The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-07
THE WAR IN FRANCE


and France continues to be involved in doubt,
Notwithstanding the immense military supe-
riority of the invaders. In any ordinary
contest the hard blows already dealt by the
Germans would have conquered peace, But
they have to encounter the double difficulty
arising from the absence of regular govern
ment with which to treat, and from their de-
termination to exact conditions which
are to the last degree dstasteful to
the French people. The latter
seem to be as determined to retain, or
rather to regain, Alsace and Lorraine as the
Germans are to permanently possess these
coveted provinces, and both combatants are
resolved to submit this issue solely to the
arbitrament of arms. The French will no
more listen to reason or argument on this
question than the people of the loyal States
would to propositions for a surrender of
national territory to the Rebellion. When
they are told that the Prussian force is over
whelming, they answer that it will not con-
tinue to be so after their new recruits are
drilled. When they are admonished that the
invaders now actually occupy the
disputed territory, and that it is
madness to attempt to drive them out, they
answer that they will nevertheless succeed in
accomplishing this difficult task, and that
their triumph is a mere question of time.
When they are warned that their capital must
fall, they answer that the Prussians are una
BILE to capture it, but that even if this terri
BILE disaster follows on the heels of Weissen-
burg, Gravelotte and Sedan, they will still
struggle on; that large portion of their
national strength in men and money is concen-
trated in Southwestern France, which will
prolong the contest in spite of all discourage
ments; and that, as the English
were driven from their country after
occupying portions of it for hundreds of
years, they will drive out the Germans.
Sooner or later, they contend, the tide of battle
will turn. They claim that they have hun
dreds of thousands of men constantly drilling
inside of the walls of Paris, and many more
taking lessons in soldiership outside of the
confines of that city; that time tells in their
favor; that a hostile population becomes
every day more effective in harassing the
communications of the invaders; and that if
they can but win one brilliant victory, it will
arouse an electric enthusiasm fatal to the
Prussian army.
On the other hand, the Ger
maus are apparently proceeding in their
investment of Paris with the same regu-
iarity and activity they have displayed in their
previous operations. They count confidently
upon the speedy fall of the powerful capital,
and thsy seem to anticipate that after its cap
ture effective resistance against such terms
as they may choose to impose will be impos-
sible.
Caraons, bombs, needle-guns, chassepots,
mitrailleuses, internal machines, starvation,
misery, bloodshed, death, must decide this
stern debate; but how it will terminate re-
mains scarcely less of mystery than when
the first guns were fred at Saarbrucken.
ARREST OF LYONS AND MASON.
Ir is reported that Ned Lyons, alias Land
man, the Navy Yard burglar, with George
Mason, the burglar whose bail was declared
forfeited a few days ago, and another
eminent professor of the art of burglary, have
been captured at Warsaw, New York. Lyons
is held in Warsaw on several charges, and
there is strong probability that he will be
convicted and sentenced to a long term of
imprisonment before our courts can have an
opportunity to investigate his case If it
can be so managed that he and Mason will
be sentenced upon variety of counts both
here and in Warsaw, the public will
have cause for congratulation. These
men are known to be among the most expert
and daring burglars in the country, and their
operations, both here and in New York State,
were but episodes of a regular professional
tour which they were making. If they can
be safely locked up in a penitentiary under
sentences that will detain them for long
series of years, blow of the most decided
character will be inflicted upon the organiza-
tion of the gang to which they belong. This
gang is now an object of terror to bank Off
GERS, merchants, and all who have valuable
personal property, and the officers of the law
owe it to themselves and to the public to leave
nothing undone that will aid in putting these
two ringleaders where they will not be able
any longer 20 infict injury upon the honest
portion of the community.
We understand that the Identification of
LYONS was due to the exertions of Recorder
Givin, who has spared no pains or expense tc
remedy as far as possible, the serious mis-
take he committed in releasing the thief upor
straw bail. While Mr.. Giyins blunder in
this &c.. :. 2c -: o,:c1cze IL the extreme. cgel