The New York herald., 1871-01-05
General Faidherbe's Success Near
paume-A View of the Situation.

General Faidherbe's Success Near Ba-
paume-A View of the Situation.
The dispatches which we publish this morn
ing from the seat Of war in Europe inform us
that the French Army Of the North, under
General Faidherbe has assumed the offensive,
and with some measure of success. 1t seems
to have been the determination of this officer,
on taking command of the Army of the North,
to try If it cSpd not be made more serviceable
in offensiveo Operations than 1t had been for
merly in standing on the defensive The
movements Of the German General
Manteunel gave him an opportunity to
carry out his designs. ManteuAeIs
intentions evidently are to adopt a similar
line Of policy in the north to that q Prince
Frederick Charles in the SOUTH the aims Of
both being to keep the armies Of Chauzy and
Bourbaki, in the south, and Faidherbe, in the
north, from too near an approach to Paris
With the view to carry out this programme in
the most etectual manner both these officers
have had all the reinforcements that could
possibly be spared them from the main body
of the German army without, of cosrse,>
weakening the investing lines around
Paris. AS General Won der Tam was
strengthened by the army of Prince
Frederick Charles Immediately after the sur
render of Metz to carry on his operations
against the Army of the Loire, SO also was the
force of General Manteuffel greatly augmented
by the soldiers who assisted in the reduction
of Ohalsbourg and of Montmedy 1t does not
seem, however, that the achievements of the
German armies are at all in keeping with what
was expected of chem.
Our dispatches this morning inform us that
the French have been successful in the
north, and that on Monday last Faid-
herbe won a victory near Bapaume,
fortified town, situated about fifteen miles
southeast of Arras. The battle we are told,
lasted from eight in the morning to six o'clock
in the evening, and the day closed with the
villages and positions occupied by the Prus-
slams in the morning in the possession Of the
French. The loss on the side Of the French.
according to the report Of General Chauzy.
was serious, and the German loss lie speaks of
as being enormous From the kilograms re
ceived Little beyond the announcement of the
battle and its result is given, but from a
glance at the situation it would seem that the
days conflict was inaugurated some distance
north of where it closed 80 advantageously to
the French. This victory for Faidherbe over
Manteuffel serves to illustrate the rapidly
acquiring proficiency of new French levies in
the use Of arms. Every success, trifing as it
may be; nay, every days delay is an
advantage to the French armies now in the
field as well as those being fitted for it.
Faidherbe's success is worth thousands of
men to the French cause. victory over
Manteuffel is something that will give addi-
tional spirit to the French Army of the North.
General Chauzy, to the south of Paris, is also
up and doing, and in the neighborhood of
Belfort, near the Swiss frontier, the French are
also moving. Paris alone seems inactive, but
that inactivity may only be the prelude of a
struggle which will either make or mar France.