Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-14
Won NOLTKE.
The Habits and Tastes of the (srcat
German Soldier,
Berlin Correspondence of the London Times.

Berlin Correspondence Of the London Times
Field Marshal Count Won Moltke celebrated
his eighty-fOurth birthday on the 26th Of Octo-
ber According to his usual custom, he left his
home estate at kresau. in Silesa to visit
friend and neighbor. quietly and informally. in
order to avoid congratulations which. in COM
mon with all kinds of pomp and pageants, he
dslikes. Before the autumn maneuvers. from
the middle of August to the middle of Septem-
Der. he disappears every year from public view,
and even his friends and familiars do not know
where he is. This time is devoted to travelling
and especially to mountain climbing in which
exercise he usually exces his young compan-
ions. He is not proud of his past active and
splendid career. but regards what he has done
as mere performance OF his duty. Although he
has substitute in the quart ermaster general
Count WalderSee. he likes to decide all import-
ant matters himself. Essays by officers of the
general staff and opinions Of the heads of de-
partments are constantly sent to him for criti-
cisIn. and he writes on the broad margins. in a
small. clear hand. observations remarkable not
only for professional acuteness. but for beauty
OF style and precision OF thought.
He rises early. takes a walk in his own
grounds at kreisau or sometimes when in
Berlin. in the Thergarten. and then works GEN
orally till the hour of his simple dinner He
seldom smokes after that meal snuff being the
form in which he like Frederick the Great en-
joys tobacco. When he works he ALWAYS has his
snutf-box near him In the afternoon he receives
or pays visits. In the evening he likes to play
whist with his nephew Captain Won Motke.
and other friends Even during the French war
he was accustomed to play whist when possible
and his adiutant, Colonel de Claer had 70 pro-
vide suitable players. The officers of the gene
raj statfwoud report the news to him as he sat
paying and when his turn came to 90 out of
the game he would follow the reported move
mentS OF the enemy on map spread out In the
next room, and plan with mathematical pre-
cisiOn the required counter movements Thus
on the 25th of August. 1870. the reports of Mac
MahOn's march to the Meuse found Field Marshal
Won Moltke at whist Report after report made
the enemy's intention clearer to him: and late
in the evening he went to the King and told
him that the army must march. not to Paris as
had been intended. but to the Meuse This import-
ant resolution. so swiftly taken which led to
the colossal victory of Sedan. is the best proof
of how quickly the Field Marshal could grasp a
completely altered situation. and act accord
ingy.
After the Emperor Field Marshal Won Moltke
Germany. The King of Saxony is specially
attached to him. and never fails to visit him
when both are in Berlin. When at court festivals
the magnates file past the Emperor and other
royal persOnages the King of Saxony when
present, always rises at the approach of the Field
Marshal, and this gives the signal for the whole
court to follow his example.
Count Won MOltke is widOwer. and has no
children. He was happily married for twenty
six years to lady whose maiden name was
Burt. who died in 1868. Being very simple in
his tastes he spends little on himself, but is
ever ready to help his relations.