Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-02-18

Gourko was not inclined TO neglect
his opportunities, and he improved them
so we'll that he was made a captain In
his twenty-ninth year. Fortune still
favored him, for three years after this
the Car Alexander III appointed him TO
! his staff, with the rank OF colonel. In
| SOC he was assigned TO the command OF
the Fourth Hussars, and a year later
was made a Major General u la suite
and placed at the head OF the Imperial
Grenadier Guards. In 1872 he was
again promoted, this time TO the com
mand of the First Brigade, Second
division OF the Horse Guards.
This advancement was not due 10
demonstrated war ability, for his only
war experience as yet was a short ser
vice in the Crimea as an attendant upon
the old Car, Nicholas |.
In 1866, while stationed with the
Marlnopol Guards at Warsaw, Gourko
married Polish lady who was OF French
descent on her fathers side. Suisse
Quently this woman exercised great,
though by no means a beneficial, lnfln-
ence on the government OF her native
city and country.
The outbreak OF the Russo-Turkish
war In 1877, gave General Gourko his
first great opportunity to exhibit those
qualities of leadership that have made
him famous. To the military student,
however. Skobeleff was hls superior.
His admiring countrymen believe that
Gourko's exploits ia this war entitle
him to rank with the greatest generals
OF ancient or modern times, but It s safe
to say that this opinion is confined en-
tirely to Russia. That be showed euer-
gy and daring, from his first active par
tlcipation In this sanguinary campaign,
there is no denying. His capture
and subsequent defence OF the Shipks
Pass and the adjacent villages are mat
ters of history. But the GROWING act
of that campaign, and Of Gourko's mill
tary career, was bis passage OF the Bal
kan Mountains Ia midwinter, with the
vanguard OF the ragged and hungry,
but still heroic Russian army. Not the
least remarkable feature OF this
achievement, is the fact that 1t was sc-
comulished with but little loss, while
his unexpected descent into the plains
of Bulgaria and Roumelia, put sudden
end to one Of the bIoodiest and most
stubborn contests OF modern times.
As q reward for the glory ne had
brought 70 the Russian srmt, Gourko
was made q Count very unusual honor,
at the hands OF the Car, though the
title is CON mon and insignificant outside
the Empire. As an additional token OF
favor, ''the hero OF the Balkans. as he
came to be called by his admiring coun-
trymen, was promoted 10 the full rank
OF General. made aid dc camp 10 the
Emperor, and decorated with the order
of St. George. Soon after this, he was
appointed Governor Of Warsaw, and bis
conduct In this position has been such
as 70 make the outside world forget ths
military achievements that first brought
him into prominence.
From q military and political sand
point, the governorship Of Warsaw is
one Of the most important. II not the
most important Office 10 the gifgof the
Gar. Within the ten proyltces Of
Russian Poland. there are RarfIsoned.
in times of peace never less thai 200. 900
troops Of al arms. 10 this territory are
70 be fouad some Of the greaH st fort
resses 90 the world. The lsretst and
lous Of these y Geoae k,~sh