Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-09-18

% THE FIRST INSTALLING Mt Of the history Of
the late Franco PNssian war by the historl-
cal division Of the German Chief STAFF, which
Is merely roundabout way for saying by
Won MOltkc has Just been published 10 Eu-
rope. The first chapter gives an account OF
the causcs that led 10 the war from the Ger
man standpoint. The second treats Of the
French army-its plan of operation, &c. The
third deals with the navy Of France, and the
fourth describes the German plan Of opera
lions, and their march forward up to the 30th
Of July. Won MOltkes description OF the
French army at the beginning Of the war
will not only give good idea of the work,
but, inAsmuch as 1t Is unquestlonably true,
will serve to explain what seemed so unac-
eOuutable at the time, the defeat Of France
and the complete overthrow of the Empirei
1.-THE internal condition OF the army was
suffering from many grave defects, Even in the
Judgment Of his own oountTymen the French
soldier was not at the outbreak OF the war what
he had been In the Orimean war and 10 Italy.
The law with regard 10 reserves aud bounty
had worked dlsadyantageously upon him. 1t
permitted substitution TO an excessive degree.
For example, In q contingent OF 10000 men Of
the year lsgl alone there were tAO9O snDstlI9tes'
whose quality Is known by experience 70 dete:
TiOTato with increased length Of service. And
also extended furlough for u longer period,
which were unknown at m earlier time, were
described by French authorities as preIudiclAl
to military discipline. In addition, the corps OF
non. commissioned OfiiceTs no longer stood At It's
early excellence There were In many Tegi.
ments Hefgeants who had discharged their
duties for eleven years and upwards without a
prospect OF promotion or Of the AlleylatiOn OF an
existence that had been sacrificed 10 the country
almost In uninterrupted conflicts. Many good
elements Of the corps accordingly sought In
civil employment a more TemuneTatlyo Ocoupa-
ton. The corps Of officers In like manner was
lust as little composed Of homogeneous ela-
ments. Almost one third Of them had risen
from the nOnoOmmlssioned officers.
"As the younger Ofnoers did not devote their
whole strength 10 the service, the older subal
tern officers stood IN sharp contrast 70 them.
They formed, on the average, the best element
Of the army. Rich experiences and valuable
qualities, Tipsnod In the different campaigns OF
But the prevalent fayoritism often Of deeply
compromised persons, Justly irTitated them, and
opened up 10 them but slight prospects for the
| future, Nevertheless an Increased mental &C
tiylty had displayed Itself In this class since the
| year 1850, and II was those very otnoers who
most sought on tho battle helds OF France to
wash out with their blood faults for which they
were not responsible. The came system OF IA
vOTltism had brought 10 high places many ele'
lnents, which were not equal 10 the tasks I'm
else whore II has force, Its unhealthy influences
In addition, the political position OF parties
came into consideration. BY the constant change
Of tho form Of government that fidelity and ud.
herenoo TO hereditary house Of rulers in the
army as we'll as 10 tho nation generally, which
lions OF public affairs were lost, The French
officer and even tho private soldier serves his
country, and serves II with devotion and sell.
sacrifice, but ho does not hold on 10 the chang