The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-07
The Guerilla warfare in France.

feats of the French army, from the Rhine to
the Seine, France to-day presents to all the
world the splendid spectacle of a people de-
termined to defend their beautiful capital to
the last, and to do all that can be done to
regain for the nation what imperial imbeclity
has lost. However much we may admire the
strategy and strength which have brought the
Prussian armies to the walls of Paris, we
cannot fail to feel the sad condition to which
the French as people have been brought, and
to sympathize with them in their efforts to
drive the arrogant invader from their soil. 1t
Mahon's army and the Emperor Napoleon at
Sedan, Strasbourg and Metz would immedi-
ately capitulste, and the war be at an end.
But Strasbourg made stubborn resistance,
and Metz still maintains determined attitude.
Paris, with its barbados and bastions,
accepts the alternative of a protracted siege,
and the French people everywhere are rising
to resist what now appears to be the Prussian
policy Of the complete humiliation Of the people
and the Acknowledgement Of France. Reports
from the seat Of war show that, though the
French battallons have been broken, the
fragments that escaped have not lost their
vitality, and that these. reorganized, are still
capable Of presenting to the foe apowerful and
determined front. Fugitives from many fatal
fields have had common rendezvous with
fresh troops In Paris, where half million
men, behind elaborate Notifications, will de-
fend the capital and endeavor to restore the
fame of France.
The government at Tours Is disposed to
make levy en- masse to meet the victorious
columns of the Prussians but, while the people
in the rear of the German armies may wisely
consider it inexpedient to respond universally
to this call, Independent bands will un-
doubleday harass the armies of invasion
and occasionally pounce upon their tanks.
In the movements Of grand armies guerilla
warfare is despised. It is an evidence Of
weakness rather than of strength. In itself
it has not an honorable place in military
science. Generally speaking guerilla is
little better than spy. Capture entails on
each the probability Of certain death. But
guerilla warfare is an auxiliary to which the
people Of an invaded country often find it
necessary to resort. 1t has played an import
ant part in sanguinary strife, especially in pro-
tracted wars. Had King Theodorus used some
of his barbarian bands along the line leading
into the interior of his country the British
army would have had q less easy and triumph
ant march through Abyssinia to Magdala, and
he might not have had to blow out his royal
barbarian brains in the desperation of defeat.
The evident intention of the Prussians to
settle down for some time in France. as the
Austrians did in Italy in lS4S, already sug-
gests to the French people the necessity of
harassing them at every favorable point King
Williams words assured the world that he
was warring not against France, but against
Napoleon. King Williams conduct shows
that he is now warning, not against Napoleon,
but against France. Had he stopped at Sedan
and proffered peace upon terms which
the French could honorably accept his
avowed object would have been believed, and
all the world would have honored him. But
King William, feeling that revenge is
sweet. is borne along by the brilliant pros
pect of triumphant entry into Paris and of
making peace in the imperial palace, as the
First Napoleon did in Berlin. Bismarck as
the power behind the throne, may be most
anxious to see history thus repeat itself but
this thirst for blood and this lust for conquest
show him to be more an ambitious manager
than truly great and honorable statesman.
The destruction of celebrated cities end the
devastation of the country along the Prlssian
line of march, the call for contributions from
the people, together with the closing of the
lines around the walls Of Paris and the form
ing of armies to sweep through the interior,
have driven the French people to adopt not
only the most vigorous measures for defence,
but also merciless means for retaliation.
We read that many of the French troops at
Strasbourg refused to surrender their arms
and threw them into the moat. After the
surrender eight thousand Prussian soldiers
were quartered upon the citizens, who natu-
rally enough, assumed sullen attitude
Bands of free shooters have been active in
the province, interfering with the Prussian
communications. The same spirit is mani
tested everywhere in France. Attacks have
been made on several of the Prussian outposts
by the peasantry. Near St. Dizier the people
fred on detachment of the invading troops,
killing and wounding many. The temper of
the citizens is shown in the statement that
when strong force was sent to levy con-
tribution of five hundred thousand francs
for this offence, the Mayor assured the
commanding officer that they would sooner
submit to the burning of the town
than the execution of the order, and accord
ingly the town was burned. While riding
in the cortege of the King of Prussia from
Rheims to Chalons to confer with the Grown