The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-11-10
HoYT 81 CO., Proprietors.
THE EUROPEAN WAR.
From the augusta Chronicle q; Sentinel.
The Surrender Of Metz.

The Imperial Generals Of the defunct French
Empire have certainly learned the art of sur
render. McMahon surrendered one hundred
and twenty thousand at Sedan to Prussian
force not doubling their own in numbers and
now Bazaine surrenders one hundred and fifty
thousand, and one of the strongest fortified
places in the world to a besieging force which
fs estimated at two hundred thousand men.
Such surrenders suggest political necessity,
rather than military exigencies, as the moving
cause for the action of the French command
efs, iAlong with the announcement of the ca
pituiationaof Bazaine and the fortress of Metz
their comes a horrible tale of dire extremity,
doubtless to excite public sympathy and to
perial Marshal. It is reported that prior to the
capitulation he had driven out of Metz ten
thousand aged men, women and children, in a
starving condition-and these helpless non-com-
batants were ruthlessly and barbarously shot
down by both of the contending armies. We
hope and believe for the credit of a common
humanity this is untrue. 1t would have been
an ;acs of heroism that would have elected
praise and sympathy, however bloody, had
Marshal BaSaine placed himself at the head OF
his columns, and endeavore1 to cut his way
shrough the circle of the besieging force. :.
he surrender of Metz, however, is supposed
to Sseioken an early peace, Consols and cotton
rise in M Tues the English markets, and bonds
OF, mn in SeSE srE while gold declines. 1t is
Believed that The apitulaAien of the great
stronghold of Northeris laaace glyes Prussls.
most important ascendancy in the pfosecu-
ton of the war, and is calculated to modify
her spirit and demands in negotiations Tor
peace. The French lose not only their chief
fortress, but also an army of 100000 OF their
hest troops, and an immense amount OF arms,
cannon, and ammunition, which can be at
once used against them. AS, however, the
troops have been shut up from active opera
tions, their loss cannot be regarded as dlmln-
ishing the present power of the French In the
field; although it cuts off the hope OF their
ever becoming available for future defense.
The Prussians, however, gain by the surrender
the relief of the large investing army, for ac-
tive operations elsewhere. The army of Prince
Frederick Charles consists of seven corps,
which, after allowing for recent losses by sor-
ties and sickness, and apportioning 10000 men
for garrisoning Metz, must leave between l5O,-
900 and 100000 men free to operate at other
points. Probably part of these forces, with
their siege guns, may be employed in strength
ening the attack on some of the minor north
ern fortresses which still hold out; but there
can be little doubt that their destination will
be mainly southwark and westward, to strength
en- the investment OF Paris, to clear the line OF
communication with Paris and to occupy the
principal centres of the country. 1t is not
easy to over-estimate the Importance this ac-
ccssion to the active forces of Prussians in en-
barrassing the efforts of the French to recruit
and organize new armies in the provinces. The
raw armies of the French scattered through
the country and said to be in process of organ
ization for attacking in the rear the Prussians
before Paris and cutting off their communica-
TONS will be hunted down and attacked in de-
tail, rendering the relief of Paris impossible,
and driving France to a hopeless, desultory,
scattered warfare as the only possible means of
defence