The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-08-24
Tho War-A Little Chansc I'm Favor OF
France.

France.
Marshal MacMahon has either already REIN
forced Baxaine or is moving to do so on a line
beyond the reach of the Prusslans, and this
for the moment will let Paris breathe more
freely, since the Grown Prince must relinquish
his advance to reinforce the Germans near
Metz. 1t is clear that up to the last moment
the German armies engaged with Bazaine had
their hands full and only succeeded in forcing
him into Metz when he had expended his
ammunition, AMI also that they were terribly
crippled in doing even this. II, therefore,
Bazaine is now reinforced by the troops of the
line under MacMahon, which apart from the
unreliable portions Of his command are stated
at something over hundred thousand, the tide
Of battle cannot but turn against the Germans
under Frederick Charles and Steinmetz unless
these are Immediately reinforced by the army
Of the Grown Prince. The several dispatches,
therefore, stating that the Grown Prince
instead of marching down the Aube has gone
to Metz, are, taken with our reports of the
movements of MacMahon, reasonable and
likely true.
1t is thought that the junction of the two
forces will take place near st. Menehould,
between Verdun and Chalons. Bazaine is
reported to have left Metz by way of the
north, marching down the left bank Of the
Moselle on Saturday morning last It will be
remembered that we had previous report
that Bazaine had made desperate attempt at
daylight on Saturday to cut his way through
the Prussian lines. Doubtless this was
the Prussians at one point and cover the real
evacuation by the northern road. The Mar
shall is reported to have gone by Spincourt,
Longuyon, Montmedy, near the Belgian from
tier, to the Mouse, probably at Stenay, and it
was doubtless here that he was supplied with
kept several days loaded at Sedan, little
north of Stenay. From this point it would be
an easy march to Grandpre, on the Aisne, and
thence another easy march to St. Menehould.
If, therefore, MacMahon awaited Bazaine in
the vicinity of st. Menehould it is probable
that the forces are concentrated there, if,
indeed, they are not in motion thence to strike
the Prussians near Metz
If the Prussians have been at last helpless
spectators of this very junction of the French
forces, to prevent which they fought all these
terrible battles near Metz, they must have
been crippled even beyond what was thought
by the most sanguine friends of France. And
if they have been thus crippled, and have
still not accomplished that purpose which was
an essential part of their plan, the conquest of
France and the fall of Paris would seem to be
deferred. There is certainly not fresh corps
in the armies of Frederick Charles or Stein
metz. Every corps and every division they
marching and fighting, and their losses are
certainly of the flower of the army. If
Bazaine now assails this force he comes with
the spirit of victory in his soldiers; and this
and the fresh men under MacMahon may do
much. We are not yet certain that they can
drive the Prussans out, reinforced as these
will be by the Crown Prince; bat they will
stay the tide. The army of the Crown Prince
is not Prussian army. It has not the Prus-
sian spirit, nor organization, nor arms. It is
an inferior force. 1t is possible that the
reserves of new troops may yet determine the
story. And if this is to happen it will be an
incalculable advantage for the French army
proper to have turned the tide before the
reserves come in.