General Trochu is building such works below Mont Val6rien that
the German leaders are unable to account for them, and the favourite theory in Versailles and Berlin is that he intends to abandon Paris, and retire with his army to the entrenched camp. Paris would then be left to the National Guard, who would surrender when provisions were exhausted, while Trochu would hold his new Met; say for six months longer. The idea is a bold one, as King William could hardly starve two millions of unresist-
ing Parisians without bringing down on himself the hostility of the neutral Powers ; but it is equally possible that the works are intended to cover a movement to the Southwards, to be made whenever General Chanzy appears upon the scene, and it is even possible that they may be intended to shelter a relieving army. The first theory is only supported by the popular idea of approaching famine in Paris, which is not yet proved by evidence.
