The New York Herald Newspaper, August 16, 1870, Page 3

NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1870.—TRIPLE SHEET. MAP OF THE BATTLE GROUNDS IN FRANCE. @eeded im this manceuvre they have performed an exceedingly dificult feat—one which has proved fatal in numerous instances, In fact, a change of front in face of @ powerful enemy 1s so rarely suc. cessful that had the French army been badly beaten on Sunday or yesterday it would not have been eur- Prising. Thus far the Prussian movements have THE WAR. The Battle of Metz Reported by the French and Prussians. Napoleon and King William in Royal Claim of Victory. ere Rout of the French Army oif the Moselle. Dangerous Position of the French and Rapid Action of the Prussians. English Despatches from the Front. INTERVENTION FOR PEACE SPOKEN OF, City Tamult and Fatal Riots : in Paris. Naval Blockade Rules and the Telegraph Service, Another Prussian Army Said to be Crossing Into France. FRENCH REPORTS. Napoleew’s Detail of the Battle of Metz— Crossing the Mosctle—A Prussian Attack and Kepulse—MacMahon’s Positioa—Pro- elamation at Metz—The Defence of Paris— Oficial Despatches frem Toul—Four Hours’ Fighting—The Prussians “Repulsed?—Good News for Parie—Parliamentary Proceed- ings. Panis, August 15—6 P. M Last evening at eight o'clock, by order of the gov- ernment, ail telegraphing throughout the French empire was suspended. This morning at nine o'clock these restrictions were again removed, ‘The foliowing important despatch to the Empress Eugénie fs just made public:— LONGEVILLE, August 14—10 P.M, The army commenced to cross to the left bank of the Moselle this morning. Our advance guard had no knowledge of the presence of any force of the enemy. When halt of our army had crossed over the Prussians suddenly attacked in great force. Alter a fight of four hours they were repulsed with great loss to them. NAPOLEON, ‘The Revue des Deux Mondes reports Marshal Mac- Mahon at Tool. The Constitutionnel, however, says he is at Nancy. The Prefect of Moselle, dating at Metz, August M, ten minutes past cight o’clock A. M., telegraphs the following tothe Minister of the Intertor:—“The Emperor left to-day at two o'clock for Verdun, ac- companied by the Prince Imperial.’? Before leaving his Malesty issued the following Proclamation :— On quitting you to fight the invaders I confide to your patriotism the defence of this great city. You will bever allow the enemy to take possession of this bulwark of France, and [ trust you will rival the army in loyalty and courage. I shall ever re- member with gratitude the reception Ihave found within. your walls, and I hope that in more joyous umes i may be able to return to thank you for your noble conduct. ‘The city of Mulhouse ts still in the hands of the French, The Ovinion Nationale computes the force for the defence of Paris at 130,000 men. Six hundred guns are mounted, Edmond Abont ts still missing, and it 1s feared he has been Killed. Paris, August 15, 1870. ‘The Lons Prefect telegraphs to the Minister of the Interior from Toul, August 14, at seven P. M., as folews:— Some Prasstans were noticed near this town about two o’clock this afternoon. A reconnolssance was made by the gendarmes and cavalry, who came upon 200 Uhlans, Shots were exchanged; the gen- darmes killed one and wounded two of the enemy. ‘The latter summoned the town to surrender, but re- ceived a defiant refusal, and then retired, An official despatch states that the corps of Gencrals Ladmirault and de Caen were engaged in the combat at Metz yesterday. Marshal Bazaine Was present. The enemy was repulsed after four hours’ figbung. The troops are in fine spirits, Details of the batile have not been received from Metz, but the first reports received Jast night of its favorable result created an immense sensation. Crowds went to the Ministry of the Interior and de- manded particulars of the fight, All night masses of people marched through the boulevards and prin. cipal streets shouting joyfully. The Emperor and the Prince Imperta) have arrived at Verdun. Advices from the Rhine indicate that the enemy does not really intend to lay siege to Strasbourg, out Merely to cut off its communications. For this pur- pose they biew up the bridges and rallway to Basle, eis thought that the surrounding forces of the enemy are inconsiderable in number; it ts only the alarm of the people which imagines the force to be greater than it actually is. The city is fully garrisoned and provisioned fora siege and the supply of water is under the control of the authorities and cannot be cut off. Thirty thousand troops of Marshal MacMahon’s corps, Who were cut off from the French army and believed to have fallen into the hands of the Prus- mans, have arrived at Strasbourg in safety. Some of the Paris newspapers assert that the Prussians make the country people march in front of thetr advancing lines, so wnat the French troops may be forced to fre upon their countrymen when they attack the enemy. ‘Twenty French citizens of Woerth have been shot by the Prussians in retaliation for the cruelties said to have been inflicted on wounded German prison- ers, M. Duray, recentiy the Minister of Public Instruc- ton, has volunteered as @ private in. the French army. A report which was circulated through the city that Prussian spies had spiked the cannon on the Walls of Paris is pronounced spac by Wc Minister of SPOR LAUNOLS fomows. io oy RETHEL WON French Cities and Towns Occupied by the Prussians and St, Avold--Location of Napoleon’s Headquarters---Lines of the Contending Armies. -Positions of Luneville, Nancy, Frouard War, who authorizes ths statement that the forti- cations are in excellent order. ‘Two Prusstan spies have been arrested in Toulon. One was taken in the act of examining the vessela of war. Prince Napoleon Is reported at Florence. ‘The Orleans Princes have as yet received no reply from the Emperor to their tender of services in the French army. Lyons has been put In a state of defence. The Senate has unanimously adopted the finan- cial bills which originated in the Corps Législatif. A despatch from Epinal, dated at mine o'clock this morning, states that the town of Biiche has dot been captured, a8 had been supposed, but holds out against the Prussian troops who have been detached to besiege tt, La Presse admits that the mission of the Duke de Cadore to Denmark appears to have failed, and quotes the statement of a Danish journal that King Christian declined to receive him through the pressare of England and Russia. La Presse also gives up all hopes of armed assistance from Italy, where the Garibaldians are doing everything in their power to tarm the minds of the people against the nation whtch so chivairously alded them in their hour of need, Advices from Rome represent that the soldiers of the Legion d’Antibes are anxious to join the armies of France. The French residents are much aMicted by the news of reverses; ‘bnt the clerical authori- ies and partisans.of.:¢ Pope seem to rejoice and flock to the new Prossian Legation, where they are recelvyed with unusual favor. The pressinall parta of France resolutely de- nounces overtures for peace until the Prussians are driven from the soil. . ‘Tne Gaulois says M. Drouyn de Lhuys has been offered by the Empress Regent the post of Ambassa- dor at Vienna. A Council of Ministers was held at the Tuuerics this morning, at which the Empress presided. The Constitutionnel, in a btief report.of the pro- ceedings in the Corps Législatif yesterday, says:— “Two useful projects of law were voted; but most of the session was spent in addressing needless questions to the Ministry and.{= sterile and irritat- ing debate.” The Constituttonne? adds that sometmes the Cham- ber gives proofs of unity and patriotism and at others of the reverse. The present situation exacts sacrifices from all. Let the Deputies set aside their prejudices, however legitimate they may be. The action of the Chambers should give fresh strength tothe nation. Surely none wish to increase its danger. We mast avoid anything likely to raise the hopes of the enemy. Dangerous Condition of ParisTumult "and Riot—Fatal Fire on the PoliceWild Excite. ment. The Journal Ofictei reports the arrest on the highway of an individual in whose house were found @ quantity of poignards, revolvers of large calibre and ammunition, He was followed the night before last to an isolated house in the neighbor- hood of the fortifications, where were found a list of names, a number of red flags, different rallying signals, a description of tne troops occupying the forts surrounding the capital and the carte de visite of @ person in the service of the sovereign now at war with France. On the afternoon of yesterday, about fonr o’clock, a band of from sixty to elghty men, all armed with revolvers and poignards of exactly the same mode> as those previously seized, attacked the engine house on the Boulevard,Villette. They attacked the ‘guard with daggers and revolvers. One of the officers received @ wound in the breast, anda fireman was very seriously wounded by three bullets, Four guns kept at the station were carried away. ‘The policemen of the Nineteenth e@grondissement, who ran to their ald, also received @ volley; one fell instantly dead, and others were seriously wounded, The physicians think there 1s little hope for the recovery of two ofthem. A little girl was also killea by a stray ball fvom a revolver, ‘The police, led by their officers, under the orders of the Commissary of the Police, arrested immedi- ately the ringleader and four accomplices. The population co-operated, and, full of enthusiasm, proceeded of its own accord to make other arrests. The guns taken from the fremen have been retaken; weapons abandoned by the insurgents have also been seized, and @ call to arms having been spontaneously made in the quartier @ goodly number of the National Guards ‘were got together, who with the ald of the citizens, contributed toward the re-establishment of order, A squadron and a company of the Guard of Paris, Which immediately arrived, was baled with warn acclamations. The segeants de ville aiso received the applause merited. by their courage. ‘The Commissary and agents of police have made greatefforts to protect from the pubiic indignation the individuals under arrest. They number about fifty mall, They were imprisoned in the depot of the Prefecture. During the evening two persons were also taken there whom a student pointed out on the Boulevard St. Michael. They carried daggers identical with those seized on the Boulevard Villette. They offered resistance, on being taken, and refusea to answer the first questions put tothem. After ve o’clock the Boulevard Villette resumed its usual quiet, A crowd of from 3,000 to 4,000 persons continued to search for the rioters, and to manifest the highest indignation. At a quarter-past six other parties made an attack On the sentries of the same etation. Two were arrested by the National Guard and were locked up in the barracks. The rioters will be brought before a court martial to-day. ‘The Empress has sent aletter of condolence and ald to the parents of the little girl who was killed Jast aight, The attitude of the populace is excellent. The Members of the Mobile and National Guards hastened to the ramparts, Le Temps this evening says the purpose of the last movement of the French forces is evident, The Prussians, numerically superior, wanted to inter- Pose between Our troops and thelr suppiies. This was defeated by the movement of the French, who repulsed an attack intended to prevent their crossing the Moselle. Our forces will now take up a strong position and prepare for a great batile, which is ardently awaited by the entirearmy. Pub- lic confdence here as to the result of a pitched bat- dle is very great. Ths Opinon Nationale ts the paper referred to by the Journal Oficiel as daring to question the condi- tion of the armament and fortifications of Paris. Tho Opinion acknowledges the receipt of a note from the Minister of the Interior, but declines to discuss it, as the city is under martial law. Arrivals from Metz report that the Prussians place administrative officiais in every French villago which is captured. Parties have been bronght before a council of war at Marseilles for circulating false news, All the evening Journals of Paris inéist on the speedy punishment of the rioters of the boulevard Villette, The public exasperation over the affair is imtense. The police in making arrests are assisted by the citizens. The Corps Légisiatif was not in session to-day, havingadjourned until to-morrow, in bonor of the Emperor’s7éte day. The newspapers explain that Nancy was given up to the Prussians because it was an open city, and the French troops retired to Toul, which, being a forti- fied place, gave them a better chance to resist we Prussian advance. Phaisbonrg, one of the frontier towns, still holds out, Prussiap reports to the contrary notwith- standing. . How and Where the Telegraph May Be Used. Paris, August 15, 1870. Asecond order relative to the use of the telegraph says:— ‘The French government has removed {ts interdict on the use of the telegraph in France. Private tele- grams may now be sent through and to all parts of the country, with the exception of the following de- artments:—Moseille, Bas-Bhin, Vosges, Haut-Rhin, jaut-Marne, Meurthe, Marne, Meuse and Haut- Saone. The important towns in these departments are Strasbourg, Nancy, Metz and Ohalons-sur-Marne, Messages for other parts of France wili be received as usual. PRUSSIAN REPORTS. wt King William and Victory at Metz—Exiles from Paris. BERLIN, August 15—Evening, The Queen of Prussia to-day received the fol- lowing despatch, dated in the vicinity of Metz, Sunday evening:— A victorious combat occurred near Metz to-day, the troops of the First 4na Seventh corps partici- pating. I hasten to the scene of the confict. WILLIAM. Hundreds of German families have been expelied from Paris. Many of these have just reached Co- logne. Subscriptions have been opened for their relief in different parts of Germany. ENGLISH REPORTS. SPECIAL TELEGRAMS TO THE HERA‘D. City Agitations and Riot tn France—“Down With the Emperor”’—Fatal Consequences The News from the Front. Loxpon, August 16—Noon. The pudlic agitation in the interior and cities of France increases, The street disturbances which occurred in Lyons and Marseilles, and which have been already noticed, were of a very serious charac ter at each piace. The crowds shouted out “A bas l’/Empereur.”” Three persons were killed in a riot which ensued. A great amonnt of rebellious feeling is manifested agalust Bonaparte, ‘ WILTENGEN a HEIMBACH J “pt” SEC “YY, i NAY My SRARBRUCKR ¥ FORBACH Z@im STAVOLD & ey Ga. FAULOQUEM DENZE SA ;RBOURG ACCARAY’ Fears of qonsiderable trouble during to-day (Mon- day) prevail in Paris, Lyons and Marseii tes, ‘The news from the seat of war adds to the uneasi- ness, a8 {6 has become known that the German troops held Pont-A-Mousson this morning. Prussian Aesault on the French West of the Moselle—A Rout With Great Slaughter—An Immense Prossian Army Crossing the French Frontier. LONDON, August 15--7 P. M. A special telegram from Forbach, which has just been received in this city, states that the French army, when retreating tothe west side of the Moselle river, Was attacked with great vigor by the Prussian troops of General Steinmetz’s corps, After a most impetuous assault by the Prussians the French army was thrown into great confusion and, having made a gallant stand against their enemy, Was routed witn great slaughter. A field telegram from Carisrale reports that the Prussians occupy Mulhause and Besangon, and that 100,000 men of the Prussian Landwehr are just cross- ing the French front Prussian Victory Again—Naval Ruyjes and the Blockade—The Telegraph Service from the Costinent—“ Swarming” Up the Moselle— What France Requires—* Poor Carlottn”— General Reports from the Front. Lonpon, August 15-6 P. M. A second pitched hattle is reported as having oc- cured near Metz this morning, in which the Prus- sians were victorious, The Prussians have arrived at Vigneul, a few miles from Metz, and are swarming up the Moseile. The French blew up two bridges at Vigneul to che. the rapid advance of the Germans, Ten days, and not fifteen, as at first reported, have been accorded neutral ships to quit German block- aded ports, The French administration have given notice that the transmission of ail private telegrams, both for and through France, is now suspended. Messages for Spain and Portugal may be transmitted outside of France by way of the Falmouth and Gibraitar cable. Adespatch of later date, on the same sublect, says:—“The French order in regard to the telegrams has been considerably modified, It is now an- nounced that private telegrams can be accepted for and through France except for the following depart- ments:—Moselle, Bas-Rhin, Vosges, Haute-Riin, Haute-Marne, Meurthe, Marne, Meuse, Haute- Saone.” It is sald the reason of the ex-Empress Carlotta has been reawakened by the great events now trans. piring on the Continent. She manifests the deepest interest in the war, Great events are expected at Ktel tmmediately, It is reported from Paris that, as the first panic over reverses to the Frencn disappears, confidence 1s re- turning. The Times of-day thus states the situatton:— France, dependent on the army, sees its foremost corps, through obiundering, driven back on the reserves, though only the first tine of the Germans has been engaged. The French show a desire to rely upon cavalry in modern warfare, Dr. Russell describes @ charge of the Eighth Cuirassiers on the Eightieth Prussian infantry. When whe French were at a distance of 100 yards they were exterminated by the Prussian fire, Thirty German ships which have taken refuge in the port of Faimouth, had a procession around the harbor on Saturday to the music of bands and with a general display of flags, # The Scotsman affirms that the Prince is in Lon- don. Tom ‘faylor writes to the Manchester Guardian, from the Continent, that England may renew her offer of mediation with a better prospect of success now that battles have been fought. Prince Murat, who was with Marshal MacMahon in the battle of Woerth, has brought his family to England and returned to the front. ‘The Orleans princes are eti!l in England, The French admit that the Prussians pay the country people for ail supplies, Pere Hyacinthe has volunteered as a private ina regiment for the defence of | aris, ‘The sale and circulation of English and Beigian journals is now prohibited in Paris, Private letters from Paris describe the Empress as sadly changed and worn by heavy days and sieep- less nights. All the French correspondents have returned to Paris, no opportunity being afforded them of ob- serving operations in the fleld, Letters from the seat of war notice that it ts the pratice of the Prussians, in an eugagement, to sta- tion sharpshooters on the right of each platoon to pick off French oMcers, The Prussian genera} headquarters last night were at Herry, on the Metz and Saarbruck Rallroad. The Prince Royal of Prussia, for bis victory at Wissembourg, hag received the order of the Jron Crown. AcespatedD from Cologne states that the Germans would have been compelled to leave Paris by the odtons and Lostile behavior of their French fellow workmen without an order from the government, Miltary Travel—Tbe Emperor and the Luxu- ries of Power—Pnris Hostile to Bonaparte— Hopeful of Conquest Over Prussia. LONpon, August 15, 1870, A special correspondent writes from Chalons, Frt- day:— All except military railway trains have been stopped. Canrobert Is back from Paris and has gone to Mew, (qUowibg Lis corps. vw 4 Se 7 7 — SANRUNIONC@) HAGUENAU yo PHALSBOURC@ BR ‘In a few Mob law prevails, Anybody in a biouse does what he likes, ‘The miittary trains are encumbered with enormous quantities of oMcers baggage, aud the supply trains are delayed. Thi trains have arrived from Meiz filled with the peror’s personal outtit, carriages, cooks, beds, sofas and other !uxuries, The soldiers, in the meantime, are on hatf rations. A special correspondence from Paris, Sunday evening, says public feeling 18 more and more hos- file tothe Emperor. {It is openly said tn the cafés, railway trains and public es that come what may the Emperor will never again be seen in Paris. The people express this opinion with energy, not now fearing the mouchards, The spies themselves must report that the opinion ts becoming universal, But “No surrender’ is the general cry among all classes, They call thé Emperor an ‘dmbecile’ and his generals ‘courtters and traltors;” bat the strong- est antt-imperialists say that of course the enemy must be driven out of France, and are under the fail Impression that the nation can and will conquer. The Opinion Nationale vs after What passed in the Chamber yesterday there ts already a change of government; that the Corps Légisiatif ig virtually @ Committee ot Public Safety, and that the power 1s transferred from the Tuileries to the Palais de Bourbon. A special correspondent from Hamburg writes, Friday:—The Cherbourg stories about the bombard- ment of Wilne!mshaven and the capture of two Prussian gunboats is false; and equally impossible are the French plans for bombarding Hamburg, Stettin and Koenigsberg, which the feet cannot approach while Kiel is perfectly defended, it is believed here that the French accounts are pub- lished for an effect in Germany. The Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin has been appointed commander of the Tenth corps, with his headquarters in Hamburg. I greatly doubt the reported retreat of the French main army from Metz upon Chalons to avoid battle. The pubiished telegrams to that eect seem intended to mislead, A special correspondent at Chalons, a French of™i- cer and not likely to be deceived about the move- ments of the French’ army, writes Friday mid- pight:— “Everything 1s being pushed forward to Metz. A telegram this evening from Canrobert, at Metz, says:—The army is quite ready and a decistye bat- tle whi be fought on Monday or Tuesday at the tatest, My informant {9 an employe tn the Military Bureau, who copied the telegram. But it ts belleved at Chalons the Prussians have other plans thay an attack on Metz in front,” In a postscript on Satur- day morning the same correspondent adds:—‘Ali the reserve infantry {s starting this moment for Metz, What has been sent back from Metz is baggage, not troops, A special correspondent telegraphs Monday noon from Luxembourg :—" The sound of cannon from Metz bas been heard ali the morning. Orders have been issued to stop all trains to Metz or Saarbruck. No communication by the road is permitted.” The same correspondent writes Saturday :— Every foreigner, without distinction, is ordered to leave Metz by Thursday. Arrests of correspondents continue incessantly. Mr. Cameron, representing a Scotch paper, was in imminent danger of being shot, and was only saved by a joint address of all the correspondents to the Emperor. The French are exasperated to the last degree, and there is no safety for any one except those actually with the staf. At the above mecting of the correspondents it was decided to destroy all papers except passports, The Luxembourg fortifications are rapidly being demolished, and laborers are being sent from Saar. bruck and elsewhere, The mines have been fired in every direction and the walla overthrown, but a jong time will be needed to make the fortress inde. fensible. A delayed letter from a special correspondent with the Prussian headquarters describes an inter- view with Bismarck at Mayence, Saturday week. Bismarck said, “We are much obliged to the French for leaving us time to get the whole army on the Rhine and thence to the frontier. days work will begin.” Speaking of the Germans in America, Bismarck acknowl- edged, in warm terms, the sympathy expressed there, From these and other letters it is clear the Prussians stop or delay ail correspondence from the front, On the French side the campaign against journal- ists has been more successful than against the Prussians, Rumore of Intervention. Lonvon, August 15—Midnignt. Rumors are renewed of an intervention of the Powers to bring about an armistice between Prussia and France. but are sconted as chimerical AUSTRIA. Still Neutral. VIENNA, August 15, 1870, The Austrian government denies having moved troops to the Transylvanian frontier, ae has recently been reported. THE SITUATION. Positions of the Bellizerenta. Our despatches this morning, in spite of thelr con- tradictions and confusions, give the positive In- formation that the main body of the French army has crossed the Mogelle river, uncovering Metz. This movement was made necessary py the advance of the Prussians on the right flank of thelr enemy. In military parlance the French have merely changed front, naturally yi ing some territory to the adversary in 80 doing, Bub it is uudeniaple if they bave suc been purely tactical, and not strategic as some sup- ore, I strategy was intended by the advance on the French right fank it has undoubtedly been folled. Nor have there been apy strategic opera tions on the part of the French, whose movements since the battle of Woerth have been wholly governed by the advance of the Prussians. By uncovering Metz the French have taken ue new line of defence im front of the Meuse river Doubtless their position extends along the hills which fritige the western boundary of the Moselle valley. Napoleon, at iast accounts, was at the for- tress of Verdun, which is situated on the Meuse, some thirty-tive miles west of Metz and 140 miles eastof Paris. The piace is also forty miles north- west of Toul, and is one of the second line of for- tresses In France planned and located by Vauban and others. Here the road leads direct to Chalons, and this would indicate @ purpose to continue the retreat to the line of the Marno in the event of de- feat. From the presence of Napoleon at Verdun we are inclined to the opinion that the left wing of the French army now rests on that place, the centre in front of St. Mihiel and the right wing either at Toul or directly in the rear, covering the railroad to Paris. This position is by no means formidavle for purely defensive parposes, as it can be turned on the right with comparative ease. But if it is the purpose of Napoleon to suddenly assume, the offensive the line ts‘undoubtedly gooa. It tanot unttkely, however, that another and a shorter Ine 1s Dow held by the French, viz., along the tier of bills woich leave the main line near the Vigneulles and pursue an easterly direction for several miles. Such a line would begin in the vicinity of Chambley and form a concave ending at Toul. But both flanks, or atanyrate tne left flank would be ex- posed and thus the supposition of wns hne '8 @ doubtful one, A strictly defensive battle along these hills has the advantage that the coun- try is traversed by numerous streams in front, most of which have their source in the biils. It would be very diMcult for the Prusslans to manqeuvre cavalry and artillery on this ground, and even infantry would be unpeded in an advance, as at some points there are small lakes and streams very close together, As we expected, Phalsbourg, In the Vosges, hag not surrendered to the Prussians, neither has Bitche, neither has Strasbourg, and we have no idea that any of them will surrender while their garrisons have provisio Mulhouse ts reported to have been occupied by the Prussians, and we regard the report as 6 6quite” possible notwithstanding the denial from Paris, But we are sanguine that the French still hold the fortress of Neuf-Brisach, on the Rhine, above Strasbourg, and Belfort we know is held bya portion of General Douay’s corps. Thus far, then, tie Prussians have advanced, leav- ing the fortresses in their rear, although, a3 we shall show further on, nothing at present threateus their line of communication and retreat. The map which we publish this morning shows the positions of importance held by both armies at the immediate scene of military operations. By this time the evtire German army must have crossed the Moselle, leaving a force to watch the garrison of Metz, and advanced upon the French line. Waat the Prussian order of battle 1s we have no means of knowing, and even thetr position 1s aiMenit to ascertain, itis, however, Ilkely that thelr line extends from Gorze, near the left bank of the Moselle, to Velawe, some roiies west of Nancy. We do not think tt probable that they will continue thelr danking movements. Like every other human thing flank movements have a limit, and those of the Prussians have nearly been reached. To the present time they nave moved on the flank, a8 much for the purpose of pro- tecting their rear as to force the enemy from his position, After capturing Wissembourg and defeating the French at Woerth, they opened a road into France. To keep that road open they are compelied to invest Strasbourg, Metz, Bitche, Phalsbourg, Neuf-Brisacn aud the smaller fortresses, which they probably have done by this time, But they cannot well extend their operations to Epinal, southeast of Nancy, and another movement on the right flank will throw open their rear and line of communication to the attacks of the , French cav- airy moving from Epinal. The chances are, there. fore, in favor of a general engagement. [t seems to us a necessity for the Prussians to defeat the French army, and not force tt to fall back upon the lime of the M. > unbroken, It must be borne in* mind that every mile that the Prussigns advance further into F, ance lengthens their line of communication, and covsequeniy weakens them, while the Frenci, falling back om their reserves, are directly strengthened. A great battle 1s consequently inevitable, and from the post Wen of the contending armies, the right wing of the Freneh army wt) bave to bear the brunt of the attack. WAR FEELING IN THE O:TY. Eighteenth Ward German Patriotic Ald So= ciety. The Germans tn the Eighteenth ward met last night at No. 200 Third avenue for the purpose of or ganizing an assoctation for the relief of the Germang who have suffered by the Franco-Prussian war. Albert Gottman called the meeting to order, and the following permanent officers were elected:—Philip Komp!, President; Peter Tholson, Vice President; T. G. Gels, Treasurer; W. FP, Buteuschon, Secretary, ‘The following gentlemen were appointed a financial committee to collect funds:—-Phillp Scomenger, Frederick Busch and Emil Krichmer, The treasurer offered to cuntribate $100, provided the association furnished 100 seoseribers of five dollars. The next meeting will be held on next Friday, The Twenty-second Ward Germans. The Germans of the Twenty-second ward held @ meeting last nigm at Washington Hall, in Elghth avenue, near Forty-elghth street, for the purpose of raising funds ta help their wounded countrym a to assist the widows and orphans of the who die ij battle. Frederick Kempf occupied the char, an: Ulrich Bishop was appointed treasurer, ‘There wi considerable discussion concerning the coilectin and disposal of money, and it was finally decide: to appuint an executive committee of seven, witht power to distribute subscription books to rellavle citizens, for whom the — committ would be responsible, Money thui collected will be given to the treasurer once a week, who willin turn give it to the German Cons sul, taking a receipt Jor the same. The folowing, gentiemen were appotnted on the commitice:—Colo- nel R. F. Waapshal, R. Tampenoeurs, Koch, Dr. Edward Bode, Ohatles Mack, Robert Greenenthal, William Egers. So far the association have been very successful, and have already collected over $400, German Veteran Association. A regular meeting of the German Veteran Patriog Association Was held last night at Walhalla Hall,, Nos. 60 and 5z Orchard street, Constantine Mitzsche, President, in the chatr, and Joseph Spangenberg,, seeretary. This association now numbers upwardg of one hundred regular active members, and each; successive meeting augments its numbers. The principal business of the evening was to appoint collectors, of Whom about twenty were appointed, and furnished with blanks. ‘They wilt collect tundd to ald the sick and wounded of the Prussian army. ‘The members of the assoctation are in the highest spirits and are sanguino of-an early terminatidn of the war. ‘ German Patriotic Aid Society. ‘ The General Committee of the German Patrioti Ald Society met last evening at Liederkranz Hai), im Fourth street, Mr. Hugo Wesendonck in the chair and Mr. ©. F. Petrasoh secretary. The assistant treasurer, Mr. Emil Sauer, made the ng} Te-) et:—Total amount of subscriptions, $62,959 843) tal amount collected, \$67,M7 $4. Expenditures— Sending phystctans to Europe, $2,678; printing, $636 60; cash on hand, $121 10; in German Ame! can Bank, $3,605 2454 vente the Nortu German, 0,0.0—to 7, oon motion It was carried that the Executive Com- mittee should appoint as many collectors as sibie, and Uiat the treasurer of each ward 01 an, tion be notified to give, not only the amount of tne, subscription, but aiso the =e individual sub= rs. “hea resolved that the Exetttive Committee cait’, meéetings to form branch organizations In wards where there are nune. A resolution was also adopted that the secretary’ correspond with the Consul General in regara to thet 400 German desiltate families expelled from Fraaca and now at Cologne, and that the Convention a Chicago be requested to Gevise some means to asé!se them. The meeting adjourned unui next Monda, evening, when a dednite plan of ory anization wit pe decided upow.