New-York tribune., 1878-01-22
BRITISH TOPICS.

STATEMENT REfUTFD by TIE CONDUIT Of me
REPUBLICANS DURING THE LATE CRISIS.
fFROM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRBUSF.l
LONDON, Jan. 0-Mr. Forbes arrived in London
last Saturday. The fever has proved too much even
for his iron constitution, and not less iron will
Upon his arrival in Bucharest just after the fall OF
Plevna, his physician ordered him home. by way
making the journey easy, Mr. Forbes took trip to
Moscow and ST. Petersburg to the return of the
Emperor From st. Petersburg he sent home bril-
liant dispatch, but it was the last effort OF man
who had overasked his strength, and he was reluc-
family obliged to confess that there was limit to his
powers of endurance. Mr.. Forbes's name is as well
known in st. Petersburg in London, and through
out Russia as throughout Great Britain; perhaps
better, for the idea of the anonymous in journalism
does not prevail in Russia any more than in other
continental countries. His splendid testimony to the
vaOr of the Russian soldier and his impartial crit
csm the mistakes of the Russian staff, had been
published in every Muscovte newspaper and read
by everybody who read; very considerable
minority Of the Emperors subjects. So he found
himself surrounded by friends and admirers. lnv-
tations and hospitalites of all sorts raned about
him; he might have been lionzed for weeks In the
Russian capital rs he had IN the Engsh But again
the doctor nterposed; and his advice was rein
forced by that of the wisest of all doctors, which
every man carries inside of himself Mr. Forbes
had to quit st. Petersburg he had quilted
Bucharest and come back to London and to what
he calls rest. His idea of rest is to start on lectur-
ing tour all over England and Scotland. For mo-
ment he thought of going to the United STATES,
where he would have had, | am sure, hearty wei
come. But the friends whom he consulted thought
il was too late in the season, and so that
project was given up, or, perhaps, only postponed
till next Autumn. His lecture will not have the war
for its subject, but Mr.. FOrbess personal expert
ence a war correspondent, a much more novel
and interesting topic The address he gave last
month at the Crystal Palace will form the sub
stance of the future series. If, however, the war
should once more look threatening Or per
haps | should say promising, the lectures will
swiftly be dropped, and the correspondent VIII be
once more in the saddle Neither in st. Petersburg
nor in Bucharest does the famous article IN the
Nineteenth Ceatury seem to have been remembered
against him.
The mention of that periodical reminds me that a
word ought to he said about Sir Garnet Nolseleys
paper in its January number on France rs Mill
tary Power" don't presume to criticise the mill
tary part of Sir Garnet's work competent men are
agreed that he is a competent writer on the techni
cal part of his trade, and that this particular
treatise is not without value But It's distinguished
author has not stuck TO bis text. lie has
dealt with politics here and there. and his
politics are foolish. II appears, moreover,
that Sir Garnet Wosclcy has prejudice
against Republican nstiutions-a prejudice 50
strong that it leads him TO very strange Ian
guaec indeed. He expresses a doubt whether, II
the majority of the French Chamber obtain the
control of military affairs, II VIII carry out par,
tcular law. touching the army lmparially, or VIII
not rather "use u rs cover for KcpuhIcan jon.
berry, regardless of The interests 9i the army
Further ON. he declares II impossible To predict
whether Marshal MacMahon will or Will not succeed
in keeping the management Oi military affairs out
of the domain of party politics. SIR Garnet Nol,e-
ley really docs not seem 10 be aware that II Is tie
Republicans. win have been STRIVING to Keep TIE
army out of politics, and Marshal Mac Mahon ana
hls late Ministers who sought tO use the army for
political purposes, and 70 use t illegally.
Did he never hear of tie scene in the Chamber of
Deputies, on the 10Th Of last Novcmbcri 1t was
the last of the great four days debate with which
that memorable session opened. NJ. Gambctta had
spoken. In the course Of his speech he had read a
confidential military circular informing the SUBJ
officer of the Fourteenth Legion that in the elections
.of October II they had to choose between Marshal
MacMahon and the Republic, with all It's conse-
qiIcnces the consequences being the suppression
OF the army and of all forces for keeping order"
The then Minister Of War. General Berthaut.
believing himself accused of tho authorship OF
that circular, mounted the tribune 10 deny
that he had written IT, VI. Gamhctta explained
that the circular came from field officer and that
lie had not accused General Bcrthaut, whom hc
knew 10 be- incapable of committing 80 shameful an
act But General Bcrhaut WAS none the less deter
mined TO make his own view clear at moment
when the air was full OF threats of a coup d 6ta
"The duties of The gendarmcne" said the loyal |
old soldier, "are settled by the regulation OF is?i
and whatever inquiry You make, you VIII hnd that
have invariably directed the army to be kept aloof
from all political interference" The sensation
these icT W"a PiSfg" ScJS" tHat h So ong as General
Bcrthaut was War Minister the army should hot be
used 10 overthrow Parliamentary majority.
Now how was that pledge rec"iycdl Let Sir
Garnet Wolsoley take note. General Berthaut was
n member, it is true. of the 10th Of May Cabinet
All his colleagues sat facing him as he spoke, and
they wore the faces OF death his words fell on
them. Ii was liyid despair which oyersprcad them
All the Right sat about them and neither from amy
Minister nor from amy OF their supporters came
n single expression of approval or adhesion They !
were dumb. But the Left the great Republican
majority of the Chamber, which sir Garnet
Wolscley fears may mix politics with military
affairs, burst into storm OF applause AS
General Berthaut down the steps OF the tribune
the 800 Republican representatives OF Rcpuhhcan |
France at him, great cry OF admiration hlled
the hall, and the men, who n moment before had
seen in General Berthaut an opponcnt and the tool
of a political faction, sauted him standing, with
claiming Of hands, and wild hurrahs AGAIN ana |
again repeated, TILL he had reached his seat and long
after he had reached IT. Among ail ihe scenes OF
those evcntiul four days-days oi excitement or
parallel to which you must go back To me convention
there was but one comparable 10 this
in the intensity of the feeling shown; |
NJ. Gambetta's speech, magnificent as u was, had
reused nothing like the enthusiasm OF 6eneri Der
thant's few simple words. II SIR Garnet WolSeley
will take the trouble to understand Why, lie may |
say himself from mourning second time the rdl-
cule which attaches To a display of ignorance on |
tonic Inc was not requested To discuss, indeed, he
must be the only man in England who was unaware |
that the guilt of using the French Army ~ politi
cal instrument for resisting the will of the Nation
could have been incurred if at all, by the minority,
and by the minority only and by the Cabal OF the
10Th of Nav was in fact contemplated and intended