The Sun. — 1870-12-27 (London, England)

GOVERNMENT INQUIRY.  The Patrie says that Gambetta has condescended to decide that a committee of inquiry should be immediately opened at Bordeaux to examine into the circumstances attending the capitulation of Metz and of Strasburg. Strasburg and General Uhrich ! Finding no longer anyone to immolate for his breakfast M. Gambetta has fallen upon General Uhrich, and he who was two months ago proclaimed a hero is now in his turn suspected. But it matters little. We also desire an inquiry, but we donot wish it to be composed of relations, of allies, of associates of the Minister of the Interior, and of war. We do not wish it to be restricted to examining the capitulation of Metz and Strasburg. We want an inquiry conducted by men appointed by the country; in a word, we want a council of inquiry appointed by a national assemby. Among the_points to be examined must be the following : Whether Metz and Strasburg, which were not assisted, could have been assisted ; whether the safety of the armies was not compromised by. the false statement that Ducrot had broken the Prussian lines ; whether the Delegation of the Government did not bring about the evacuation of Orleans by inducing General de - Paladines to make a movement which, without this false intelligence he would not have ateinpted,whether the eamp of Conlie was not destroyed by the abrupt dismissal of M. de IC6ratry ; and whether, by constant suspensions, burlesque nominations, perpetual accusations of treason, and the elevation of notorious nullities to superior ranks, the soldier has not been discouraged, the army disorganised, and the present situation of France produced. But unless the committee emanates from universal suffrage there can be neither judges nor defendants, neither accused, condemned, nor acquitted.  The three hundred and fifty thousand French prisoners in Germany are beginning to give trouble. They were pacific enough until proclamations bearing the signature of the French Government found their way to the for tresses ia which they are detained. since then some  have tried to escape, and many others evinced a mutinous disposition, necessitating the proclamation of martial law to keep them within bounds. Somebody has written a Christmas parody on King William's pious proclivities. It begins— " There's twenty thousand French laid low; Thank God, from whom all blessings flow."  Better preparations have been made in Paris for the removal and treatment of the wounded. On the 2nd many a brave man who might have recovered from his wounds lay out all through that bitter, night, and was found dead next day on the frozen battle-field. A correspondent, writing from Autun, says :—" We are curious to know what is the real fate of General Werder. From Berlin direct, as I wrote in one of my last letters, came the official telegram that he had been ' killed under the walls of Autun by a bail aimed by one the legionaries of Garibaldi.' " The French have some reason to complain of the unfairness of newspaper correspondents in sending reports exclusively favourable to the Germans. Thus, the other day, it was said that no contribution had been imposed at Dieppe, and that a Prussian soldier had been barbarously murdered in a wood. The reverse of these facts are the case. A contribution was imposed, and no Prussian soldier was murdered.