New-York tribune., 1870-08-23
IrIR TOPLlS.


boen 50 terrific, and the successes Of the Ger
mans have been so great, that it is impossible
IN bolieve the struggle can be carried on for
wears. or even for months. The military power
of France has been seriously broken IN the
ten defeats which the French army has suiiered.
Cen. Trochu has doubtless assembled great
mass of inexperienced troops at ChalonS ana
poris. but even though these bodies be more
numerous than the armies under Bazaine and
Nocllahon. they are far less formidable. II
tbc Prnssians are able to offer the enemy
dav or two more of such sanguinary work as
was carried on last week, the army OF France
will be ruined.
The Prussian King said the other day that
if "Napoleon wanted peace, let HIM ask iOr an
"armistce in the regular way" This was
hint TO the Emperor that it might be supposed
he wonld now consider it time to take adyant-
AGE OF. When he demands an armistice, 1t
WILDE granted, and then negotiations will begin.
If the EmperOr continues Obstinately to refuse
this offer. there will be an opportunity for Gen.
Trochu to accept it as the Prussian armies are
advancing upon Paris. As TrOchu represents
all the power and authority now existing III
Paris. there will be no obstacle in the way OF
his accepting the armistice, which now seems
to be the only means OF preventing the en-
trance of the victorious Prussians into the
French Capital. Trochu doubtless knows that
Gen. Lee entered into negotiations with Gen.
Grant without taking the advice OF jefferson
Davis.
We arc not surprised to find everybody
speaking of the present Prussim campaign IN
France as a wonderful" affair. In fact, 1t
may be said that, from military point OF
view, there is nothing at all comparable with
it in the military history of Europe, since the
development of great army establishments two
or three centuries ago. Even the most success
ful campaigns of the First Napoleon are far
less extraordinary than the present campaign
of the Prussians-in which victory has fol-
lowed victory from Worth to Rczonyilc. In
her war against Austria, four years ago, ana
in her present war against France, the cam
pagns of Prussia deserve to be styled wonder
full and unparalleled.
1t is now too late for Victor Emanuel to
assist the French Emperor IN the present
struggle, even if Italy could be induced to
give her assistance What could Italy do for
France under present circumstances She
cannot invade the territory of Prussia nor
can she make diversion in favor OF france
in any direction. Suppose Italy were to send
q hundred thousand troops to reinforce the
French army, how could they be made of
any avail, in the existing state of affairs We
have no doubt the Emperor would be eX-
tremely glad to obtain assistance from Italy
or any other country; but we are sure Victor
Emanuel must know that he could do Italy
10 greater wrong or injury than that which
she would suffer by attempting to render
assistance to Napoleon. In such an event,
Italy would be subjected to anarchy, bank
ruptcy, and dismcmberment-WDich would be
matter of deep regret to all friends of Italian
independence and freedom throughout the
world. In the present situation it is evident
that the highest service Italy can render to
France is to keep alOof. from all complca-
tions, so that she may take part in the Con-
ference which must soon be called for the
adjustment of French affairs.
The superb navy OF France has not been
able to render the slightest service to its ere
ator during the crisis of his Empires exist
ence. At the outbreak Of the war, great
things were expected from the French fleets,
and the Empress Eugene read grandiose
address to the officers and sailors of the navy
at Cherbourg. just as the vessels were about
to sail on their mission Of rayaging the Prus-
sian coast, bOmbarding and Selling the Prus-
sian cities on the German Ocean and the Bal
tie, destroying the Prussan irOn-cGdS, and
conveying a military force destined to adj
vance from the scabOard upon Berlin. But
the French fleets have not thus far done any
thing either against the Prussian coast cities
or the Prussian men-Of-war. 1t would not
surprise us if two or three of the powerful
Prussian iron-clads should yet make their ap-
peardnce among the French fleet on the Prus-
sian coast with damaging result.
we notice that some Of our Democratic
contemporaries, which have been violent parti-
sans of the French Emperor during the pres
ent war, are showing signs of deserting the
NapoleOnic dag. This looks bad for the En-
peror.
The idea prevailed at the beginning of the
war that if any opposition to it was developed
in Germany it would come from the students,
who lately manifested their dislike of the
reigning family by refusing to take part in
the myailing of the statue of King William
III. But not only have the students OF
Prussia been enthusiastic supporters of the
war, but those OF the South German States,
too, have displayed their zeal for German
unity and honor. One thousand students OF
Leipsic iii SaxOny lately sent n patriotic adj
dress to the King, thanking him for his deter
mined action. AT Kiel, in Schleswig- Holstein,
Province where it was thought Prussian rule
was as hated as it once was in Hanover, the
students at the University there volunteered
in body for the war 1t is not the least OF
Napoleons blunders that he based great hopes
on the existence of revolutionary spirit in
the German Statpc onI .utroI,, F,root tI,ot r,r,