The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1871-02-08

VINO THE FRANC TIREURs ARE, AND WHAT THEY
Do.--The war dispatches frequently bring news of
the operations of the Franc-Tireurs in France,
against the Prussians. The following account of
these men is given by correspondent of the Times
lone thing is certain, that the Franc Treurs
have become most important element in this war,
not so much from the number of the enemy they
may kill off with potshots but from the serious in
terrupton they TO that system of tentacular
feeling of the far-dstant, surrounding country so
to speak, which has been one of the essential fea-
lures Of this marvellous German invasion of France
The Uhlans, sent forward eeldireuvs go 40, so
miles ahead and in various directions duly support
ed by others connecting them with the armies from
which they radiate, while severaly Insignificant in
force, have been great fact and potent influence
in all this war They have spread alarm in all d.
rections They have raised the gld vitc and rumors
of the presence of the Prussians at dozen points
when there would be really danger only on one
They have felt their way, illuminated the whole
country around aud in advance with a clearer than
the electric light, have prepared for the approach
where the approach was really TO take effect and
have extensively requisitioned where it was not to
take effect 1t has been an admirable ingenious and
skillful well as audacious system, against which
the French, in their first paralysis of disarmament
and helplessness and want of individual initiative
had nothing to oppose.
1.-THE Franc-Treurs have grown into great. Sc.
rious, and regular institution. They are all uni
formed, in thousand fashions, but distinctly and
unequivocally. They regularly commissioned
and brigaded, and responsbly attached TO the
armies OF the regions in which they operate and
swarm. When captured, they can no. conceal or
disavow their character. Why have they not right
to serve and defend their country thus invaded in
this way as well as 10 any otherS Why have the
wandering, arpenetrating Uhlans, splendid corps)
who move audaciously in twos, and fours, and
dozens, any right to greater mmunities than they?
When an invaded country has lost It's MarshaIs and
Generals, and armies, France has DONE iu modes
and through causes not now in question, why has
it not right thus TO nationalize even TO ndivid-
ualize, its defensive resistance! And yet, under
stand the Prussans go on shooting every Franc
Treur Off hand as fast as they catch them. A great
military mistake, in my judgulenti 49,
The very peril makes the service more honora-
BILE 1t attracts all the more daring and DEVOTED
class of men; it makes them more desperate and
uuylelding IN tle field; it supports them under pri-
yation; 1t sharpens their aim and 1t makes them
sell their lives more dearly when they find them
selves in situations from which there is no escape
The Prussians are naturally as well as morally wrong
on this point have seen some Franc-Tireurs
clothed in a uniform hedizzened and bccolored al
most like the well-known gens-darmes, An armyis
entitled to distribute and scatter its iaIleurs why
not nations l have sustained this argument
against high German military authorities at Yer
sailles, and elsewhere. I always found them sore
but obstinate under itn