New-York tribune., 1870-08-30

Empire will be exposed to imminent dangeri in
regions quite unprepared for defense. Once relieved
from the possibility of a movement from the north
ward, the Crown Prince can do very much as he
likes in other quarters. True masses of National
Guard and French reserves will soon be marching
against him; but without proper equipment, and
many of them without breech-loaders, they must 80
down before the well-equipped German armies.
"The situation near Metz cannot be better summed
up than by saying that the French army is
than matched by the first and second PIussan
mics and that if these armies should win, though
only by har-breadth the Prussians and their
Southern allies in the third army can do what they
please with central France. The smaller French
fOrtTesses are making a gallant resistance. Pfals-
burg is already famous for holding out obsnately.
Toul has just successfully repelled somewhat seri
ous attack, which seems to have been made under a
misapprehenson to the condition of the place for
defense. Yesterday mornings attack was met with
the greatest vgor by the French garrison they did
not venture on sortie to follow up their advantage
but they inflicted loss on their assalants with, SO
far as we know, very little loss to themselves.
0France does not suffer what is technically called
the horrors of war; Young girls stand at the
cottage doors in the villages street corners to see
the soldiers pass, and are not harmed by them The
shops open in the towns are not plundered. Peace
able citizens 90 about their business without fear for
life or limb. 1t is essentially civilized war in these
respects. But fruit and vegetables are taken along
the wayside, horses are pressed into the service,
soldiers are quarered on the people, and large sup
plies of food are demanded from the local authOri
ties" y4efss.rs n'Hs>'-., -
The same correspondent writes the 21st from the
Crown Princes headquarters at Vancouleurs eleven
miles southwest of Toul J: While there seemed
chance that Napoleon might win near Metz it
march northward, and 50 while battles were raging
near Metz this army lay about Nancy and Lunevlle,
half expecting to be ordered up to support the other
German armies. Then came news of the defeat ofthe
French by Steinmetz and Prince Frederick Charles.
There was no longer any need to hesitate about in
vading Central France, and the march was begun of
which you will soon hear the results.
There is a straight and rapid march westward of
the third army supported by other troops. Without
giving details of the movement it is to be said that
more than 10000 men, full of confidence, flushed
with victory and splendidly organized, are about to
beat up the quarters of the French.
Three or four columns march abreast on some
roads. Two go by the main road itself, and some
times two more through the fields on the right
and left at least one other column makes the ad-
joining ieds-thougb a little out Of order serve the
purpose Of the moment. Sometimes there are great
bookings and crashes of the moving forces, but on
the whole it is remarkable how well the columns are
directed, and how carefully their routes chosen
through the invaded province.
Like Pfalsburg, Toul is a point of gallant re-
sistance but not ralyng point for the surround
ing people The fortress is held, and the enemy
masses on without troubling himself TO take il. The
affairs at Phasburg and at TOul are merely expert
mental attacks which, however, have given the gar
risons opportunities Of obtaining distinction The
French authorities seem disposed to avoid unneces-
sary destruction of property by merely blowing up
and Knocking down 10 hinder the Germans There
Are no traces of attempts at petty warfare SO far as
have vet seen the French simply go out of reach
when they do not mean to fight in earnest, and leave
open towns and villages TO be quietly occupied by
the advancing foe"
The same special correspondent Of THE TRIBUNE
writes from the same place Oh the I'd: Every
thing will turn upon what the French recruits can
do. No time will be given to train them. There Is
rapid concentration of troops under the Crown
Prince moving on Chalons There IL ample force to
watch Metz. Masses OF Landwehr are marching ny
every road between the Rhine ana Meuse fhliS
bourg will be left to the LandweiT TO besiege so also
| will RitcLe and pyobably StIasbonP, and the whole
active army of Germany will therefore be available
/ 10 blockade Metz and capture PaIis."
THE SIEGE OF STRASBOURG.
| DELAY OWING TO BAD MANAGEMENT-IMPRoVEI
PROSPECTS OF TIE BEsIEGERs.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE