On the other hand, the time allowed to the great
Frenchman to make his army, equip it, and crash with it through the enemy's lines grows fearfully short. The same correspondent, after a painful calculation, believes that Paris can get on easily as to food till November 10, uneasily till December?, and amid painful suffer- ing till December 15. That means that Trochu must win or sur- render in five weeks, for he must have supplies for his army if he takes it outside, and must keep a week's food in reserve if Paris is not to perish of starvation before England, which we can see will have to feed her if she falls, can reach her even with flour. This is quick work, when we consider the task to be performed ; the absence of artillery officers to train the gunners, and the desperate tenacity with which the Germans will hold every position. If there were six months' food in Paris, General Trochu might win ; but it looks as if there were not two, and the weak die quick on low rations. Fortunately there is no end to the wine.
