Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-12-30
Daily Atnnfbte sournal
AU @ u 8 L A..
FRIDAY MORNING. DEG. 80, 1870.
BOnBARDMENT OF PARIS.

At length the bombardment of Paris has
commenced. There has been hope that
the horrors of such an event might be
avoided, but it has failed, and now this
beautiful city and its inhabitants must sr,f-
fer all that relentless war is able to inflict.
That the defence will be desperate admits
of no doubt. The spirit and courage of
the French have been often proved, and
in defence of their proud capital, their
homes and firesides, against the German
foe, these traits will be exhibited in deeds
of yalor and endurance. But the odds are
against them, and however maniully they
may contend we believe that the end will
be their surrender. We have thought that
this result must be so apparent to their
leaders that they might endeavor to save
the city and prevent the miseries of bom-
bardment by an early capitulation, but the
sting of humiliation is so sharp, the hatred
of an invading foe so powerful in the hui
man breast, that we cannot after all be
surprised if they decide to yield only when
they must, and oblige the Prussians to
march over their dead bodies and find a
city in ashes.
The success of the Prussians in this CAM
paign has surprised the world. The
French were known to be good fighters,
their armies were supposed to be under
the best discipline, and the war was one of
their own seeking. Manifestly they con-
sidered themselves competent to deal sue
cessfully with the Prussians, or they would
not have advanced so gaily and without
provocation towards the Rhine, Boosting
that they were bound to Berlin to humble
King William and the audacious Bismarck.
Up to this time France had occupied the
first place among European powers. The
utterances of Napoleon were watched for
with as much interest as though they were
the DEGREES of fate. He had but to frown
and Europe trembled. Starting upon this
campaign with such omens of victory for
the French, the following recapitulation
of the principal events is worthy of notice:
July Is. War declared by France against
Prussia
July 20. Emperor Napoleon left Paris
and placed himself at the head of the
army in Metz.
Aug. 2. First fight at Saarbruckep, where
the Prince Imperial had his famous bap-
tism in blood,
Aug. 5. Battle Of Weisscnburg, first vic
tory for the Prussians.
Aug. g. Battle of Woerth, in which Nc
Nation was defeated.
Aug. IA. Heavy battle at Metz, and the
Prussians victorious.
Sept. 1. Battle of Sedan, capture of Ma
poleon and surrender of Mcmahon and
his army.
Sept. 81. Surrender of Strasbourg.
Oct. "a. Bazaine surrendered Metz and
his whole army.
Dec. 81. Bombardment of Paris COM
menced.
Such are the principal events of the
Franco-Prussian war, begun less than six
months ago. What the conclusion will be
if France and Prussia are lett to fight it
cut with their own strength is not doubt
full. Paris will be captured, and France
must submit to the demands of the con-
queror. If the humiliation OF defeat were
all it would not be so difficult task to |
submit, but without government, en-
numbered with debt, shorn of territory,
with q country whose industries have been
destroyed by being the theatre of war,
France will be in pitiful condition indeed.
Should Prussia emerge from this war as
victorious as she has thus far been, the
empire of Germany will hold first rank
among European nations, and make
page in history memorable for valor and
military skill, also for statesmanlike ability
in the completion of German unity.