Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-08-13
WeekIy Grinity 3ournaI.
Continued from First Page

[Coutiuued from First Pogol
prominent command and acquitted himself with
great distinction.
Prince Frederick Charles was born in 1901
and held an important command at Sadowa
Generals Nanteudel, Won Steinmetz, Won Bit
tenfed, Fogel Won Falkenstein, Stehlin, Spar
ling, Blumenihal, and Duke Mecklenburg, are
all ola and tried commanders.
THE GUNS.
Providence, that was on the side of the heavi-
est baitaions in the days of the first Napoleon
IL on that of the arm of precision and rapidity
in those of Frederick William and the third Bo-
naparte. 1t was taught and read on the field OF
Sadowa; it was the story of the Ialian war,
where riied cannon moved down the Austrian
white coats. In truth, Providence is ON the
ride of the army that has a weapon which in
rapidity makes one man equal to six, and in ac-
curacy each Of these six equal TO half a score.
This is a scientific and hardly muscular age,
and the providence Of the Little COrporas CON
cent is to-day scientific providence which des-
liises a Croat or a Cossack and has a mighty
reverence for Snider or ChassepOt. Il this
new war docs not produce some other weapon
hitherto known only to those accustomed to
manipulate in secret practice the Chassepot and
the Prussan breach-oader will be fairly tried
against each other. But there are already sus-
picions or rumors that each foe brings into the
fight new weapons which will complete the
test. The Prussian infantry cannon and riAed
mortar has thirty-seven barrels or cylinders (be-
ing twelve more than the French revolving can.
nom. The barrels or cylinders are fastened to
the loading apparatus, Whoreag the French are
movable The balls and cartridges are placed
il plates if necessary, from six TO nine such
plates Containing thirtyseyen charges each J
can be fired in a minute, making from two hun
dred and twenty-five to three hundred and
,hirty-three shots per minute. The new mortar
las thirty brass grooves, is eighty inches in d-
'meter and six ana a-half feet long, II is a
lrcech loader.
THE FRENCH zoUAvEs.
France possesses several special or extra corps
entirely distinct from the regular army, the Ma
tional Guard, or The Marines. One of them, and
perhaps the most peculiar and eccentric, are the
Houaves. There are two kinds of Zouavcs, the
African or Original Iouaves, who, in time Of
peace are always stationed in Africa, and whose
tireng h there, is about II 600 men, and the
XouaVes, dimities, or imitation Xouayes, who
are armed, equipped aud drilled like the original
corps, but do not possess the same perfection in
Inaneuyering. etc. These latter are only sta
tioned part Of the time in Africa, the greater
part they are stationed in various parts Of
France. In their armament the Zouaves differ
materially from the regular infantry, particularly
in their bayonets, which have the shape of
scythcs, and their side arm. which is the Alge-
rian vataghan--that is, the peculiar shorts ord
of the KabyIes also, in SO far that they prefer
10 use their own private reyoycrs.
No one can become Il Zouaye who is not n
born Frenchman, and very large number of
them are recruited among the Paris loafers and
gamins. Their drilling comprises besides the
usual military eyolutions, more particularly
also gymnastics, and no one can serve among
lhem any length Of time who is not an accom-
llished and perfect swimmer, climber and
jumper. Their style Of lighting differs accord
ingly from that Of the regular infantry. They
make no bayonet attacks in closed lines, but
spread themselves out so as to have more room
for striking about with their bayonets, aud they
enter the encmy's lines on the fall run with
large bounds.
THE RHINE AS A BOUNDARY.
A generation ago Victor Hugo wrote book
on the Rhine, in which, besides giving the most
fascinating and poetic of all descriptions of that
famous stream, ne cried out, " France, take back
the Rhine" as he stood at the tomb Of Hocbe
who was buried on the shores Of that river and
whose grave is to tAts day pointed out to the
curious tourist.
Napoleon, the bitter enemy Of Hugo wishes
TO make this cry national slogan to call 10 his
support all parties in France. The Rhine is, ac-
cording to many Frenchmon, the natural houn-
Diary Of France. The Germans whom the Empe-
Jor wonld like 10 make his subjects, however,
20 not agree with him The people of the Ger
man Rhenish provinces are Germans in tastes,
feelings and language, aud have no admiration
for Napoleon III. or his policy Belgium, with
its French-speakng population, and with but
forty years Of national experience to oyerturn,
would be a much easier acquisition for France.
France already owns the west bank of the Rhine
from few miles north of BaSe, in Switzerland,
10 the frontier OF the Palatinate at Lauterburg.
The possession Of the last named district would
Ldd TO the list Of French cities Spires, with its
Dld cathedral, and the fortified places Of Landpu
and keustadt, besides 4 large number Of smaller
towns and villages
In Rhenish Prussia-speaking always of the
western shore of the Rhipe-the first town of
importance is Worms. After passing over the
Hat, highly cultivated district through which the
Rhine here sluggisbly rolls along, the tower and
bridges of Mayence loom in sight. This is a city
Of strategic and historic importance. Shortly
further on is Bingen and there begins the mar
Nelous scenery which has given TO the Rhine
such worldwide celebrity, and has made famil-
Jar tue names of such triang though picturesque
hamlets as Oberwessel, ST. Goar, Boppat, Andcr.
mach, B scharack, Remagen, and the like. Mid
way there is Doblentz, overlooked by " Ehren
breitsten castled hight, and still further down
the stream is the collegiate town of Bonn.
To add these to the long list of French towns
Monlu certainly he q splehdld gam TO France
This is what is meant when Frenchmen say witt
Victor Hugo, Take back the Rhine"
THE TWO ARMIES.
1t is not wise to underestimate the means a
Napoleon 8 command for the work he has under
taken. France proper had, in 1866, population
of s,067, ,061, while Prussia, including the ter
ritores it had recently absorbed, had, in 1868
"a ,043,2g6. Its treaties Of alliance with Bava.
ria, Wurtemburg and Baden bind to it popua
tion of 10 900 600 more. France has an active
army of 1000 men, reserve of 400 600 and
Garde Nationale Mobile Of $50, 900 Total
l,350i00o men, Prussia, it is claimed, can con
troll about 200 900 men. Her military return,
foot up as follows: Standing army, 4lO, 900
contingents Of Saxonv. BrnnsMek. Mecklenbnrp