The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-22
AN ACCOMPLISHED MAN.
Henorai 'erdy du vernoIs, Germany's New
War Minister.


"en'lsi 'erdy du vernoIs, Germany's New
War Minister.
~ - strange that the new German
Minister of War should be the bearer
oi d french name. Even in his per-
sohai appearance General Verdy du
Vernolsis far more like the traditional
goou-numored French Major who plays
so important a role in the Partisan
1arces and vaudevilles than one of those
WOODEN soldiers who are the ideal OF
the Irussian army. lie is short, very
Stout somewhat apoplectic looking
anu possesses a pair of exceedingly
mlscaleVous and clever eyes.
he Is kind of Ward McAllister of
the herman army. and no one is able
10 excel him in the organization OF
balls theatricals, picnics and other
xmas OF social entertainments. Not
only does he write poems and very wit
,ty epigrams, but he is also the author
OF quite number of plays, and has
even agreat reputation among the fair
sex oiBerlin as the designer of many q
charming and graceful toilet.
IL must not be thought, however,
IRON all this, that the General devotes
his nmeexclusively to snch trivialities,
for he Unpublished great many i'm
Rotas litary writings, most OF
v'nsz hav5been adopted by the vari
Gus Nr departments of Europe as
standarN works for the staff schools.
Perhaa the most important of all,
or, at arr rate, the one which attracted
most attntion, was a thick pamphlet,
entitled Tactical Retrospects" (Tak-
tlsche Rukblicke), which contained a
sharp antexceedingly clever criticism
OF the tacts and strategy of the Prus-
sian army the war of 1866. Although
1t appeare anonymously at the time,
yet it was Universally attributed to the
distinguish officer who has now be-
come Minislr of War at Berlin.
General Yerdy du Vernois COM
menced his ereer at the School of Ca
de.s at Potsam and shortly after en-
tering the amy was attached to the
suite OF the lussian Governor-General
OF Poland, It whose side he passed
through the lhole of the great Polish
instruction. The report which he
furnished of tie same to the War Office
at Berlin attrated so much attention
that on his rturn he was appointed
oneof the professors of strategy at the
Military ACADEMY there. 1t is curl
Gus coincidence that General Bronsart
vonSchellendor was likewise a pro-
fessor there at the same time.
In 1868 Verdy du Vernois, who ha,
meanwhile advanced to the rank OF
MAJOR, was attached to the headquar-
tiers staff. He greatly distinguished
himself during the Franco-Germar
wal at the close of which he was pro-
mosa to the rank of Major-General.
1882 he underwent a temporary
disrAce which resulted in his being
traaerred from the metropolis to the
drs,N and dismal fortress of Konigs-
berFt The causes of his disgrace were
hermors current at the time to the
effect hat he had awaited himself of his
knowledge OF what was going on at the
War Office to give timely hint to one
OF the most prominent financiers al
Berlin, who was enabled thereby to
realize an exceedingly handsome sum
on the Stock Exchange. Although the
matter was never actually brought
home to Verdy du Vernois, yet the
fact remains that he since then has been
very we'll off, Notwithstanding that up
to that time neither his wife nor him.
self had been known to possess any
fortune Of their own.
So remarkable, however, were hi:
talents as military author that a
couple of years later it was found
necessary to recall him to the War
Office at Berlin to assume charge of the
editing of theGeneral Staff History oil
the Franco-Grman war. For the past
three years be has been the Military
Governor of lsace-Lorraine, and is re.
puted to pssess a more profound
knowledge oievery point of Germany's
western fronier than any other officer
in the army Indeed his appointment
to the contpl of the Imperial War De-
partment slows a remarkable piece OF
cleverness IN the part of Emperor Will
liam In Y. journal.