Year: 1870

- of Rcsistance.


The following extract from letter of the well
known military writer, Julius Won Wickede, has
special interest in connection with the news from
Strasburg and Paris:-


and Metz, beyond all doubt the two strongest fort
resses of France. These immense strongholds have
menaced the peace and security OF Germany, par
tcularly the former and it is therefore deemed the
highest Importance that they should be captured
and remain in our permanent possession. fair
number of heavy siege-guns have already arrived
before Strasburg. The Prussian 24-pounders
excellent and very effective; they have wide range,
and as soon as the distance has been correctly
asceraned (Which is generally the case after two or
three trial shos), their fire is as accurate and telling
as can be reasonably desired. In regard to Stras-
burg it would not be wise to calculate upon
an immediate captulation. General Uhrlch,
the commander of the fortress, was formerly in the
Imperial Guard and is an officer Of the highest mill
tary ability, VINO Will do his duty TO the last and
without any particular regard for the inhabitants of
the city lie is called upon to defend. became per-
sonally acquainted with him at Varna, during the
Crimean war, when we passed our leisure time in
of light Brussa wine, and playing game of domi-
noes. remember well enough that we repeatedly
touched on the possibility Of our confronting each
other as enemies The brave General did not then
imagine that the strongest army which the second
empire could bring into the field would be repeatedly
beaten by us within a fortnight, and that we could
so soon commence the siege of the two most impor-
tant French fortresses. The idea that the Germans
would carry the war into French territory seemed
too preposterous to the French who thought it an
easy task to drive the Prussans beyond the Rhine,
and never expected to meet any serious resistance
until they would reach Mayence and CObentz. All
their preparations show that this was their precon
ceved plan.


But to return to the siege of Strasburg. Although
the commander is a man of undoubted talent,
energy, and bravery, and although the garrison Is
composed of select troops, who will fight and defend
the city to the last do not believe this fortress will
prove another Sebastopol. The numerous popua-
ton of the city, amounting to more than $1,000 in
habants, will be a serious check to the powers of
resistance and endurance of the garrison and will
necessitate speeder captulation than could other
wise be anticipated. 1t Is more than probable that
our repeatedly expressed opinion that large and


n1nnn off fOrtr uU
obtain additional confirmation ere long. The princi-
pal objection against them is the difficulty, rather


mpossiblity, OF provisioning them for long SIEGE
OF what use are the strongest walls and great
number OF guns, when once famine with its appa-
ling consequences, spreads among population OF
So 600 souls? and how can the most energetic
mander prevent it, and protect his army against its
demoralizing influence? 1t is utterly impossible.
We have read many reports about the immense
fortifcations around Paris and had an occasion to
examine these strongholds few years ago; and we
readily confess that they are formidable, and were
so previous to the numerous additions and improve
ments which have recently been made. But what
of that? If what have said above holds good with
city OF $4,000 people, how much more so In regard
to capital of nearly 1000, 900 inhabitants, and COM
posed Of such dangerous and heterogeneous elements
the population OF Paris Some OF the Paris news
papers contain an account OF the quantities OF pro-
visions which said to be stored in that city, and
pretend that the place is fully prepared for siege
OF four months. We feel inclined to think that the
|, figures on paper will not correspond with the
amount of stores actually on hand and we should
not be at all surprised to find these statements equal
in eXaggeraton aud want of truth to the reports
circulated about the strength Of the French army,
its armament equipment, and fitness for field SER
vice. We think that by the time the three immense
columns of the German army shall appear before
Paris all the braggadocio about the defense OF that
city to the last will have been senced by sounder
counsel and cooler Judgment. 1t would be the eli
max of madness to attempt defense of Paris under
the existing circumstances.