The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-20
In 1he Financial World
STORMED FORT FRESNE
FRENCH MANoUvREs IN HONOR
 OF CHAR.
14o, 900 Men Engaged in the Opera tions-Russian Emperor Deeply
 Interested-Nicholas Ex-
 amines New Field Guns.

Compiegne. Sept. 19.-Emperor Nicholas
 passed day full of interest. The morn ing was spent in witnessing the final op-
 erations of the Grand Western Manou-
 vres. at which the Czar, for the first
 time came into contact with the French
 army operating under war conditions and
 not merely in parade uniform.
 The troops were concentra ated upon the
 plain around Fort Fitry, in the early
 morning. Operations began at 1O on the
 arrival of the Czar. who, surrounded by
 lowed most of the movements on horse
 back. The Czarina and President Loubet,
 accompanied by M. Waldeck- Rousseau,
 the Premier. followed in carriages drawn
 the Russian Emperor galloped ahead
 among the soldiers and watched their
 proceedings as though desirous of satis-
 Tying himself of their efficiency and
 value as fighting units.
 The skirmishing army corps early de-
 veloped an attack upon Fort Fresne, the
 minor fort The Czar and Czarina, with
 M: Loubet and others, mounted the earth
 works inside and watched a whole army corps advance to the assault. The en- emy apprc ached in heavy lines under cover of the shells of their artillery, to was finally carried at the point of the Dayonet It was highly theatrical op- eration, utterly impossible in war, but carried out with the dash for which the Erencn soldier Is famous; and it aroused the enthusiasm of thousands of specta- tors who followed the manouvres on foot, on bicycles and in every conceivable Kind of vehicle.
 During the attack the incessant rattle or musketry. the grinding and cracking or machine guns. the sharp detonations or quick-ffring field guns and the boom a deafening roar. and with the thick pail Of smoke lowering overhead converted the smiling plain into a veritable infer no. A significant incident, illustrating anxiety IA insure the Czar's safety. but to avoid the slightest cause for uneasiness on his part. occurred during the assault. The moat and were pouring fire into the fort direction of E@peror EicSolss @ aed who en was sas a prominent figure and stood watching moat and fixing the scaling ladders. One Of the generals noticed the direction in which the rifles were pointed and has aside, exclaming excitediy. Don't fire in the direction of the Czar.''
 The closing phase of the operations, when the entire force of no 900 men were near Fort vitry. The whole country swarmed with soldiers who. in the dis tance. resembled a vast army of ants. Red flashes burst from the muzzles of out lins of infantry firing volley after voiley. Regiments of dragons and ehasseurs in light blue, charged across glittered in the sunshine. The ground vibrated with thousands of hoofs as the cavalry dashed to the capture of the batteries; which quickly limbered up anI at 2 o'clock.
 When the Czar asked to be shown the new French field gun, which had never before been shcwn to a foreigner: one of He examined the mechanism. Then the gun was put together and eight Shots were fired with marvellous rapidity. In coil. the gunners sat on the carriage during the firing. The CZar expressed his admir- tion of the astonishing qual- lties of the weapcn. Emperor chatted cordially with General Andre. the Minister of War. which was an excellent repudiation of the asser tions made by the Nationalist organs organizer of the French army.
 The Pr esident and his imperial guests reached Rheims by carriage, at 5 o'clock; ! Here, the party, visited the beautiful i Gothic cathedral. He was met at the i porch by Cardinal Langenieux. Arch bishop of Rheims. in scarlet robes, who tired in velvet and surrounded by clergy The Cardinal conducted the Emperor ground the cathedral, exhibiting and .ex- plainlng the precious relics. including SOTSeOuSly WOIh by cardinals In the middle ages.
 The program was to have been con cluded with silent devotions by the eccle- siastics and their majesties. but the Czar either misunderstood the arrangement or was dlsinclined to fall in with 1t owing to the difference of religious belief, for | he left unnoticed the Prie Dieu provided fer him and this portion of the program was omitted. Ccmpiegne was reached on the return at half past :. and the Czar spent the evening quietly in the chateau.