The New York herald., 1871-01-12
Military Activity In France.

Military Activity In France.
Our war dispatches continue meagre, but
they furnish information enough to convince
us that the opposing armies in the Southwest
and East are engaged in vigorous campaign.
A Versailles telegram reports General de
Chanzy's army as retreating from all points,
but we presume that LIE Mans is still held by
the French. We are not surprised at this re-
trograde movement. As was suggested yester-
day 1t is probably part Of de Chanzys
plan Of operations and may not be COM
pulsory. 1t seems to US, however, that the
French ought to endeavor to hold LIE Mans,
if they do not propose making an Immediate
advance upon Paris. LIE Mans is the termi-
nus of three railroads, each of which starts
from q seaport town, and, consequently, en-
ables the French to receive supplies Of food
and ammunition with ease and rapidity. If
Chanzy retires upon Alencon he will have
only the railroad from Cherbourg upon which
to depend for the transportation of supplies.
We doubt if this single line will suffice for the
purposes of large army. It may be, however,
that Chanzy will leave Le Mans for the pur-
pose Of rapidly concentrating near AlenGon--
say at Montagne-and then endeavor to flank
Prince Frederick Charles and reach Versailles
by way of Dreux. Thus far the main efforts
of the Germans seem to be directed against
his right wing, undoubtedly for the purpose Of
preventing junction with the Army Of Bor-
deaux. If Chanzy intends making an effort to
hold LIE Mans he ought to give battle some
where near Montfort, on the Huisne river.
The country here is admirably adapted to de-
fensive warfare. 1t is broken by numerous
small rivers, the passage of which in the face
of brave enemy would be no easy task.
The operations in the East are becoming
more active. On the 9th inst. a severe
engagement was fought at Villersexel, and
both sides claim the victory. The scene of
the battle is village in the department Of
Haute Sa6ne, some twelve miles southeast of
Vesoul and perhaps twenty-five miles south.
west of Belfort. We cannot understand why
it was necessary for the Germans to advance
on Villersexel, because it seems to US
that they should have been in possess
sion of it. AS the French despatch
claims, the village must have been. the
key to the German military position.
1t virtually commands the line of communica-
ton between t1s German investing force
before Belfort and the army under Won
Werder at Vesoul. The conclusion, then, is
natural that either Won Werder blundered
great vat first in permitting the French to oc-
cupy SO important position near his lines or the
Bordeaux telegram gives the correct account.
We shall doubtless obtain the truth in few
days, either from the fighting Of another battle
at the same point or from the raising of the
siege Of Belfort and evacuation of Vesoul by
the Germans.
Our special correspondent at Brussels for
wards report Of the occurrence of bread
riots In Paris, which resulted in collision be-
tween the mob and the troops. 1t is easy to
see that if serious dissensions have broken out
in the besieged capital its early capitulation
will become necessity. From other sources
we learn that the bombardment continues Wig
orous, and that the French return fire flags
perceptibly. This latter statement is sur
prising, because the arillerists in the forts are
all from the navy, and are accounted the best
in the French service.
In concluding this resunae of the military
situation in France we are impressed by the
thought that the present activity of Prince
Frederick Charles is due to the weakening
of the German investing line around Paris.
Should this prove to be the case Trochu's
failure to take advantage of it and make a
grand sortie will confirm our opinion of his
military incapacity. Certainly, if he does not
assume the offensive within very few days
his last chance Of success will be gone forever.