Evening star., 1899-02-07
THE LATE COUNT voN CApR1v1.
Ex-ChanceIiOr of Germany Wns
Man of Varied Attainments

Georg Leo Won Caprivi de Caprera de
MontecuccuG, who died yesterday and who
was formerly chancellor of the German
empire, succeeding Prince Bismarck, was
born at Charlottenl,urg on February "a
1881. His father descended from an Illus
trious Italian stock, was member of the
high court of justice of the Prussian king
dom, and his mother was the daughter of
a college professor.
Entering a general regiment in his eigh-
teenth year he won rapid promotion and
served with distinction in the campaigns of
1884 and 1866. In 1870 he acted as chief of
staff to the 10th Corps, of which he after
ward became commander, and reaped fresh
laurels in all the battles on the Lore. Swift
ly ascending the other steps of the mill
tary ladder he was appointed in 1892 to
the command of the Both Division, at Metz
and next year, passing at a single bound
from the army to the navy, he succeeded to
Herr Won StoSch on the latter's retirement
as minister of marine.
In a short time naval men by profession
were amazed al the mastery of their art
and the perception ef'their interests which
were displayed by mere landSman and
soldier like Won Caprivi, and his admiuis-
tration conclusively proved at least that
here was man with rare power of adapt
ing himself to new modes and lines of ac-
uVity. Soon after the present emperor's
accession, on the death of Count Monts he
reorganized the navy, the command of the
imperial fleet being vested in Admiral Won
der GOltZ, while something like a ministry
OF marine was created under Rear Admiral
Won Heusner, and it was on this occasion
that General Won Caprivi sharing in the re-
distribution of military commands. returned
to the army, and was rewarded for his
loyalty thereto. no less than for his naval
services, with the command of the 10th or
Hanoverian Army Corps, which is one of
the finest in the German army.
During the maneuvers of the autumn of
lSS9, when the HanoverianS and West
phalanS met in mimic warfare, with smoke
less powder and other innovations on their
trial. the German emperor had opportunity
enough to study anew the character OF
General Won Caprivi, and this generals
ability to serve him in a political capacity
must have fairly convinced his majesty,
otherwise he would never have been asked
to assume the enormous burden of respon-
sibility which Prince Bismarck had lust laid
down. 1t was not without grave scruples
and Self-distrust that General Won Caprivi
listened to the fiattering proposals of the
emperor, but his majesty, as it is said fin
ally decided to have a soldier for his new
chancellor. thinking. he did. with Fred
eriek the Great. thai a general must be the
knowing best how far he can go with the
army behind him. On March 49, 1890, the
appointment of General Caprivi as Prince
Bismarck's successor was made public He
received the title of count from the en-
peror in December, 1891. In March, 1892
he gave up his place as Prussian prime
minister TO Count Won Gutenberg, but re-
manned chancellor and minister of foreign
affairs. In 1892 and 1893. in spite of pro-
longed opposition, he carried the German
army bills successfully through the bundles
rath and the reichstag. In October 1894.
he suddenly resigned, owing to friction with
Count Gutenberg in the matter of the Agra
rian League malcontents. He was succeed
ed by Prince Misunderstanding
Count Caprivi was soldier of the first
order, but he was also much more than
soldier He was a man of great force of
character. combining ,sagacity with pa
tiehce. resolution with good humor and Ger
man thoroughness with southern fire. In
personal appearance he was typical Teu
ton of the hugest and most impressive type.
He might easily have passed for a brother
OF even as a double Of Bismarck himself,
the likeness between the two men being 50
strong. In point of stature and breadth of
shoulders, General Won Caprivi slightly sur
passed his powerful predecessor, but In
other respects he was almost his counter
part He had the same massive jaw, heavy
gray mustache and bushy eyebrows, thick
neck, solid, square head. shrewd, penetrat-
ing glance and carried the same general air
of blood and iron" did Bismarck. In
his personal manners, however, he was
much more polished and agreeable.