Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-25

froid. The story goes that IL was announced 10
him at . late hour, when he was in bed. and
that he reused himself momentarily and said 10
We messenger, .oh. very well; the third port
folio on the left" Long before he had drawn
and hled away all the necessary plans for the
impending campaign, and when the critical
moment came he was able TO sleep as soundly
- though nothing had happened
The war broke out Won Moltke only prayed
for fortnight and everything would be ready.
He declared that IL the emperor did not see the
Rhine by the asa Of July he would never see it
at all The prayer was granted. In fourteen
days he had put $4,000 men on the Rhine. He
Is accredited with the whole vast plan Of the
campaign-a scientific game Of chess without
Q flaw.
The night Of the battle Of Gravelotte the King
Of Prussia was sitting on . ladder near garden
wallat Rezonviile. Around him were Bismarck.
Won Room, princes and grand dukes, all very
saient and waiting for news The hour was
come for decisive tadings. Presently Moltke,
much heated. rode up to the king: Your
majesty, We have conquered. The enemy is
driven from all his positions" A vigorous
shout was raised, and the whole party piled
their TASKS. The king drank from a broken
tulip glass, and Bismarck munched a bit Of am
muni.ion bread.
SECRET OF ME VICTORIES.
Won Moltke had been convinced for some
years that war must come sooner or later,
with France, and had been preparing for ii.
BY personal survey, and the careful explora-
tons OF his trained corps Of Typographical en-
gineers he had made himself so completely
master Of the topography and physical geog-
raphy OF the region lying between the Rhine
provinces and Paris that he might literally be
said to know every foot of it. His officers,
even down to heutenants, were provided with
pocket maps, detailing all the physical fea-
lures OF the country, designating the fortified
places. and indicating their strength
French
founded TO find that their adyersaries knew
France and its geography infinitely better than
they did. At Sedan Ii is recorded that when
Gen. Wimptfen, the French commander. at
tempted TO obtain better terms than an uncon-
dltlonal surrender, and intimated that he did
not believe their case entirely desperate, Gen.
Won holtke, leading the way to his maps, which
were spread out at his headq uarters, showed
him instantly that his army had been hope
lessly hemmed in for more than twenty-four
hours, and that it was in his power to have au-
initiated 1t, had Wimpffen persisted in further
fighting.
scouts AND SPIES.
Won Moltke had organized his system Of
spies and scouts in such manner as to make
them eminently serviceable. Early in the war,
We are told, almost daily the French arrested,
imprisoned or shot numbers of Prussian spies
but they could not have materially diminished
their number, for the Prussian general knew
eNety step winch Was ulken Tor the tOrrnca-
ton OF Paris and what were the weak points of
that and every other fortified town of France.
he was thoroughly informed concerning every
movement OF the French armies knowing
them often sooner than Napoleon did; and
when Mcmahon doubled on his track, and, in
stead OF going direct to Paris, az he had at
hrst been ordered, turned suddenly to tine
northward, in the effort, by forced marches,
TO relieve Bazaine and form junction with
bis army, Moltke had an army on his track be-
fore ne had been an hour on his way and, by
his rapid and brilliant combinations not only
held Bazaine as in a wise, but fairly crushed
McHahon by the concentration of the German
troops around Sedan and compelled him 10
surrender.
CHIEF MARSHAL OF GERMANY.
In recognition Of his services Gen. Won
Moltke was created count on the day of the
capitulation Of Metz, October %, 1870, and was
made chief marshal Of the German empire ON
the return Of the army to Berlin, in September.
iSIl. Other honors were showered upon him
BY soverelgns and people. His ability in all
departments Of military science is universally
acknowledged. He enjoyed the unquestioned
respect and confidence Of the German govern
nens, 70 which he rendered services paralleled
only oy those OF the great civil ruler, Prince
Bismarck. Count Won Moltke was the author
OF number OF military works.
HIS RECENT HoSoRs.
der, to whom the glory of Germany's brilliant
military campaigns has been universally
awarded, came forward from his retirement 10
receive the homage of the nation. He came re-
iuetantly. not because he wished it, but because
MS emperor desired it and the fatherland de-
manded 1t. Had he been allowed his own de-
sire he would have spent that Sunday. the an
niversary OF his ninetieth birthday in his Quiet
home In the village Of kreisan, surrounded by
hn pleasant domestic circle. But he had been
accustomed to obey orders, so he came forth
under the escort Of Count Won waldersee. his
successor rs chief Of the general staff, whom the
emperor had designated to bring him to Ber-
In. 1t was great day in Germany and was
celebrated throughout the breadth of the land.
Won Moltke being the especial guest of the en-
peror, who lavished upon him all the honors in
the imperial gift. On this side of the Atlantic
the day was also celebrated wherever there
were enough Germans TO sing a chorus and
greetings poured in upon him from all quar-
tiers Of the globe.