New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-13
THE SIEGE OF PARIS.
CONTROVERSY IN GERMANY OVER THE
DELAY OF COMMANDMENT.
MoLrKES NEPHEW REPLIES TO CHARGES IN
THE LETTERS OF COUNT Won RooN-A
LETTER WRITTEN BY THE FIELD
MARSHAL FROM VERSAILLES.

MARSHAL FROM VERSAILLES.
The publication OF the memoirs of Count Won Room,
exNInster of War; Field Marshal Moltle and sew
era other heroes of the Franco Prussian War, has
caused lively controversy in Germany concerning the
conduct Of that campaign. Bismarck, Moltke ana
Room have all been criticised. Major william Won
Moke nephew of the great strategist and editor OF his
works has also been drawn into the debate, much
against his will His letter to the Deutsche Revue
containing as IT does an important writing Of the Field
Marshal Is looked upon the most important add
ton vet made the controversy and has caused con
siderable sensation in Germany.
"The letters Of Count Room" writes the Major
(which appeared in the August number OF the
.Deutsche Revue, contain expressions regarding my
late uncle Field Marshal Won Moltke and his position
in reference to the siege Of Paris which, If not contra
dcted NAV lead TO false conclusions the part of the
public 1t may not be generally known that there
were differences Of opinion at Versailles. on the one
side We're the Chancellor and the Minister Won Room,
who believed a bOmbardment necessary before the
arrival of the munitions OF and on the other Ills
Royal Hghness the Crown Prince, and the Generals
Won Moltle and Won Blumentha who wished to delay
the bombardment until the arrival of all the troops and
ammunition. His Majesty the King was undecided,
but leaned more toward the opinion of his chief of staff
The bitter expressions in Rooms letters may be due to
this fact.
although do not wish to consider these reflections
as causes for debate among the admirers of the great
men, still believe it my duty to give the opinions
OF the dead Field Marshal regarding this question
to the public. | beg you, therefore, to publish
his letter to my father 1t contains word that
wound any one, and therefore give rise TO no
debate"
"The universal longing reads the letter. dated
Versailles, December %, 1870. for the ending Of
this terrible war leads people to forget that it has
lasted only five months. Everything is hoped from
n bombardment of Paris. The delay has been at
tbuted to tender regard for the Parsians, and even
tho influence of certain great persons while we con-
slider only those things possible and advisable, from
military point Of view l have received the following
verses from three different sources:
Suter Motke, gehst so stumm
Inner das Ding hcrum,
Bester Moltke, sci NIGHT DUNN,
Mach doch endlich bum bum bum.
0It might have been learned from SebastOpol what
it means to attack fort behind which stands an army
ready for defence SebastOpo became fort during
the campaign as all necessary material could be
brought by Tho preparations lasted ten months
The first assault cost 10000 men, the second 10000
In order to lombard Paris must first be in posses
sion Of the forts Nothing has been overlooked that
might aid in accomplishing this result; but expect
much more from the slow but certain workings OF
hunger
Eve know for weeks that only few gas lamps
have been burning In Paris; that despite the early
and cold winter the houses cannot be heated owing
20 tbe compete lack of coal. letter sent by Gen
eraI V TO his wife, which taken from balloon.
gives the following prices for some neceSsares Of life
4 ponud Of butter, 90 francs; chicken, 20 francs;
.une dinde non truee ben entendu, 80 TO 20 francs
He describes his supper, also, consisting OF her
ring with mustard sauce, and a small 'hlet
de boeuf don't on ferait fete. Paul lie cusiner
await fat des bassesses pour ravoir lila promis al
bouchor Mr.. ct Madame ". un sauf conduit pour un
deS forts pour tacher dc voir les Prussiens'
~These familiar words between man and his
wife give truer picture of the real state Of affairs
than all newspaper reports which are exaggerated In
one way or another Starvation has not come yet but
its prcdecessor-hgh prices. The RothSchilds and
Pereires still have their dmdon trude the lower
classes are paid and nourished by the Government but
The middle classes have been in want for some tme
such conditions cannot last long AS matter
of course it must be assumed that we shah be able
to defeat all the armies which may be sent against us
The reign of terror exercised 10y the IawSeIs aIoae
makes such armies possible. They are badly organ
lied, they lack wagons, they lack ambulances ana
physicians. The unfortunate creatures despite their
patriotism and bravery, are unable TO withstand our
bold troops The miserable condition Of the bivOuacs
alone decmates their ranks. Wounded men lie by
hundreds along the road until Gathered by our
ambulauccs which targets for French bullets. The
Franktireurs the terror Of the neighborhood they
have sworn destruction to all.
But enough Of these sad things. God grant that
fortunate ending come soon! feel certain that 1T
After quoting the above letter, Major Won Moltkc
the opinions of the Field Marshal that His Highness
Prir.s aaft III HOhenlohe ngefngen. General Of
ArtiuerySand AdjutaHtGeneral Of the late Emperor
answer to my question, that no reflection could be
cast upon Moltke for delaying the bomDardment'
matter brought me into contact with Field Marshal Won
Motke found that he favored everything that could
facilitate the attack OF Paris by the artillery. In fact
he was impatient insisted upon opening fire
than 1 thought advisable"