New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-06

toct TO or superior to the Minister &C War is that
they dread above every hing else the possibility
Of a general invested with such an office as this
assuming the powers of a military dictator. The
entire Napoleonic system originated with mill
tary relationships of this nature, and on three
separate ocoasicns-namey in 1873, when Mar
shall MacMahoH was virtually In military con
troll of France; again at the moment of the Bon-
LANCER episode, about decade ago, and yet
again last autumn and winter, in connection
with The Drcyfus controversy Republic has
been in serious danger of this kind. In one
word, the political element Of France justly DIS
trusts the military element, and, although cen
eral Billot and other Ministers Of War have been
anxious to submit to the Legislature bis pro-
viding for the appointment of a commander in
chief Of the army in tine of peace as indls-
pensable to the efficiency of the military de-
fences of France, they were always discouraged
at the last moment from doing so by the GER
tanty Of parliamentary defeat, due to the dread
of the Chambers lest the generalissimo should
make use of the power thus conferred 10 assume
the position of a dictator.
The man who Is reported to be destined by
the plan of mobilization for the post of Com
mander in Chief of the French Army IN the
event Of war IS General de lamont, member of
dignitaries Of the French Army who has had
the good sense to hold his tongue about the
Dreyfus case. He enjoys the distinction of hav-
ing been the only general who has crossed the
German frontier at the head of French troops
since the war of 1870 1t was, of course, no
hostile invasion The occasion was the removal
Of the bodies Of some Of the French soldiers
from the battle field of GI1Velctte to a mortuary
chanel on the French side Of the border Inc
lamont who was then at the head Of the troops
at Chalons, commanded in person the frehch
guard of honor sent to escort the bodies ahd' d'
the invitation Of the general commanding the
German escort. ne passed the frontier me 10
take charge Of the procession OF hearSes
French and German corps dtte thus uniting 10
do honor to the French dead on the battle teId
where they had met as foes tWcnty-three years
before II may be added that there IS no Frchch
commander Of whom higher opinion IS enter
tanned in military circles at Berlin and Vienna
than General lamont an officer Of such dlstlhc-
ton that the French Government some time ago
actually issued a special decree extending TN
limit of age in his case from his siXty-hfth TO
his seventeen year. Unfortunately he is no"
in the neighborhood OF the latter age, and 1t Is
hardly necessary to point out that IN the event
of a war Germany would derive much advantage
from the fact that her army would be com
mandcd by men in the very prime Of NE where
as that Of France would be led by scp'ua
Genarians.
MILITARY OREDIENCE-TO WHOM DUE
Inasmuch as the President Of the United states
is by virtue Of the Constitution tn" supreme
head Of the American Army in tim" OF peace a.
in time Of war. this country has remained en-
tirely foreign to the controversy which has i"i
years ragged in the monarchical countries oi fu-
rope as 70 whom the army owes obedience.
re il 10 the monarch to whom il has sworn ale
giance or is il 20 the Parliament representing
the people who pay it? Thai j. promo"
which is now more than ever becoming the al
absorbing question Of the moment IN every one
of The constitutional countries Of IN" pd word
With the rising tide Of democracy. due to IN"
progressive spirit Of the age. conflicts between
the crown and the people are increasing III Ire
qucncy and intensity. the people making de-
n,ands for more and more Of that power hilbert"
vested IN the sovereign, which the latter u d'''i-
mined to retain at all costs. hn"" ing iuII wei
tlat II involves the very existence OF his thron-
and Of his dynasty. Let matters r'a'h me '"-
max-as they ultimately must and the mon
arch Will be forced either to step down ana out
ar 70 ap5cal 10 the allegiance sworn 10y the sol
diors 10 defend the throne against people and
Parliament. The whole issue Of the struggle viii
depend upon the manner in which the army re-
spends 10 this appeal. Most Of ia" revolutions
Of the present century hay" resulted from the
failure Of the soldiers TO rally around th"lr SOY
etcigns at such moments as these. Such was the
cause Of the overthrow, in lNGS. OF queen ISa-
bella Of Spain, Of that Of Empress Eugene "h'h
Regent Of France. in 1870 and of klng Louis
PhiliIpc in 1S4S. while il was solely tn" loyalty