The New York herald., 1870-08-28
THE SlTUA TON.



/ approaching battle between the French and Prus
SANS were fought at or near the Old battlefield OF
Valmy, and the Prussians were to be defeated Both
armies are man9uvrn2 on historic ground with
the French in far more favorable position now thar
they were In 1892 Then the Prussans held the en-
tire country, including the fortress OF verdun; now
all the strongholds are In the hands OF the French
leaving the Germans nothing more than the ground
on which their army eIcamps.
All along have insisted that the despatches
from London reporting MacMahon as falling back
towards Paris false The news published yester.
day morning confirms our view. After leaving Rheims
on Monday his forces moved towards Stenay some
fifty miles northeast from Rheims. Stenay Is a
small town the Meuse river, some nine
miles southwest OF Montmedy. One despatch
I rsports fighting as going on between Dun, Buzaney
Rand Mouzay, which last named place ls n village
situated SOME Hve miles south or Stenay. The three
'owiis form triangle, OF which Dun Is the apex IL
IS sstaed that the russians cut through by way OF
| Narennes but this evidently an error uness
there was heavy force OF French troops near St
Menehoud, In which event the Prussians will have
enemies on their left flank and rear as well as in
their front. 1t is more probable that thew bava
pushed forward by way OF Dombase n
the river Mense, banking both Verdnp
and Varennes to the town OF Dun Or ,hev
may nave moved from Bney TO SpincOurt thence 10
Danvliers and Dun, north OF Verdun This ia nv
lar the most probable route, because it covers the
objective point OF MacMahon the whole wav
whereas wnile movement south OF Veroun Is less
hazardous as leaving clear nne OF retreat I'm the
event or defeat, 1T enables MacNlahon to mass ms
forces on the Prussian right, and by driving il hack
open the road TO Metz.
Accepting, however, the statement OF the despatch
that the prusslans have moved by way OF varennes
Ian
Mahon before he reaches verlun their position will
be decidedly delicate one. A battle north west or
Ver!un IN the vicinity OF varennes will leave them
with an unlordable river in the rear, the Meuse
being navigable from Verdun TO the sea The
struggle on the part of The French Will then
be TO get possession Of the Varennes road
whereas at the present moment the object
is To control the road from Stenay Montnledy ana
opihcourt' ihis accounts Tor the statement OF q
sharp engagement having taken place near Stenay
which town lies on the east bank OF the Meuse. IF
the Prussias are In force here their object evidently
is to force the left flank OF the French army and
should they De successful 1t VIII drive MacMahon
from his present base OF operations at Mezleres and
endangef MS entire army. And this opinion brings
us to the consideration whether the army Of the
Is II not more likely that he Will push on towards
Rheims and endeavor TO gain Mac acMahon,s ricbt
hank and rear, While the army OF Prince Frederck
Charles holds the French in check? We do nor for.
pet that such strategic flank movement is fun of
LANCER as in the event OF MacMabon defeating Prince
frederick Charles the Crown Prince Will be entirely
his mercy. But 1t is equally the case that If rhe
| rown Prince is pushing on TO Paris a victory nv
lacMahon VIII Jeopardize his army to an eaual If
OF greater, degree
Both armies are placed in such a position now that
| Afnaf for nft t.,An,.
said few days ago, If MacMahon can force his
ay into the guadrllatera formed by the forresses
Metz Thlonvie, Verdun and M0ntmedy and raise
siege OF Metz he VIII compel the Prussjans IN
II back across the Mosee run the risk OF having
cir communications with Saarbruck cut or. All |
counts agree In saying that MacMahun |
Rheims on Monday last His armv |
ght, therefore, to have reached Stenay by |
ursday, the distance being not more than |
y miles, and we shall therefore not be surprised
learn that yesterday he forced a passage 10 the
er Chiers, near Louguion, or that his left wing
IS beaten. AS matters now stand the chances are |
favor OF his success and for the reason tnat the
ussians under Prince Frederick Charles and Gem
81 Steinmetz seem to be divided into three bodies
present. neither OF which can possibly be match
'MacManon If that general has the 200 600 men
at the correspondent of a proGerman paper says
has.
The report or battle near Rheims rather con.
ms than disproves our view OF the movements OF
Crown Prince. We doubt however IL it could
We been general engagement. 1t is more
0babe thar the Prussans have pushed on
ward the fortified town OF Rethel and have
en- resisted In their endeavOrs to cross the |
Ter Aisne, which, for the present at least must be
extreme right OF MacMahon. The country here
mountainous and rugged, and the Aisne flows be.
cen steep hills. Small bodies of men posted at
crossings on the northern bank and along the
nks of the Ardennes canaiScan offer vigorous
nstance 10 the pass%-+J an army, and
chaps delay 1t for several days. II a gene.
engagement has been fought there, it
Isl have been brought on by MacMahon,
O hiS purpose must have been TO cut
prussis~ army IN two. This is evident because