The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-08-11
Tho Franc;oe-FE-rass.an ;e i Z war.

war wass brief, and now the blaze of
battle begins to light mp the positions
and manmuvresof those mighty armies
that have gathered upon the Franco
Prussian frontier. The two nationnlities
most famous for martial prowess in
modern Europe are engaged in deadly
struggle for continental supremacy. The
energies of sO,Oo0.oCO people are con-
centrated in the battalions that rush to
the onset. War on such q scale is too
exhausting to last long. The field for
strategy is narrow. Quick and decisive
work must soon decide whether peace
shall be dictated at Paris or Berlin.
One day, the capture of Saarbruck by
the French is announced, and on the
next, we hear that the Prussians have
stormei and carried Weits ,nburg. The
has begun in earnest, and the
combatants on both sides are famous for
sharp, quick and heavy fighting. Re-
verses in the commencement of war
between two great nations, whom only
small portion of their respective forces
arc engaged, is not to be regarded as at
all significant of the final result. Many
battles may yet be bought, and, glori-
GUS as the late successes have been to
the Prussian arms, it may turn out q
profitable sacrifice to France in bringing
tho enemy to her own soil, when the
French will be fighting not only for the
glory of their nation, but for their
homes and household gods. Tho result
of this war is so uncertain, that it is
really unsafe to speculate. a triumphant
Germany would imply complete rear
Of Europe; and unless Napo-
leon went in for republican institutions,
the presumption is that it would be tho
ruin of the Bonaparte dynasty. "A
triumphant France would check tho
progress of German unification for many
long years. Whichever power should
win, let us hope for the peoples and for
liberty.
The following summary of distances
will be found interesting:
From Paris, East, the stations and
their distances are: Nancy, 220 miles;
thence, North, to Metz, 2443l miles;
thence, East, to St. Avoid, 275ls miles;
Forbach, (France,) } 28714 miles. From
Paris, East again, the stations and dis
tances are: Luneville, 240 miles; Avri-
court, 255 imiles; Sarrebourg, 26831
miles; Savcrne, 2S5 miles; Strasburg,
(France,l 312M miles. From Strasburg,
across the Rhine, to Kepl, the distance
is 1913 miles.
Metz is French fortified city, capital
of the Department OF the Moselle, and
is situated at the confluence of tho rivers
Mosello and Seille, ut the head of n
branch OF the main railway line from
Paris to Strasburg, and is ITO miles
East Of Paris. 1t is one of the strongest
and most important places in Frauce,
with citadel Oh the right bank of tho
Mosellc, an armory usually continuing
SO. 600 stand Of arms, an arsenal, one OF
the largest in France, with cannon
foundry, and large military hospital.
portance under the Romans, and in the
10th century, while in the possession of
the Emperor Of Germany, was strongly
passed into the hands of the French in
1852. Population between $1,000 and
GO, 600.
Tho retirement of tho Emperor Ma
poleon from active service and General
Lebouf from command of tho army
promises great things for France The
Emperor was undoubtedly q marplot and
Leblouf failure. The accession of
Bazainc and Trochu to the chief com
mands may put u new phase on the war
prospect.
In Paris the war spirit is said to have
been judiciously stimulated by the Pre-
feet OF Police spending 400, 900 francs in
four days, paying bands of roughs to
howl for war through the streets of the
city.
After all, the much-vauntcd needle
gun and Chnssepot are not such fearful
bogys. In one instance, reported by
telegraph, five hundred French infan-
try attacked by six hundred Prussians,
III al engagement which lasted thirty
minutes, there was loss of only twelve,
all told Why the Confeds did better
than that with old shot-guns.
In France 81 out Of tho 50 principal
sca.pcrts are'connectcd by railroads with
Paris, viz: Twenty-onc ports on the