Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-08-17
The War I'm Europe.

To the surprise OF almost every one, th
valiant French army, which little less thai
month since SO boastfully marched to tn
Prussian frontier expecting to wage a victo
rious warfare upon German soil, and to sool
make triumphal entry into Berlin itself
is now apparently in full retreat for Paris
after having been beaten in at least tw,
pitched battles and out-generaled at ever,
point, while the French populace, which SC
recently by the piebiscite appeared to sustain
Napoleon seven to one, are reported to hav,
shouted boldly in the streets of Paris, A
6as L. Emperor" In fact it seems that the
words of Napoleon which he is said to hav,
employed when leaving Paris, {" shall neyel
return unless victorious" have become NOR,
than mere idle boast, and that he has nj
choice but to be soon victorious or an emper.
or without a crown. The causes of this re.
markable change in the " situation > it il
impossible for US, at this distance from
Europe, TO fully as yet comprehend. But il
is more than whispered that the French EN-
peror is totally incompetent to command hi.
armies. The Prussians seem to have en-
| ployed the tactics Of the first Napoleon
against the nephew, and to have hurled
against separated French corps overwhelm-
ing numbers. BY the successful advance Of
the Prussians the French armies have been
obliged to retreat step by step until their
enemies now occupy the city of Nancy and
the Notifications of Metz, and the retreating
armies seem TO be cOnverging upon Chalons.
Meanwhile, at Paris all preparations are be-
ing made to resist siege, while the Corps
Legislatif holds stormy sessions, having
forced the resignation of the Olivier mipistry
The new ministry, however, is less liberal
than the old, although Gambetta, Jules
Favre and the radical members of the Corps
LegislGtif grow more insolent and powerful
every day.
On the other hand, the Prussians are per
picked by no home difficulties, but contrary
to the expectation of Napoleon, have secured
the firm alliance of Bavaria, Wurtemburg
and Baden, so that the French are fighting
NOT Prussia alone, but united Germany
that which has so long been the dream of
the German patriot, and thirty eight mill
ions of Frenchmen are confronted by thirty
eight millions of Germans. With the pres
tige of victory to inspire them, everything
must look hopeful to the Germans, while the
French soldiers must have lost much of that
elan Of which so much was boosted.
Most Americans, we judge, sympathize
with Prussia Why, it might be difficult in
all cases to answer. We have in our blood
a mingling of both the Celtic and the leu
tonic, but even if we are cousins to both
parties, it is popularity believed that the re-
lationship to the Germans is little the clio
ser. This may account for the sympathy IN
part, but it is probably chiefly owing to
kind of ill-defned belief that in some way,
in spite of the arbitrary character of King
Williams government, the liberalitY of Ger
man thought will be able to make itself felt
in case of the triumph of the German arms,
and liberal and progressive principles be bet
ter advanced than by French victories. 1t is
thought, in other words, that American
ideas find more sympathizers in Gelmany
than in France.
The other European nations preserve neu-
trality still Russia and Austria are watch
ing each other with eagle eyes, each waiting
for the other to engage in the conflict. Pres
ent indications are that neither of them will
be drawn into the contest.
= Spain is closely watching the two COM
feeling that republic in France
must necessitate republic in Spain.
Italy had promised its support to France,
but as we 20 to press the cable reports that
Victor Emanuel has induced Napoleon to re-
lease him from his promise. Meanwhile he
and the Garibaldi family are having an eye
upon the Pontifcal territory, while the poor
Pope is trembling in the Vatican lest the
vote conceding to him infallibility may be
A poor recompense for the loss of the tempo
raj power
The Ecunenical Council which assembled
with it SO much pomp and ceremony, has
separated without attracting hardly pass
ing notice, amidst the din of arms, and, for
a time, religious dogmas attract but little
discussion.
1t is said that Plus TX. contemplates re-
firing to Malta, now that Napoleon has de-
serted him, but the report needs confirmation.
In England. the Parliament has adjourned
after the assurances of the ministry that the
government was prepared to maintain the
treaties guaranteeing the Independence of
while John Bull feels glum be-
cause there is fight in which he cannot
take part.