The New York herald., 1870-08-14
The War In Europe-The situotion-Tho
Chances.

| Chances.
Our latest news is of that doubtful charac-
ter which makes decision impossible. France
concentrates and multiples her forces.
Prussia multiplies her forces, makes good her
position and slowly. but surely, advances on
the foe. The telegraphic dispatches this
morning are numerous. They remove many
doubts and explain many difficulties. But
we are still allowed to infer that Prussia, in
spite of all French enthusiasm, is mistress Of
the situation.
The Prussians, on French soil, seem tc be
on the point of making Strasbourg their own,
and the whole range of the Vosges bulwark
Of defence. When this war began it was the
universal conviction that France would make
the enemy's country the battle field Con-
trary to very general expectation the battle
field is to be on the soil of France. In this
war the mistake which was made in 1866 has
been repeated in 1870. In 1866 Austria,
when war was declared, was found unpre-
pared, and in consequence was felled to the
ground. In this present year Of our Lord
France has had the honor to declare war but
Prussia has had the advantage of being
fully prepared and of winning the first
victories. If it be true that Stras-
bourg has fallen under the shot and
shell Of Prussia; if it be true that Prussia has
made herself mistress of the whole line from
Strasbourg to Metz, there can be no manner
Of doubt that all the odds are now, or ought to
be, against France. In considering this war
1t ought not to be forgotten that Prussia is
pledged to do her utmost to keep the war out
of the South German States, which in this
emergency have come out so grandly in favor Of
Fatherland 1t is the determined purpose of
possible, in the encmy's country. Judging
from all present appearances Prussia is likely
to make her purpose good. 1t is big thing
for Prussia to be able to say, "The passages
of the Vosges are ours" With Strasbourg in
their hands, with the Vosges fully guarded in
bourg to Metz more or less dominated, it is
impossible to come to any other conclusion
than that Prussia has fair chance, if not of
driving the French back upon Paris, at least of
making defeat impossible.
We are not ignorant Of the peculiar uncer-
tainties of the situation. 1t was bold thing
for Prussia to invade France; but, bold as it
was, it was not more bold than it was for
Prussia TO invade Austria. Austria had en-
joyed the reputation for many years of being
the best armed Power in Europe, and although
France and Italy had hnmbled her within
al
clude that Austria was not a match for her
more northern neighbor. Prussia, however,
was not afraid then, and her daring was
rewarded with victory. In 1870 Prussia has
given no signs that she is afraid of France,
and although we have not yet had Sadowa
in this fight, a Sadowa does not seem either
impossible or improbable. There are some
who think that French iron-clads in the Baltic
will'so divert the attention aud the sympathy
as we'll as the fears of the German people that
France cannot fail to come out of the conflict
victorious. Those who 80 reason forget that
this is more German than a Prussian war;
that Hanover is as much anti-French as is
Prussia, and that the South German States |
have revealed almost a larger amount of |
enthusiasm than any other portion Of Father
land. It is not our opinion that France can |
do much harm to Prussia in the north. The |
harm can only be done by ships. Ships have
to encounter strong, though not, perhaps, i'm
pregnable fortresses; but before the ships
have made the fortresses yield the Prussian
victories by land may be such that France will
have no choice but accept Prussian terms and
make peace. Land fighting not sea fighting;
battalions, not ships, must determine the issue
of this contest. Meanwhile the situation is
full of promise for great fght-a fight which
has had no parallel in Europe since the battle
of Waterloo.
What are the chances? Prussia may win;
France may win. We speak only of the forth
coming fight. 1t is not possible now that
France can overrun Germany. If in the forth
coming fight, which, we think, mast be gen.
eral along the whole line and terrific in its re-
suits beyond anything on record, France
should win other battles must follow; and
peace must become necessity to France be-
fore il can become a necessity to Prussia.
Prussia may fight again and again and again
before she leaves French SOIL But one grand
battle, such as that we have said is now in
evitable, if Prussia wins, will PROSTATE France.
The decentralization will be general and COM
plete; and France, throughout all her borders,
will begin TO cry out against the man who
made the war. The cry will be such as was
heard in 1914, when the First Napoleon was
sent to Elba, and such as was heard again in
1916, when the first empire finally fell% Pre-
monitory Of this cry we have to-day the points
of another proclamation issued by King Will
liam Of Prussia. 1t is directed against Napo-