The Critic and record., 1891-04-25
Won M0LTKE.
now THE STERN OLD GERMAN WAR.
RIOR PASSED AWAY.

sian Forces.
BERLIN, April 25.--Field Marshal Count
Won Moltke died at 0:i5 o'clock last night
of heart failure His death was entirely
unexpected as he had attended the session
of the Reichstag held in the afternoon
Count Helmuth Karl Bernhard Won
Moltke, General and Field Marshal of the
Prussian army, was one of the Oldest aud
most distinguished soldiers of modern
times. AS the conqueror of the French
armies and the military hero coequcal with
Bismarck the Civil Commissioner at the
capitulation of Sedan, his name has been
handed down to history as that of the
foremost German warrior of his day
and generation.
The death of Field Marshal Count Won
Moltke occurred in the study of the Off
cial residence of the general staif of the
German army on the Konigsplatz. Dur
ing the entire day, and up TO the arrival
of the moment that brought with IL death,
the Field Marshal appeared to be in the
full enjoyment of his usual health, and
dinner was partaken of with good appc.
tite by the Count. After having attended
the afternoon session of the Reichstag the
Field Marshal left the Parliament build
ings and walked leisurely homeward to-
ward the Konigsplatz. On arriving at the
official residence the old soldier appeared
cheerful and seemed to have enioyed what
transpired to be his last promenade. After
few moments supper was served of
which Count Won Moltke partook heartily
and with apparent relish
Later in the evening, after drinking q
cup of tea, the veteran arose with the pur-
pose of retiring. for the night. Hardly
had he assumed an erect position when Il
slight spasm contracted the facial muscles
his legs tottered, his form staggered, and
then friendly arms came to the support of
the dying soldier. He was gently and
reverently carried to a couch in an adj
joining room and placed there, as some
of his bearers hoped, to recover from n
passing faintness.
He spokeno word, and within very few
minutes from the moment of mortal
seizure, the soul of the grandest military
genius of the greatest empire and most
martial nation of Europe had vanished
from the face of the earth as suddenly as
"A bursted bubble disappears in the sur
rounding atmosphere. Not many min
utcs had elapsed since the death of the
Field Marshal before the sorrOwful news
became known to both the Government
officials and the general public. So true
is this that Notwithstanding the hour
(946 p. m.) at which the illustrious
soldier passed away, the report had made
its way through the foyers Of the theatres,
into private boxes and among the occu-
pants of orchestra chairs, parquet and
dress circle alike. Wherever officers of
the army were among the audience they
arose and, accompanied their ladies',
quietly withdrew-an example which was
at once followed by all Of the general
official class.
,,.sI1 t,1-
There will be magnificent military and
civic procession to the railway station,
whence n special train will convey the
body TO Creisau where, in accord with
the wish of the deceased, it will be quietly
inferred by the side of his wife and child.
In his telegram of coincidence the EN-
peror says that in MOltke Germany has
lost more than an entire army.
Lessing has taken cast Of the face of
the deceased.
In the Prussian Diet the President, after
announcing Won Moltke's DEATH said
that Germany was in mourning, and he
proposed an adjournment until Monday,
which was taken.
In the Upper House Won Moltkes seat
was adorned with flowers and black and
white ribbons. This House also ad-
| 1ourned az the announcement Of the Gen
erals death.
Won Moltlle was born at Parchim,
Mecklenhurg, OH October 26, 1900, the son
of a Danish general. Educated in the
Cadets Academy at Copenhagen, he be-
came an officer at1S. In 1922 heentered the
| Prussian service, for ten years arduously
serving in the inferior grades until in 1882
he was promoted to the General Staff
with high reputation for ability and
diligence.
Won Moltke planned the campaign in
| the Holstein war in 1864 between Den
mark and Prussia and Austria, accom-
| panying Prince Frederick Charles to the
| field. In 1866 he was upon the staff of
| King William in the Prussian war with
| Austria, and the operations at Koenig-
| gratz were planned by him. After the
battle of Sadowa he had fully determine
to march upon Olmutz and Vienna, but
after five days truce, negotiations were
| followed by treaty of peace. For his
services in this campaign the Order of the
Black Eagle was conferred upon him, and
| he received the command of the Kolberg,
Pomeranian regiment
The war between France and Prussia
had long been foreseen by Won Moltke
and when it came in 1870 Prussia was
fully prepared for it, chiefly, perhaps
| through the improvements introduced by
him into the discipline of the army. HI
had visited Paris during the Universal
Exposition i'll 1867, and is said at that
time to have made many observations
which were subsequently, found usefu
He acted as chief of the general staff ol
the entire German force. The chief com
mand was assumed in person by the King
Won Moltke's eminent services in the
Franco Prussian war were gratefully re
warded by Emperor William, Whose
grandson now rules the Empire. Tht
general was made count, received largl
pecuniary gratuities, was appointed II
1871 general field marshal, and in 1879 ;
life member of the Upper House. II
January, 1874, he was returned to th,
Reichstag.
Two or three years ago General Voi
Moltke was placed on the retired list o
the army General Won Waldersee sue
ceeded him. Emperor William wrote Vol
MoltlJe gracious and affeGtionate lette
nominating him as President of Countr,
Defense. This office was held by Empero
Frederick until he assembled the throne
since when it has heen vacant. Thougl
nomiually retired with all his honors, tn
old Field Marshal continued on the activ
| list of the army to the last