The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-27
sPxRxr or THE PRnss.
Editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journals
upon Current T Topios-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
THE PROBABLE CONSEQUENCES OF
THE WAR IN EUROPE.

pretend 10 say preclSely WuaJ Will De JDe con-
sequences of the war now raging in Europe.
The end of the struggle itself is uncertain,
and what is to follow or result from it is
more uncertain still. Up to the present time
the Germans have been successful beyond all
expectation. They have shown immense
power and great military skill But the for
tunes of war are uncertain. An accident may
turn the scales one way or the other Or the
practice of fighting and reverses of the
French may not only arouse the whole popu-
lation of France to determined and persistent
resistance, but may develop such military
ability, such generalship and resources as
that ingenious, proud and warlilke people have
not yet shown in the war The revolutionary
wars of the French at the close of the last
century and beginning of the present one,
when all Europe was combined against them
showed wonderful vigor and resources. This
war indeed, has proved that they are the
same brave people, for notwithstanding the
successes of the Germans they have fought
like heroes and have punished their enemy
severely.
Still the prospect is unfavorable to the
French The Germans have exhibited a
power and military ability little dreamed of
by the French and hardly anticipated by the
rest of the world. They have, BESIDES all the
prestige and moral power of success, while the
French are Cut up and good deal demora-
lized. The German armies, of not less than
half million of men, have penetrated, like
wedge, the heart of France, with the apex
pointing TO and steadily advancing toward
Paris and fresh forces pressing in and upon
the base. The line of the Germans is long
one from the base at the Rhine frontier and
becomes longer as they get nearer Paris, but
it is well taken care of, and another half mil
lion of men or more, including the landwehr if
necessary, can be brought up to maintain that
line and to support and replenish the armies
in advance The French have no forces to
cut the rear of the advancing German armies
They are kept fully employed in endeavoring
to resist the masses of their enemy, which
move steadily, like an avalanche, toward
Paris. The mission of Marshals Bazaine and
MacMahon was to stop this progress, and
theil forces have fought we'll and bravely for
that purpose, particularly those of Bazaine
around Metz. 1t is doubtful if they can do
more than check the onward march for few
days. The progress of the German columns
seems irresistible. Nor can any other French
army be got together to operate upon the
German line. Bazaine and MacMahon might
be largely reinforced from Paris-that is, if
the communications of the former be not
already entirely cut off-but it is not proba-
BILE that the Germans can be turned back
now short of Paris. Nothing but the most
decisive victory over the main body of the
German army could prevent that army reach
ing the French capital.
Looking then, with the light before us at
all the circumstances and contingencies of
the situation, we suppose that the German
forces, to the number of three or four hun
dred thousand splendid fighting men or more,
will reach the Notifications of Paris 1t is
possible battles may be fought before that.
MacMahon may have massed large army
and may stand in the way somewhere on the
line approaching Paris but as was said the
probability is that the solid, well trained, and
experienced German armies will force their
way through and leave no really dangerous
enemy behind 1t is possible, however, that
MacMahon, who, it is reported, has left
Chalons, instead Of marching towards Paris
to defend that city or to fight the Grown
Prince of Prussia in his march, has gone in
the other direction to join Bazaine, with a
view to force the Germans to great battle
at Metz or in the neighborhood. 1t is there
the French may intend to defend Paris, and
such q movement may compel the Crown
Prince of Prussia to fall back to support
Prince Frederick Charles and General Stein
metz against the combined forces of Mac
NIahon and Bazaine. Still, from present
appearances, the Germans are pushing stea-
dily on to Paris, and according to the latest
news were only sixty-five miles from that
city.
Concluding, therefore, that the Germans
will reach the Notifications of Paris, they
may have to contend with large French
army under the walls. Can they defeat such
an army or, defeating it, can they take the
city2 OF course there is always uncertainty
in battle, but looking at the success of the
Germans thus far, and at all the circum-
stances of the case, it is probable they will
be able to defeat any army brought against
them and to besiege Paris. The vast levies
of men that France can undoubtedly make
could do little with such a powerful and per-
fectly organized army as that of the Ger
mans. But can it take Paris No doubt
the city is strongly fortified and has large
army Of defenders at the Notifications; yet
we can hardly suppose the besiegers would
not find within circuit Of thirty or forty
miles some spot where they could force an
entrance, or that their she'll and shot would
not make havoc within the city, Should they
reach the walls it will only be question of
time, probably, and perhaps only few days,
either before the Germans enter the city or
tie party in power at Paris treat for peace.
But who can or will the Prussians nego-
tiate with? Here arises a serious difficulty.
The French of all parties declare they will
not make peace with the enemy while on the
soil of France. What party, then, will ven
ture to treat for peace with the enemy at or
before the capital? The stern necessities of
their situation may compel them to negotiate
apeace under such humiliating circumstances.
and it is evident that the PrusSians intend to
force them to that. The determined purpose
of the Prussians is to obtain guarantees of
peace and security for the future. 1t is not
likely they would treat with the Emperor
Napoleon, for they have declared the Bona
parties to be the disturbers Of Europe, and
they would have no confidence in any treaty
Napoleon might make. Nor is it reasonable