The New York herald., 1871-01-10
General Aspect Of tho War in France.

Thus far the bombardment of the forts sur
rounding Paris has effected little toward re-
ducing the beligerent French capital.
Whether Or not tae guns Of Forts Issy and
Vanvres were temporarily sllenced on Saturday
last or voluntarily ceased firing for couple of
hours, matters little. Practically all the forts
remain in as good condition as they were
before the bombardment. Until they are de-
sroyed or captured the Germans can make no
impression upon the city. But it will not be
| long before these forts are battered down II
General Trochu persists in doing nothing. He
is pursuing system Of passive Defence than
which there is none more fatal in warfare. The
worst beating the French could possibly re-
| ceive in sortie would not be as disastrous
as inacion. Discussions in Paris have no doubt
somewhat paralyzed the movements of the mil
itary commanders. General Trochu evidently
refers to these when, in his recent proclama-
ton, he says that efforts are making ''to de-
sroy union and confidence, TO which
Paris owes her prolonged defence"
1t is, however, doubtful If agtators
are making all their political capital out of
''disappointmen.s caused solely by the
severity of the weather" The Germans have
had to experience the same weather,
and yet we see them pushing the siege with
exceptional vigor Trochu, in fact, displays
timidity and irresolution. In his proclamation
| Of December 81 he declares that the army is
preparing to act" Ten days have since
passed and the army has not yet acted, nor
can the besicgers observe any indications in
the French lines of disposition to act. Mean
time if any advantages have been gained at
| all the Germans have been the gamers. They
have been permitted to occupy Mont Avron and
| the redoubt of Fort Issy, and to turn their
| guns upon the French forts. We can scarcely
blame the Parsians for displaying anger with
their rulers when they witness the besieging
lines of their enemy drawing closer to the city
and no supreme effort is made by the large
garrison to cut the anaconda-like coils.
Fortunately for France, outside of Paris the
prospect Of her salvation Is not altogether
dark. As we understand it, there are FIVE
French armies in the provinces, operating in
seven columns. General Chanzy, who COM
mands the principal one, appears to be
endeavoring to push his way toward Paris,
moving mainly by the flank, with the evident
object Of first forming junction with the Army
of Bordeaux, which at last accounts was some
where on the Loire, in the vicinity of Glen.
Our intelligence from this force is very
meagre. 1t is difficult to decide whether it is
advancing on Orleans or on Montargis, but the
extension of Chanzys right wing in the direc-
ton Of Vend6me indicates that its probable
design is to cross the Loire south of Or
leans, if not below Blois. The abandonment
of his defensive attitude by Prince Frederick
Charles and his advance on lie Mans
strengthens this opinion. By forcing back
the right wing Of Chanzy the Germans
can get between the two armies and prevent
a junction but they will also run great risks
from a rapid flank march on Orleans by the
Army Of Bordeaux, while Chanzy keeps them
employed in front. The chances west and
| south Of Paris are about even, and success
depends upon the ability of the commanders
to outgeneral each other. French superiority
in numbers avals little at present, unless it is
directed with skill and rapidity. If our view
of the positions Of the opposing forces be cor
rect, two forced marches would either cut
Prince Frederick Charles line of communica-
tion with Paris or compel him to withdraw to
| Chartres
The great obstacle to the French or Ger
mans doing anything of Importance in the
provinces north and west Of Paris is the sadly
scattered condition of their forces. Each
army in tais part of France is divided into
| three columns. On the French side the main
| body, under Faidherbe, is near Arras,
opposed by the main body of the Germans,
under Won Goeben. Near Havre is a column
of French under Petingeas, and at Rouen,
Bolbec and other points Manteuff, in
| person commands another column Of Ger
mans. The third body of French is
on the left bank of the Seine,
covering Honfeur. This force is under
General Roy and is opposed by German
force under General Bentheim There seems
to be wonderful lack OF skill in the man
agement Of these forces. No effort is made
on either side to rapidly concentrate and crush
each opposing column in detail. During our
rebellion Rosecrans' army, after its defeat at
Chickamauga, was shut up in Chattanooga, and
would finally have been compelled to retreat
had not Sherman come to its relief by
remarkable forced march along the banks Of the
Tennessee river. But for the rapidity of Sher-
mans movements it is doubtful if the victories
of Lookout Mountain and Missionary RIDGE
would ever have been gained. What is needed
in the north of France is general who will
risk something to gain great deal As the
armies are now located they are frittering
| away their strength in fruitless attacks
upon each other. One day Faid-