St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-08
MARSHAL BAZAINE.

The name of DO man is more uni
versally exeerated in France than that
OF BaZalne-the great marshal who
achieved renown in the Crimea, in AL
giers and in Italy. suffered humiliation
in Mexico, and ended his military ca.
reer amid the frantic protestations of
his countrymen by the disgraceful
surrender at Metz. He was accused of
both cowardice and treachery in this
last affair. With magnificent army of
l73,0OO men, entrenched behind works
that were regarded as impregnablo to
assault. provisioned for year, he sur
rendered to an inferior force under
command of the crown prince of Ger
many, and thus crippled the armies of
France to such an extent that recupera.
ton was impossible. The siege and
capitulation of Paris followed as an
inevitable consequence, and France has
not yet forgotten the humiliation, nor
are the people ever likely to forgive the
man who brought it about. The life of
the recreant soldier was spared through
the forbearance of his drawer or more
fortunate companion in arms, Marshal
MacMahon, but his last days were spent
in exile from his native land, surrounded
by poverty and deserted by the beauti-
full though tickle woman for whose sake
he "madly threw world away"
1t is now alleged in France thata new
light is shortly to be thrown upon the
surrender of Metz that will vindicate
the reputation of the chief actor in that
memorable affair. The Marquis DAN
dlau, who figured in the Legion of
Honor scandal several years ago, and
was condemned to five years penal
servitude. was one of the chief prose-
cutors OF Bazaine at the time he was on
trial for treason before a military court.
In that affair he appeared as the prose-
cutor. although he had been one of the
confidential officers of the accused mar
shall. The surrender of Metz, the mar
quls now states, was not the voluntary
act of Marshal Bazaine. but was forced
npon him by imperative command of
the emperor. who, seeing the inevitable
result of the war, was anxious to end
it as speedily and with as little loss of
life as possible. 1t is alleged that Mar
shall MacMahon was familiar with these
facts, anC it was this knowledge that
induced him to interpose in Bazains's
behalf and save his life; and that, had
the truth been fully known, Bazaine
would not have died an outcast, but
have received all honor from his fellow
countrymen as soldier vatnly attempt
ing to do his duty in spite of the COM
mands of his cowardly emperor.
Whatever of truth there is in the
statements of the Marquis d'Andlau, it
cannot be denied that there has ALWAYS
been in France, as else where, grave
doubts as to the culpability of Bazaine.
His long military career, begun as pri-
vate soldier and ending as the chief
marshal of France. had endeared him to
the people, and his patriotism had been
frequently demonstrated on the field of
battle and in councils of state. The
people of France were indignant at their
conquest by so hated foe, and they
clamored for victim upon whom their
vengeance nigh: be wreaked. The en-
peror had fled to England and was be-
yond their reach. BaZaine was the only
man available. and upon him the wrath
of the nation was expended. Since his
death his widow, with a reawakened
love, has sought to secure his vindica-
ton. From his mass of papers she has
collated many data, including official
orders, which place her late husband in
better light before the public-as
victim Of circumstances rather than as
deliberate evil doer-and has given
them to the world. In the light of these
revelations people had already begun to
judge the marshal less harshly. His
complete viniication seems to be at
hand through the revelations of the
Marquis dAndlau, which corroborate
in every essential particular the claims
of Mime. Bazaine.
There has always been a genuine adj
miration for the late marshal among
people in all nations. Without sur
passing ability and genius of a high
order he could not have risen from the
ranks TO the chief command of the army
of France. Unstimulated 10y patriotism
he could not have achieved what he
did. Except for the imperative orders
or his superors, which no soldier dare
disobey. he would not have obliterated
the work of lifetime of effort by sur.
render so cowardiy and unnecessary as
that at Metz. The public generally will
be gratifed If the long controversy in
volving the honor of SO diSting n
soldier shall end in removing from his