Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-10-20
BAZAINE.
r - r-.es I-r-T aacraT r.
Conclusion af the Examination Of the
Narshal-A Rather singular
Position.
Assumption of Responsibility as the
Representative of France-The
Regnier Combination.

PANS. October it.-The trial of Mar.
shal Bazaine was resumed to-day. The
president Of the court asked why only
two dispatches, one on September 18th
and the other on October 2fst, were sent
by the marshal to the government of
national defense. Bazaine replied that
he had received none of that govern
ments communications. In answer to
other questions be stated that on send
ing General Bourbaki TO the empress he
sent him to the one who in bis view was
! the only representative Of the govern
ment, and that he had received no ofii-
cisl Information OF the general elections.
! The president said that the marshal's
intention OF reaching Thienviile did not
sgree with his theory that after the sur
/ render OF Sedan a sortie from Metz waa
impossible, and he put the question
I whether or not the marshal had agreed
I with the Prussians to cease offensive
movements from the time OF Bourbaki's
departure. BaEaine replied by pointing
( TO the subsequent engagements Of Sep
tember aud October. = -
! President Why was there no serious
engagement for the purpose ofsuppOrting
/ negotiations of the government of na-
4 tiOnal defenee9
( Bazaine-Our sick and wounded pre-
/ vented; such an excuse would have
used up the army, while the enemy
were all the time being reinforced.
The marshal ma ntained that his offer
on the twenty-ninth of September to
/ General Steihle to capitulate was a ruse.
Ia regard to the convention which he
subsequently, concluded with the Ger
mans, ne said, MY position was unpre-
eedented; / wSs in 8 certain sense my
own government. The duties Of mill
tary chief when legal government ex-
lists are strictly defined. / by no
means admit that to be the case in pres
ence OF an insuTrectiOnaTy government;
there was then no government; then
nothing
PresideRt-What France then no
longer existed. (Sensstion).
BaZaine in, explanation ofthe previous
answer said in using the words to obtain
the treaty for the army lie meant
to obtain an armistice for the purpose of
establishing regular government. He
protested against an assertion made ny
the president of the court that his, (Ba-
zsine's) phrase "the army would main
tain order inside the city," was an aIlu-
sion to the civil war. He declared that
his proposals were misunderstood. He
never at any time treated RegLier's
mission seriously.
The President-All the steps taken at
this period, and Overtures to aud COM
municatiOns with the Germans were
must serious, when thinking admirably
OF the army which you might have led
to the last extremity; | hope you have
weighed well all the results of the
proposed convention?
BSzsiDe reiterated that his motives
were misunderstood and his proposals
mIsinterpreted.
The sitting was here temporarily sus-
pended amid tne utmost excitement
On resumption Of the proceedings, and
the prisoner being further interrogsted, /
stated that the commandant Of the /
corps WIS aware Of the Regnier affair |
although ii wGs not mentioned in the |
co neil Of war held on the tenth of Oc- |
tOber. He considered, however, that 1
sec resy in his negotiations with the Ger (
mans was his duty.
The President am compelled to ask \
you whether all your acts and thoughts /
were for your country and the army?
Bazaine-They were. 1 always acted /
honestly and according to the dictates |
of my conscience.
Being asked the object of General /
Bayer's journey to England about the |
nineteenth of October, the accused said /
he hoped the empress would obtain he .
conclusion the convention, especially /
IL she could be induced to come to Metz |
The president reminded the ac- /
cused OF his military oath, aud I
asked him whether he observed the 4
regulations forbidding espitulation in /
open field. Bazaine pleaded as justifi- !
cation the existence Of an instructions !
AIRY government.
The Presideut-Does the imperial con- I
stitution, to which you considered it |
your duty to remain faithful, authorize I
negotiation and treating with an enemy |
as you did?
The marshal replied that it did not |
He maintained that capitulatiOn was /
compulsory, and that be had resisted to |
the last, not having a mOrsel of bread. I
At this point the sitting was adjourned /
The room was crowded, and there were |
frequent scenes of excitement. The ac- |
cused was embarrassed in manner, and |
often hesitated in making his replies to /
the searching interrOgatiOns of the court. /
On the inquiry why he did not destroy !
the forts before suIrenderiDg, the mar
hal said he feared the enemy would |
take revenge and besiege.
The Duke D'Aumale, president Of the
court, asked what greater rigor could the
enemy have shown than was shown.
de said such destruction was unexpect-
&c, and he thought that Metz would 4
hold her own during the struggle, but 1
mis- best judgment had proven a M s.
take.
This concludes the examination of the
rlarshal.