The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-03
The Investment Of Paris-The Prussiau Mode
Of Siege ana the French Method Of De-

The Tnvcstment OF Paris-The Prussian Mode
Of siege and the French Method Of De-
feucc.
The siege of the gay capital of France
seems to have settled down to the slow work
of parallels, mines, starvation and irregular
bombardment The indications according to
the latest kilograms are that the Prussians are
gradually nearing the Notifications, and are
al they progress. These are in front of Forts
Vanyres, Bicetre and Montrouge on the south,
and no doubt the same method of approach
has been adopted all along the southern and
southeastern portion of the besieging line. 1t
is comparatively safe method of approach,
and is quicker work than undermining. 1t
presents, in fact, rival line Of Notifications
fronting that of the besieged enemy line, too,
which slowly but securely creeps closer to the
besieeed Undermining may also be going on
steadily, though we are not likely to hear of it
until an explosion exposes the fact to the
belcag,red garrison and the outside
world at once. Both these systems
of siege were rendered familiar to our
own countrymen during the war of the rebel
lion by several noted instances, the most
prominent Of which was the siege of Vicks-
burg by General Grant in 1868. The land
side of that city was completely invested by
the troops, and, after two Intellectual assaults,
the system of parallel approaches and OF I'M
dermining was resorted to with such good
effect that Grants line of Notifications in some
places was advanced to within speaking dis
lance of the rebel works. mine was
exploded directly under one Of the most
formidable of the forts, and the troops were
in readiness for an assault; but it was
not made, owing. probably, to the rapid
massing of rebel troops at the breach.
Even where no assault is intended the work
Of throwing up parallels is frequently resorted
to to keep the besieging forces busy, and, by
narrowing the circle of investment, to render
it more secure. Either intention may be held
in view at present by the Prussian force in
front of Paris.
On the north and west of Paris the siege is
not SO closely pressed, the magnitude OF Fort
Mont Vaerien and the forts about st. Denis
offering no probability of an effective breach
or a successful assault. The besiegers con-
tent themselves on these sides with closing
the communications as effectually as possible,
and, considering the great circumference over
which they must spread to do this, it
is an immense task in itself. The
earthworks connecting all the forts about
Paris give the besieged army excellent oppcr-
tunities for sudden dashes on the besiegers,
which, besides demoralizing force that sup
poses Itself to be altogether on the aggressive,
serves to derange or break up the investing
line Although such dashes arc not apt to
break up the line permanently or to compel
the besiegers to withdraw, they serve an excel
lent purpose in keeping up the SPIRITS Of the
besioged army. With the heavy line Of works
thus enclosing the city the success of the siege
becomes a matter of time. The Russians may
be able to hold their own, and, no doubt, so far
as physical opposition is concerned, they can,
until Paris is starved or wearied into sur
render As for successful assault, il the
Partisan troops are well handled and their
leaders are vigilant, such q thing is impossible.
On the other hand, the French troops cannot
break up effectually the sturdy German line Of
bayonets and cannon that surrounds them,
protected as il is by earthworks almost as for
nidable as the French forts themselves; nor
do they wish, as in the case Of Bazaine at
Metz, to break ont of the city and leave it to
the foe. The fight is over the possession Of
Paris, and the besieged would merely be giving
up the fight if they deserted the city. The
two forces thus stand with locked horns, unable
to make any material impression upon one
another; and possibly thus they will stand
until some outside inauence-the successful
negotiations for peace, the interference o
Europe, the arrival of formidable army from
the rural districts of France, or the breaking
out Of the threatened revolution in Germany
compels them to desist.