The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-02-24

Gourko was not inclined to neglect his op-
portunities, and he improved them So well
that he was made captain in his twenty
ninth year. Fortune sill favored him, for
three years after this the Gar Alexander II,
appointed him 10 his stan, with the rank OF
Colonel. In 1866. he was assigned to the com.
mand Of the Fourth Hussars, and year later
was made Major General Ia suite, and
placed at the head Of the Imperial Grenaalar
Guards In 1873, he was again promoted, this
time to the command Of the First Brigade.
Second Division Of the Horse Guards.
This advancement was not due to demon
strated military ability, for his only war
experience, as yet, was short service in the
Crimea, as an attendant upon the old Car
Nicholas I.
In 1866, while stationed with the Marinopo
Guards at Warsaw Gourko married Polish
lady, who was Of French descent ON her
fathers side Subsequently this woman ex-
ercised greAt, though by no means bene-
fetal influence 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 lead
ership that nave made him famous. To the
military student, however, Skobeleff was
his superior. His admiring countrymen be-
lieye that Gourko's exploits in this war en-.
titles him to rank with the greatest generals Of
ancient or modern times, but 1t is safe TO say
that This opinion is confined entirely to Russia.
That he showed energy and daring, from his
first active participation in this sanguinayy
campaign, there is no denying His capture
and subsequent defence of the Shipka Pass
and the adjacent villages are matters of his
tory. But the crowning act of that campaign,
and Of Gourko's military career, was his pas
sage OF tho Balkan Mountains in 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 it was accomplished with but little
loss, while his unexpected descent into the
| plains of Bulgaria and Roumelia, put sudden
end to one Of the bloodiest and most stubborn
contests Of modern times
Asa reward for the glory he had brought to
the Russian arms, Gourko was made Count
a very unusual honor. at the hands Of the Gar
though the title is common and insignificant
outside tho Empire. As an additional token
OF favor, the hero of the Balkans as he
came to be called by his admiring country.
men, was promoted to the full rank of Gener.
al, made Gid de camp to the Emperor and
decorated with the order OF ST. George
Soon after this, he was appointed Governor
of Warsaw, and his conduct in this position
has been such as to make the outside world
forget the military achievements that FIRST
brought him into prominence.
From military and political standpoint
the govemorsnip of Warsaw is one of tn,
most important, il not the most important
office in the gilt Of the Gar, Within the ter
provinces of Russian Poland, there are gar
rlsoned, In times of peace never less than
90O,0OO troops Of all arms. In this TERRITORY
are to be found some Of the greatest fortresse'
in the world. The largest and most famous
Of these Is ueogeyosk, with $4,000 soldiers
within Its walls This fortress Is at the pon
of the wedge, that looks on the map, as il i
were driven aggressiyely into German Poland
1t certainly would be the focus of telTin
work. in the event of a war between the riya
empires of the Slay aud the Tcuton.
The government Of Russian Poland is rem
dered'diMcult from the fact that the native
never have been, and probably never will b.