The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-12-23
rrnncc--The Armics of the Empire ana
tho Armies If the Republic.

prnuce~~ILe Afufcs Oh thc AS4SRetc sss'NA
tho Armies Of the Republic.
Oneby one have the armies Of the empire
disappeared general after general OF the
imperial regime has laid down his sword
at the feet Of the German victor; eagle after
eagle Of the Napoleonic standards has fallen
into the possession of the invader, but the
flag of republican France to-day waves, If
not in victory, at least in defiance to the
e9nqueror. A calm considlee.rss:.!...: yno
situation Al al this hour, when the flush andl
Excitement Of claimed victories on both sides
have passed away, clearly shows that the
attempts OF the Germans to annihilate the
Army Of the Loire have proved unsuccessful.
General Won der Tam tried it and failed; the
same general, assisted by the Duke of Neck
Ienburg, essayed the task, and likewise failed
Then came Prince Frederick Charles, with his
veterans of hundred 6ghts-the very flower
Of the German invading army, with the laurels
Of Metz still fresh upon their brows--and even
he was unequal to the task. Since the occupa-
ton of Orleans by the Prussians, October IA,
after series OF severe battles, the fortunes Of
war have not favored tho German armies with
that same unvarying success which charac-
terized the early days of the cam
paicn. The battles In which the i'm
pcrial forces were engaged, from the very
day even on which "Louis received his
baptisn of fire." were distinguished by disas-
ters as unprecedented as they were continu-
Gus. Weissenburg, Woerth, Forhach, Metz,
Mars-la-Tour, Rezonylle, Beaumont aud Sedan
all in turn bear testimony to the defeat of the
French after vain attempts to stay the flowing
tide of German victory. With the fall of
Sedan fell the empire, and with the surrender
of MacMahons forces all but one OF the impe-
rial armies-that Of Bazaine-became pri-
soners. But short time elapsed ere Metz
fell. and to the surprise Of all Marshal Bazaine,
with an army numbering over one hundred
aud seventy thousand men, without making at
least grand final struggle, surrendered to
Prince Frederick Charles. BY this capitula-
ton three marshals, sixty-six generals six
thousand officers and a vast army were lost TO
France.
At this period of the war change became
apparent. The republic had some time since
been proclaimed; the gates of Paris had been
closed and the city surrounded by the Ger
mans. The investment of Paris, in the
opinion of many, at this particular juncture
was a mistake. Had the German armies,
previous to taking their position outside the
walls, directed their attention to the provinces
and dispersed the armies then organizing, the
hope of succor from with out would have been
dissipated in the minds Of the Parlsians, and
the war probably have been brought to close
sooner than it will be. The armies Of the Loire
of the North, Of the Vosges, together wit h
Others, were being organized. 1t is only ncces-
sary to recall the late war in this country to
illustrate how rapidly mea can be got ready
for the field when emergency demands it. The
incentive for immediate action was immense.
The republic had been proclaimed, but the
soil of France was occupied by tho invader !;
the imperial armies had all failed, and where
the empire proved powerless the republic re-
solved to be successful. The first success
which chcercd the dropping spirits of the
French people was that won by General Pal
adiues, November 8. Won der Tana was
driven from Orleans and the city reoccupied
by the French. Paladines is condemned by
some for not following up the advantage he
gained by this victory, but little reflection;
we think, will show that 1t was the part of a
~ nd 70 tho a hc
had chosen. His troops were nearly all raw
recruits, nor was his army sufficiently strong
in numbers to risk such au advance. Besides,
Won der Tam could only have been driven
back on the main body Of the German army
before Paris A lull succeeded, and again the
Army of the Loire was engaged, and although
Won der Tam had now the Duke Of Meclslen.
burg and Prince Frederick Charles as bis
allies he accomplished no decisive result, fol
the battle ut Beaune la Rolande was at bes
only very doubtful victory for the Ger
mans.
About this time q new element appeared
Politicians began to interfere. Gambetta ani
Keratry had plans for victory. Full well do the
people of this country know, without recapitu
lation here, how the Northern armies in the lat,
war were hampered, retarded, almost demo
ralized, by the same insidious influence, unit
General Grant assumed the supreme com
mand and resolved to fight the battles of thu
nation according to the rules Of militar.
science, and not In keeping with the ways o
political intrlgues. This determination savet
the Union; the lack Of 1t works injuriously TO
the cause Of France. Pa!adiues was removed
and another general appointed to his com
mand. The Army Of the Loire has since thel
been divided; still, however, 1t remains de
FAINT And this is not the only army Of TIL
republic. The late sorties from Paris hav