The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-12
Writing from Versailles on December II, the
of the London Times says:

WrlLluR lTOm fcEsuLlCn on bcSSaAoSA ~ Wv
correspondent of the London Times says: =.
If the good people who are exercising them
selves over The war were only to know how
their 'sresolutions In public meeting assem-
bled" are viewed, they would, perhaps, tnlnk
less of the beneficial influence they exercise
over the belligerents. No one at all acquainted
with the French people here imaglnes they are
one whit more disposed to make peace and sur
render Alsace and Lorraine than they were.
On the other hand, the Germans call out the
landsturm and create two new army corps,
adding 60, 600 to the number Of combatant5
in the field. All the States north and
south are filling up their ranks. And Paris
Well, two months more at least. so tnat the
l4th OF February may witness the arrival OF
tha eyer-receuing Gay. You must not be dis
Deased at it OF "sick" OF 1t, for the war will
20 on until France can get more men to light
ior her. The present position Of the various
armies is proof that the plans OF tne era eSt 81
strategists are frustrated by the accidents OF
war and by circumstances which, II foreseen,
were not duly appreciated. The army OF the
Crown Prince and the army Of the Crown
Prince of SaXony are encamped round Il CITY
which was not considered likely to make any
defence at ALL The first idea as to Paris was
thatit would surrender when 1t was surround
cd. the second, that 1t would yield after short
term of privation; the third, that 1t would sue
cumb when few shells had fallen into It,.
Then it was resolved to try starvation,
pure and simple, and various periods
were arbitrarily selected-tour, six, eight.
or ten weeks-as the time during which
the city might hold out Tne councils OF
the German chiefs seem to have been un-
decided as to the bombardment. AT an early
period OF the investment have no doubt the
measure was in contemplation. Siege trains
were formed, the heavy guns from Strasbourg
hurried up and parks established, ga6ions and
fascines stored, and magazines formed. Tn
two sorts of fire were opened against the pro-
iect-one from the forts Of Paris, developing
immense artillery power, and rendering tie
establishment Of a superiority OF IRE at least
questionable; the other from moral batteries,
which caused various Influential persons to
view the proposed bombardment with dis
favor. To the hearts of some the voice OF hu.
manity spoke; with others the good opinion OF
Europe had Its weight. Others alleged philan-
while they really disliked not the lombard.
ment, but its possible failure. Among those
who were accused OF prolonging the anSieties
of Germany and the sufferings. OF, at
any rate, the endurance, OF the army,
was Count Bismarck. 1t was said In
ment. The Imperial Chancellor denied the
soft Impeachment. His counsel is not sought
In the Military Cabinet, and the military mem
bers of 1t alone are responsible for the attitude
Of the armies and the measures adopted by
them. Count Bismarck does not incur any
censure which may be directed against their
operations in the field or out OF 1t. The phases
OF feeling which have indicated have mostly
been patent enough, and the last resolve OF
the leaders OF the army seemed 10 oe tnat
Paris should be starved out without gun
being fred against it. I think there are eVl-
dences OF change in favor OF q more actlVely
aggressive policy. 1t may be the influence Oh
popular feeling which Is growing impatient. .
It may be the desire to show the members OF
Reichstag that preparations are in hand TO
quicken the appreciation OF hunger ON the
nart of the city. The guns which have been
parked will, I think, be put in position in o
short time. They will, at all events, contribute
greatly to strengthen the Prusslan front, and
bring a powerful fire on any outtall from
Paris. As to the effects Of bombardnent
proper. have already expressed an opinion
ouanturn ualeat-I mean, OF course, pnysical
effects, for the moral results on the popuiatlon
are beyond conjecture. The investing armies;
then, will hold on round Paris to the ena, anu
never depart until they are forced 10 Talse lhe
siege or see the city in their power. IL ls no"
evident that II Bazaine had held Metz LOT
fortnight more those armies would have oeen
placed in most critical position, ana tnat III
all likelihood the investment OF Paris Woulo
have been abandoned. II not, then the crown
Prince would have had to beat the army oi
the Loire with corps detached from his force
to the rear, and have had with the armies thus
diminished to have checked the sortles, neces-