The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-30

A Glance nj the Position of the ConterdinG
Fcrccs in France.
Winter, bleak, inhospitable and dread,
| nothing cheering, nothing consoling, but
struggle, fight and conquer. This is the
German prospect in France to-day. And on the
side of the French, what of that? Resistance,
and then the attempt TO secure that which
France has so long sighed for in vain
political liberty. The prospects, though not
altogether bright, are yet Of such character
as to suggest the belief that from
out the desolation which now dlsfgures q
portion of France, there may yet arise the
genius which will save the nation. In one Of
the letters Of our correspondents from Tours
an instance is given of the spirit which ami
rolling themselves under the banner Of the
republic. cit is no colder for me than it is
for the Prussans, said one of the recruits now
hurying to the field; and II this spirit pre-
walls throughout France may we not anticipate
diversion Of the current which has so long
flowed in favor of the Germans?
The surrender Of the Emperor Napoleon and
the fail of the empire found France paralyzed,
as it were-downtrodden almost helpless.
No ray Of light throughout the country inn
parted hope to the people. The capital was
even threatened, and terms humiliatiDg In the
extreme were being prepared by the conqueror
for the ratification Of the conquered. Yet how
few weeks have slipped away and yet these
terms have not been complied with-not
even offered. Since Sedan the country
has awoke, and now thres-quarters Of a
million of Frenchmen WELD the weapons
of France. The struggle, however, is not for
the restoration Of the empire, but for the per-
manent establishment of republic. Not in
the whole history of the campaigns of the en-
pire has there been any such proofs of valor,
determination, and, we might almost say, dis
cipline, as have Of late been shown by the re-
publican armies. In some Of the fights near
Orleans the French did not know they were
beaten, and would not know it. The sorties
from Paris have given the French experience,
lift has not secured to them victory. General
Trochu is cool, calculating, stern soldier, one
whose abilities the empire never appreciated,
or, approaching, would not acknowledge. His
seeming inactivity at the present moment must
not be construed into Indifference as to the
situation of affairs in France. That General
Won Moltke justly estimates the ability Of
Trochu and carefully calculates the injury he
can and may inAict we feel fully satisfied.
There is not in France to-day German army
at any very considerable distance from the
German army surrounding Paris; more than
that, there is not position the Ger
mans now hold that they are not
prepared to surrender, and that Immediately,
should occasion require their presence before
the walls of the capital. Taking it for granted
that the Red Prince was badly beaten, 80 long
as his retreat was not cut off he has the army
around Paris to fall upon. 1t is the same with
Manteuffel in the north, and neither are very
far from this base Of supplies. The German
commander, thorough soldier as he is, well
knows the many dangers, daily increasing,
which threaten the German armies in France
ana possibly II tIe WnuIo -,..-.-.-----.-
the cry 'Let us have peace" would find a more
responsive echo from the German breast to
day than it would from the French