New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-21
MARSHAL B.,ZAINE AND HIS ACCUSERS
The conduct of Marshal BaZaine while COM

The conduct of Marshal Bazaine while COM
handing the Army of the Rhine has been the subject OF
several communications to the French and Belgian jour-
nails The case OF his is placed In ts most au-
thortatve form In report dated October %, and adj
dressed the French Government by E. de vslcour an
officer OF the Mobile Guard, staehe at the general head
quarter. of the Army of the Rhine. This report is d.
vded into parts, the first relating to the military,
and the second TO the political question.
The following is an extract from the second part:
"As early the 10Th OF October order of the day
read 10 the officers announcing 10 them that treaty
OF peace about TO be concluded between France and
Prussia; that the Empress Regent was 70 oe re.
lastly that the army itself would be ordered to march on
the rebeiOus cities would subdue them and protect the
meeting Of the former Chambers at Toulouse; and that
these Chambers would rafy the treaty OF peace con-
cluded with the Prussans-a treaty the conditions OF
which. will be readily understood, not communi
Gated 10 the soldiers.
Unfortunately for Bszaine's plan, the adhesion OF
King Williams Government was ets certain than 1t was
at first believed 20 he. BaZaine-wishing 10 surrender
the army and not the fortress over which he had only
rior commanderPnnce Frederick Charles declared at
and that he would only accept double capltuation,
comprising both the Army OF the Rhine that is, 10000
men ready for Immediate acton and the city and Tor
"on the 2ist the news arrived Of the failure Of the
Bazane attempted for the first time. to communicate
with the Government of the National Defense the exist
Of which until then he had never acknowledged"
ITO To Teeapituste GSrssi Bananes cOnduc. during
battle Of the 18th Of August saint Privat TN found
ing statements on the aforementioned facts, We
shall say:
al That the Marshal the 18th of August never
attempted any sore OF serons character and thai his
attempts Prussian lines made only In
order that they might arward ~ his country and
in history as excuses for his conduct.
az That the Marshal would not attempt supreme
effort which, in OF success, would have greatly
disorganized his splendid army and which would no
Ion ger have allowed him, the Chef OF the
Army Of the Rhine 10 be the arbitrator OF the political
destinies Of France. .
Defense and sought up 10 the very last 70 collect
remnants Of the Bonapartst power with the view OF
establishing Third Empire.
~. Once convinced that he could only bring France
and Prussans also TO adopt ideas OF BOnapartst
restoration by adding the disaster OF the captulaOn OF
Metz 20 the other misfortunes which were already
weighing down unhappy country, the Marshal made
il his business 10 hasten the hour OF surrender.
To do this be refused IL diminish In good time the
which composed his cavalry and horsed his artillery
without any kind OF food instead OF takrg measures for
making the he had still in hand the LIST OF
September when he made his final great sotie, last
long as possible Also after many delays did he consent
10 lessen the food ratiOns and that too, at time when
this measure could be Of very slight use as the
quantity OF provisions 10 which II could be applied was
very small.
"5 In fact, Marshal Bazane acted In every way with
ter OF the political situation In France and, believing
he could make OF the Prussans 10 assist him IA
the execution OF his ambitious designs he Willingly
ND the town and fortress OF Metz well the
French army-ll0,OCo men-encamped within the en-
trenchmeIts,"