New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-09-17
STRASBOURG AND PARIS.

A GERMAN MILITARY WRITER ON THEIR POWERS
OF RESISTANCE.
The following extract from letter of the well
known military writer, Julius Won Wickede, has
special interest in connection with the news from
StrasbOurg and Paris:
We now be6ieRng and bOmbarding Strasbourg and
Net eey&nS 10sn. ,ae % nave epaod the
and security Of Germany particularly the former
they should captured and in permanent
session far number OF heavy segeguns have already
excellent and very effective; they have wide range
and the distance has been correctly ascertned
(which generally the case after two or three ra sho
their fire Is accurate and telling ~ can be REASONABLY
desired In regard 70 srasbourg II would not pe ME-
the commander of the fortress was formerly IN ths I'M
ability. one who win do his dnty to the last and without
any particular regard the Inhabitants Of the city he
with him at varDa, during the Crimean war; when We
passed our leisure time in conversing about mill
wine, and playing game OF d9 dom . !
miles, The brave General did not then Imagine that the
strongest army TSa ne beaan v ms within
fortnight and thai could 80 soon commence inc siege
OF the TWO most important French fortresse The idea
that the Germans would carry the into French ter
rtory seemed too prepOstefous 70 the french VINO
Thought easy task 10 drive the Prussans beyond
tbe Rhine and never expected 10 meet serious
sstance until they would reach Mayence and Cobenh
All their preparations show that this was their precon-
But 10 return TO the siege Of strasbourg. Although
the commander II man of undoubted talent energy,
and bravery and although the garrison II composed OF
troops who will fight and defend the city 10 the
last do not believe this fortress VIII prove another Sc
hastoDol The population OF the city, amount
ing to more than 5000 inhabitants, VIII he serious
check 10 powers OF resistance and endurance OF the
garrison and will necessitate speeder capitulatlOn
than could otherwise be anticipated lt If more IMAM
probable that repeatedly expressed opinion that
large and popuous not ut places for fOrtresses
will obtain additional confirmation ere long Inc prlh-
epal objection against them II the deulty or rather
impnssointy of provisioning them for long siege vi
what use are the walls and great number OF
guns when famine with lts appalling consequences,
spreads among population NJ 5000 sousi and now can
the most energetic commander prevent IT, ana protect
his army against IT demorZng influence III utterly
imDOes BILE ..,,--. ,..a
We have read many reports about the immense fortea-
tions around Paris occasion 10 examine these
stronghOlds few years ago. and Wefeady confess lnt
they are Formidable, and were 80 previous 10 the nef
ons additions and improvements which nave recently
been made. But what Of that III what we nave hald
above holds good with city VI SU peope no" Inucn
moro 20 In regard 10 capital OF nearly 4Op,OO
and composed Of such dangerous ana heero-
eeneo elements as the population OF Paris Some OF the
Paris pewspapers contain an account OF Tine quantities
of provisions which said 10 he stored IN tnat city anu
pre tend that the place fully prepared Or siege OF
four months. We feel inclined to think that the
flgurea on paper will not correspond with the
s,noun OF stores actually on hand, and we should
mot ne M all surprised 10 find these statements
eual IN exaxgerion and want Of truth 10 the reports
circulated about the strength OF the freneh army ts
Armament equipment and fitness for held service. We
think IN at by the three immense columns OF the
doeo about the defense OF that city 10 the last VIII have
hen sleDeed Dy sounder counsel and cooler Judgment
n would liz the climax Of madness 10 attempt defense
OF Psris under the existing ere umslanoes'