New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-02

Two years ago Gen. Changarner wrote in
the ReUue des Deur MOndes remarkable
article, in which he expressed a very high
opinion of the Prussian military power. "The
"great and principal force in the Prussian
"army,n he said, "has been in its officers No
doubt large share of honor is due to the
" Government in this organization, patiently
"and carefully prepared, and the attention
(which was given to every improvement in
d" the military art in a spirit of progress free
:" from the shacl1les of prejudice and routine.
"Like the ancient Romans, the Prussians took
"what was good and left what was bad; but
call this was only done by means of staff of
"well-instructed, labOriOus officers applying
themselves without relaxation to work
"often deemed excessive. These officers, as
" facts attested, were admirably seconded by
"their soldiers. Under the flag all classes of
"society found themselves represented, and
"intelligence came to the aid of discipline
"the quality was a surer guarantee OF success
than the quantity"
1t is reassurng TO hear from France that
military critics were very well satisfied with
" the aacrity with which the soldiers got into
" the railway carriages. No interference on
" the part of the officers was necessary" If
| the whole French people are burning with
martial fury and so eager to get at the threats
of the Prussians that they can hardly be held
back, is not the qualification of military critics
on finding that the troops did not mutiny at
the railway station just the least bit super
fluous
The Emperor chad an ovation" when he
left Paris to take command of the army;
which proves the attachment and confidence
of the French people. Paris advices inform us
| that g Madame Laurent, vivandiere of the 29th,"
! also had an ovation; which proves -?
The tenor of the French press might lead
an unsophisticated person to believe that the
comparative merits of the Chassepot and the
needle-gun had already been settled by few
skirmishes, and settled of course in favor
of France. AT the affair of the Goth, we are
told, the Prussians began firing at a distance
OF 800 meters 1915 YARDS, and their fire fell
short by about 100 meters. The French began
firing "almost simultaneously" and hit "some
" OF the Prussiansn This, of course, is no
proof that the Chassepot carries further than
the Prussian arm, because during the short
interval between the two fires the
distance of the two forces apart may
''"'N p''h A'SSchcu ny even more tDtn
100 meters. But as an offset against
the French report we have confident asser-
ton from Berlin that Napoleon delays the war
solely because the encounters between Skin
mishers have already demonstrated the i'm
measurable superiority of the needle gun over
the Chassepot or any other weapon. The truth
Is that nothing has been demonstrated yet.
Even the short war of 1866 did not thoroughly
test the famous German breech-loader. Its in
ventOr does not claim for it superiority of
range; ITS merits are said to be that it can be
hred with extraordinary rapidity and is not
liable to get ont of order. 1t has hardly seen
service enough yet to settle the latter point,
and the Chassepot has seen much less.
What bold little bully England can be
on occasion The two greatest military pow
ers OF Europe are just about lighting, each put
ting nearly million of men into the field, |
when Britain SEXES them both by the throat
ana demands more satisfactory explanation
OF the secret treaty. Apparently she has half
mind, with her 10000 tsoops, to give them
both good whipping. It is rather an absurd !
attitude; but III reality England woald DO