Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-01-16
rHE sraUaaLE IN FRANCS.

culties in the way Of successful mill
tary operations in mid-Winter, the
struggle in France continues with una
bated vigor. The extraordinary sue
cess of the Germans during the first
six weeks Of the wal was due to the
wonderful completeness Of their mill
tary system, a thorough Typographical
knowledge Of the ensmy's country, and
celebrity Of movement. But when the
armies which had vanquished the forces
of Mcmahon, and Gagged Bazaine In
Metz. marched on Paris, the struggle
assumed a different character. The
invader wa. compelled to divide and
scatter his forces over q large extent OF
territory, to prevent his demoralized
enemy from concentrating new armies,
and at the same time completely invest
Paris, n work which could not be done
effectively with less than three hun
dred thousand men. 1t would have
been suicidal, therefore, to have gone
into Winter quarters, only to emerge
in the Spring to find themselves con-
fronted by powerful and enthusiastic
armies. Prince Charles and the Grand
Duke Of Mecklenburg in the Valley Of
the Loire, Van Werder In the East,
and Manteulfel in the North, have
scarcely had a days rest for more than
three months. Their French foes have
been worse than fieas, always worry
ing them, but never in the right place
to be sauelched. A number Of engage
ments have taken place, but none
worthy of being classed as great bat
ties, with possibly one excsption-the
defeat of De Palladines in front OF Or
leans. When communication with
Paris was severed, and the city de-
clarsd in a state of siege, it was conf
IDENTIFY believed that the supply Of pro-
visions would not last more than three
months. But onehundred and thirty-six
days have elapsed, and the great city
remains as defiant as ever. With what
its two million Inhabitants sustain
| themselves no ons-at Versailles, at
least-seems to know; but certain 1t Is
that 10 offers Of c~apitulation have yet
been made, nor is there any sign OF
such a thing being done. What little
light we have shows that General Tro-
chu holds we'll III hand n large army,
with which, as he says, he will act "at
the proper time" Tho Government is
firm and united, and heartily sustained
by the people. 1t Is very evident the
sagacious and far-seeing Won Moltke
has himself been surprised at tho turn
events have taken. Until recently he
| did not intend to lombard Paris, but
the movements of Faidherbe, Bourbaki
and Chauzy, who are steadily ap-
preaching his line of investment from
the North, East and South, admenish
him that the siege of Paris may yet be
raised by armies Of relief. Bombard-
ment has therefore become a necessity.
But while it may be Of temporary adj
vantage to the Germans, in giving
them n better foothold and stirring up
enthusiasm In the ranks, 1t will add
tenfold-yes, IN hundredfold-to the
spirit and determination Of the French
people. The threatened destruction Of
their grand, beautiful and world-re-
nowned capital will arouse them to
renewed efforts, and stimulate them to
greater sacrifices for national defense.
The movement Of the three armies
mentioned will be accelerated on re-
ccipt of the news that shells are flying
over the ramparts, carrying death and
destruction with them. We may,
therefore, yet witness \ gigantic and
final struggle in mid Winter. 1t would
be 4 novel, even extraordinary, specta-
Gle ; but this conflict has been IN ex-
traordinary one all through.