The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1870-09-17

4 CdlEG VI III kICut iOToCD NRAf bH
been incorporated with those OF the Crown Prince
it now seems the report is false. The Prnsslans
have appeared at DiepPe ~ IA miles north OF
ChaIOns. The Prussians now In the valley Oh
Aube are concentrating at Sommey. (Sommiries y
, 10000 troops have left Paris to join Mcmahon.
All the palaces in France are to be appropriated
as hospitals. Prussia Russia y and England are
strongly opposed TO the Acknowledgement OF France.
Americans are rapidly leaving Paris and most
hotels are already deserted. teinmetz 10 reported
to have been removed from command.
Position of the German Armies.
LONDON, Aug. 29.-Following is a remme OF the
progress of the German armies since the commence
ment of the Invasion of France: After the check
encountered by the French vanguard, near Saar-
bTucken, August 9th, followed by the route OF NC
Mahon, the French main body retired on the line
of the MoselIe, the fortresses of Thionville and
Metz, the deiences Of Verdun the well-supplied
and entrenched camps, which were constructed,
gave strength to their new position. A direct at
tack would have been difficult therefore, the
German army passed TO the south OF Metz toward
the Moselle, to cross il above the city, and discover
the enemy's movements.
Such great masses of troops covering a wide re-
gion required special precautions. The drst army
was to flank the enemy line of march and was di-
rected TO take a new position near tho river.
Meantime the first and second armies approached
each other. and a division passed over the Moselle.
The same division on the 9th took part in a fight in
which the French were repulsed and pursued,
until they reached the protection OF the guns OF
Metz.
The combat resulted greatly to The advantage Of
the Prussians, as it retarded the French retreat,
and the advantage was easily followed up on the
two roads connecting Metz with Verdnn, and
Verdun with Paris, the second army refraining
from the passage of the Moselle.
Thus threatened, the French were Obliged 10
withdraw from the right bank of the Moselle before
Metz, not being strong enough to stop the Prussian
The advance of the first army, observing the
movement of the French, attacked on August l4th,
the French rear. throwing it upon the main body,
which was compelled to send back several divis-
ions to support the rear. The Prussian first and
seventh corps went on the north side, to compel
the French to face about. They succeeded, after q
bloody but victorious conflict.
The Prussian Fifth Division attacked Gen. Eros
sard and by degrees the entire French force became
engaged, and of the Prussian forces, the other Di-
vision of the third corps, the tenth corps, a regi-
ment of the ninth corps and a brigade OF the eighth
participated.
The movement was successful, and the s~outherly
road to Paris vas intercepted. The Prussians
fought heroically and their losses were large, but
those OF the enemy, especially OF the Imperial
guard, were immense.
The French official reports estimate the Prussian
force engaged at double what IL was.
The only way for the Emperor to escape fatal
northern line. The Prussian army on the south,
finding no enemy before ii, fell back, combining
with the other army. A joint attack on the French
was then planned the French ceasing 10 retreat by
the northern line took a position on the heights be-
fore Metz.
The second army instantly moved to the right,
finding its centre and left at Vernierville and Ar
marvileur, while the right retreated In contact
with the first army. Absolute readiness for a 81
multaneous move along the entire line was requisite,
as the French position was a strong one. AT the
start the ninth corps encountered advanced de-
m which opened with artillery from the
Vernierville side.
The first army, therefore, was ordered 10 engage
the enemy in front at / O'Clock, made a well-sns-
tanned and effective cannonade, which lasted until
broad daylight. The French engaged the enemy,
who had just been strongly reinforced. The French
line reached from Sainte Marie-aux-Cleves 10
Lacuessood. Their position, naturally OF great
strength, had been so fortified by ~earthworks and
bitches, that il seemed almost impregnable. There
was a brief delay before the assault, In order TO
make sure that the enemy had stopped his retreat
on the northern route. The combat which ensued
was long and severe.
On the left the guards and Saxon troops fought
at Marie, ST. Privat and Doncourt. Meanwhile tho
other wing was engaged near Trail, the Lacuessood,
Verneville, as far as the northern side of the north
ern road from Metz TO Verdun. The eighth and
ninth corps participated in the action at Gravelotte,
and the contest spread from VauX TO the Moselle,
where a brigade of the third and tenth, with artil-
lery, were engaged with the entire French army,
McMahon's corps and Failly's Division excepted.
After shutdown the Prussians took the heights by
storm, 1inging back the French along the entire
line to the shelter OF Metz.
The very Latest.
PARIS, Aug. pa correspondent Of the Tribune,
with the Crown Princes headquarters. writes from
Nancy on the 10Th
"While General Steinmetz and Prince Frederick
Charles have done so well on The right of the
French army, the Crown Prince has occupied n
more threatening position on the right OF the whole
French position.
Unless General Failly can quickly muster suf-
fcient force to cover Central and Southern France,
the Empire will be exposed TO imminent dangers
in regions quite unprepared for defence. Once re-
lieved from the possibility of a movement from
the northward, the Crown Prince can do pretty
much as he likes in other quarters. IL is true,
masses of the National Guard and French reserves
will soon be marching against him but. without
training, without proper equipments, and many Of
them without breech-loaders, they must 90 soon
before the German armies.
"The situation near Metz cannot be better
summed up than by saying that the French army
is more than matched by the First and Second
Prussian Armies, and that il their armies should
win, though only by a hairs breadth, the Prussians
and their Southern allies in the Third Army could
do what they please with Central France.
1.-THE smaller French foRtresses are famous for
holding out so obstinately. TOul has just success
fully repealed a somewhat serious attack, and there
seems to have been a mistake as to the condition
of the place for defence. Yesterday mornings at
tack was met with great vigor by the French
Governor. They did not venture on a soTtie TO
follow up their advantage, but inflicted a loss on
their assailants, with, as far as we know, but little
loss to themselves.
"Like that of Pfalsburg, Toul is a point Of gal
liant resistance, but a rallying point for the sur
rounding people. The fortress is held and the
enemy passes on without troubling himself TO take
it. At Pfalsburg and at Toul there have been ex-
pcrimental attacks, which have given the garrison
an opportunity OF destruction. The French author
tiles seem disposed to avoid unnecessary destruc-
ton OF property by merely blowing down TO him
der the Germans.
"The French simply retreat clear out of reach
when they do not mean 10 fight in earnest, and
leave the open towns and villages TO be quietly
occupied by the advancing foe.
"These people do not suffer what Is technically
known as the horrors of war. Young girls stand
at their cottage doors In the villages, or on the
street corners TO see the soldiers pass, and are not
molested by them. Shops are open In the towns,
and are not plundered. Peaceable citizens 90
about their business without fear for life or limb
it is essentially a civilized war In these respects
but fruit and vegetables are taken along the way
side horses are pressed into service soldiers are
quartered on the people, and large supplies Of
food are demanded from the local authorities"
The same correspondent. under date of the Path,
writing from the Crown Princes headquarters at
Vancouleurs, says: While there seemed 10 be n
nhanna that Nanola0n miOht win Matx "a nae