronicle discus.
sing war matters in Europe in the light
Of the recent battles, says:
The German aud French nations
are on the war.path for good by this
time. Napoleons armies have experl-
enced several very severe defeats, and
it is stated that the enemy is still dri-
wing them before him, in order to inter-
cept all communication between Mar
shall Mcmahon and the headquarters OF
the French army. The Prussians and
their allies have taken possession OF the
stronghold of st. Avoid, situated at
distance of not more than thirty miles
| from the fortress of Metz, where pow
erful French force is waiting to be
attacked by the German army. 1t can
not be denied that the latter has been
very successful in carrying the war into
the enemy's territory, and large share
Of credit is due them for the rapidity OF
their movements. 1t IL, in fact. aston
ishing that Napoleou's army should have
allowed itself to be taken by surprise
and defeate in the above mentioned
manner. Thc reduction of number
of fortrcsscs on the frontier does not,
however. prove that the Prussians will
be equally victorious, when the siege of
a powerful fortress like Meta renders a
succession of engagements necessary or
if that fortress should have to be taken
by storm. Indications are to the effect,
however, that Metz will be the next
point of attack for the Germans They
cannot avoid that stronghold and march
towards Paris, because they would have
the entire effective French force in their
rear. which forms the garrison of Meta
and Strasbourg. The army corps which
were defeated few days ago by the
Crown Prince and General Goeben,
W, uld likewise have ample time 10 that
case, to recover from the effects OF their
disaster. and to rally, in order to pounce
upon the enemy with renewed vigor.
The invading force would. in this in>
stance. have long march through the
encmy's country; they would have y
well fortified city, with a determined
garrison before them, aud the bulk OF
the entire French force following them
to the very gates Of Paris. The odds
would be too much against the German
troops for although one, or two, or
three French corps may experience n
defeat, il dcs not follow that the entire
French army will at all times be defeated
: by the Prussian soldiers. For the above
reasons the probability is that Metz will
be the point where the contendinp
armies will have an opportunity fo'
showing their respective skill aud valol
in modern warfare Both parties being
about equally matched, the contest vii
be an obstinate one, but the Frcnchmer
!, will have decided advantage over theil
enemies If Metz should be the scene ol
D war. The former will, at any time, have
Z strong Notifications to fall back upon
: while the latter are constantly exposed
to French sorties. Of more or less sx
tensiye nature. 1t will be almost al
!, impossibility for the German army :,
!, bcsiegc Metz in such a way as to leav,
: no egress for the garrison; any sucl
thing as reducing the besieged army T.
G a scarcity Of provisions is. therefore, GU
: of the question. Under the walls Q
: Motz the future fate of France ma.
Q possibly be decided; for if Metz fall
S into the hands of the enemy, the for
: tress of Strasbourg will not be able t
Q resist the invasion from across tn
Rhine. That city would soon be in tn
hands of German troops, and the mai
body of the Teuton force would hav
full sway to proceed to the French caf
!, ital. 1t is but natural to suppose tha
!, the resistance which the Germans woul
:. in tina. instance, meet at the gates c
= :, Paris, would be less effective one tha
:, If any such plan should be acted upo
at present. Ii is an easy matter to te
egraph about the victorious army bein
! on the way to Paris, but it is not as easil
- effected as would appear at first sigh
! IF the Germans reach Paris befnre
g 3 settlement has been arrived at, it wi
: = not be without several more such sal
= culinary conflicts as have already take
!. place.