The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-08
GETTING READY.

FTaUcp-0IIiciaI Developments.
IN an article In the Stats AnZeiyer, the official
organ OF Prussia the Government begins to lift the
veil under which it concealed its early preparations
for the war, 1t says:-
Our military leaders knew well that France would
put forth frivolous pretences to bring about
culinary collision. Aud 1t has now, indeed, come so
far that the political eccentricites have been
matched Ivy corresponding military measures. A
mass OF Cne hnDdred thousand French troops were
hurried in pTDCptate haste to the khenish borders,
while the Prnessn battaoDs were as yet distributed
over the gh riSous OF the monarchy. The start or
the French greatly favored by their network
OF railways, but far more so by the large bodies OF
troops massed together Ia permanent camps. The
Prussian situation was not equally favorable. Al
though iInmOhile TROOPS might have been hurried
90 the frontiers, a different mode of proceeding
was preferred. Corps taken awav from pacific pur-
suits might, perhaps, be in position TO gain mo-
lnentary suCc' So, but they are not organized to
brave the vcissitudes OF great war. 1t was, there
FORE deemed wei TO prepare the forces for the
test IN the regular way, and to protect the German
territory to extent by the small numbers which
garrison the western boundary. lt was fully known
that II the enemy were possessed of some energy,
II would have been Impossible that we should offer
strenuous Resistance or prevent his subssting at the
expense OF portion OF our country. ALL .he Ger
man troops remained, therefore, In their garrsons
until they were ready to Join in the actual opera
tions OF the The hasty aud confused
organization OF the French army at our bor-
ders opposed by feeble garrsOns, aud, the
commanders being deceived, their army was not
placed in position to live at our expense. II Is
well known that the main forces OF the french
moved TOWARDS the Sarre, and especially towards
Saarbruck, the very day when in Berlin the orders
for the mobilization were issued In Saarbruck were
then one battalion OF the doth Regiment and three
squadrons OF the Uhan Regiment No. The
danger OF this small division was well known, but il
was necessary to impose upon the enemy without
disturbing the preparations OF the army. During
whole fortnight this intrepid handful faced the
enemy, in whose estimation II gained every day
greater proportions, until It grew In the
French Journals to the number OF 2O0,U00
men, Daily skirmishes OF the patrols were
represented in the war news Of the French as
magnificent encounters. On the part of the Prus-
slams these rodomontades could not be exposed
without permitting the secrets Of Berlin TO be be
trayed at Paris. After the arrival OF information
thar two French corps were in close proximity TO
our feeble detachment this brave band was on the
point of being Withdrawn. But the commander,
Won Pesel begged by telegram TO be left at his post
and he added, "The bearing OF the French shows
that they afraid OF u.s." This request readily
granted, especially as it was now possible 70 REIN
force the small detachment by two battalions, and,
moreover. TO place at a distance OF two (GerInan)
miles body OF troops TO protect the retreat of these
defenders. This brought about the famous "hrst
battle OF SaarbTuck."