Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-10
GENERAL IN CHIEF
GOSSIP OVER NEW HEAD OF AL
LIED ARMY.
IS A DISTINGUISHED SOLDIER.
Field Marshal Won Waldersee VIII Be
Acceptable-A Man Of Tact
and Ability.

New York. Aug. 10.-A dispatch to the
tribune from London says:
The nomination of count Won Walder-
see to the command of the exp%editionary
FORCES In China has been favorably re-
ceived here, and though it is SCARCELY COR
rect to say that the official consent 'of
all the allied governments has been OBJ
tanned to the appointment prior to the
public announcement, on Wednesday,
there is no doubt that it will be COR
daily accepted by the British cabinet.
The subject was no doubt discussed at
a special meeting of the defense commit
tee of the cabinet. held yesterday after
noon, under the presidency Of Lord Sal
isbury. =
Military men in London admit that
since Lord Roberts and Wolseley
are out OF the question, no more distin-
guished soldier could be found for the
chief command in the far east than
Coun Won Waldersee. In addition to his
personal distinction, the count possesses
the necessary qualification for holding
the grade of field marshal, so that he will
be superior in rank to any of the officers
commanding the various national contin-
gents. 1t has been suggested that the
German emperor adroitly forced the
hands of some of the other powers, who
threatened to squabble over the gener-
alissimo question, by suddenly inform
ing them hat he Intended to send out a
Prussian field marshal to assume direc-
ton of the general detachment. As this
o1f1cer would necessarily take precedence
OF every general in the field, it was an
easy transaction to place him m
at the head of the entire allied forces.
but the precise authority which Count
Won Waldersee is to WELD is still the
subject of discussion. 1t will be difficult.
If not impossible, to give to him precisely
the status of a commander-in-chief of
a national army. He will be rather the
president of a council Of generals than
an autocratic leader, subject to no con-
troll except that of his political superiors
at home.
1t is a situation requiring immense tact
and temper, but there is general conf
dence that the count will prove equal
to the emergency. He has had little
trouble to coming to an understanding
with both the English and American of
ficers. Though German, he esteems and
appreciates the two Anglo-Saxon peoples.
His marriage to a talented American
woman and his former close acquaintance
with the Empress Frederick. long ago
placed him in touch with some of the
most influential ~personages in London
and New York. At one time, indeed, he
was a little too strongly in sympathy
with what was known as the English
faction at the Berlin court to please the
kaiser, but for some years he has been
on confidential terms with his imperial
master. who has the highest opinion of
his strategical ability.
The appointment, however. has not re-
lieved the gloom which hangs over po-
litical circles in England. 1t is felt
that it does not portend a brief and easy
campaign in China. The publication of
the allies losses at Pei Tsang tells in the
same a There is an increasing appre-
hension that large reinforcements will
still be required for the far east. This
is peculiarly annoying to the British war
office, which has it's hands full in South
Africa.