The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-08-06

nations, France and Ger
many. arc today repeating
with uneanny similarity
even In date and site. the
conflicts of the last great
European war.
The war of 1870 began
on August 2. with a fierce
fight between German and
French troops at Saar-
brueck-not so miles from
Longwy. where the first
Franco-German battle of
this present and most
frightful of European con-
flicts has just been waged,
on the SAME day, Aug
\ ust Fl
History Repeated
In 1870, Just as today. there we're
three chief points where the BIG
German armies crossed the French
border The Germans. In fact. are
now repeating the tactics OF. theii
last war. But at that tima German
victory followed German victory
with terrible rapidly. and as a re.
eult came the formation OF thu Ger.
man empire. with King William of
Prussia as emperor, And the sue.
cessive defeats OF Napoleon III. of
France eliminated in his capture
and downfall. and the establishment
of the French republic.
The two nations thus formed are
today flying at each others throats
once more. with all the vengeful
hostility engendered In that former
conflict To really understand the
whole meaning of this bloody Euro
pcan crisis of 1914. II is necessary
to call to mind the dramatic history
Of the struggle of 1870.
Cause OF Conflict
II was caused by Prince Bis
marck's determination to place
Germany. and by Frances jealousy
OF her hereditary enemy's threaten
Ing growth. But hostilities were ac-
tually precipitated by very trivial
incident. Just as In the present war.
The French ambassador. Bene-
detti. demanded OF King William OF
Prussia that no prince OF his line
should ever accept the throne OF
Spain. The king refused to listen.
and made public excerpts from Ben
edetti's demand. A few days later,
July 10, 1870, France formally de-
ciared war.
Strikes Quick Blow
Germans mailed fist" struck be-
fore France had half n chance to
prepare herself. Germany had a
fighting force of over $780, men
in the field at once. The French
had confidently expected to be able
ITO mobilize 500. 900 men instantly.
but found that only 100000 were
available for the military move
ments during August
After the first conflict at Saar-
Drueck, on August 2. In which the
French were victorious. there oc-
Cured a fierce attack on the Ger
nan advance guard near Welssburg.
IN Aisace. The French troops re
tired with heavy loss The Ger
man invasion progressed rapidly.
French Are Defeated
In battle after battle the French
inflicted losses much heavier than
their own upon the enemy. but were
each time defeated Finally. on Sep
teuiher .. the French emperor and
ali the army under his command
were captured at at battle OF Sc
dan There was one army left to
France. but II was bottled up In the
fortified city of Metz. under the
command OF Marshal Bazaine. who,
after a daring attempt at sortie,
was forced to capitulate on October
81.
Paris 10 Captured
The German troops now had an
omen road to Paris. and they In
vested the capital at once. the
ParisIans had proclaimed a repno-
lie. after Napoleons downfall at Sc
dan. and organized government
for national defense. OF which Leon
Gambetta, the great French states
man, was one OF the chiefs.
Gambetta put aeronautics, which
are playing so striking part In
the present strife. to the first sue
cessful use In war. ;,
He escaped from beleaguered
Paris In a balloon and attempted TO
raise more troops In the south OF
France. But this dramatic deed
was vain, and by the last OF Janu-
arv. 1871. Paris was at the point
OF starvation, and was forced to
capitulate.
The Price Of Peace
The amazing exactions OF the vic
torious Germans. In the huge indem-
nifty they required. and their annex.
alton OF Alsace-Lorraine have never
been forgotten by France. The