The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1870-07-27

sian Gsnerals-Me Arms-Pro5able
Scene of HostiIties-DuratioD Of
Late European Vars.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO Ma
TIoNs.
The New York Tribune, of Satur-
day, says A few weeks more will
probably decide whether Prussia shall
retain her precedence, or the first
place hereafter belong to France. So
far as we car judge from statistic re-
turns, the two powersare almostevent-
ly matched, but the victory will remain
with that one whose reserves can be
the more readily modified, and whose
organization will work the more per-
fectly in practice. Theoretically every
able-bodied adult both in France and
in Prussia is a soldier during his prime
of life; but in France there are many
exemptions and in Prussia there are
few. In Prussia, moreover, there is
a larger population to draw from
than in France, for in time of var all
the forces of the nonfederated States of
South Germany will be at Prussia's
absolute disposal. In the course of
the debate the other day in the French
Corps Legislatif on the proposal to
reduce the contingent of 1871 Chat is,
the number of new troops to be raised
by recruiting and conscriptiop) from
100, 000 to 10000, the Count de la
Tour said: "Even with an annual
contingent of 100, 900 men our military
forces are inferior in number to those
of Germany ;" and ir another p 'rt of
his speech he stated the effective mill
tary force of France to be $4,000
men, and that of Germany 1,60S,0 900.
Practically there will be no such dis
proportion as this between the armies
which the two nations al bring face
to face in the field, and we shall not
be far from the truth if we place the
effective force of France on a war-foot-
ing at 100000 men, and that of Prus-
STA, including South Germany, at
$4,000. Both are admirably organ
lied and equipped. In the war of
1866 Prussia required only fourteen
days to mobilize her entire reserve,
and it is probable that both she and
France will be able to move with
equal or greater celebrity now.
But if Prussia has a preponderance
of strength on land, France has an
overwhelming superiority. in her navy.
To the Improvement of this arm of
the service she has devoted during the
last few years enormous sums of mon
ey, and there is no fleet in the world,
except that of Great Britain, which
can o p with hers for an hour. The
latest improvements in naval ordnance,
armor plating, and new systems of at
tack and defense, have all been adopt
ed. Splendid turret vessels, fit to
rival the English ships Monarch and
Captain, rams, gun-boa's, floating bat
t%eries, eighteen iron-clad friates mount
ing from II to 80 guns each, and a
of smaller vessels, are in
in this splendid maritime force.
Prussia also has some magnificent ar
mored ships, but she is no match for
France on the sea, and Napoleon can
easily carry out his purpose of block
aiding most of the Prussian ports. 1t
is doubtful if any serious engagement
takes place on the water. The brunt
of the campaign will be born on the
Rhine, in the midst of that network
fortresses upon which the military en-
gineers of SO many generations have
expended their ingenuity. Here
Prussia has the advantages Of previous
possession and the most minute &C.
guantance with the country. For years
her officers have traversed the pro-
back and forth ; her soldiers
have marched over all the roads-we
might almost say have drilled in all
fields. Ever since the first threat
ening of war she has been concentrate
her armies in these strong places,
and when the clash of battle comes
she will have in her favor almost ev-
cry aid which military science has de-
vised for defending force. She will
nave a patriotic and enthusiastic peo-
pie supporting her, and a just cause to
give her confidence. From present
Observation-Disclosures seem that the odds
ire in her favor; but how well she is
really prepared for battle, how well
she has preserved the admirable organ
which gave her such a superiori-
in 1865, are questions which can
only be answered by the test of war.
THE FRENCH AND GERMAN GENERALS.
It was telegraphed a few days since
Marshal McMahon would be
put in immediate command of the
army operating on the Rhine, and that
Count Palikao would commad the
operating against Spain Mar
shall Mcmahon distinguished himself
n the last two great wars of France
against Russia, and that against
Austrian the former of which he
was the .'heros of the Malakof," and
in the latter the fthero of Magenta"
He is now SO years old, and is a
by birth, but descended
from an ancient Irish family. He
was educated at the military school of
St. Cyr, and took part in the French
war in Algeria. For his achievements
in the Austrian war he was created
Duke of Magenta Marshal Bazaine is
SO years old, won his first laurels in
Algeria, rendered eminent services
in the Crimean war, superseded Cen
eral Forey as commander of the French
army in Mexico, and was created Mar
shall of France. Count Palikao is
known for the part ne bore in
the French war with China, in which
be displayed ability and ferocity.
Of the Prussian army the King is
Commander-in-Ch Chief. But the plan
ming of the campaign will doubtless be
he work of the distinguished and ven