Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-10-28

tenn that has been proved to be a good
one in time of need is the fact that the
president, by virtue of the constitutions,
is conmander-in-chief Of the army. BE-,
meath him are subordinate officials. gem
erals of more or less ability as the case
may be, and it is their duty 70 see that
his orders are properly carried out. but
1t is the president who must answer to
the people for the proper conduct of the
war, it is upon his shoulders that the
responsibility rests.
In some Of the countries Of Europe a
similar condition Of affairs exists. but in
France the president has no such pre-
negatives or powers. There the actual
administration of the army is vested in
the minister of war, but as this official
is often a civilian it is not customary
for him to assume control Of the forces.
At the present time the minister Of
war, the Marquis de Gallifet. is one Of
the most distinguished of French gener-
ais. but as he has been retired from the
army on account of having passed the
age limit it is doubtful if he would take
the active command of the French forces
even in case of war. If he should not do
so the command of the army would de-
volve upon the three generals, General
Zurlinden, General Jainon and General
Brugere. Up to a short time ago Gen
eral Zurlinden ranked as one of the first
commanders in the land but at present
he is not in the best odor and General
Brugere has taken his place as COM
mander of the metropolitan district. His
ability as a fighting man is SO we'll rec
ognized, however, that he would IN
doubtedly be recalled if trouble should
threaten.
AS a fighter General lamont is
equally as distinguished and he ex-
ercises a control over his men that is
not entirely due to discipline. Al
though he is a strict disciplinarian
there is another secret to his success.
Like Napoleon he has made his men
love him and they would follow him
upon the most perilous expedition
without a word of protest. Like Zur-
linden he has seen active service in
many wars n has distinguished him
self by many brilliant feats and ac:s
Of bravery.
Although the Romanoffs are a fight
Ing race the present car has an in
nate dislike for soldering. II case
of war, therefore,, while he would still
be the head of the army by virtue of
his position as emperor the command
of the great force would be vested in
his uncle, the Grand Duke Michael, an
ideal commander, severe when it
comes to the point of discipline but
SO courteous and kindly, so consider
ate and patient with his men that the
soldiers of the Russian army not only
respect but love him. When still a
young man he displayed a wonderful
power for commanding men and dur-
ing the Russo-Turkish war he dis
tinguished himself by winning sew
eral brilliant victories. He is not the
only member of the royal family in the
service Of the army, however.
There are several Of the grand dukes
who hold positions as corps COM
manders and they would see to It
that the cZar was well represented if
the occasion should ever require. In
spite Of his hatred for war. however,
the emperor still takes considerable
interest in his armed force. He is
always present at the m~anoeuvers and
although he seldom makes suggestions
those that he has made have tended
greatly to the improvement of the SER
vice. All of which leads one to inn
agine that he would not be an entirely
silent factor il the war he breads so
much should be thrust upon him.
The German minister of war. Gen.
eral Won Goessler, is one of the least
distinguished officers of the army and
would be In no sense competent to
undertake the command of the forces
in case of war. This, however, does
not trouble the emperor for both the
Prussian law and the German consti-
fption place the command Of tho army