New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
GAR REVIEWS VAST ARMY
4 MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE ON THE
PLAIN OF BETHENY.
ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY THOUSAND
FRENCH SOLDIERS TAKE PARTA
CHARGE OF TWENTY THOU
SAND CAVALRY
SAND CAVALRY.

SAND CAVALRY
Hetheny France. Sept 21.-The Czar Czarina
and President Loubet to-day reviewed 10000
troops on the Plain of Betheny. The march past
lasted from 1913 a. m. till LILO .. rn terminating
IN magnificent charge of 10000 cavalry. The
spectacle was intensely imposing as the in
fantry went by 80 files deep, with fixed bayo-
nets
The Plain Of Betheny is about six miles wide
two miles deep, and is surrounded by rising
ground which formed a sort of amphitheatre
OF pasture and woodland, and was taken as a
coigne Of vantage by a great concourse Of the
general public, who thus dominated the review
ground. but from a considerable distance The
pavilion OF honor which faced the plain on the
south SIDE, was covered with an awning of red
and white stripes. The interior was hung with
purple velvet, with gold embroidery and was
adorned with military devices of swords and
bayonets. while breastplates were fixed on the
outside walls. dais jutted out in the centre
OF the pavilion, on which the Car, the Czarina
President Loubet, NJ. Deschanel President of
the Chamber of Deputies and NJ. Faieres
President Of the Senate, and their wives took
seats. The whole was profusely decorated with
flags. and the French tricolor and Russian
standards waved from masts at either end A
small area in front OF the pavilion was con-
with palms and flowers. There were four heavy
cannon at each corner of the garden. with their
muzzles pointed upward as though defending
the dais Three immense stands covered with
bunting, were situated at either side of the
pavilion Of honor. and ten thousand invited
guests witnessed the review therefrom
A BRILLIANT ORIENTAL ESCORT
The Gar and Czarina and President and
Nine Loubet left Compiegne at o'clock this
morning and arrived Betheny at 10 o'clock
The Car leaving the station mounted a
splendid bay charger, handsomely caparisoned
which Russian soldier was holding for him.
The other members Of the party entered car
riages, each drawn by four artillery horses
Waiting at the station were thirty Arab sheiks.
who had obtained special permission to leave
Algeria and Tuns to attend the review. They
gathered around the imperial procession as an
escort 10 the review ground. The sheks were
attired in the most brilliant colors scarlet blue.
brown, green and yellow robes. which flowed
over the launches Of their Arab steeds The
trappings Of these horses were superb and were
embroidered with gold. Hanging from the sides
of the sheiks were cmeters with beteweed
hilts and scabbards inlaid with gold. The
leader of the sheiks wore a fantastic headdress
Of black plumes and magnificent scarlet
tune with light blue trimmings He was
mounted on a priceless black Arab steed. and
followed by two other sheks, in white
mantles thrown over pale pink uniform, and
wearing extraordinary headdresses-huge, low
crowned hats, with black feathers and wide
brims, lined with saffron colored silk which
happed UP and down as the sheiks careered
across the plain behind the Car. This Oriental
group formed kaleidoscope mass of color of
the most brilliant description imaginable, and
constituted the most attractive feature in the
entire army.
The guard OF honor at the pavilion was chosen
from troops who have returned from the
Chinese expedition. Prominent among them
was company of turbaned Zouaves in their
picturesque uniforms
The Car followed the carriages He first rode
round the manoeuvres ground and inspected
the immense army. and then assembled the dias
and took seat. with Nine. Loubet on his left
Then the Czarina seated herself with NJ Lou
bet on her left. The Czar wore the uniform
Of a colonel Of the Preobrajenski Regiment of
the Guard. President Loubet wore evening
oress with the grand Gordon of the Order of
et Andrew The Czarina dressed in black
Nine. Loubet wore a light blue dress. Behind
them, closely packed on benches in the pavilion
were the officers of the Cars fleet and French
generals and admirals in gala uniforms gilt
tering with various insignia and decorations.
VAsTNEss OF THE SPECTACLE
The spectacle before the Car was one of the
most imposing witnessed. Around the re-
View ground was a deep mass of red and blue
infantry, cavalry and artillery. The whole line
extended several miles. in spite of the fact that
the troops were drawn up $50 files deep. Sud-
Denly, at given signal, this vast border began
TO swing around, thus bringing the head of the
hne across the review ground and IN front of
the Car The effect was to give the impression
|" wide stretch of landscape slowly moving in
circle The commander-in-chief, General
brugere, surrounded by his staff, led the march
past, with the foreign military attaches at some
distance on his left. Behind, in four heavy
columns. marched whole division of infantry
Win hxed bayonets. 1t was an astounding sight
70 see this forest Of bayonets advance across
lhe plain In a huge. oblong block The di-
vision was headed by the massed bands of all
its regiments, which played a popular march,
me "Sombre et Meuse"
General Brugere and his staff on reaching
ne tront Of the dais saluted President Loubet
anu the Car, and then, with the foreign at
taehes. took up a position facing the da!s so
tnat the rest of the army passed between the
Gar and General Brugere. General Andre the
-Nihlster Of War, who rode with the Gar to the
baVihon, sat in the front row Of the tribune on
tne Cars left, and followed the march past
which was almost faultless throughout in its
iAaenlneike precision. with a happy expression
.'iaentiy proud of the spectacle he offering
10 the Gar
hach division was preceded by the regimental
standards which were lowered as they passed
iofe the oais and each time the Car and
1e'Iha rose. did President Loubet, and
'aautec, the Car bringing his hand to the peak
NM =, nus REQ and white cap and keeping it there
sts .It the standards had passed. Eight infantry
DIVISIONS filed past and every time the moving
Sst or bayonets passed cheers rent the air.