New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-01
A TALK WITH THE GERMAN EMPEROR.
WELI~INFoRMED ABOUT AMERICAN AFFAIBs-
TRIBUTES TO THE SOLDIERS AND GEN


TRIBUTES TO THE SOLDIERS AND GEN
ERALS OF THE WAR.
Poultney Biselow, who some fifteen years ago
D schoomatc Of Emperor william, sent TO "The
world Of Sunday an account If an interview he had
with the German monarch during long ride recently
Mr.. Btgelow says that the most striking feature OF
the conversation the Emrerors accurate kuowl
edge of American affairs and the history of this
country. He inquired particularly about President
Clsvcland's attitude the fisheries question. and
followed with appreciation all that told him about
American politics and campaign tactics In dis
cussing the fisheries quarrel says Mr. Bigelow, OF
course the Emperor was too diplomatic TO take any
side Is between England and the United States Per
sonally judged from my conversation with him that
his sympathies were strongly with the United sates''
Tho Emperur inquired about the condition OF the
regular army and intensely Interested when toid
of the thoroughness OF its organization in spite OF the
smallness Of its numbers. When told OF the eiciency
of the militia the Emperor said;
yes / know what all enormous number of troops
you kept In the field during your Clvh war IL Is
not likely that any country would llke 10 at'ehp'
serious attack upon you' The Emperor says MI
Bigelow, seems to appreciate in the highest manner
the feats of our soldiers In the Civil War Not only
did he seem 10 care about the subject but he showed
that he knew more about II than most young Amer
fcans Of this generation. asked him how IL was
possible for him 10 know so much about the DETAILS
of a war which took place 5000 miles away when ne
was a mere child. Well said the Emperor. i lis
tened to a long course Of lectures on the principal
battles of your Not only that but every winter
German officers gave similar lectures which attended
We are constantly going back to the examples set by
your Generals for illustrations of what should De done
Tor our soldiers. Your army has led the way In a
great many of the most important features OF modern
rarfare and can hardly exaggerate the debt
Of gratitude Germany owes TO your country
m this particular Incidentally the Emperor de-
elared that Count Motke, with whose opinions he was
familiar could never have said that the armies IN he
Civil War armed mObs.
@Your war; said the Emperor, gave splendid ex-
amples of great marching power The skill which
your troops showed in rapidly throwing up earth
works as soon as they reached the end Of their days
march before turning in for the night was emarks-
he The rough and ready manner In which your
men Jumped right into the night as soon a. they
reached the ground, not waiting for anything, put
going the enemy wherever he could De fOunu, even
though at the end of long days march-ihat was
splendid. You had two great generals on the Ooi-
federate side whose careers / have read win nuch
interest-I mean Lee and Stuart-whle on Inc North
ern side Sheridan the General whose WORK as a
cavalry officer is of the greatest service 10 US your
cavalry operations. in my judgment, are the most
remarkable features Of your great war owing largely
10 the brliancy Of Stuart and sheridan"
Mr.. BigelOw says that the kmperOrs left arm Is
strong enough TO hold the relns OF his horse, ana
with strapped his side he could thrash most men
his age, and the trouble OF the ear NOM WHICH ne
suffers has been greatly exaggerated