The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1870-08-20
0peousas Parish Of St. Landry, La. August 2o 1870
Defensive Plans of Prussia.

Defensive Plans Of Prussia. !
The Prussian armies seem to have
paused in their invading movement. Six
days have passed since the French right
was overwhelmed and driven back. A
march of less than two days would bring
them in collision with the main bodies
of the French at any point they may Sc
lect, either before Metz or anywhere
along the extended front towards Phals-
burg. Reports from behind their lines
them active in moving forward
reserves and supplies. They are in cho-
sen positions with more than two hun
dred regiments. Yet they have made no
notable advance since Saturday, not
ment to isolate McMohon, who was left
to effect junction with the main army
almost without molestation. How is
this delay and apparent inertness to be
accounted for!
Mcmahon and Frossard were defeated,
and defeat is always assumed to have
q demoralizing effect, lisarranging the
plans Of generals, changing the value Of
positions, doubling corps upon made
quate points Of supply, cumbering trains
with wounded, subjectiDg troops ON re-
treat to disheartening fatigue, and de-
priving the conquered of that moral
force which constitutes half q soldiers
efficiency. Such were the results on the
French right after it's repulse, results as
we'll known to the Crown Prince, Won
Moltke aud Steinmetz as to the members
of the Emperor's staff. Yet they did not
take advantage of it, and seemed to pre-
fer to act upon the defensive. What
was the motive for delay! 1t was ex-
pected that they would force the fight
ing, and follow"up the success OF Hague
nau, even at the risk of meeting superior
numbers. Every days delay increases
the material and moral forces of tho
French, the whole empire falling into
ranks. aud Fastening to the theatre of
action.
| We venture upon the theory, yet it is
| plausible conjecture that the Prussians
have adopted plan purely defensive,
under the belief that France is more
likely to be exhausted by attack than
Prussia by resistance. They find their
enemies ready to receive battle at all
points where Prussian victory could
secure important strategic positions, and
.5 !
and willing to receive battle are the last
selected by skillful commanders to at
tack. They have reason to believe that
the French are accumulatlng such mas
3ses MS will exhaust their subsistence.
They may hope to exhaust French ener-
sies and resources, and to waste then
financial and military strength. They
may believe that with fewer troops they
may, by defensive policy, impoverish
wear ont and exhaust their great adver'
sary. They may wish to impress the
great neutral powers with the belief thai
Prussia's sole desire is safe and honor
able peace and not the acquisition O
territory. the humiliation of their anita
gopists, or the destruction of their Gov
ernment. They may think that an inva
sion of central France would precipitatt
i alliances with italy and Austria ant
/ alarm.all Europe. They may be thor
oughly convinced of the necessity o
y husbanding their resources and troops
land Of the superior economy of receiving
i attack where the risk and cost will b'
I least. They will not attack unless the
chances and advantages Of success ap
i pear less than the danger and damage
!. Of defeat.
J; 1fsettled upon such general defensive
policy, the Prnssians might give battl
|, in order to gain position still more dc
+. fensible than the strong one when the.
, now hold, furrowed as it is with i'll
trenchments, bristling with fortitlca
!, tions, near to their bases of supply, 40.
in easy supporting distances from the'
+! reserves. tits not easy to find a ne'
: line further toward Paris that will salts
| fy the requirements Of Q defensive posi-
j, ton, unless one or more French fortress
60 shall be first reduced.
81 Meantime defence does not signify in
{ ertness and passive inaction, but rathe
{ necessitates extreme energy and vlg
2. lanee.s While resolved on . defensiy
!. policy, they would he ready at any hou
|. TO take advantage IF the French by gu
!. sudden massing and advance of trooI
j upon weak points in the opposing lin
# Defence does not preclude counter a
: tack, Of which The battle Of August 6
T., o striking example.-N. O. Picayune.
!. - Mrs. Partington wants to know,