Arizona republican., 1911-04-03
MEN WHO DIE
 FOR NOTHING Baron de Constant on USe-
 |eSSneSS Of War MOSCOW AND THE CR|MEA
Mistakes by Governments When Discovered and Ad- mitted, as by Russia and France, Do Not Recall Wasted Lives.

I Iessness of war" with the conflict between France and Russia as par ticular illustration, was preached to- night at the First Congregational church by Baron d'Estournelles de Constant. It was his first address in English in this city and was listened to by large audience.
 without discussing recent wars, but merely those that have taken place between France and Russia" said Baron de Constant. we may be said to have lived through a chapter of history which will be written one of these days under the title that enlightened patriotism would give it useless wars In less than cen tury. French armies have carried war into Russia, first to Moscow and then to the Crimea. Neither of those wars has been taken to heart and remem- bered by the Russian people. and they have not held France responsible. Neither at Moscow in Napoleon time nor in the trenches before Sa- bastapoI did the French soldiers dis cover any sign of hostility. hatred or incompatibility among the Rus sians. The past has vanished; liking and affection spring up from the first direct contact between the two peo- ples. and the Franco Russian alliance seems as if it had always existed.
 And yet the two governments, be- fore they came to an understanding had long regarded war between the two countries as a natural and nee essary state of things to be generally accepted in virtue of reasons of state. The governments believed that both nations were bound to hate each oth- CT. while the people themselves asked for nothing better than mutual con fidence. While the two governments were deciding for war. the two na- tions were friendly. and neither de- feat nor bloodshed nor bitterness has been able to stifle this sentiment
 Tt was all very well for govern ments to admit that they were mis- taken. but that did not bring back the victims to life and to the service of their country. During visit l maid to Moscow. it seemed as if l were living the trials and sufferings
  over again. At least 6S0.00O men were mobilized for the campaign in Rus sia. They were drawn from all the countries conquered by France, and they included about 150.00O young French conscripts. As the genera tions fit for service in the army had been already wiped out, it was found necessary to lower the age-limit and begin to take more boys who, though brave enough, were physically unable to withstand the fatigues of cam paigning All those youths had to be marched across Europe as far as the Nieman and part of them. at least beyong over the Russian steppes. only to take part in the ch- max of the war, the burning of Mos COW. the retreat of all the inhabitants carrying away with them all means of subsistence, and the most pitiiess of winters. combined with the re- treat, coming as the denouement of the tragedy.
 My way back to France from Mos COW by railway took me over prac- ticaliy the same route as the French troops followed in their retreat. Even in an express train it seemed endless Ii took in a whole day and night and the names of the stations, such as Borodino. Smolensk and Beresina. aroused painful memories. These were the places where our troops had to fight their way back to a hos tile Europe, the battlefield of Leipzig and the final campaign in France.
 ..I saw the snow spread out over the plain like an immense white sheet. Not the least trace of road was visible for many and many mile-a waste through. which our of ficers and men. destitute of almost all supplies. had to make their way at any cost Every day some of the weaker succumbed. ShrOuded in ice before they were dead. they were de- voured by the crows and wolves. Think of the nights those men pass ed, Even one spent in a sleeping car berth seemed long to me. but what must it have been to them. and what an awakening. It is hard to say whether they had more to fear from isolation or from ambush and pursuit bv a fantical enemy. Was it a dream, It seemed to me as if Frances children were lying asleep under the snow and that as the train approached they rose up and held out their arms imploringly. The saddest thing of all was to have no reply to make to their doleful cry: We died for nothing"