The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-11-04
NAPoLEoN's DEFENCE.
TElEsaAm TO THE NEW YORK HERALD.

The Emperorss Pamphlet-Hls AIisgivings nc
the Start His Plan Of Campaisn-Why 1t
Mlscarried-Thc French Military system
Defective-His Plan for a Retreat Over
ruied-MacnInhon's Plan Adepted-A Pain
fal charlottesville March to sedan-Inter.
view with King William-Causcs Of the
Prusslan successes-Enfeebled Authority the
Cause Of French Disasters.
LONDON, Nov s. 1870.
The Figaro Of this evening publishes version Of
the Emperor Napoleon's pamphlet on the campaign
OF 1870 and the causes which led to the capulation
at Sedan.
The Emperor recalls his manifesto Issued just
with which he listened 70 the cry, 'On 10 Berlin.u
THE PLAN OF CAhPAlGN-ITs MISCARRIAGE.
He says his plan was TO mass 15o, 900 men at Metz
100 900 at Strasbourg and 900 at Chalons and to
cross the Rhine near Haguenau with large force In
order to separate Southern Germany from the
Northern Confederation. He hoped to win the first
great battle and secure the alliance Of Austria and
Italy with France in imposing neutrality Bavaria
Baden and Wurtemburg.
THE FRENCH MILITARY SYSTEM DEFECTIVE.
The defects In the French military system and the
delay In bringing up men ana materi al defeated this
plan. He enumerates the difficulties encouptered
but acquts the War once OF blame.
HIS PLAN FOR RETREAT OvERRULED.
The Germans having had ample time to bring their
forces into the field, the French were outnumbered
and put on the defensive. new plan was neces-
sary, involving retreat on Chalons. This the re-
gency disapproved as Encouraging to the public
and the EN- error was urged to resume the offensive
MACMAH0N's PLAN ADOPTED.
Yielding, MacMahons advice and plan were
adopted.
HIS PAINFUL SITUATION.
BE alludes to mis- situation after ne had given up
the command Of the army, and when his name and
authority were ignored at Paris; as exceedingly
painful.
THE MARCH TO SEDAN ACQUIEsCED IN.
He acquiesced In the march for the relief OF Metz
though conscious OF the danger Of that enterprise
He describes the operations and analyses the battles
which preceded the surrender at Sedan.
HIS INTERVIEW WITH KING WILLIAM.
After describing the battle OF Sedan he proceeds
give the details Of his interview with the King Of
Prussia. He says when he told wilhelm ne had
given full powers to The regency and with 1t alone
negotiations for peace could be conducted he merely
delivered his own person into the hands OF the King
and not France. He told the King that the war hav,
ing tuTne0 uuIOICuuateiy, ne could not throw on the
responsibility. Nevertheless, he had only obeyed
the violently excited nattona! feeling.
CAUSES OF TIE PRUssIAN suCcIssEs.
The pamphlet concludes as follows:-" sue
cesses Of the Prussi6ns due to the superiority Of
their numbers the rigorous discipline Of their army
and the power exercised throughout Germany by
the principle Of autnority.n
sNrEEBLED AuTHoRirY rim CAUSE OF FRENCH DIS
>ss.s.t- AsTER.
May our unhappy countrymen now prisoners
profit during their soourn In Prussia by appreciat.
ing all which gives strength to the army the powers
that be respected, the law obeyed, the military and
patriotic spirit dominating over all interests and
opinions, and, to sum up, the army always
rejects the state Of society. When authority
was exercised France was strong and respected
and the constitution OF the army presented re-
markable solidity but when excuses Of the tribune
and the press were permitted they enfsebled au-
thority ana introduced everywhere spirit Of cfIt-
cism and characterization, and the army felt the
effect OF It, God grant that the terrible drama now
enacting may serve as lesson for the future, and
that our country may rise again from the catas.
trophe which now overwholms her.