Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1877-05-31
Helena, Montana, Thursday, May 81, 1877.
RUSSIAN GENERALS.
The Field Careers and Capacities of the
Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael.
from the New York WOrld.]

[From the New York Norld.]
There are now two imperial princes ia
Europe to whom all eyes are turned, and
upon whose capacity the lives of thousands
of people, the fate Of two nations, the peace
of the world, may depend. These are the
brothers of the Emperor Of Russia-the Grand
Duke Nicholas, commander ct the
Danube, and Michael commanding the army
in Asia Minor.
The Grand Duke Nicholas up to the pres
ent time has been fair representative OF the
average type of an imperial prince; that is to
inherited from his father, the Emperor
Nicholas l., fine stature, handsome features,
and a pred;lection fos military drill, and his
chief occupations for many years we're court
ing pretty women and reviewing soldiers.
The resemblance between him and his father
ceases, however, in cxternals. He has neither
the powerful intellect nor the stubborn, un-
daunted will and merciless purpose of the
latter He has proved himself to possess
great personal bravery, and is impetuous,
daring and frank. He is, in short, good
deal of Cossack, rather fierce when anger
ed, but good at heart, and regretting violent
action the moment after it has been commit
ted. He is curt and somewhat distant in his
demeanor towards his subord;nates, but en-
tirely just and impartial, and he hates all in
trigues and underhand doings. These quail
ties have won for him the universal respect
of the officers and of the troops forming the
military district of St. Petersburg, which he.
has aong commanded. Moreover he is an
excellent judge of horsefesh, and possesses,
in the province of Voronege, in the south of
Russia, the e,dnest stud of strotters in the et2-
pire AS inspector General of the whole
Russian cavalry he has done much toward
betteaing the mount of the army. All Russian
officers agree that he would make capital
commander of the vanguard, forcing his way
impetuously through stragesical or geograph-
ical difficulties, and always ready for Coup
de asai,a if needed. Does he possess the keen
military insight, the GOODNESS and clearness of
mind necessary for the post of the comman-
der-in-chief OF an invading army? Of this it
is IS yet impossible to jhdge, for although
already forty-six years 'Of age, he has
never been under fire. He certainly has one
quality, however, which is Of great impor-
taaoe for & general he.h2s prestige among
the soldiers, he knows how to speak to them,
aud has a!iust and decisive way of treating
them which commands their allegiance. He
is 40 believer in the barbarous military system
inaugurated by his father. AS President of
the Committee for Reorganization and In
struction of the Army de took a part in the
late military reform in Russia-not a promi-
nent one, indeed-Of that he was scarcely
thought c3pable-but in earnest support of
the refopmatory schemes OF the War Minister
Milutin
There isa great contrast. between the Grand
Duke Nicholas and bis brother Michael, the
Governor General of the Caucasus and COM
of the Russian army in Asia
Minor. The former is a soldier, the latter a
man of the world. In society Michael is
preferred to his brother He is much better
educated, has finer manners, and possesses
much more general information than most
princes of the Russian imperial house. He
has made special study Of the artillery. and
was pronounced by the best specialists to be
thoroughly competent for the post OF lnspec-
tor General of that arm of &be service which
he occupied before his nomination to the
Caucasus, which took place about ten years
ago. AsGovernor of this newly conquered
province he succeeded by his tact and good
in winning the sympathy'of the half
savage aud scarcely subdued Tcherkess no.
bility of the country. AS military man,
however. he has no occasion of displaying
any particular talent or ability. Indeed, there
is one trait in his character which i'll fits a
General. This is q weakness
Of will, which has become proverbial at Tiflis. |
The generally accepted opinion haslong been
that the real ruler of the Caucasus was not the |
Grand Duke but his wife. the Gra0d Duchess |
Of Raden, whom he married ten years ago,
and who not only has stronger will but |
less amiable character than her husband.