Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-03-15
THE WAR ENDED.

The French .Prussian war, which is
now ended, will be memorable for many
reasons. Begun on the 18th Of July,
1870, by declaration on the part of
France, and ended by the treaty of Yer
sailes on the 2d March, 1871, it lasted
$50 days During this brief space of
time twenty five pitched battles were
fought, and between thirty md forty en-
gagenents Of less consequences. Twenty
two sieges were conducted successfully,
three of them paris, Metz and Strauss
bourg) bting of the first rank. Both
combatants brought into the field. from
first to last, about 700, 900 men each -
AT Gravelotte nearly half million of
men confronted each other. VIZ: 27O, 900
Germans against 10000 Frenchmeu.
AT Sedan there were 100000 Germans
against 10000 French. And in the
early battles the disproportion was simi
lar; but after the capture of Bazaine's
army the decentralization Of the French
soldiers became so evident that the Ger
mans did not hesitate to attack with in
fer r numbers. Thus, in the third bat
tie Of Olesns, l2O. 900 Germans fought
100000 French; and. at Belfort. SO 900
Prussians aud Badeners confronted the
whole of Bourbaki's army, near 100, 900
strong.
This war has shown the enormous al
vantages which proper training confers.
The German War Minister, Won Room.
and the chief of staff, Won MoI;ke, at
tended to all the mnutie of detail -
They not merely planned the whole STRAIT.
egy, but took care that everything which
was necessary TO its successful execution
should be done at the right moment. In
no one instance were the operations Of
the different corps impeded By want of
supplies or by the non arrival of rein
forcements; there were no short comings
in the commissatiat, no marching bare
footed, nor perishlng from lack Of shel
ter or medical attention. Every compa
ny, end in some cases every man, was
provided with map of thu district he
was to march through, and those men
who were acquainted with any locality
were employed in it. The scouting was
carried out with the most extraordinary
boldness and success, and the Prussians
could obtain information from the interi-
or of Paris up to the last moment of the
siege. 1t is painful to contrast all this
with the miserable inefficiency of the
French generals and staff; but the result
will doubtless be that the French army
will be entirely remodeled.
1t is curious now 10 read by the light of
history the Justification Of the predictions of
the advocates for the fertilization of Paris in
lS4l. Theirs himself included. The Select
Committee appointed BY the French Govern
meht of that day to examine into the subject
of the fortiication of the city, reported that
:. so far from drawing on Paris the horrors OF
a siege. the forts would make the city so Sc
cure that it would never be besieged.
population Of 300 900 could be proyis'oned
for sixty days. but no eaemy could live sixty
days before Paris for he. aud not the garrison,
,conld be starved To besiege Paris alone he
must bring $500 men. These could not
be supported by stores and to keep long
line of communications would require other
armies. To live upon the surrounding coun-
try would entail dispersion of forces. A
sixty days siege of Paris was therefore be-
yond the limits Of likelihood" NJ. Theirs
lie now a wiser and unhappily sadder man.
II was he. who, thirty years ago, projected
the Notifications, aud he has lived te witness
the misrry they have failed 10 avert Phila-
d-phia L~lyer.