The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-10-22
KUROPATKIN A GREAT MAN.
An Eminent Explorer Pays a High Tribut-
to Him.

LII. Oven IleulI, llc liLollS On
plorer, who in his travels through
Central Asia, says the London Daily
News, has repeatedly had the oppor
trnity Of meeting the man upon whose
shoulders the fate of Russia rests,
| gives in Die Woche an interesting
character sketch of the Russian COM
mander-n-chief. DR.. Sven Hcdin con-
fesses that lie is an out-and-out ad-
mirer Of General Kuropatkin, both as
Il man and a soldier. The explorer
says:
''Kuropatllin in his position as chief
of the general staff under the celebrat-
ed Commander Skobeleff, had ample
opportunity Of studying the art Of war.
Still in many points there is no sim
ilarity of character between these two
great men. Skobeleff showed pas
sionate love Of war and delighted in
riding to the front in white uniform
decorated with orders, perfumed and
got up like bridegroom going to meet
his fair bride. Kuropatkin considered
war, from the serious side, as an un-
avoidable evil, an art that must be
studied with untiring diligence and not
a thing to be entered upon OH the i'm
pulse of the moment.
Gas far as popularity goes he may
fairly vie with Skobeletf, although the
mere appearance of the latter sufliccd
to electrify and kindle enthusiasm in
the breasts of his soldiers, whereas
the presence of Kuropatllin spreads
Il feeling Of unshakablc cquanimity
ana confidence among Ills troops. They
regarded him as a father, knowing
that each individual man has 4 place
in his feelings akin to that of a father
to his son.
'Kuropatkin has always dislikcd
ana discarded all show Of pomp or
state, striving in the very height of his
power to uphold the moral standing OF
the soldiers. He even found it only a
natural act of duty for one who had
command over a whole army to in
| flucnce that army to a man by show
ing good example in his own manner
of living. Kuropatkin is noted for his
irreproaclnbly just dealing in every
detail, merit and bravery alone finding
consideration in cases of advancement
"a grand duke is, in Kuropatkin's
eyes, not more than an ordinary Off
Ger, and if at any time he felt in
clncd to show preference or favor it
was bestowed on the common soldier
G<asakem. Ncpotism has no place in
his character whatever, and had per-
sonalIy an opportunity of seeing this.
In the spring of 1902 | was staying
a few days on a visit to my old friend
Of the Pamir expedition General Salt
fcSs), who was at that time district
chef at Oscll. His 'Nomoschnik,' or
assistant secretary, was no other than
the brother of Kuropatkin, who had
not even been advanced to the rank
of general. Why should he because
he happened to be the brother of the
minister of war, enjoy more privileges
than anyone else? He was a manly,
tne-built man, Of extraordinary talent,
and yet he found it quite natural that
his brother, for whom he had an un-
bounded admiration, should allot to
him a secondary position in the in
terror Of Asia.
"Russia has never before possessed
a commander Of the army, an admin
istrator and strategist to be compared
with Kuropatkin. If he prove the vic
tor in the present conflict he will make
no boast of it but carry the trophies
Of honor with meek spirit, according
all the merit to his soldiers, and if i'll
luck condemns him to defeat no out
ward sign will betray his innermost
feelings. He has passed too long a
period of his life among Mohamme-
dams not to have gained touch Of
their fatalism. A firm hope, yes, more,
an unshakable confidence in an even
tual victory will never leave him.
Even in the most trying situations he
will exclaim with his immovable self
possession, Patience, patience! We
shall either conquer these Japanese or
J not return home!"
i = y 70 J. 4. y - = ! . fI4.