Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1871-02-08
Paris Closing Scenes of the War
in France,

Paris--Closing Scenes Of the Wa
in France.
General Trochu, the Governor o
Paris, has of late been severely crit
cised. By some he is regarded MS be
ing incapable, by others as lackinl
courage, while by another class he i
condemned for not attempting gran'
sortie with two hundred thousant
mon, or thereabouts, aid breaking
through the German investing lines
Not alone from those outside the wall
of Paris como adverse criticisms ofth,
Governor. The people within ih
city cry out against him, and "a ba
Trochu p may be heard in any Of tn
streets Of Paris, yelled by men wh'
perhaps have never handled muskc
or done n days duty at tho ouiposts
Before Trochu is condemed, however
might il not be well to Intelligent,
and calmly consider his position be
fore visiting on him that unstinte,
condemnation which has of late bcel
heapcd upon his namcY 1t is scarcel,
necessary to recall to tho readers 0
the Herald the rapid, almost sudden
collapse Of the armies Of Napoleon
Aeer the capture Of tho imperial NJ
mics the capitol France stood IN dan
ger. King William regarded his vic
tories as incomplete until Paris wa
taken. The capture Of tho capitc
was the prize intended to crown th
edificc OF German success and Fronc
humiliation. 70 avert so dread ca
lamity Gen Troehu bent all his eneI
gics. Paris he resolved 20 render in
pregnable. How well he succcede
the months during which the German
have lain around the city will ampl.
testify. So far, then, as the detenc
of Paris is concerned, Trocbu has don
his duty.
The surrender of Napoleon at s.
dan gave the German conquerer th
last Of the armies of tho empire, wit
the exception of those of Bazaine q
Metz and Ulrich, at Strasbourg. Th
lorccs of those two generals, howcve
we're unable TO do anything for France
Bazainc was hcmmcd in on all side
lin Metz, and Ulrich was eflectuall
locked up in Strasbourg. While th
thorough investment OF these fortrc
scs was being completed the grei
bulk of the German army was marcl
ling on Paris. When Trochu assume
the govcrnorship of the capitol i
found himself in a position of gre;
responsibility without the means
maintaining II. II is true he had 10
, tiiications and outworks, and mear
at command by which the city migl
be rendered imprcgnable, but he lacke
tho properly drilled and discipline
soldiers, without which the fortihc'
tions and war material they contail
cd were absolutely worthless. !
: form nm army, to discipline that arm
and prepare it for future operation
Trochu directed all his skill. Moltkc
summons to the Governor of Paris
surrender after hc appeared outsi'
the walls with his victorious lcglol
was refused, aud for over four mont
that refusal has been maintainec.
The republic was proclaimed,
France was declared free without Il
means to assert her Independence.
Without armies in tho field 1t W
plainly the duty Of Gen. Trochu, eve
supposing he had force of say thr
hundred thousand well discipline
men under him-which he had not
to remain where he was, and, by ms
lerly inactivity, afford chance {
the republican leaders in the provi
ccs TO awaken the people TO the .
ccssitics Of the situation. The W
had, with the fall Of the empire, I
sumed an altogether different phai
! Trochu, held by tho policy he pt
sued, over three hundred thousal
Germans outside Paris in check dol
nothing but watching; the obstinn
of Bazaino engaged tho attention
nearly two hundred thousand more
!. Metz, and the gallant defence of Gt
Ulrich at Slrasbourg gave employing
TO another formidable force there.
Thus il will bc seen that nearly (
entire German army was delayed,
fording republican France TO preps
r armies for the frld. That the III
,i so acquired was proftably employ
.ii1 none will attempt to dony. The cot
try became alive TO the necessities
| the honr; armies were organized
the southeast, in the southwest a
in tho north, and when Metz a
ns Strasbourg surrendered, and the q
y man armies which were employed
their reduction were released, III
- found new armies TO confront them
different parts Of France.
General Trochu all this time v
>" engaged in raising and discipling
ne, army within Paris. He attempted
!. n sorties, rightly judging that the r
10, recruits which composed his ART
were not able 70 cope with the vet
ans cncampcd without the walls. 7
French Army of the LOIRE was rapil
assuming formidable proportionsj
L, Army of the North was also being i
. iected and Garibaldi was creating
army for operation in tho NOsl
From two, at least, Of these arm
Trochu expected sucror 1t was
on intention Of General Paladincs
.'uove tirccily'cn the crcry's ~cr