Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-07-26
How are the Parties Matched.

We have already given some sta
tistics as to the fighting strength re-
spectively of France and Prussia, but
the subject is of sufficient interest just
at this time to warrant return to 1t
with a special glance at some OF It's
incidental features. Population is the
first element of Importance, for the
greatest fact of war is the warriors,
actual and potential. By the last
census the population of France is put
down at $4,000. The population
of Prussia-meaning by that the new
Kingdom of North Germany--is a.
043,296. By treaties, however, and
by unanimous feeling, also, as would
appear from our current intelligence,
South Germany becomes a unit with
Prussia in any war affecting the in
terests of Fatherland, and its popula-
ton being added gives total Of 49,
521, 900. It will be seen, theref fore,
that the resources Of the two combat
ants for furnishing armies are sub
stantiallY equal Nor is there much
diversity in the abilities of each to
spare the forces not requisite to keep
the internal industry of each nation
going on. In both, every able-bodied
man has long been regarded as a sol
der, and has been trained according
ly.
The army of France has been con-
sidered the largest and most perfect
belligerent machine in the world. 1t
consists of an active army of 404, 1872
men; an army of reserve Of 100000
IN round numbers, and a National
Guard with a maximum of 53S,723 !;
making total force Of l ,342,9l5 sol
diers. Prussia, on the other hand has
an army of 319,358 men on peace
footing, and of 977,262 on the war
footing. The total of the South Ger
man armies is about 100000, making
the whole German force about 1,137,-
900 men. 1t will be seen, therefore,
that the French army is numerically
superior, though not to a sufficient
extent Of itself to be decisive. There
is much greater disparity in the ma
vie5 Of the two Powers. That Of
France comprises 60 iron-clads, 1854
unarmed screw steamers, 81 paddle
steamers, and 113 sailing vessels,
with 80, 346 sailors, aaoat and ashore,
which is about one,half Of the total
naval force, when dock yard Iaborers,
engineers, officers, &c, are added. In
deed, it is stated that the French ma
val force on war footing can be rails
ed to 10000 men. The Prussian
navy is OF wholly modern origin, and
is composed Of 43 steamers, which,
with other craft, make a total of 81
war vessels, mounting $40 guns, man
ned by 2471 seamen and boys.
While the French navy, therefore,
is overwhelming in size, as compared
with that of Prussia, its absolute eff
cheney is a thing yet to be tested
The Frenchnan is naturally poor
sailor, and though he is equipped with
the mighticSt iron-cIadS and the heav-
lest guns, it remains to be seen wheth-
er he can display any Of that tough
and daring seamanship which enabled
Farragut and his comrades to per
form such prodigies of valor-often
in old wooden ships-in the waters
of the Southwest. With regard to
their land forestry which the com
ing war is evidently to be decided
it is a fair question whether Prussia
or France is to be considered superb
or. The French soldier is quicker
the German has more endurance
The one shows better il charge, the
other in a siege. 1t is true, the Prus-
sian army movements were character
lied by great rapidity IN the last war,
but that was in comparison with the
proverbial slowness of Austria. The
tables will be changed now. In drill
and equipment it is not known that
there in any great difference. The
generalship at the command of Prus-
STA is confessedly not surpassed in
the world.
This comparative glance is on the
supposition that the war is to be con;
fined to Prussia and France, which
fact we are warranted in assuming at
the present moment, though, perhaps
not much longer. On the whole
then, it will be seen that the combat.
ants are not unfairly matched, and
we may add that the probable fight
ing ground will give neither no great
advantage springing from superior
familiarity on one side or the other
1t should be mentioned that most o.
our war Intelligence will be likely to
come through French channels, fol
which some allowance will have tC
be made.-Boston Journal.