The New York herald., 1870-08-22
THE SITUATION.


Notwithstanding the denlas OF the French ar-
thorities and the statement that King Williams
despatch s laughed at by the Minister OF the In
terror, it seems certain that the 18th inst. the
French army, or part Of II, was defeated. 1t Is
also equally certain that they were not driven into
Metz. as the London dispatches asserted. In his
brief report Of the battle King William stated that
his command "after combat of nine hours, TO-
tally defeated the French army and intercepted
their communications with Paris ana Ulth
the forces al Metzu IL will be SEEN in
the italicsed words, tnat far from having driven
the French into Metz the King distinctly announced
that they were driven from The vicinity OF the place.
The importance OF this statement cannot be over
estimated as 1t materially changes the position of
the French rendering 1t less critical tha 1t would
have been had their army been cut In two as was re-
ported in London. One despatch dated frOm
"Pont-a- MOusson via Luxembourg" purporting TO
give report OF the battle by an eye witness. states
that the Prussans won, but at a fearful cost Re-
ference is also made to visit from the Crown
Prince to the Kings headquarters, showing that his
forces were not far on from which there Is a strong
probability that part Of his army was engaged IN
the conflict.
If our view OF the situation he the correct one
Bazaines army must have fallen back to some point
between Verdun and Thlonville-probably at Etain
having withdrawn into the defences of Metz, but
this cannot refer to the main body of their army
al least we think not. II Bazaine had two hundred
thousand men when the battles began, as was
stated, it could not be possible for Prussians to
prevent his cutting his way through them If even
they have surrounded him. Granting that he has lost
fifty thousand men, he would still nave one hundred
and nifty thousand left II would require army
of SIX hundred thousand to pen up such force, and
by their own statements the united armies Of Prince
Frederick Charles and General Steinmetz numbered
only 340 600 previous to the battle near Pagny or
these 1t is said, they have already lost 80, 600 men,
which would leave a quarter Of a million or less
odds for the French 10 contend against than the
outset There is no record In modern history OF
150 600 brave soldiers being surrounded and forced
to capitulate. and II any person VIII reject for
moment on the immense strength OF such force he
will at once perceive the absurdity OF the unofficial
dispatches which reach US from Berlin and London.
We, therefore, accept King Williams despatch as
giving the situation OF the French namely-a force,
more or less considerable shut up in Metz and the
main body driven back In northwest direction.
From Paris IL is reported that the Prussans have
reached Chation-sur- -Marne, small town, some
thirty miles west.northwest OF Cnalons and about
seventy eight miles eastnOrtheast Of Paris 1t is
memorable rs the birthplace OF Pope Urban H.
The despatch alluded to suggests that the Prussans
have moved by way OF Sezanne, town thirty-fve
miles southwest OF Chaons Such o line Of march
would nank vitry-le Francois and Chalons. Should
the news be true, it is evident that the French army
is no longer at Ohalons Chaton being in the rear
OF that place and thirty miles nearer TO Paris. A
Paris paper. in fact, reports MacMahon as having
moved out but to what point 1t does not say. 10
Is most likely. however, that be has marched
by way Of St Menehold to yerdun and
has already united with Bazane or is now in sup
porting distance. One Paris general represents him
as being on one side OF the Prince Royals army and
Bazalne on the other and speaks OF great battle as
imminent We are rather inclined TO the opinion
that the Prince Royal and Prince Frederick Charles
have already eIeeted lQpcton-propaby before ]