The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-20
FRENCH ARMY MANEUYERS
WITNESSED BY THE CAR AND
CZARINA NEAR COMPEIGNE.
Theatrical Display of Military Force,
100000 Men BEING Engaged-Visit
to the Cathedral Of Rheims.

COMPIEGNE. Sept 19.-EmperOr Mich
olas passed a day full of interest. The
morning was spent in witnessing the final
operations of the great western maneuvers,
at which the Car for the first time came
into contact with the French army Oper-
ating under war conditions and not merely
IN parade uniforms. The troops We're con-
centrated on the plain around Fort Nitry
in the early morning. Operations began
at 10. on the arrival of the Car. who, sur
rounded by French and Russian staff Of
fcers followed most of the movements on
horseback The CZarina and President
I.oubet accompanied by NJ. Waldeck- ROus-
seau. followed in carriages drawn by SIX ar
fiIIerv horses More than once the Russian
Emperor galloped ahead among the sol
dferS and watched their proceedings, as
though DESTROYS OF satisfying nliflSelI ol
their efficiency and value as nghung UNITS.
The skirmishing army corps carry ue .
uped an attack upon Fort FrenSe, the MINOR
fort. The Car and Czarlna, with NJ.
IOubet and others, mounted the edTlhWOIhs
inside and watched a whole army corps
advance TO the assault. The enemy ap-
nrosched in heavy lines under cover or
- sbSIis OF their artillery to which the
Fort resDOudPd. The position was finally
carried at the point Of the bayonet. Ii was
a highly theatrical operation. utterly I'M
POSSIBLE i'm war. but carried out with the
dash for which the French soldier Is Ia
nous. and II aroused the enthusiasm OF
fborsa rds of spectators.
significant incident. illustrating the
ANXIETY OF the French not only 10 insure
the ears safety but TO avoid the slightest
cause for uneasiuesS on his part. occurred
during the assault The infantry had
reached the edge OF the noaI ana W.
,,orrineT fire into the fort when some OF the
attacking party aimed in the direction OF
E1Deror Nicholas. who was a prominent
fgure and stood watching the vanguard
sliding down poles into the moat ana hNlng
~ z1aling ladders. one OF the generals
noticed tho direction IN Wmch me IIlIes
v-ere Dointed and. Fastening 10 the scene,
citedly: Don hre IN the uiie0'i0ii u ~
The closing phase OF the operations. when
H. eDtfre force of 10000 men were IN
action was viewed from an eminence near
Fort Vitrv. The operations concluded at
When the car asked 10 be shown the
nov. French field gun which had never be
fore been shown 10 foreigner one oL a
batterv Of four was taken 10 him Tie eN-
amined the mechanism. Then the gun w.
ruf together and eight shots were iiIeu
with marvellous rapidity. In order 10 dem
onstrate the absence OF recoll the gunner
Sat on the carriage during the hrins.
The President and his 1mperlai SGtSts
reached Rheims 0y carriage at CLOCK
Here the party visited the beauuI VI NIo ''IS
cathedral After admlring the SOUP ~ 49, 81
facade. which resembles beautHul pleoe
or lace work. the: Gar entered the 49, 49,
lie was met at. the porch py CdIuiii 81
Lsngenieux. Archbishop OF KhelIhs' III.
scarlet robes. who was attended pS t..S
vicar general attired in velvet ana sur,
rounded bv clergx The cardinal conducted
the Emperor aroqnd the cathedral.
Compiegne was reached on the return -
half past and the Car spent the tFShiHs
quietly in the chs.teau.'