New-York tribune., 1870-08-27
A STRATEGICAL MYSTERY.

The readers of one of our morning cotem-
poraries must be in chronic condition OF
wonder why the Napoeonic army does not at
once enter Berlin Ever since the beginning
of military operations, it has argued, per-
sistently and strategically, that things were
going badly with the German armies, and that
the prospects of German success were dismal
in the extreme. 1t has also argued all along
that things were looking exceedingly well for
the NapOleOnic army,-that it had won num-
Der of remarkable victories, and would inn
mediately win several mOre,-and that
its leaders, in their various move
ments, were working out profound
scheme of strategy. AS for MacMahon's re-
tirement from Worth, that was the proper
thing for him to do under the circumstances
He had fought battle with the army OF the
Crown Prince, intended to retard its advance; !;
but he subsequently concluded to cross to the
other side of the VOsges, and take up his line
of march toward some other locality, where
his troops would be unavailable during the
sanguinary battles on the Moselle. During
the three critical, perilous, and disastrous
weeks, in which he was not heard from, he
was engaged in preparations to continue his
march after the trial was over.
AS for the movements of Bazaine's army,
they have been based on sound principles of
strategy, which are sure in the end to bring
about logical result. He removed from
Forbach, it is true after an engagement
of some severity; but he took up a
new defensive line on the MOsele.
On finding that the Germans approached that
line Immediately after him, he began to cross
the river; and when he found that the enemy,
who was also on the other side of the river,
attacked one half of his army when it had
crossed, he defended himself to the best of his
ability. He concluded, however, that this was
dangerous place for him to stop at, and be-
gan to take up his march for Verdun, intend
ing afterwards to proceed to ChalOns, and
finally to Paris. As soon as he began to move
from Metz, the Germans assaied him, and he
gave them battle. This delayed him tempo
rlrily, after which he again decided to move,
but again he was assailed, and again gave
battle. But further delay being impolitic, he
determined to get through to Verdun. Once
again he encountered the Germans, in the
vicinity of Gravelottc; and, after one of the
most terrible and sangunary contests of mod
ern times, he changed his strategical plans, and
concluded, instead of leaving Metz, to retire
within its Notifications. He remained there at
latest advices; but it was not known Except
to the German c0mmanders) what his next
movement would be.
While MacMahon and Bazaine have been
conducting these operations, Trochu has been
busy raising and organizing an army at Paris; ;
and another army has been gathering at
ChaloDs. Ii is evident that the Napoleonic
armies have inflicted great damage upon the
enemy that they have moved from one place
to another with great rapidity, and that all
their maneuvers are parts of a deep-laid
scheme of strategy, whose cOnsummation is
only question of time. But, taking all the
circumstances of the campaign into account,
as they have been explained from day to day
by our cotomponry, it is a mystery to us, of
which we would like to have some explanation,
why the Napoleonic armies have not yet en-
tered Berlin.