The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1914-08-14
WILL GERMAN HISTORY Repeal
ITSELF

peats Itself. Will it do so in the case
of Germany?
There was time in the history O
Germany when it's fate looked gloom
Ter than it does today.
In 1855. Frederick II, known in his
tory as Frederick the Great" found
himself alone on the continent with
only five million subjects, he having
been abandoned by his allies. He
was confronted with an. alliance
against him of nearly one hundred
million.
VI Fredericks five millions. a part
OF them included Silesia, which he
had just conquered.
In this supreme emergency wha,
Gid this man do? He resolved to
strike the first blow. He knew that
II was good tactics in a fist fight. and
he thought that it would do to apply
IL larger measure.
1t proved salutaary. BY quickly and
impetuously striking the first blow he
defeated the Austrian army under the
| famous General Braun.
A little later the Saxon army. nm
der Rutowski, surrendered to him.
Within month the whole of Sax
ony was reduced and virtually became
a part of Frederick's dominions.
In the spring of 1857, although win
nlng the great battle of Prague, he
lost the battle of Kolin, and was com
PEELED to abandon Bohemia.
He was compelled to witness the
invasion of Prussia by French troops
In little while more, acting simulta-
neously, French, Swedes and Russians
began concentrated march on Ber-
lin.
1t was dark hour in the history
of Prussia Frederick's troops lost
confidence and Frederick himself
meditated suicide
But he determined that one more
blow must be struck. In this su,
preme hour he marshaled to himself
all his courage and did what he could
to inspire confidence and enthusiasm
among his troops.
He first encountered the French
army, and in a desperate engagement
defeated it. He next turned viciously
against the Austrians and captured
two strongholds. At Luthen, with
10000 troops he attacked an army OF
$4,000, and won signal victory.
The next year he was again early
ready for action, and with an army
of $4,000 met the Russian army of CO.,
900 and had an almost hand to hand
engagement. 1t was the fiercest and
bloodiest of his battles. He refused
to give quarter because of the Villa
like outrages committed by the sol
diers composing the Russian army
upon the women and children, and
non-combatants in the territory
through which they marched or were
quartered.
When the conflict ended, $4,000
Russians and 1900 Prussians lay
dead and wounded upon the battle
field.
The Russians abandoned Prussia
and Frederick marched into Saxony
In quick succession he had beaten
the French, Austrian and Russian ar
mics, in each instance the opposing
armies almost doubling his own.
But notwithstanding these surpris
ing and startling victories Frederick
was again doomed almost to despair
At dead of night he was surprised
by General Daun, whom he had un
mercifully pounded, and was badly
beaten. But the eclipse was only mo
mentary. He rallied in an incredibly
short time and rescued Dresden from
an overwhelming army of Austrians
and went quietly and safely into win
ter quarters at Breslau.
The next year opened perilously
bad for the great Prussian command
er.
The Austrians overran Saxony;
Russia was victorious upon the Oder
and Frederick was completely routed
by Soltikoff at Kunersdorf, anc
incurred the loss of two-thirds of his
hitherto victorious troops.
But by his miraculous energy be
saved Berlin. the capital OF his EN-
pire. but near it General Fink sur
rendered 1900 Prussians into tbs
hands Of Frederick inexorable enc
mics.
The next year found this stalwarr
/ figure in a bad plight. Although win
ming two decisive victories, he san
{ his much loved capital in the hands
/ ~ tie fY7r1an "a hIa enemies The SiXtI