The San Francisco call., 1897-06-27

| muting the sentences that have been iu-
flcted upon officers, who, while drunk,
have seriously wounded and in some cases
killed unarmed and inoffensive civil
ians.
Perhaps no stronger illustration of the
Emperor's views in this respect can be
given than the fact that his most trusted
friend and his favorite associate, Count
Philip OF EuIenburg. who is at the pres
eEt moment his ambassador at Vienna,
murdered in this fashion poor cook in
the streets of Bonn. The Count was at
the time an officer of hussars, and the
chef, who was elderly and stout man,
the father of large family. having mad
vertently iostled the nobIeman in the
crowded thoroughfare, was Immediately
cut down and then run through the
| body by the Counts sword, expiring
shortly afterward. All that Philip Eu-
Ienburg ever suffered for this brutal
and inexcusable hom icide was a few
months'nominal arrest within the bounds
of a fortress. That is to say, he was per-
mitted to roam about the neigh boring
country all day long, being merely bound
to report himself to the officer in COM
mand of the fortress late at night and in
the morning.
Nor is it without thought OF the conflict
which he sees ahead of him that Emperor
William has in several instances decora-
ted and promoted common soldiers, who
while doing sentry duty have responded
to the jibes and jeers OF drunken men and
mischievous boys by shooting to kill, with
deadly effect.
What will be the attitude of the army,
should the anticipated struggle between
crown and people take placer In court
and official circles at Berlin it is believed
that the En- peror will be able to rely upon
his troops. But this opinion is in no way
shared by the people themselves, nor yet
by the leading German politicians of the
day. The rank and file of the army is no
longer com posed, as in former days, OF
ignorant Doors, unable to either read,
write or even think for the mselves, but of
| thoughtful, well-educated men, who have
been taught at school what are the rights
! and constitutional prerogatives for which
their grandfathers and fathers shed their
life's blooj. They know, too, enough of
history to appreciate the fact that in every
struggle between the crown ami the peo-
pie, it is always the latter that has ended
in carrying the day.
Lastly they resliza that it is not the
Emperor who pays them. and to when
they in consequence the reof owe allegiance
and obedience, but the people. repre-
sented by Parliament. Hence, if they are
called upon by their sovereign to fire upon
mob of turbulent anarchists they may
possibly obey his command. But should
the mob be composed, as it was in 184S
at Berlin and in 1851 in Paris, of Iegisla-
tors, politicians, professional men and re-
! spectacle citizens, it is almost certain that
common-sense, humanity and regard for
/ enlightenment and progress will prevail
over mere considerations of discipline. and
/ that If called upon to fire OF TO charge the
| soldiers will follow the example set by so
many French regiments in analogous in
stances at Paris-namely, they will ground
arms and refuse 10 obey, convinced that
the first duty of the army in a constitu-
tional country is no longer to the king
| but to the nation. Had the French Mar
shall BaZaiue realized this at the siege of
Metz in 1870 and made it his duty to pre-
| fer his country and his nation to his En-
peror, his name would not be doomed to-
day to lasting execration and infamY, as
that OF the most contemplate traitor of
| The present century, EX ATTACBK