The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-26
MOLTKE's BIRTHDAY.

-Chas. j. BOatner.
MOLTKE's BIRTHDAY.
A unique celebration is in progress in
Germany to-day. The occasion is the
ninetleth anniversary of the the birth oil
Helmuth, Karl Bernhard Won Moltke,
field marshal OF the empire, and by i'm
perial decree the day is being observed
all over the, empire as q festival. A
royal messenger was dispatched the
first Of last week to Kreisau, in Silesia,
where, in quiet little valley three miles
from Schweidnitz, the old warrior has
his home, with instructions to escort
Count Won Moltke to Berlin, where he
will be the guest of the emperor, whose
father owed so much of his success as
ruler to the veteran. Indeed, but for
Moltke's talent as soldier and Bis
marck's genius for diplomacy it is
scarcely possible that the German en-
pire would occupy the high position
among the nations that is accorded to it.
Moltke's experience with war began
when he was but six years old, when his
fathers home was burned by the SOL
diers Of the first Napoleon. At Il he
began his military studies at the Danish
academy in Copenhagen. and upon the
completion pf his course there was for a
time page in the Danish court and
then an officer in the army Of Denmark.
At twenty two he returned to his own
country and began the military career
in the service of Fatherland that has
continued for sixty-eight years. He
was commissioned lieutenant, but en-.
tered upon postgraduate course in
the military academy at Berlin, subse-
quently being attached to the School of
Division at Frankfort-on-O Oder. In 1895,
having by that time reached the rank of
captain, he was granted leave of alb
sence and went to Turkey on a tour Of
observation. Sultan Mahmoud H., the
reigning monarch, was DESTROYS of con-
tlnulng the reform Of his army, which he
had begun ter years previously by the
humiliation of the janissaries, who num-
bered 10000, and solicited the assistance
OF the Prussian captain in the work Of
reorganizing the military upon Europ-
can plans. Mahmoud's plans were only
partially carried out. His native officers
were inefficient and INDECENT, and up to
the tim Moltke was engaged in the
capacity OF adviser the only effect Of
foreign aid had been to cumber and
oomplicate the tactics. Moltke did sue
coed In simplifying these somewhat, but
it was not in his power or that of any
other man to bring the the Turkish
military system up to what it should
have been. He msde toui OF the
provinces with Mahmoud and was treat
ed with great consideration by that
monarch. Then he and two other Prus-
sian officers went with the expedition
to Syria that was to punish the insub-
ordinate khedive Of Egypt. Mehemet
Ali, and his son, Ibrahim Pasha. Part
Of the journey by river on RATS Of in
flated sleeps pelts, was perilous in the
extreme, and several times Moltke and
his companions came near drowning.
When Hafiz Pasha, the Turkish COM
mander, found himself in the presence
OF the enemy he showed his utter in
capacity. Refusing to be guided by the
advice Of the Prussians, he was defeated
with great slaughter in the battle of
Nisib and forced to return with what
was left of his army to Turkey. Nah
mould died four days after the battle and
without having heard Of it.
Soon after this Moltke returned t. his
own country and was assigned to the
post Of sdjutant on the staff of Prince
Henry of Prussia, in which capacity he
spent two or three years in Rome. On
the death Of Henry, Moltke became
equerry to the crown prince, father OF
the present emperor, and travelled ex-
tensively with him. In 1856 the crown
prince and his equerry visited the court
Of Napoleon ILL.,, and were in Paris
whom. the Prince Imperial was born
The gay life at the French capital was
entertsiningly described by Moltke in
his letters home; but he also observe d
the slovenly way in which the French
army was disciplined. This was only
fourteen years before the Franco-Prus.
sian var, and affairs had not materially
improved in the interval, while all 81
Moltke's efforts after he. attained to
high position in the Prussian service
ware directed to perfecting the orRani.
zation and discipline OF the German
army. One can easily imagine that
from 1856 until the test came Moltke
was anticipating Ind preparing for war
with France, 80 that when it came he
was ready for it. Meanwhile, however,
he took Prussia through several wars of
minor importanoe-theS chlesweig- Hol-
stain war and the Bohemian campaign
particularly-with great success
The war with France showed the mas
tefly mind oe Moltks. Every movement