The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-06-03 00:00:00

GENERAL CHANGARNIER IN THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

In the National Assembly, on Monday, General
Changarnier, who was inaudible, except close to the
Tribune, around which many deputies collected, sup-
ported a petition demanding an inquiry into the capitu-
lation of Metz. He paid a handsome compliment to
the army, and said that France might be proud of
Horny and Gravelotte, but he blamed Marshal Herein's
for not having laid in many months' provistions, and
also for not making a vigorous' sortie. A general with
• clear idea and • ',solute heart was not wont to con.
suit aides-de-camp, and he thought it an immense
calamity that Bazaine adopted the advice of the
majority of the Council of War.
General Changarnier wept while alluding to his mirk
lion to l'rince Frederick Charles. He fully acquitted
Bszaine of having intentionally and systematically
compassed the ruin of the army, but maintained that
he had made mistakes.
M. Thiers said that Bassin° had commissioned him
to press for an inquiry, and he thought it but justice to
grant hisrequest.
General Letlo, the War Minister, opposed an in-
quiry, on the ground that the articles of war provided
that any general surrendering • strong place before
the siege had advanced to • certain period should be
tried. It was his duty and determination to bring to
a court-martial not only Bazaine, but the defenders of
other places, including Paris—(sensation)—and he
should have done so before but for the eventa which
had occurred. He therefore moved the previoua ques-
tion.

M. Gliand said public opLaion accused Marshal
Helaine of acting for • political purpose. That was
not a military question, but one for Parliamentary
inquiry. (Applause on the Left.) Nevertheless, the
petition was ehelved by order of the days
In answer to the Duke d'Audriff et, Picard said that
the Government felt obliged for having its attention
called to the elections for vacant leafy, which had only
been postponed by the force of events. He promised
positive answer within three or four days. General
'haat' pressed for a oonskierstion of the postponed

—MOtiOV-a, ior an inquiry into the Acta of the Govern.
went of National Defence, and the matter was put on
the order of the day for to-morrow.

The correspondent of the Daily News gives the
following sketch of the above scene in the National
AKteuibly :
But It was on a petition that the row royal arose--4 pad-
tion from an engineer captain that an it q airy should be
Instituted Into the Mlles of the capitulation of Metz, and
the conduct of the generale on that Declaim. The C.ommia
don proposed to send this petition to the Minister of W. 1..
Two soldiers sprang to their feet—Generals Chareton
and Changan:der; both claimed to speak. The former
It seemed had the word," the French equivalent for
" Catching the Opeaker's eye," and, mounting the tribune,
he declaimed, with many gestures, how that under
the First Empire there existed • law which autho-
rised a councli of war to sentence to death the governors of
fortresses surrendering belore extreme compulsion. Where-
upon, contended General Charefon, the deputy of the Assem-
bly was to throw over this demand for an inquiry, and simply
enjoin the titillates. of War to admbrister the law nibs had
It laid down to him. The reporting member of the Com-
mission adhered to his .is. of the case. Then white-
haired old Major Fendennte Chanearnter minced gingerly
up the steps, and made the modest request that the
Assembly would grant him three-quarters of an hour
to give a succinct explanation of what had occurred
within the wall. of Meta, welling that in that
space of time he could prove that the army of Metz had
been vilely calumniated. A long speech from Changarnier
was • thing to be shuddered at by an Assembly which had
already eat and pretended to do buainees for threaqtrartere
of an hour; so Chansaroler and the Metz questions were
formally shunted till Monday. More reports were read on
petitions, mostly of the most frivolone character, and the
Assembly, exhausted, no doubt, by Re Herculean taboo's, yet
complacent, not unnaturally, In the COINti011.“11 of haring
done more than no average god day'. work, adjourned at
halt-past five. Think ot that, ye senatora of England !