Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-06
THE PRINCE PRIVATE SOLDIER.
Archibald Forbes Experiences In the
Russian Army.

From the Gentlemans Magazine.
1t may seem paradox, but the Russians are
simply the most democratic people in Europe,
and for Russian to be borne would be a con-
tradiction in terms. Every officer was the
correspondents comrade. Prince Shakosky,
the ill-conditioned general who made
such mess of the July Plevna, was the
only exception 1 ever knew. If the samovar
was in service the officer shared his tea with
the correspondent; in the middle Of bat
tie, if the officer had couple Of sandwiches,
he would offer one of them to the CORE
spondent. From the highest to the lowest, in
regard to military information, the Russians
we're incredibly frank; the correspondent
never had to ask questions as to sltua-
ton, dispositions or ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
in regard to those matters was volunteered
to him. The only secret they ever had-and
must own they kept it well-was in regard
to the point at which the crossing of the
Danube was to be made. Skobeleff '.had not
the faintest idea," although a couple of hours
previously he had been accommodating the ap-
proaches. Prince Tzeretieff really had not
the remotest conception" Still, even in re-
gard to the crossing of the Danube, the friendly
Russians were not memorable. could not be
told the locality Of the crossing, but should
be escorted betimes to the headquarters of the
general commanding the division which was to
tdhe icdU III the OpcTdtlous. IL was THtner
an amusing experience. The guide sent to es-
cort me was in the uniform Of private soldier
"a TALL handsome man, riding a fine gray
horse. He spoke English fuently and without
q trace of accent. AS we rode along together
and talked, the tone Of this private soldiers
conversation bewildered me. He knew his
Europe as il it had been his native parish. He
had what Arnericans call 1.-The inside track" in
regard to English affairs, social, political, and
financial. He spoke of country houses of
which he had been the guest, and commented
on the merits Of a piece of statuary in the
drawing-room at Sandringham. At last
asked his name. He was Of one of Russia's
oldest princely families and belonged to the
diplomatic corps, but when the war began had
volunteered for military service, and, not be-
ing qualified to be an officer, had fallen into
line as a private soldier. AS we rode along
asked him where we were bound for, not mag
lining that destination to which we were full
en- route could be any longer q secret
But he looked upon it still in this
his instructions, and of course had
no more to say for the time being. BY and by
we reached point whence radiated four cross
roads. 1t became obvious to me that my guide
was himself at fault. I took no heed while he
led me first along one road q little way, then
along another, returning puzzled 10 the cross
roads. At last he had to confess, at seems to
me that I've lost my way" Sorry / cannot be
Of any SERVICE" was my remark, ''since do
not know where it is you want to 20 to. have
been all over this region and know where each
of these roads leads" MY prince-priyate-
soldier-diplomatist burst into a laugh, and then
mentioned our destination. ''Then this way"
said ], ''about an hours ride"