The New York herald., 1870-07-30
Tho European War Begianisg sf Active
OprrstiOns.

the seat of war in Rhenish Prussia, and We
or many days may yet be consumed In mannu-
wiring for position. 1t does not appear that
the Prusslans are ready to fight just yet
Everything indicates that the French are
ready; but we doubt If the French will under
take the Prussians in their chosen position
without an effort to tempt or force them out of
it. 1t is true that there are good reasons why
the French should push things to the issne OF
battle at once, but these reasons are not so
imperative as to reqaire headlong advance.
The collision reported as having occurred at
vockinger perhaps V9lklingin, the second
Saarbruck to Treves-indicates only the
direction Of what is doing. This was
reconnaissance in force made to ascertain
the exact whereabouts of the Prussians in that
neighborhood how many and what sort of
troops they bad there, and how these troops were
posted; to obtain, in fact, the knowledge that
is always more or less necessary preliminary
to the cultivation of closer acquaintance. The
fact, therefore, that the French are feeling
the Prussian lines is significant only Of move
ment--not necessarily Of immediate battle.
Our latest reports Of the position Of the
Prusslans represented them as holding the
line of the Saar, with their right on Treves
and their left at Mcrziy. We cannot suppose
these statements to be accurate, and must give
them little license where it seems necessary,
when we consider the disadvantages under
which the news is gathered. 1t is probable,
however, that force holding the line of the
Saar in the present circumstances would not be
posted with any great difference from this
At Treves the Prussian right would practically
have the support Of neutral territory. Not
far from Merzig the river Prim, tributary OF
the Saar, runs down from the Idarwald,
skrting to the east and south the slopes of
the Hochwald, on which The Prussians are
massed. This stream, therefore, with the
Saar and the Moselle, completely encircle the
piece of billy country held by the Prussian
troops. This position is one at which an
attacking party would fight under great
disadvantage 1t enables the Prussians,
therefore, to hold the first practicable
line of defence eastward of Metz, and to
hold that proximity to their enemy in
safety for the French will not assail them
thus posted in position that nature has
framed for defence and whose natural advan-
tages have been improved by art.
Bu. the French are beating up the quarters
of the Prussians on their left flank, as we
learn by the reported reconnaissance, and at
the same time we hear from Berlin of a general
movement of the Prussian lines. This move
meut is probably to the rear. The French
need not attack the Prussians on the Saar
when they have an open road to the Rhine
through Rhenish Bavaria, by way Of Kaisers-
lautern. Should the French, therefore,
marching from Metz, avoid the Prussian prof
fer of a battle field on the Saar and move
through Bavaria, two things would be open for
of their chosen position 10 follow
the French and take the chance
OF battle, or they could retreat
down the zone between the Nahe and
the Moselle, to be at the Rhine simultane-
ously with their enemy. If they have moved
tney nave pTODaDIy Cncson tuc lutscr CouTee.
The position on the Saar was chosen for the
opportunities it gave to watch the French and
avoid O battle. The reasons that forced that
choice still control the Prussian operations.
An immediate battle is greatly advantageous
to France, because she has in hand full army
of old soldiers, which Prussia has not. 1t is
the point of the French therefore to force Q.
fght, and Of the Prussans to avoid it for
time and to make campaign Of manouvre
till the men are seasoned. If battle is
forced just now it will be triumph OF French
strategy.
Napoleon has issued stirring address to
the French army in the field; King William of
Prussia bade farewell to the Household Guards
in Berlin; tie Belgian question keeps England
excited; there are commercial failures and a
money pressure; agitated peoples stand
around the thrones. We may, therefore, and
for every reason, assert that no man can say
what day or an hour may bring forth in
Europe.