The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-01
Men Making History Off
Port Arthur and on
the Yalu'S Banks.
Kuropatkin and Makaroff
Living and Dead Idols
of Russian Arms.
Togo and Uriu, One the
Brain, the Other the
Arm of Jap Forces.


ficts that are taking place in the Far
East. ana OF the gallantry displayed by
the leaders of the contending forces, one
Is led irressistibly to worker who are
these men who inspire in their follow
ers such matchless confidence, such un-
faltering devotion.
Whence come they-these giants of
blood and iron? What have they done
TO make themselves heroes and demi-
goGs in the eyes OF their men? What
contribution have they made TO the
history OF the past? What are the lives
they lead at home? Whence arose the
mist Of romance in which they are en-
veloced2
Men of parts they are surely-no car.
pet knights or library tactIcians. The
work they have done has been in the
open. on fields swept Of shot and shell,
or in the even deadlier conflict of the
modern ships of war. They are men
who have slept under the same cloak
with death. They know war and its
grim terrors intimately. Different
enough. indeed. they are-the Jap and
the Russ-but one trait they hold in
common-the dogged determination to
conquer or die.
I'VE shall sign the protocols OF peace
st Tokyo" says the grim Russian.
I'VE shall not retreat from our posi-
ton until every man has fallen and
every ship been sunk beneath the
waves" comes the unfaltering reply.
The fights have been Ike those Of old,
when Greek met Greek. Heroism has
almost become A commonplace. Japan
csc sailors have struggled among them
selves for the privilege Of dying for
their country. and Russian seamen have
gone TO the rescue OF their comrades in
the very face of overwhelming odds.
Long-protracte0 must be the war in
which such dauntless spirits engage.
When il is over. whether the treaty be
signed at Tokyo OF St Petersburg. the
world VIII know more of the men who
have written these bloody pages in its
history.
The Great Kuropatkin.
First of all Kuropatkin, hero Of a
dozen campaigns. pupil OF Skobeleff,
.'the butcher" and the idol Of the Rus
sian army. The soldiers OF the Little
Father believe firmly that In him the
spirit Of Skobelef is reincarnate. and
they will follow him with smile wher-
ever he viii lead-and he will lead them
anywhere.
The man Is ffty-four years old. He
received his education in the military
schools at St Petersburg. the more ad-
vanced Of which is distinguished by
discipline as strict as that which pre-
walls AT West Point. The year he gained
his commission, in 1856 he took part In
the contest of Turkestan. in the army
commanded by General Chernaieff. In
that campaign he won the crosses Of
S.. Stanislav and St Anne. with swords
Of honor, for distinguished valor.
He earned his step. was promoted first
lieutenant. and until 1874 was stationed
al St. Petersburg. studying military
schemes in the academy of the general
STAFF. He graduated at the head of his
class and was given a special allowance
for the purpose of permitting him 10
continue his studies abroad.
IN Berlin and Paris he bent his keen
powers Of observation upon the plans Of
army organization that had received the
approval Of the greatest generals of
Germany and France At the hands OF
President AIacMahon of France. because
OF signal ability displayed in the army
maneuvers around Metz, he was made
an officer Of the Legion Of Honor. being
the hrst foreigner TO receive the distinc-
ton.
A story is told that illustrates the tire
less pertinacity and determination Of
the man While abroad pursuing his
studies he had been given a vague prom
Use that he would be permitted to take
part in the Khokand expedition under
his old general, 'Skobeleff. but after his
return 10 Petersburg he was elected by
his brother officers treasurer Of his bat
talon. and when the time came the
promise Of assignment 20 active duty
was not fulfilled.
He prevailed upon his friends in the
corps to call with him upon the major
and indorse his application. but there
was no change in the reply he received.
Then Kuropatkin adopted different tao
ties. He resigned his Office as treasur-
er. secured the election OF his successor.
and. again aceompan by his friends
Of the battalion. repaired 10 the home
OF the major. The application was re-
newed and refused, but when the other
officers left Kuropatkin remained in the
vestibule of the house, as though on
guard The major regarded him curl
ously
what are you here for?" he asked
II am waiting until you send me TO
KhOkand.' was the reply
THAT ] viii never do" said the ma Tor
and passed on his way When he came
home eighteen hours later. however. and
found the young officer still at his post
he relented.
The devil take you" the gruff old
fellow shouted. What can 1 do with
such head as yours AS you won't
stay. go. with the blessing OF God. III
find another treasurer"
Incarnate God of War.
Kuropatdn went and in that cam
paign. in which ne acted during the
largsE part of the time as SkobeIen' $
chief Of stan. he gained glory and dis
tinction enough 10 last an ordinary man
his lifetime He took part in the bloody
victories that marked HIS generals on
ward course. Archibald Forbes. the
great English war correspondent. de-
scribing Kuropatkin after one OF his
battles, said he looked like 'the incar-
nate god Of war. fresh from the scene
OF carnage.
He was bleeding from half a dozen
wounds. but he stood as steady as a