Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-09-03
THEIRS ON THE WAR.


France Not Ready for the Conflict
The Government Accused of In
capacity
In the session Of the Corps Legislatf
on the 18th ult., as briefly summarized
by cable, NJ Keratry demanded a parlia-
mentary inquiry on the war, which was
not conceded, and NJ. Guyot-Montpay-
roux inquired who was in command Of
the army. Count Palikao answered,
Bazaine, and then NJ. Theirs arose. His
speech, which is now of special signifi-
canoe, as he has been since Wednesday
a member of the Committee of Defense,
was as follows:
II apologize to the Chambers for in
iervening in this discussion. / do so
only to calm the emotion Of all by dehn-
ing the question at issue. The Minister
of War, in telling the Chamber who com
mands the army, has recognized right
belonging to the Chamber, always incon-
testable, and which it is urgently neces-
sary to exetcise at present. Tres bien,
Tres bieR. Yes, the country must know
that the Chamber is acting with vigilance
and tkat it renonnces no part Of the
power which it desires it should literally
command. Warm applause from the
left | have rejected the proposition OF
NJ Keratry, because in the agitation Of
the momeat we cannot be just tires bien,
tres bien ], and next, because Marshal
Lebeuf, whom / respect personally, but
whose blindness | deplore, is no longer
Major General; he is in the field, and we
should be silent for the moment.
Renewed appreciation But il must not
be concluded from our attitude that we
are indulgent towardthe blindness which
gave us war. The world is surprised at
our disasters, fact at once cruel and
consoling to us. When we were fighting
against the coalition we were exposed to
defeat, but the greatness of the conflict
preserved the national honor. To-day
we are contending only with one power,
and the world is astonished at our re-
verses. What is the explanation Of
this2 France was not ready (Cest
rraii Tres bienl tres blend Fifteen
days ago ] did not say all. [Interrup-
ton ! could not say all had for
nal proof that France was not ready.
Noise. never did a more patriotic
act in my life than on that day. Zap
plause on the left mol France was
not ready, and it is more important that
It should be known. 1t is the only ex-
PLANTATION Of our reverses. II was the
strongest motive | had for opposing the
war. MOI we were not ready. | told
the ministers so, and that is why de-
plorcd the vote for war. Well, gentle
men, pray you, supplicate you, that
your attitude now shall mean this; We
are not calm enough 10 be just we dc
not desire to withdraw a single brave
soldier from the field, but we do not con
vey that France was in our opinion
ready"
Count De La Tour-She was not but
she is going TO be.
NJ. Thiers-What other explanation
can be given for recent events than this
France was not ready, and the govern.
ment was incapable 2 interruption.
If you wish TO shield these men, you
compromise the country, Tres bieR
Tres bien ! do not desire TO over
wheimn unfortunate men and add 10 the
sorrow which must FIJI their hearts but
men must not be defended at the ex-
pense Of the country Applause on
several benches
NJ. Haentjens-No one defends them
NJ. Jourdain-This is not a time fol
determinations il is a time for action
Noise
NJ Thiers-Once more ] ask the cham
tl;s- -. TO make the world believe thai
France was ready. France and al
nations sex the heroism Of our soldiers
but there was absolute incapaciiy m the
management Of Affairs. Let Us moi
weaken an explanation which shields rs
In the eyes e the world. Renewed ap-
plauso on the left
The presidehi-fhe incident Is closed
The chamber proceeded TO consider
he question Of arning the national
guard