The New York herald., 1871-01-21
The Military Operations in France.


France. Each succeeding day brings us
nearer to the climax Of the war, which,
almost without a possibility, can only termi-
nate in the humiliation of the once powerful
French nation. As if disaster begot disaster,
failure after failure has so succeeded each
other throughout the whole campaign that
nothing short Of a miracle can now stay the
tide Of German victory. Chanzy's defeat at
LIE Mans was a sore blow to the French cause.
Great expectations, based upon its imposing
strength, buoysd up the hopes Of the French
people that the Army Of the Loire would not
disappoint the belief of the country, and
that the task 1t essayed would be
successful. How have these expecta-
tions been satisfied? Certainly not in
victory. No. Defeat has supplied the place
of triumph. and the latest news we have from
France informs us that even now the move
march on Rennss by way of Mayenne will not
only compel Chanzy to retreat southwark, but
will sffectually prevent the reinforcements
gathered at Cherbourg from forming junction
with the Army Of the Loire. Indeed, it seems
ss if Chanzy's army is rendered almost help
less from assuming further offensive operations.
Brave as the French soldiers may be- their
lack of discipline and organization tells sadly
against them when they meet in battle the vet
Grams Of Germany. Following on the heels OF.
Chanzy's defeat comes Bourbakis repulse
near Belfort-another disaster to add to the
many that have already preceded it. With
Bourbaki, as with Chanzy, great achieve
ments were expected. In his defeat
another hope has been destroyed. We
are told he is retreating; but we have
learned long since to know what French re-
treat nowadays means. In the north Faid-
herbe advances cautiously on Amens; but as
he approaches the city his dangers multiply,
and the German army, we feel assured, is pre-
pared for him. Besides, Faidherbe has not
got an army which can impress General Won
Goeben with fear. The struggle in the north,
when that struggle comes, will but add
another to the many failures which have
already attended the French armies. The
very act of sending Manteufel to the east to
oppose Bourbaki while comparatively un-
tried general was left to watch the French
Army Of the North is Of itself sufficient proof
to show that Faidherbe's movements were not
dreaded by the German Commander-in-C Chief
The end draws near. Chanzy's forces are
checkmated; Bourbakis army repulsed; Faid-
herbe is moving, but moving, possibly, to his
own destruction, and Paris, suffering, replies
but feebly to the German bombardment.
Secretary Boutwell, and His Treasury
Balance.
According to the latest statement of the
Treasury balances Mr.. Boutwell, now holds
about one hundred millions of dollars, even
after deducting the value of the outstanding
coin certificates. Strictly speaking, the ac-
crued interest on the public debt should also
be deducted, but for all practical purposes we
may take the general figures of the resources
of the Treasury as above stated. Here is an
enormous sum lying idle in the government
Golfers, the distribution of which would
quicken life in the channels of trade, start
fresh business enterprises and give employ
ment to thousands who are now in want of
work Can we wonder that there are CON-
plants of dulness and depression in trade
when the money of the people, which is to the
nation what the blood is to the man,
lies stagnant in the vaults of the
Treasury? Mr.. Boutwell, can find no
pretext, certainly, for Withholding this
money from circuI16pn. Here in our
own city great government enterprise--the
new Post Office-is lying mass of abandoned
stone and derricks, awaiting the loosening Of
the national purse strings. The masons, me-
chanics and other workmsn, who would be
employed were the edifice progressing in con-
structi0n, are idle at the most rigorous season
Of the year. This is only one instance where
the government money might be usefuly dis
bursed. 1t is the masses Of the people who
make business. Their individual wants are
the little currents which 60 to form the great
stream of wholesale mercantile traffic Were
they all idle our great houses would soon close
their doors. But the boarding of this sum is
great loss in another respect. 1t draws no
interest whatever. With the people it would
earn at least ten per cent; but with Mr.. Bout
well it fails even to gather the conventional
six or seven per cent. Some energetic protest
should be made against this policy of the
Secretary Of the Treasury. General Grants
broad common sense ought to see that his
Finance Minister is not discharging the trust
reposed in him when he thus clogs the wheels
of trade by holding these unnecessarily large
balances Of money idle in the government
vaults.
TIE LIE DIRECT was given between the
rural gentlemen in the Assembly yesterday
during the discussion on the Whitehall and
Plattsburg Railroad ferry scheme, across Lake
Champlain. These railroad matters, like the
tariff, seem always to be fiery subjects of dis