The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-07-21
THE CRISIS IN EUROPE.
strategieaI Positions OF the Contend'
Ing gArmies--TheT Tone Of the French
Press Published lin New York.

great issues at stake, induce US to CIV
everything connected Herewith ikel,
to instruct and interest the reader.
sTRATEGICAL POSITIONS OF THE CONTEND
ING ARMIES.
The position of France in Europe Ii
| almost impregnable on all sides save
one. From Calais, on the Straits o
Dover, along her entire sea-coast bound
ary on the British channel and the At
lantic ocean, running north and west
her situation is admirable. On the
south nature has also provided a bound
ary in the Pyrenees, which divides the
empire from Spain and the Mediterra
mean Sea. From. say Nice, she is
bounded by the Alps, which separates
her from Italy and Switzerland, to the
Vosges Mountains, across thence to the
Upper Rhine, and along that river to a
point near the famous town of Lauter,
bourg. Here the boundary, which had
been running east-northeast, abruptly
turns to a north-northwest direction
along an imaginary line, separating her
from Bavaria, Rhenish Prussia, Lux
cmbourg, and Belgium.
1t is this exposed frontier which is
the cause of all the present difficulty.
1t has necessitated on the part Of France
and Germany the construction OF a
series of fortresses, of which the most
formidable are Strasbourg and Metz,
in the first-named country, and May
cnce, Ehrenbreitstein Opposite Coblenz)
and Cologne, in Prussia. 1t is not
likely, however, that at present any OF
these positions Except Metz will be
conspicuous, it being certain that bat
tie will BE-. fought at some point between
the Rhine and the French frontier So
long as the South German powers re,
main neutral, neither belligerent can
extend the sphere of their operations
bevond the limits Of their own terrific
ries. This fact, then, renders move
ment from Strasbourg ont Of the ques-
ton at this moment, Baden and Bava
ria being at peace with France. In a
word. a French invading army must
enter Prussia bv one of two roads con
versing at Metz, where the French are
now concentrating.
One OF these roads runs parallel with
the line OF the railroad to Luxembourg
as far as the little town OF ThionvilIc,
situated on the left bank Of the Moselle,
and heavily fortified. 1t then branches
off in a northerly direction, passes
through Serck, another fortified town
situated on the Moselle, near the boun-
dary line Of Prussia and Belgium. Here
it enters Prussia, striking Saarburg
first and next the town of Treves, where
the Prussian army is reported conccn-
trating. Another road from Metz en-
ters Germany near Saar-Louis, and
proceeds from thence in an irregular
line to Mayencc. These two main
roads are connected by numerous cross
roads, which offer ample ground for
the manpuvering Of armies.
As it seems probable that France will
lie the invading force the prospect is
that the first battle will he fought on
German soil. Promising, then, that the
French army will advance upon Trevcs,
which is about iiltv-livcmics from Metz,
the first battle is likely to he fought
either near the SaaI river or on the
Moscllc. The most prominent places in
the area Of country where these initial
movements are probable are Saarhruck,
Burns, Saar- Louis, Rehlingcn, Mcrug,
Metloclr and Saarburg, on all the Saar
river. The others are FrcdCrichsthcI,
Nirmkirchcn, Ottwciler, Lehash, Tholcy,
Walden and Weisskirchcn. All these
places, excepting the three last named,
are in an open, almost level country.
Beyond them, and between the Moscllc
and Nahe rivers, is the lIuukstruck
range OF mountains. This range, how
ever, is easily tlankcl by an invading
force. ... ..- ..... ..
Our cable dispatches report that a
detached Prussian force had entered
France by way Of Forhach, which is a
small town on the frontier Of Bavaria.
Should this news be true, it would in
dicate a purpose TO move on the flank
of Metz, although such movement
would throw open the rear Of the invad
ing army to an assault toy force
marching from Lauterbourg. This in
formation, however, must he received
with caution, a Bavaria has not vet
declared war against France
In the event Of the French being de-
feated they possess a series of strong
Notifications on the Moselle and across
the country to Strasbourg, on which to
fall back upon. Should the Prussians
be worsted they possess line OF splen-
did natural dcienses on the hanks of
the Rhine to which they can retire OF
course the objective point Of the VIC
torious army would be the capital of
the opposing country. Paris is 10
miles from Metz and about 800 from
Berlin. From Strasbourg to the French
capital is about 225 miles; from Wen
ma to Paris, $50: from Vienna to Ber-
lin. 800; IRON Berlin to London, 525 !;
and from London to Paris $50 miles.
Berlin and Vienna are the furthcst
from Paris. Between Vienna and Ber-
lin, and Metz apd Berlin, however, the
distance is not so great by nearly POO
miles. An advance of the French army
across the Rhine somewhere between
Coblentz and Cologne would place the
Prussian capital within eight days
march. The first Napoleon, it will be
remembered, once went into Berlin in
ten DAYS. What the third Napoleon
will do is a matter for mere conjecture.
-Nrc York Herald
TONE OF THE FRENCH PRESS.
The leading and oldest organ Of the
French residents in New York city, the
Courier des EtatS Unis, is attached 10 the
fortunes of the reigning sovereign ot
France. and neglects no opportunity tc
make the fact apparent. Its leader o
SATURDAY., commenting upOn the actua