New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-11
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. MOLTKE
MORE LIGHT on AIS CHARACTER AND
CAREER.

MOLTKE.-His Life and Character, Sketches In Jour
mails, Letters. Memoirs Novel, ana AutoMoeIalih-
cal Notes. Translated by Mary Herns WIN mus,
trations from Drawings by Moliho Portraits ahd
Fac smile Letters. 500, PIP. 322 Harper d
brothers.
This is the third volume relating TO Molkc which
has been issued since his death. the other two
consisting Of his family correspondence ard his
narrative of the Franco-Gernan war of 1901
The present book supplements and tends 70 round
out these works. it is Il collection OF journals,
memoirs letters and public documents together
with a novel, or rather a novelette,, written IN
his youth by the Marshal. This tale is indeed not
little surprising for its general character seein'
at first blush TO be altogether out OF accord WIN
what is now known of the authors tcmPra-
ment II is q romance of the widest kliiu' III
which all sorts OF startling adventures are lh'ro
duced, full Of battles, sicges, halr-Drcadth es
capes acts of heroism. mysteries and 1ap''s'lo
imaginings as lawlcss as an Arabian Nights STORY
Moltlie himself was from beginning TO end tne uloev
quiet self-contained and Unconditional OF men. put
In this piece of fiction he seems to have gone ouo
Of himself and % lave revealed in Imagination.
The story is not of a kind to indicate special
aptitude for noYcl writing. and in view o, '"o
authors real life nothing of the kind was to have
been expected. But it certainly is NOT aoN' anu
IL IL often amusing and may be read to-day with
no nt1lc interest. iUtIt uIt WV P"fN-'
family history Of the Motkes which may bo
skinned without losing much. Then fellows an
photographs fragment relating TO the req
Msrshal's first years on the general staff, to MS
iourneyincs in the East and to the wars of ls64
and 1866 II leaves him chief OF the general
staff. Records Of his early days consist OF Ger
titicates and letters from those who were IN au-
tbority over him during the opening years OF Ms
military career "Thc Two Friends is the tue OF
his story above alluded to. \ journal written Oh
HIS way to Constantinoplc gives some heht anu
livey sketches of travel and impressions OF orieh
ts1 scencs A memoir of his wife, Marie Moltke,
who predcccascd him, represents very charming
and lovable character. The ensuing papers are
concerned with his residence in Rome, his survey
Of the neiehborhOOd and various arclaeoioslcd'
questions Then there is a letter on MS uaNeis
In Spain with graphic description OF Dull
fight
Tho Manor which will be read with the deep
est interest, because it abounds with reVei"'ionS
of the man himself. il that entitled Retirement
at Creisau" Then there are copies oi letters
and orders from the soycrcigns he served. show
inc in how lirb es.eo,n the old soldier was held
and how honors and rewards showcrcd
upor him in lis later wears Among these is
n fine fac-simile of letter from the present
Emperor OF Germany respecting Moltkc's expressed
desire TO lie relieved Of active duty two years
before his death 4 full and Interesting account
is given OF the celebration Of the Marshars
nincticth birthday, and calendar OF the mem
orablc days in his long career is inserted " Ills
Last Day, is an account of how quietly and pain
lessly the erd came TO him. lie never had been
afraid of death, but lie did not Ike the idea
Of a long illness He had his wis.,. and III
few hours and without suffering of any KIND. ap-
pnrently. he passed away. The concluding papers
consist Of list of his favoritc Scripture texts,
ard Of a snail collection of his thoughts on TINS
life and the nope of life TO COME. All OF these
evidences have their geographic value.
In the paper on Moltke's retirement at Creisau
we see more of him than elsewhere. At Berlin
he was always immersed in work and had lit
tie leisure or opportunity for expansion All
his snare time was passed at Creisau which estate
nc had purchased, apparently with his first
considerable "a wings, and there he enjoyed himself
thoroughly in his tranquil way. it was after
the famous campaign Of 500 that the gratitude
of king and people gave him the opportunity
to own his homestead, and he seized the happy
chance with avidity. Thencef0rth Crcisau was
always his favoritc residence and there alone
could he unbcnd. We learn many curious per-
sonal traits Of hin in this memoir. In his HABITS
he WAS simple 10 an extreme. When he
visited or Wncn ne TaNciicu Iic H"'c" =" N"'''
any baggage. Moltke had all his life been
economical. By reason of straitened circumstances
principally, but the habit of frugality had become
ingrained with him, and lie looked carciuHy
after every expenditure 70 the last. Luxury he
eschcwed as much as possible
At the same time he was generous where the
good Of Others was concerted and Srudged 10
wise outlay for the Improvement OF ms prop
erty. His individual tastes were phenomcnaly
simple. but he never forgot his tenants. liere
is an illustration of his methods:
lie always anxious to be useful to others, ana
IRE experience OF his long life had taught him the
right way to 20 about 1t. For the benefit Of the
schoolchldren he Instituted sayngsbank according 10
his ravore motto: " liclp yourself and others VIII
help you For every child entering the Schoo he
provided savngs-hlnk book. lii Ehicl ne chtereu
elnc mark for n beginning; after that the child re-
celved the book 10 pay in afp"nnies or PONIES y
he saved them Every time that mark was made
up, the General added another one himself me
book given 10 the Children ut the 'ine OF ,ner
for time Of need. In this way The General hoped
10 encourage tie children 70 save ana TO max ,hcm
i iass pleasure iic III IT. '"' 'n' '' paw. -
- Mh,c' Sr Constantly added hooks suitable 20 the
character and education OF agricultural laborer. He
the long Winter evenings they might read TO their
parents. The books were IN great request and VIC, .
interest in the library increased year by year. aud
that the books passed from house to house Meke
Iaier on &c built an infant school, WITH rooms for
n dcaconess who was sent 10 Creisl from the instit
zion nj Frankonsten. The Children could be sent
there while their fathers and mothers We're at work.
and they were kept occupied and }caTncI tidy Ways
instead Of being locked up ut home, as used to be
the fashion. ,,,,, -, ,,
spire AZ Gradtz and gave The parish the material for
ire casting OF bell, for which purpose The King
allowed him TO use French cannon that had
been captured during the war lie always lad money
for such purposes and many needy person was
supported by him.
Here is a curious example of Moltkcs charac-
teristic impurturbability
The summer Of 1870 found The family again united
AZ Creisau The General lived his estate quietly.
Nothing Indicated how sooR he was 10 Undertake the
greatest task OF his lfe the direction OF tie German
army In tho war against France. In the afternoon
a. 9Iy Is he was driving ont with his brother Adolf