The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-29


maintain their independence. Let the
United States recognize the Cuban Republic,
or even allow it the rights of belligerency,
and the interests of property on the island,
as well as the higher interests of humanity,
will gain immensely 10y the act.
SURRENDER OF MARSHAL BAZAINE.
From the NJ Y. Tribune
That which has long been known to be in
evitable has come little sooner, perhaps,
than the most sanguine friend of the German
arms anticipated. The victory of Gravelotte,
fought on August 1S, assured the fall of Metz
sooner or later; the triumph at Sedan and the
capture of the only army which could aid his
forces made the assurance of Bazaines sur
render doubly sure. But that he should have
made no bolder and more frequent. efforts at
escape, and should thus soon have succumbed
to hunger, appears strange when compared
TO the desperation of MacMahon aud the
patient endurance at Strasburg. Bazsine
will receive neither the sympathy extended
to the wounded commander at Sedan, nor
the admiration freely expressed for
the stubborn defender Of Strasburg. His
campaign has been one of great blunders
and weak efforts; he is not only condemned
by its incidents and result as q commander of
few resources and little daring, but he will
rest under the grave suspicion of being a de-
to secure his personal advantage at the ex-
pense of his country. For his army there is
yet respect and sympathy; no one, particu-
larly its enemy, can forget the gallantry of
it's hopeless struggle at Gravelotte; but the
truth is that, like that of MacMahon, it has
fallen victim to mismanagement. 1t might
have recovered, even under this drawback,
had it coped with less skilful adversary;
but it has been its misfortune to be pitted,
mar tive
enemy, controlled by some of best military
talent of the age.
The influence which this important sur
render must have upon the issue of the war
cannot we'll be overestimated. The annihi-
lation of the French army thus completed is
the least of the many considerations involved,
since the 40, 900 men Of Bazsine have been
virtually lost to the French cause for weeks
past. On the other hand, it relieves almost if
not fully quarter of "a million of the best
| soldiers of the German army; and doubtless
| the first news which next startles us will be
the announcement of their desolating and de-
| strustive movements in various directions.
| The 1st and I'd Armies are powerful enough
| to overrun all of unoccupied France and Won
Moltke will contradict his whole past strategy
| If he does not Immediately direct them
| against the most vulnerable points of his
| enemys country. The long inaction before
Metz has given these armies opportunity to
recover the strength sacrificed at Gravelotte,
and, reinforced by Landwehr and reserves,
they now form, united, the most powerful
and the best prepared for active operations
of all the German armies. lion, Nevers,
| Lyous-the whole southern system of French
railways, every rich department of Southern
| France-lies at the mercy of this aud the CO.
| operating armies. Unless an armistice shall
soon halt the columns of Prince Frederick
Charles France must be desolated as never
before, until humanity shall turn away in
horror at the scenes of ruin and misery, and
cry Peace peace!
What immediate influence the surrender
of Bazaine is to have upon the siege of Paris
and the negotiations for armistice it is
impossible to foresee. Experience has shown
that great reverses enrage but do not inform
the French peoples and in their first paroxysm
of anger at this new and very exhausting de-
feat there is danger that they will break of
the pending negotiations for an armistice
and insult the interposing neutrals as they
have defed the Germans on former occa
sons. 1t would be naturally concluded that
this event was likely to hasten the
conclusion of the armistiee, since il
ought to convince the French of the
hopelessness of the most unequal strug
gle; but we doubt such good result at once.
The surrender has come none too soon fol
those who earnestly desire the restoration OF
peace on Such conditions as snail insure It's
permanency. 1t will ultimately have its
effect in bringing about the concessions
which Germany justly demands; but we
must wait time for this development. 1t:
influence on the siege of Paris is of little
consequence. The army before that city
does not require to be reinforced. Like
that which lately lay before Metz, it wait:
for its grim ally, Famine, toSeomplete its
work, and no life is to be wasted in vair
assaults nor property destroyed in ineffective
bombsrdments 1t will be seen from
the despatch which we published yesterday
morning that Prussia had officially assured
Russia that the capitulation of the French
capital will soon be forced by starvation
For more than month this city of quite tive
million people has been cut off from supplies
of sll kinds, and none Of the hungry mouths
even of foreigners and non-combatants, hav,
been permitted to pass out If Metz, will
only about quarter of a million of mouths
to feed, could hold out only two months
what hope is there that Paris can do so 70
as long time? The struggle is a hopeless
one for the French; and those who direct
| Il ~.