Year: 1870

L


city of Paris A despatch from London at


noon yesterday placed the advance guard Of


cavalry within ten miles OF the capital and
the main army within thirty miles Of it,


so that, in all probability, the enemy
will be visible from the Notifications to-


day or tomorrow. The surrender Of Stras-


bourg appears to be only question Of days
OF perhaps hours. The French commander,
| as wo are informed, offered to surrender on
certain conditions-an offer which was instantly
refused by the Prussian General in command


Of the besieging forces, aud an unconditional
surrender required. The surrender of Laon
has also been demanded, the garrison having
been given till yesterday morning to comply
with the demand. As to the fate Of Metz and
Bazaine's army we have not, up to late
hour, received any intelligence. Altogether
the army movements are Of character to
deepen the gloom which hangs over France.
There does not appear to be bright spot in
the horizon.


The preparations for the defence of Paris are
being carried on with sufficient energy to
prove that the idea of submission has not been
entertained by the French authorities. Even
the National Observatory has been dismantled
and its valuable instruments removed to
place of safety, which would 60 TO show that
the bombardment of the city is regarded as
probable event. Detachments Of Gardes Mo-
biles have been arriving from various depart
ments of France, together with some of the
| Of No M,ho oh to
escape the surrender at Sedan. But there is
no getting at anything like an approximate
estimate Of the force that can be employed in
the defence of the city, which has been va
riously stated at from one hundred and forty
thousand to three hundred thousand men. If
it amount to near the latter figure the Prus-
SLAMS may find that they have undertaken
more dangerous and desperate job than they
now imagine.


The same uncertainty that exists in regard


to the number of French troops in Paris exists
also in reference to the number that can be
| calculated on in other parts of the republic
Yesterday the public was informed that the
Army Of Lyons, commanded by Palikao, had
reached Paris. To-day it appears that that
army of one hundred and forty thousand men
is still at Lyons. What the authorities are
doing, If anything, In the way Of getting up
new armies, or a levy en- nsasse, of the inhabi-
tants Of France, is o matter in regard to which
no information whatever is given. But we
cannot suppose that the French people will see
their capital invested without making notable
efforts to save it from the guns of the enemy.


So much for the war movements. We can
form some definite, though not very precise
idea about them. But when we come to read
the telegraphic statements as to peace nego-
tiaions we end ourselves in such o medley Of
nonsense and contradictions that we are in
clined to discard the whole as utterly unre-
liable First, we are told that the diplomatic


corps in Paris has been long maturing and has
at length agreed upon basis for peace PROPOSE
tons which is to be Immediately submitted to
the King of Prussia. Then comes plain,
fiat contradiction of the whole story. Next,
we are treated to the highly improbable state
ment of on alliance, offensive and defensive,
between France and Russia, in virtue Of which
the latter Power, fearing for the safety of her
own German provinces, was to march an army
Immediately on Berlin. Then comes from the
author of that Munchausenism the explanation
that the affair had not gone beyond the point
Of proposition from the French government,
which had been declined by the Russian. Next,
comes story whici appears much more


likely to be true, to the effect that the govern


ments of Great Britain and Russia have for


muated joint note to Prussia indicating
terms on which peace should be made. But


subsequent despatch throws doubt even upon
that, by the assertion that, as England has de-
clined to interfere, Austria has undertaken
that task. We refrain from the useless at
tempt to eliminate anything reliable from these
contradictory statements, CHASING them all as
| mere flying rumors, 30 vague and uncertain as
to forbid placing any faith in them.


The fact is that the governments Of England,
| Russia and Austria, while perhaps anxious 10
save France from further humiliation and
| from loss of territory, cannot see very clearly


the way to give effect to that desire. They


have been notified, unolflcially, but in unmis-


taxable terms, that their mediation will not


be accepted; that the quarrel was forced
upon Prussia, and that Prussia will settle it in


her own way and without their interference.


1t ia evidently the determination of the King Of


Prussia not 10 relax in his war measures until
the capital of France is in bis hands, and then
to dictate bis own terms. There is, besides,
a practical difficulty in the way Of present
negotiations. King William will not recognize
the existing government of France as power


with which he can negotiate; and he is even
| represented as declaring that he will not treat