The New York herald., 1870-08-16

eeeded IN this maneuvre they have performed an
exceedingly dificult feat-one which has proved
fatal In numerous instances In fact, change OF
mont In face OF o powerful enemy Is so rarely sue
cessra that hae the French army been badly beaten
on sunday or yesterday 1t would not have been sur
pr'sng. Thus Ear the Prussian movements have
oeen purely tactical, and not strategic some sup
pose. strategy was intended by the advance on
the French right flank 1t has undoubtedly been
iohed Nor have there been any strategic opera
tons on the part OF the French whose movements
since the battle OF woerth have been wholly
governed by the advance OF the Prusslans
BY uncoverng Metz the French have taken up q
new line OF defence IN front OF the Meuse river
Doubtless their position extends along the hills
which fringe the western boundary OF the Moselle
valley. Napoleon, at last accounts, at the for
tress OF verdun. which Is situated on the Meuse
some thiry-lve miles west OF Metz ana l4O miles
east OF Paris. the place Is also forty miles north
west OF TOul, and is one OF the second line OF for
tresses In Fra nee planned and located by vauban
and Others. Here the road leads direct to Chaons,
and this would indicate purpose TO continue the
retreat TO the line OF the Marne In the event Of de-
feat From the presence OF Napoleon at verdun
we are inclined TO the opinion that the left wing
OF the French army now rests that place.
the centre In front OF st. Mhiel and the right wing
either at Toul or directly In the rear, covering the
railroad TO Paris. This position Is by no means
formidable for purely defensive purposes as II can
be turned on the right with comparative ease Bus
IN is the purpose OF Napoleon to suddenly assume
the offensive the line isundoubtedly good. 1t Is not
unlikely, however, that another and shorter line
Is now held by the French. VIZ, along the tier OF
hills which leave the main line near the VgneuueS
and pursue easterly direction for several miles.
C..nn
aud form concave ending at Toul. But both
tanks. or at any rate the left nank would be ex-
posed and thus the supposition OF this line
is doubtful one. strictly defensive battle
along these hills has the advantage that the coun-
try Is traversed by numerous streams In 'front.'
OF which have their source In the hills 1t would be
very dncult for the Prussans TO manGuvre cavalry
and artillery on this ground. and even infantry
would be impeded in an advance, as at some points
there are small lakes ana streams very close
together.
AS we expected Phalsbourg In the Vosges, has
no, surrendered to the Prusslans neher has Bitche,
neither has Strasbourg, and we have no idea that
any Of them Will surrender while their garrisons
have provisions Mulhouse Is reported 10 have been
occupied 10y the Prussians and regard the report
as quite possible Notwithstanding the denial
from Paris But we are sanguine that the French
still bold the fortress OF Neuf- Brsach the Rhine
above Strasbourg and Belort we know is held bya
portion OF General DOuays corps Thus far.
| then, tie Prussans have advanced leav-
! ing the fortresses in their rear although
| as we shall show further on. nothing at present
threatens their line OF communication and retreat.
| The map which we publish this morning shows the
positions OF importance held by both armies at the
| immediate scene of military operations.
BY this time the entre German army must have
| laavt n fnrso fn uscnt tltn
| garrison OF Metz. and advanced upon the French
lne WHAT the Prussian order of battle have no
means OF Knowing, and even their position Is anlcnlt
to ascertain. it's, however, likely that their line
extends from Gore, near the left bank OF
| the Moselle, TO Velare some miles west
| OF Nancy We do not think II probable
| that they Will continue their nankng movements.
| Like every other human thing flank movements
have q limit and those OF the Prussians have nearly
| been reached. To the present time they nave
moved on tina flank as much for the purpose OF pro-
| tect!ng their TO force the enemy
| from his position. After capturing wissembourg
and defeating the French at wOerth, they opened
road into France To keep that road open
they are compelled to invest Sirasbourg. Metz,
Bltche PbaIsbourg Neuf- Brsacn aud the smaller
fortresses. which they probably have done by this
time. But they cannot well extend their
| operations to Epinal. southeast or Nancy,
| and another movement the right nank
| will throw open their rear and line Of
communication to the attacks or the French cav
airy moving from Epinal. The chances are, there
fore. In favor OF general engagement. 1t seems to
US necessity for the Prussians to defeat the
| French army, and no. force 1t TO fall back
| upon the line OF the Marne unbroken.
| 10 must be borne In mind that every mile that
the Prussans advance further nto r, ance len2thens
their line OF communication, and consequently
| lEanl fDl hAn
| their reserves, are directly strengthened great
battle Is consequently inevitable and from the post-
Jco OF the conteuding armies the right wing OF the
| French army VIII have TO bear the brunt Of the
| attack.