Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-12-19
THREE COMMANDERS.
MEN WHO WOULD LEAD EUROPEAN
ARMIES IN CASE OF WAR.

| ARMIES IN CASE OF WAR.
An Eaglishman Who Thinks 1t Would Be
Profitable to Make a Technical Compar-
ison Between viscount wolseIey and a
Russian and French General.
do not know the new commander
in chief Of the English land forces. 1
saw him once or twice in my life, but
this is many years ago, and in military
matters of the magnitude involved in
the supreme command of a great army
l am afraid ] should prove an incompe-
tent critic. But I believe to great ex-
tent in physiognomy, and if viscount
Wolseley be not Very clever man he
ought to bring an action for liAel against
his face, for he looks decidedly clever.
II there were any doubt in my mind
about his ability, it would be set at rest
by the not very enthusiastic remarks in
connection with his appointment read
in one or two French newspapers "You
are an irritable people, envious, Jealous
and proud to degree" said Bismarck
to General de Wimpffen on Sept. l,
1870. "You are an irritable people, en-
vious, jealous and proud to degree"
he repeated. "You were under the i'm
preston that victory is an appendage
which was exclusively reserved to you"
Has the quarter Of century gone by
since those words were uttered made a
difference in that respect.in the French
people? Ishould not like to say.
1t may not be altogether uninterest-
ing to look at the two men against
whom the English commander in chief
will be pitted il quarrel should ever
unhappily break forth in Europe. am
alluding to the commanders in chief of
the Russian and the French forces.
The Russian army contains several
men Of unquestionable capacity; never
theless, there appears to be consensus
of opinion that, in the event of war,
with no matter whom, the supreme
command would virtually devolve upon
General Obroutcheff, to the exclusion
even Of General Kouropatkine. I say
virtual command, for, nominally, young
Nicholas would be at the head of his
legions.
Having declared myself at the outset
incapable Of judging the English COM
mander in chief from military point
Of view, am not going to stultify my
self by endeavoring to do this in the
case Of Obroutcheff. only repeat what
I have heard. Until very recently the
chief of Vannowski's 8 staff and Abide
camp General Obroutcheff was, in spite
of his recognized talents, looked askance
at in Russian military circles. The
epithet "red" was invariably tackled to
his name as late as 15 years ago, and
the third section Of the imperial chan
cellerie, without troubling to inquire
into the matter, placed him on the list
Of dangerous" men "to be watched
very closely" A note like that from the
Russian police becomes practically
indelible, and, aid-de-camp general
though he was, not the slightest attempt
was made to efface his name from the
list. After his exploits on the Danube
Loris Melikoff drew the attention of
Alexander II to this apparently fragrant
injustice, to this permanent insult. The
name was maintained on the list for
all that, but the epithet was changed
from "red' into "well meaning"
Obroutcheff has married French
woman, and is declared partisan-or
supposed to be-of an alliance with
France. His views IN that respect date
from 1870, when he was an obscure
general. I repeat, about his abilities
there is little or no doubt. After the
first checks in the Turko. Russian cam
paign he was sent in hot haste to the
Danube. and he is credited with having
saved the Russian army from total de-
struction. Before that, though, he had
already become the intimate friend of
the heir to the throne, and the friend
ship underwent no diminution during
Alexander III's reign.
Wherever the scene Of the next Eu-
ropean campaign of the French may be
laid, General Felix Gustave Saussier,
the present military governor of Paris,
is beforehand designated as the leader.
Saussier is close upon 10. In spite Of
his large size he is very active, but for
that size he would give one the idea Of
mousquetaire of the Louis XIV period
dressed in modern uniform. There is no
doubt about his value as soldier,
which does not always mean an equal
value as supreme commander, but it
is fair to state that in the battles around
Metz, quarter of century ago, he
distinguished himself most signally.
The famous infantry charge at ST. Pri-
vat. which practically barred the prog
ress Of the Germans ON that side, was
led by him.
Saussier was one Of the officers who
signed the protest against the surrender
of Metz. Having refused to pledge him
self not to serve again during the cam
paign, he was sent as prisoner of war to
ColoQne. Nor would be give his Drom-
just the thing for the long
evenings-the Northwest.