The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-09-04
The Lntcst Military Operations.

The Latcst Military Operations.
The maneuvre of MacMahon for the relief
of Bazaine HIS ended in his own capture His
army is demolished and the Emperor himself
is a prisoner The victorious enemy is now
ready to swoop down upon Metz, where they
have kept Bazaine closely pinned until they
could run down MacMahon, or move in triumph
ON the gay capital where the maddened French
populace still threaten determined resistance.
The surrender OF Bazaine follows the capture
OF MacMahon as surely as the surrender of
Joe Johnston followed that of Lee. The fall
of Paris and of Strasbourg are Just as certain.
The main question that arises is whether there
will be any necessity at all for a siege of Paris
or the continuation of the siege of Strasbourg.
Bazaine has been driven back into Metz
several times since Wednesday He evidently
felt that his situation was becoming more
desperate every day, and doubtless knew that
the intention of the enemy was to worry
MacMahon to death before they made their
final pounce on him. Now that MacMahon is
worried to death the first gathering of the
immense armies Of Prussia about his strong
hold will probably be the signal for his sur
render. Then Bismarck and the operations
of diplomacy come in, and Won Moltke and
the military become of minor Importance.
The Surrender-A Shrcwd Napoleouic Idea.
The surrender of Napoleon was a shrewd
idea-llrst, because it secures his recognition
" PrlIeg fba L,opo ~
yet his sovereignty is recognized by the
French people; secondly, because it secures
the recognition of the regency he left behind
him in Paris as the dc Jacto government of
France; thirdly, because, with these important
points secured, Prussia is bound, in treating
with the empire, to treat for its maintenance,
at least for the present, as the government of
France. Nor did Napoleon act prematurely in
this surrender. Another days delay, after the
crushing defeat of MacMahon, might have
been followed by a revolution in Paris, dis
placing the Emperor and his dynasty. Now
any such revolution will come too late With
The surrender Of MacMahon's army Paris is at
the mercy of the King Of Prussia Resistance
on the part OF the city now, under the authority
Of revolution, would be inviting the destruc-
ton OF the city. In short, the revolutionary
republican elements of the city have been
fanked and completely defeated by Napoleon's
surrender to King William.
We can understand now why the regency,
under the Empress, was left behind as the
government OF France in the Emperors alb
sence; why the Emperor since he first set out
to join his army has remained with it and
has not returned to Paris, and why he held no
military command. He undoubtedly had cal
culated upon the alternative of a surrender;
or, at all events, he was provided for il in
having nothing but his person TO deliver up to
King William; but in still having his regency
at Paris he holds the government of France.
Meantime, if he has kept aloof from Paris it
is because the pSebeecite in the first place, and
the populur manifestations in the city since
the opening of the war; had warned him that
his presence was not desirable short of
great victory in the field. Thus it may appear
that the empire, which it was thought would
only be saved by the armed expulsion of the
invader, has been saved yet little longer by
the timely surrender of Napoleon. The repub-
lie. however. is not far behind