The New York herald., 1871-01-13
Tho War New. This mornlas.

Two weeks ago the military situation in
France was more favorable to the French than
at any time since the battle of Woerth. All
that they needed was an able leader with
nerve enough to seize the opportunity which
then offered for successful offensive cam
paign. To-day the advantage rests with the
Germans as decidedly almost as after the sur
render at Sedan. So far as we can ascertain
from the cable dispatches the only hope
France now has is in the success of Bourbakis 8
operations. Prince Frederick Charles is
driving Chanzy before him and is said to have
arrived within mile of lie Mans. It is
problematical whether or not Chanzy intends
to risk general engagement If his retreat is
merely part of his strategical plans we
ought to have had something concerning
his movements on the German right
wing. But the dispatches, French as
well as German, tell nothing more than the
story Of his retirement. Perhaps Chanzy's
represented. 1t is, however, difficult to regard
it as weak in the face of its recent attempt to
advance on Paris. Neither can we explain its
retreat on the ground Of Generalization, be-
cause the general tenor of the reports from the
Army of the Loire has been favorable to it's
organization, morale and discipline. Why,
then, the continued retreat? We confess the
question difficult one to answer in the alb
sence Of any information pointing to strategi-
cal combinations. Our dispatches this morn
iu~
present Prince Frederick Charles as
pushing forward successfully, having already
captured several pieces of artillery and some
two thousand prisoners. These captures are
small matter of themselves they are too
insignificant to make any material impression
upon the French army. 1t is noteworthy, too,
that the German successes have been over
comparatively small bodies Of their enemies.
! No general ENGAGEMENT has been fought and
why not we find it hard to imagine. Unless
be intends falling back to the ocean, Chanzy
must fight pitched battle before long, and we
know of no better ground for battle field
than that to be found in the Department of
Sarthe.
The mystery attending Bourbaki's move
ments is solved by telegram from Bordeaux,
which informs US, for the first time, that
that General commands the French Army of
the East, near Belfort. This solution, how
ever, leaves us all in fog about the COM
mander of the French forces which were
stated to be in the vicinity of Bourges, advanc-
ing northward. A telegram from Bourbah
reports that his troops were engaged all Tues
day night in driving the Germans out of the
houses in Villersexel. The battle fought at
this village, which King William claims as
victory for Won Werder, took place on Mon
day, and as there was fighting there on
the night following it is clear that
the French could not have been seriously
beaten. The renewal of the engagement, the
probability of which we suggested yesterday,
confirms the German statement of their
having advanced on Villersexel; but it reflects
severely upon Won Werder's generalship that
he ever permitted the French to occupy the
village. Bourbakis march has thus far been
rapid and successful. Should he succeed in
pushing his forces beyond Villersexel he will
compel the Germans to raise the siege of Bel
fort, evacuate Vesoul, and retire upon Epinal
or Colmar. It is evident that the Germans
attach great importance to Bourbaki's move
ments, as they are forming large army in the
eastern departments to oppose him.
Our reports from Paris are comparatively
full this morning. The HERALD correspond
ent in the besieged city gives an account of
the effect of the bombardment. Some shells
have fallen near the Invalides and killed and
wounded several persons. The people, how
ever, were undismayed, and submitted to the
shelling with calmness As we surmised, the
red republican element was again rampant.
Revolutionary placards, denouncing the gov
ernment as cowardly and demanding more
fighting or capitulation, have been posted on
the walls, and on the 9th inst. six hundred
indignant patriots marched in procession
through the streets, to the great alarm
of the shopkeepers and citizens gen.
orally. Under this demonstration there is,
doubtless, a deep current Of dissatisfaction,
which Trochu endeavors to appease by that
French panacea for all military and political
troubles, proclamation. In one of these he
declares he will never surrender; but he says
nothing to indicate determination to act
vigorously, although when our correspondent
wrote the supposition was that sortie would be
made Immediately. As the reader knows, none
has been made. 1t may be, however, as we
suggested several days ago, that Trochu in
tends abandoning Paris and retiring to his
entrenched camp at Mont valerien. This pro-
bable movement by the way, was referred to
and commented upon yesterday in morning
paper as if the writer were giving some new
ideas to the world. In the HERALD of January
will be found an editorial on the subject
referring to it as good generalship.
From Brussels we have q special telegram