The New York herald., 1875-09-19
Playing ut war in Germany.

Playing at War in Germany.
The map of Europe is covered so thickly
with the names OF battlefelds that it re-
sembles palimpsest or parchment on which
the original writing has been obliterated by
other writing, which has crossed and re-
crossed it till it is like a ladys letter.
You cannot write the name of new battle
on that famous map without invading the
space of an old one. All the plains Of Ger
many especially are historic, but there is no
ground more profoundly interesting in the
annals Of war than that which surrounds the
town of Liegnitz in Silesia. This is an ancient
town, which has been for centuries the scene
of contending legions In the neighborhood,
more than six hundred years ago, was fought
by its Polish rulers a great battle with the
Mongols. Frederick the Great there defeated
the Austrians on August Is, 1760 and
Blucher on the banks Of it's river, the Katz-
bach, won a victory over the French, August
26, 1913. AS for other battles fought there
about, they are too numerous to mention, and
probably more than half Will remain forgot
ten until the slaughtered armies shalr rise at
the resurrection. But Liegnitz is endeared
to Prussia by many modern memories, ever
since Frederick the Great rudely robbed the
Austrian of Silesia.
This territory was, therefore, well chosen as
the scene Of the great autumn maneuvres of
the Prussian army-those mimic battles which
are described to-day by our special cable
dispatches from Liegnitz and illustrated by
our map. 1t is sacred ground to the German
soldier. 1t is full of inspiration to the COM
mander. For those heights and valleys Of the
Katzbach are not new theatres Of war; as were
the fields of Gettysburg and the glooms of
the Virginia Wilderness to us, but scenes
made familiar by the conflicts of history
Every road, vale, stream, hill or forest,
bridge or ford around Liegnitz is known to
the Prussian general, so that the country is
laid out before him like q chessboard, upon
which he is to display his genius for
defence or attack The manGuvres of
the two great army corps, last
week, might indeed be compared to the
playing over again, for the hundreth time,
some celebrated game of chess and studying
its variations. No absolutely new plans of
attack or defence could be invented, but
each commander could apply the new theo-
ries of war and the new resources of armies
to the solution of an ancient military prob
lem The experiment, according to our well
informed correspondent, was completely sue
cessful. One army defended the heights
near Rothlirch gallantly, but the other, at
the end of six days mannuvring,
triumphantly won. The valley of the Oder
was dark with smoke by day and red with
camp fires at night rivers were crossed,
bridges built suddenly, assaults and flank
movements were made the Emperor rode
like a mortal Providence, secure between
the contending hosts the foreign Ambassa-
dors trembled, and both armies embraced mt
the end of the brief campaign and swore
eternal brotherhood.
Happy would it be for Germany if all her
wars were to achieve bloodless glories like
these if her fair haired heroes should here
after only play with the iron blade of Her
mann, as the Cupids in the old picture
wreath the sword of Mars with flowers.
But this cannot be. Beneath the splendor
Of such royal games dark purposes are hid
den. Real wars, fierce, merciless colossal,
were rehearsed in these magnificent maneu-
vres Already the mulled beat Of drums,
and the far-oR tramp Of approaching armies
come family from future Europe, and
many q gallant soldier whose heart beat
high at Liegnitz, when he won the ap-
proval Of his Emperor, is already marked
by fate as the prey Of the yulture and the
wolf