New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-18


CONVENIENT or NATIONAL DEFENSE - WHY
THERE WAS NO SERIOUS ENGAGEMENT AFrEF
THE SURRENDER AT SEDAN.
PARIS Friday, Oct IT. 1879.
The trial Of Marshal Bazaine wac resumed at noon
to-day.
Tho President Of the Court, the Duke dAumale
continued his interrogation Of the accused Tic
asked why only two dispatches, one on the 18th OF
september and the other Oh the Dist of October,
were sent by the Marshal to the Government OF Ma
tlonal Defense Bazane replied that he had re-
celyed none Of that Governments communications.
In answer to other questions, he stated that in
sending Gen. Bourbaki TO the Empress he sent him
10 the one who in his view, was the only representa-
tive OF tho Government He had received no official
information of the general elections.
The President said the Marshaps intention of
reaching Thionville did not agree with his theory
that after the surrender of Sedan sOrtie from Metz
was impossible, and he put the question whether
or not the Marshal had agreed with the Prussians to
cease offensive movements from the time Of Bour-
bakis departure
Bazaine replied by pointing TO the subsequent en-
gagements in September and October.
The President asked why wac there no serious
engagement for the purpose of supporting the nego-
tiations Of the Govpnmentof National DefenseP
Bazaine replied "0ur sick and wounded pre-
vented such course would have used up the army,
while the enemy were all the time being reinforced"
The Marshal said that his offer on the 18th of Sep
telnber to Gen. Sickle to capitulate a In
regard TO the convention which he sub
sequently concluded with the Germans,
he said: Ny position wac unprecedented.
was in certain sense my own government The
duties Of military chief when legal government
axiatu - aim
that to be the case 10 presence Of insuectonary
government. There was then no government; there
was nothing
The President exclaimed: What France then
no longer existedp sensation.
Bazaine, in explanation of previous answer, said
III using the words to obtain neutrality for the
army he meant to obtain an armstice for Che
purpose Of establishing a regular Government.
He protested against assertion made by the
President of the Court that his lBazaines) phrase,
"the army would maintain order inside the city, was
an illusion to civil war He declared that his pro-
posalswere misunderstood. lie never at any time
treated Regniers mission seriously. The
President said: "Al the steps taken at
this period, oyertures TO and communications
with the Germans were most serious.
when thinking of the admirable army which you
might have led to the last extremity, hope You
weighed well all the results of the proposed conven-
tom
Bazaino reiterated that Lie motives were msun-
derstood and his proposals miauterprctod.
The sitting waa here temporarily suspended, amid
the utmost excitement
On the resumption Of proceedings the prisoner,
being further Intercepted. stated that the COM
mandans of corps aware of the Regnier affair,
although it was not mentioned in the council Of
war held on the 10th Of October He considered,
however, that secrecy ia ms negotiations with the
Germans was his duty
The President remarked: 81 am compelled to ask
you whether all your acts ana thoughts were for
your country and the armyT
Bazaine replied: They were: I always acted
honestly. according TO the dictates Of my con-
science"
Being asked the object Of Gen Boyors Journey to
England about the 18th Of October the accused said
he hoped the Empress would obtain the conclusion
of a convention especially if she could be induced
to come ia Metz
The President reminded the accused of his mill
tary oath. and asked him whether he observed the
regulations forbidding captulation in the open
field.
Bazaino pleaded as justification the existence Of
a insurrectIonary Government.
The President asked " Docs the Imperial Consti-
tuition to which you considered it your duty to re-
main faithful. authorize negotiating and treating
with the enemy az you ddY'
The Marshal replied that it did not He main
tanned that the captulation was compulsory. He
had resisted to the last not having even norse of
bread left.
At this point the sitting was adjourned. The
courtroom was crowded and there were frequent
scenes of excitement. The accused was embarrassed
in manner, and often hesitated in making his re-
plies 10 the searching interogatores OF the court