The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-05
Az EX.COyrEBERATE GEyERA On TaE
WAR.
General Joseph T.. Johnston Interviewed on
the Current War Topic


General Joseph L. Johnston Is sojournng at the
Sweet Chaiyheate Springs. correspondent OF the
kicnmond Dispotch reports an Interview with hun
on the subject OF the war IN Europe.
one OF US sald:-"Generai, they seem To he very
slow about getting to business over the water" 'Oh
no." he replied, two powerful nations such MS
France and Prussia, require time to prepare for a
war; Each side must concentrate It's forces before
attempting to cross into the others country. H.
would be a fatal mistake 10 without eiiclent
force and material 10 sustain an INVASION suppose
the leader who FIRST finds himself with the larger
force will be the one to CROSSE
When asked about the relative merits OF the troops
ne said tiat the French had generally been
fu In their combats with the Prissaus but this
us much due to their excellent gencralship and the
confidence OF the men IL their generals as to any
other cause.
II was mistake TO suppose that the Pr,isslans
were not soldiers. Military knowledge more
widely dl1nsed among the people OF Prussia than OF
France, because the Prussan cOnscript was enlisted
for three years only, while the French were enlisted
for seven years. Thus tue Prussians were more
constantly changing, ana military knowledge was
dirused among greater number OF men.
AS 10 the generaishp OF the two armies, the Gen
era expressed the opinion that France had the ad-
vantage In point Of experience. The French generals
had been tried IN the Algerian ana Crlmean and
Italian wars ana their merits proven. The merits
Of the Prussian generals could not &c discussed,
they have never had opportunity as yet to display
them The short campaign OF 1869 was devoid OK
military actions ana movements sufficient TO prove
the military ability OF their generals.
Eyes; but General, there Is Won Moltke; Is not lie
a great generalT'
"he has that reputation, but not deservediy, r
think. He had the luck to defeat Old and inclr-
u
general OF any factor ability opposed u him he would
have received q terrible whipping. From the only
historical version or the battle English that have
seen II appears that he started two columns from
TWO different points TO advance on Benedek. These
TWO columns were not In communication with each
other. Benedek calmly awaited the attack, and
while engaged with one column the other took him
IN the rear OF his right. But what good leader would
nave waited Tor these TWO columns TO come up OH
him Napoleon the First or our own Jackson would
have advanced rapidly upon one OF the columns
with his entire army defeated IT, and then have re
tureG take The OLner IN its turn.v
Hts reputation, then General, was as deserved
as mat OF Grant, and he deserved about the same
Ooh, no. reoincd the General, evidently mistak
Ing the driit OF the remark Grant would have
stayed there like Benedek, He would have ad
vaacod upon one or the advance colums aud en-
gagged them separately
the opposing nations he expressed the idea with a
sli9ht Indication OF disgust, that politicians would
Doubtless play upon their sympathes for Prussia in
mo approaching elections In order 70 influence the
German vote. He could not understand It why the
press OF the South was SO unanimous In It's symps-
my with Prussia. In Savannah, where ne lived,
there was hardly day upon which the papers did
not make an attack upon Napoleon. The impress
sion seemed 70 be that Napoleon was despot and
great mistake, Napoleon was wise and
5s and France was one Q, the
could man find better protection for his life and
property. The PIussian government was one OF the
red republicans, and Ia this country had almost a.
a mass fought dnd voted against the soutn. Az to
that they should be with France. for II France we're
defeated Napoleon would be dethr0ned. Such an
event AZ this would convulse France, and there
could be no peace in Europe for q long time.
A by stander playfully remarked :-"General, You
and General Leo ought to be over there to settle
thIsn
Laughing, he sald:-"The General and myself
would not make much Roadway with their soldiers
with our limited knowledge OF the German language.
No leader should command an army without know
Ing has men. Here think, Is where the mlsiake
lies In appointing 80 many American ofYlcers 70 the
are wen paid, but II VIII not prove ~ well ior tho
Egyptians