New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19

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people to the Presidency Of the Republic. OWN,
fuil OF years and honOrs. and Inourned bv fSs
entire nation. 1t is impossible to conceiva -
thing more complete than the rout Of the -,
army under BOurbaki during the following ~.
ter of 1S7O'71, which, being in the sou,be,.. :,
France at the time. witnessed BourbaJ "a
been suddenly placed in command Of go !.
about 100000 men. mostly 'rnobIots,-vo,,r.
fellows devoid of military training vrbo -
never in their lives before handled a p7,n 90
who for the most part were Ignorant q, -
mechanism Under the circumstances II wa,
ing. and when the Germans under General V.
Werder appeared, they fed across the nefgbbo.
ing frontier into Switzerland-nore than s0ooo
OF them-most Of them with their guns stir -,
hred- Bourbaki. in despair endeavored tn blow
out his brains. but merely inflicted a verv dan
Serous wound. His COUntrymen. when he "a.
covered, showed their appreciation OF the tao.
that. although defeated. he had like Kurona,
KIN, done the best he could with the inferior M
terial at his disposal by investing him with ON.
or the most important military commands
which in spite of his avowed loyalty n the
Bonapartes, he was allowed by the republic N
retain until old age and infruity compelled hin,
to tender his resignation from active service
Turkey was completely defeated by Russia IN
the war of 1917. Yet if to-day one is asked for
the names of the most conspicuous figures OF
that campaign those of the Russian General
Skobeleff and of Osman Ghazi Pacha will i'm
mediately rise to the lips, SkobeIeH. by reason
Of his dash and extraordinary bravery. which
accompanied by an amazing immunity from
harm, caused him to be looked upon as one OF
the legendary heroes of old Russia by his sol
diers and by the masses. and Osman Pacha, on
account of his splendid defence at Plevna- Al
though forced in the end TO capitulate, after
gallant but fruitless attempt to cut his way
out, Osman was released on parole, and on his
return to Constantinople was loaded with
hOnors by the Sultan. remaining until the end
of his days the most influential and trusted
friend of his sovereign and the idol of the ma
ton.
In the recent war in South Africa the defeated
BOer generals. such as De Wet BOtha and
Joubert. may be said 10 have carried off the
honors. and their names are likely to be re-
membered for a longer time in connection with
the struggle than those Of their victors. Even
those English commanders Who met with crush
ing reverses such as Sir Redvers Butler, Sir
Charles Warren and Lord Methuen, have been
most generously treated by the British govern
ment IN the way OF rewards and by their COul-
trymen with manifestations of undimnished
popularity and esteem. Lord MeJhuen, indeed,
one of the most persistently unfortunate of the
English generals. holds to-day an important
in England
The Austrian Field Marshal Benedek. who was
in chief command of the Austrian army on the
occasion of its crushing defeat by the Prussians
at Sadowa in 1866. was, it is true. relegated TO
oblivion after the restoration of peace, and sub
jected to so much neglect that eventually he
committed suicide. But he brought this upon
himself by his action in enIaavoring 10 transfer
the blame for the disaster 10 members Of the
imperial family and above all. TO Field Mar
shall Count Edward Clam-Gallas, whom he
charged not only with Incompetence and disobe-
dience but even with treachery, charges which
could not in any way be sustained, all pro-
ceedings against the count being stopped oy
Emperor Francis Joseph The latter indeed
when he himself returned to Vienna. after the
terrible reverses Of mis- army at the battle on
SolferirO, where he had assumed personal com
mand of the Austrian forces-the defeat entail
ing the loss to the House Of Hapsburg Of all Us
possessions in Northern Italy-waS hailed oy as
people with even more enthusiastic tokens OK
affection and loyal devotion than those accorded
to him when he had ridden forth from his capE
tai to what all his people believed would prove
to be a victory for Austrian arms They rear
lied that he had done his best for them
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