The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-04
French National Defense.
4 Letter from General TrOChu.
Prussia and Russia.
a Chapter of Horrors.
-Four Children Burned Alive.
a Chapter of Horrors
-Four Children Burned Alive,
FRENCH NATIONAL DEFENSE.
Remarkable Letter from General Trochu to
the NlnYOr of PnrIn.

the Mayor Of Paris.
PARIS Oct. 15.-General Trochu has ad-
dressed the following letter to the Mayor of
Paris
Monsieur lie Maire:-I have the honor to make
known to you the basis on which, in concert
with the superior General in command of the
National Sedentary Guard propose to estab-
lish the organization of its mobilizable bat
talions.
This mobilization meets with considerable
difficulties, and therefore with delays, which the
public mind excited by n very animated and
legitimately impatient patriotism, but imper-
tectly understands. 1t is my duty to enlighten
it, while not resisting its enthusiasm, and to
prove to it that no one has more at heart than
the honor of the National Guard of Paris, and
the care of the great interests which will be at
stake the day when that Guard carries its efforts
beyond the enCeinte.
When undertook the defense of Paris with
the cooperation of devoted fellow workers,
whose names will one day be remembered by
the public gratitude, had to face q sentiment
vastly different from the one | am now discuss
ing. 1t was believed and asserted that q city
like our capital, governed by such various inter
ests, passions, and requirements, was incapable
of being defended. 1t was hard to believe that
its enclente aud its forts, constructed in other
limes, and under very different military circum-
stances from those which prevail at present,
could be prepared in such manner to offer,
unsupported by an army operating from with
out serious and durable resistance to the
efforts of a victorious enemy; still less was it
admitted that the Inhabitants could reconcile
Themselves to the sacrifices of every kind, to
the habits OF resignation, which siege of any
duration infcts.
Now that this great trial has been made
that is to say, that the placing of the city ia
state of defense had reached degree of perfec-
tion which renders the enceinte unassailabc, the
outer Notifications being at great distance;
now that the inhabitants have manifested their
patriotism, and of their own accord reduced to
silence the small number of men whose culpa-
BILE views subserve the enemys projects; now
that the enemy himself halting before these
formidable defensive preparations, has confined
himself to surrounding him with his masses
without venturing upon an attack-the public
mind has changed and shows now but one
anxiety-the desire to throw out in turn masses
OF soldiers beyond the enceine and to attack the
Prussan army.
The government of the national defense can
not encourage this enthusiasm of the popula-
tiop, but it belongs to the Commander Chief
to direct it, because with this right are con-
nected unlimited responsibilities for MIN In
this respect 1t is necessary to be guided solely
by the rules of the general experience of war,
and by those of the special experience which
we owe to the painful events that have over
whemed the Army of the Rhine. These rules
demonstrate that no infantry, however steady it
may be- can be safely brought face to face with
the Prussian army unless it can be accompanied
by an artillery equal to that which the enemy
has at his disposal, and it is to the formation of
this artillery that l am applying all my atten-
tion. In the next place, our percussion guns
excellent arms behind rampant, where
there is no need to fire quickly but troops who
rapidly firing rifles, would expose themselves to
disaster that neither bravery nor moral supe-
riority could avert.
AS regards the appeal made to the patriotism
OF the companies destined for outside service,
the Government cannot address itself exclu-
siyely to the battalions provided with rapidly
firing arms; hence the absolute necessity for a
friendly exchange of arms effected by the Mayor
of each arrondssement, that the volunteers
destined for war service shall be armed with the
best rifles of their battalion. The recruitment
of the companies will be made by lists opened in
each arrondssement. The company of volun-
teers Ill comprise, as far as possible, one
bundled and fifty men by battalion, but each
battalion will not be compelled to furnish this
contingent If the list of volunteers exceeds
$50, those called will be taken in pre-
ference from among the unmarried
men, of at least thirty-five years of age, who
are of vigorous constitution, and have borne
arms or acquired the practice of military eXer.
else. The domestic council II each battalion
will be required to furnish the above descrp
tions. -Four companies, joined under the com
mand of chief of battalion, will form the
battaliOns taking the field and will be placed
exclusively under the orders of generals com
manding the active divisions of the army. The
latter will always be at the call of the military
authorities. The officers, the cadres of subordi
nate officers, and the corporals will
The officers of the four companies
forming the battalion will appoint the com
mander-in-c chief of the battalion. According tt
requirement and in proportion to the numbe
of volunteers inscribed, the general command
ing-in- chief of the National Guard may form II
each battalion greater number of cOmpanie
of war. In conformity with the rules of militar!
service, aud in the interest of the secU ity of thu
volunteers themselves, uniform will be oblga
tory for ali. Each one must be provided with
weather-proof knapsack, similar in it, chic
feature to the knapsack of the troops, a car
tridge-bOx or pouch and half woolen covering
of the material of a tent. Moreover, eacl
squadron will be provided with various cam
utensils used in infantry corps.
The war battalions of the National Guart
summoned to cooperate in the outside opera
tiOns of the regular army and Guard Mobile will
like them, be subject to military laws aud regu
lations. They will receive the payment In kin
Campaign living) and the pay of ordnar
troops in exchange for that received at presen
by the National Sedentary Guard, and com
mencing from the day that they are modified
l conclude Monsieur le Maire this statemen
with few reflections. In the month of Jul
last the French army, in all the splendor OF II
strength, passed through Paris, amid shouts G
"A Berlin Berlin !" l was far from sharin
their confidence, and alone, perhaps, among a
the general Ulcers, l ventured to tell the Maj
shall Minister f War that / perceived in thi
noisy manner of entering upon a campaign, a
well as the means brought into requisition, To
elements of great disaster. The will which
this period placed in the hands of Nj. Ducloul
q notary of Paris, will one day testify to th
painful and too well grounded presentiment
with which NY soul was filled.
To-day, in the presence OF tke fever wkie