The Portland daily press., 1870-08-24

ESCAPE OF BAZAINE

The most important item of the war news re-
ceived yesterday is the reported escape of Ba-
zaine from the trap of the Prussians and his
arrival with his army at Montmedy. This
place is located on the Belgian border, on the
great railroad line from Paris via Mezieres to
Thonvlle, and is directly north OF Verdun.-
He evidently travelled from Metz, leaving
that place garrisoned, direct to Thonville, and
thence following the railroad line to Mont
medy. Monday we had a report that supplies
were going forward to him by this circuitous
route. These he is said to have me at Sedan.
From Moutmedy he is enabled TO join the
| army at Chaions or move directly on Paris, as
circumstances require. II is reported that the
armies of the Crown Prince and Prince CHARLES
have formed junction west of Metz A des-
patch from welinformed newspaper cores.
| pondent in Paris on Monday, foreshadows the
escape of Bazaine:
What am permitted to send you is in sub
| stance this: BaZaine preserves intact his COM
munications with Paris by the western route,
| The last ba tile, delivered at Joumont, had no
! other result. Bazaine, also greatly strength
ened by the vast Notifications of Metz, is still
master of the line of retreat by way of Monte
| dy, Stenay, Vonseres and the valley of the
Arene He can doubtless by the same route
receive reinforcements, and L have reason to
| believe that part of the forces, lately assem-
bed at Chalons, set out for that destination
yesterday morning. The enemy's army, which
in numbers, but, decimated by the late battles
is incapable, for the present at least, of resist
| ing violent attack.
Paris despatch of Tuesday noon says that
the armies of King William and Steinmetz are
reported to be too severely crippled to assume
the offensive, and it is given out on high au
thority that Bazaine was reinforced Sun
day from Cbalons for the purpose of giving bat
tie to the enemy near Metz. He is confident
Of victory when he will march on the army o
the Crown Prince and rescue Paris.
A report has reached London of French
victory. Another special despatch from Par
says: Bazape was yesterday at Metz. He ha
the north and centre entirely open to him
either for retreat or to receive reinforcements
The appalling Prussian losses sent thrill O
horror throughout Germany, and recruits onl.
to be bad among country people and working
men, nearly all of whom are raw. Bazaip'
processes to be master of the situation.
An Antwerp despatch says that the war ha
paralysed business there. The only hope of
|
umph of the Prussians
A London despatch says it is almost certain
that an interposition of the great powers q
Europe, in the Franco Prussan queation, wi
take place within few days.
The Emperor's headquarters are now a
Rheims, and McMahon's headquarters at CeI
ucelles.
A Paris correspondent of the London Time
in communication to that journal, endorse
Michel Chevalier's opinion that the war wi
be prolonged several months yet. He says
The French would consider the destruction
: | Bazaines army as an argument to protract til
struggle. France cannot be conquered becaus
she loses one or two armies on the field. Th
Parisians are thoroughly prepared for seige
and have abundant forces and supplies t
Withstand a lengthy investment.
The immense extent of territory involved i
the boundaries of the city, renders it mposs
5 BILE that the Prussians could invest the city
Besides, it would require tremendous fore
, | to properly close or suspend communication.
Neither is there any doubt entertained
the capability of the people of Paris to kee
open communication with the cities to tn;
south. III a siege should be attempted, tn
government of France will be transferred t
Tours in the department of Indirect Loire, Q
to the ancient city Of Boureges, Department
de Cher. If such a contingency should arts
as to nesessitate the removal of the civil gov
eminent, Gen. Trochu will remain in chars
, of the government of the city of Paris.