The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-13
4 QUEER MILITARY QUESTION.
The Proposition, or Nauc, and of France

The Propositions or Nancy and or France.
A very interesting discussion has now been
going on for some time among the military
writer's Of France in regard to the proposed for
LITIGATION OF Nancy. Nancy. 1t will DO remem-
bered, was an open town in 1870, and it does
seem strange that 1t should be an open town to-
day, standing, as 1t does, in front Of the position
where the Germans have already concentrated
norm masses.
Some Of the military critics, following the ex.
ample of the late Due dAumale, seem to be con-
WINGED that there are already too many %fortifica-
lions In France. Nous drons asscs souGert de
la mlniddie de la picrrc!' was the expression
made use OF by the Duo when discussing this
subject in the War Council. Although there are
no military authorities who would go 30 far as
to favor the destruction Of all the citadels of
France in order to give the army a chance to OBJ
crate in the open field. there is certainly a strong
disposition among many of them to oppose any
additional Notifications. And this Is the reason
why Nancy remains practically defenceless.
Moreover, there Is a suspicion that tho capture
OF Nancy by a German army corps would. in tho
opinion OF some stratcxists. facilitate the plans
OF tho French general stan. The Germans In
Nancy would DO absolutely immobilized by the
forts In their front and by the French forces in
their rear. This idea is vigorously combatod by
NJ. Charles Malo, the military critic OF the Jour
nal des Dtbdfr, and to outsiders. at least, he
seems to have the best of the battle.
at is necessary" he says, Ito call attention
to one fact that 1t would be puerile and i'm.
town as it is, might. fail into the hands Of the
enemy on the very day. II not on tho eve. OF a
declaration OF war. A short march separatesit
from the point OF concentration which the Ger
Every ono knows that these armies have re-
tho feld at a moments notice, and deliver a
most effective blow which our political regime.
far more than our military system. leaves us
Now, how can anybody doubt that tho first
objective point OF the GERMANS 10 Nancy The
the encmy would nut him in possession OF i'm;
mense resources Of every sort, and tho moral
Certainly Nancy is not, without troops. as it
was in 1870. and Y would DO yaliantly defended.
ment OF the best OF our troops It must be ad;
mitted that 1t is open to the criticism addressed
to tho tortrossos. that OF immobilizing for de-
employed in the open Held. Nancy. unfortihed
as It is, must necessarily be defended, Just as Il
will absorb more thar. double the forces that
would be sufficient to defend y behind pesrma:
nsns iSsrI%aa''o? Nancy y"0 viii be eH'e oyae saatsi
without q battle. and this, under the
BBe eG sfs wise sir9 plans Al BS' then m all thro @pRSeffF Francs ts
acry OF Indignation would arise over the want
Of foresight and the inSapacity Of our military
acondition OF absolute inferiority, fighting ex'
clusively for honor. That would be Il repetition
OF Wissembourg with all its moral consequences
at the very beginning OF the war. Finally, the
necessity OF sustaining the troops around Nancy
at the very commencement OF hostilities might
entail the Encouragement OF all our plans OF
mobilization and concentration.
II. on the other hand; Nancy should DO trans
formed into an intrcnched camp. OF the modern
pattern, we would recover ali our liberty OF
movement and be able to concentrate our armies
wherever We pleased and TO n at OuI
ease. Better still, in all probability IL would
compel the enemy to change his plans, because
tho natural position. of the town. once fortified
would make il a perfect rock, against which the
first waves OF inv, sion would DO broken. Thii
would take from thc enemy the greatest, portion
OF his chances and insure me facility OF the out
the strategic superiority which the possession
of such q place, In the very heart Of the oper
RLlnR lines OF the Germans, would give. |
would cost only thirty or thirty'hye millions o