New-York tribune., 1870-09-13
THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
Confined from First Page.

THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.
Continued from First Page.
on the same right line the task Of approach 10 beseger
would be extremely difficult as no salient point Is pre-
sented which he envelop or which he concen
trate his attack This a why the French Gov
ernment express their confidence in the security Of Pas
it would take immense force invest the place,
while the besiogcrs would in place he strong enough
TO resist the repeated sorties force OF the garrison
Paris is not dependant for safety the FASHIONED
cene above described nd ami crior line Of de-
fense has been established 10y which approach TO the
first or interior line OF works prevented. The exterior
lire Of defense consists of l6 detached forts each
constructed to reader Independent defensive po
siton capable Of resisting siege Tie town Of ST. Denis
on the north side is defended by three forts beside minor
defensive works connecting the covering the north
east and south sides OF the OF these Fort de la
Brche and Fort de Est protect the place from attack
from the north and east while they in turn covered
by Fort dAubervers, which also protects the village
Of the same name.
The main roads leading 10 Meaux TO Metz and May
ence, wen the strasbourg Railroad. which leaves
Paris in the neighborhood Of Pantin pass through and
near the works Of that place and between Fort dAuber
vilers and Fort de Romanvile, which latter is again
covered by Fort de Noisy and several redoubts forming
a chain Of defense against approach from the east
These forts are again anked by Port de ROsry, which
with Fort de Noisy by a chain Of small redoubts, oc
cupying commanding positions The three hast named
forts with Fort de NOgent resting the Marne, the
castle Of Vncennes In the rear and the neck OF land
almost insulated by great bend OF the Marne and closed
by strong line Of redoubts complete the defenss on the
eastern and exposed side Of the city. rendering
almost unapproachable by invading army and form
ING secure battle ground in the event OF enemy ad
yancing in great force
The junction of the Seine and the Marne is commanded
by the guns Of FO de Clarendon and again by those Of
Fort dvry the right bank Of the Seine These works,
with Forts de Bcetre, de Montroage, de Nanves, and
dsy defend all the approaches to Paris from the south
while from the west the FOrteresse du Mont Nalcren
bars the way the Seine which, that SIDE twice coy
els the city by sudden bend in its course These de-
tached forts are constructed about mile and quarter
from the Cuceute and about the same distance apart
and connected by military roads SO that an imprcg-
nable Gordon is drawn around the city. 1t is calculated
that IN attacking army would occupy front Of 90
extent before the Investment Of the place would
be i'm any way effective. This fact coupled with the
well known military spirit ard trdn4lg OF the people,
makes siege OF Paris the ordinary acceptance OF The
term, almost an impOssbility.
The facilities enjoyed by Paris for transporting troops,
ammunition and supplies from point to point within her
limits rend ar the task Of def,nsa in tine hands os
petent commander far from d.ficult. Good roads and
city railroads encrcle and ntersect Paris in every dec
ton that much smaller garrison is required than le
immense extent of the fUTtIatlOns would !'1d one 10
believe. The cost Of the works is estimated two
thirds Of the value Of the city they protect In 1s the
Government obtained grant from the Chambers Of
OOOoOO) for the work Since then they have been con-
stanty strengthened and the extensive repairs now De-
ing made, ON which many thousands OF worluaon are
engaged, are intended 10 complete the great work.
SIX thousand pieces OF ordnance can lie worked from
TIE defcnses Of Paris and with the additional works
tructng, and the immense Improvements in artil
ery may said that the safety OF Paris is assured"
Tie tOrtcatOns OF Paris have already exercised con
siderable influence the war. The security they
Afforded the capital admitted of the garrison Of 100000
men the regular army being forwarded to the seat Of
war while defense OF Paris has been intrused to
small body picked troops, with the cooperation Of the
Garde Mobile Nothing but repetition OF the events OF
1915 when the defeated Emperor Of France was betrayed
and deserted by those whom ne raised 10 power and the
keys OF the city handed without q struggle 20 the
conqu, rors, could endangcr Paris.
II is indeed OminOus for the BOnapartes that the NUT
terns OF the dscoutented citizens Of Paris should again
be renewed and that stormy discussions are held IN the
halls Of the Corps L6sislatf the policy Of France
governing herself, in accordance with the republican
idea The problems Of the day only be solved by the
victory or defeat Of the French army which now disputes
the road TO Paris with the victorious PrussIdus II Is
sad that the people suffer in the quaIrels Of dospoa