Norwich bulletin., 1914-08-12
FAMOUS TRIALS
TRIAL OF MARSHAL BAZAINE.

One of the most imposing and event. ful military trials that has ever taken place was that of Francois Achilie Bazaine. the French marshal who was accused of having cowardly surrend cred his soldiers, 900 in number, to the Germans, who made them prison CTS of war. At the moment of the surrender a weeks further resistance would have enabled the levies. of the national defense government to crush the weak forces of the Germans on the Loire and to relieve Paris.
 The responsibility for this crushing blow was naturally enough and justly enough placed on Bazaine's shoulders and. although when he returned from captivity the marshal enjoyed brief immunity, he was in 1873, brought to trial before a military court.
 This trial was held in the palace of Trianon. at Versailles, under the pres idency of the duke d'Aumale. Tn the presence of his peers and surrounded by the greatest names that France can show, this weatherbeaten soldier standing at the very summit of French military glory, arrayed in the full un- form of the rank and wearing the grand cross of the Legion of Honor was condemned to death on Dec. 10, 1873, and to be degraded from his rank previous to his execution.
 When Bazaine surrendered Metz the French people at once raised the cry, "We are betrayed:" And when the treaty of peace was signed Bazaine was immediately placed under arrest on May 10. 1927. The preparation for his trial was commenced at once. More than 1,500 witnesses for the prosecu- ton were sworn in the preliminary ex- aminadons, occupying seventeen months or until the 9th of October. 1873, when the trial proper opened at Versailles.
  the court had been in session alomst every day. In the indictment read the first day Bazaine was charged with treachery to the arms of the country, in that he failed to relieve Gen. Eros sard at the important battle of For bach; that he failed to exercise due vigilance and promptitude in the de- fense of Metz; that he committed fatal blunders during the progress of that memorable siege and that he capitu- lated against the wishes of the soldiery and the people, and in the most inglo- rious and suspicious manner.
 On these charges he was found guilty notwithstanding that among those who came to his defense were ten gener- alS of divisions, seven surgeons of the army and two priests.
 At the summing up Lachaud, who acted as counsel for Bazaine, said: "T deeply sympathize with the valiant IL l fear not death for him. He is brave and fears nothing but loss of his honor for the sake of his wife and children. I feel most for France which will de- p1ore the loss of the valorous soldier Your honors, patriotism forbids that you condemn him"
 M. Pourcet, who was prosecuting the case. said: 'T demand that a terri ble example be made as a lesson to the rising generations" Before the judges withdrew Bazaine said: q have two words in my breast-fhonor and coun- try. I have never been wanting to- ward this proud motto during forty two years of service I swear before Christ that I have not betrayed France"
 After a long deliberation the judges declared Bazaine guilty of the charges Of the equalization of Metz and his army in the open field without doing all that was in his power by honor and duty to avoid surrender and unani- mously condemned him to death, and to be degraded from his rank previous to his execution.
 After the judgment had been rend- cred all the members of the court sign ed an appeal for mercy, which the duke d dAumale immediately conveyed in person to President MaeiMahon Two days later on Dec. F, President Mac Mahon commuted the sentence of death against Bazaine to Imprisonment of twenty years. It was also decided that while he was to bear the effects of degradation from his rank, he would not be forced to undergo the humiliat- ing ceremony The conservative press generally approved the communication of the sentence
 On Aug. g. 1874. Bazaine, who had been incarcerated on the Isle Mar guerite in the Mediterranean. and treated rather as an exile than 3 cor vict, escaped to Italy. He finally took up his abode in Madrid, where he was treated with marked respect by the government of Alfonso XII. He died there on the 2sd of September, 1888.