The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1904-03-04
FOUGHT HIS Way
TO LEADERSHIP
General Kuropatkin, Now the
Russian COMMANDMENT Chief,
Came From the Ranks.
is THE IDOL OF THE ARMY
Though an Old Man, the People Feel
That His Leadership Will Inspire
Confidence Requisite for
Ultimate Success.

st. Peters burg special: With the posi-
bic exception Of General Dragomiroff,
formerly governor general of kieff, and
later member of the council of state. Cen
eral kuropatkin. who has just been APP
pointed to the chief of the Rus
sian army in the far east, is the most
popular man in the Russian army. AS a
bluff old soldier who has fought his way
up from the bottom to be minister of war,
he is the ideal of the enlisted men. Not
one in the czar's army has seen more
lighting, and no one can tell a story bet
ter. There is never a dull m in his
company, for he intermingles the humor-
Gus incidents of his campaign with tales
Of the self-sacrifce of the men whom he
led with Skobeletf over the parched
wastes Of Geok-Tepe or over the icy slopes
of Plevna.
No one meeting the short, grizzled war
rior in his charming home on the sunny
side of the Mo.ka would guess the extent
of his power or the burden of responsible
ity weighing on his shoulders. AS minis
ter Of war he was considered a just chief
who gave rewards and administered pun
ishmcnts without fear or favor. It is
small wonder. therefore,, that the Russian
army adores him.
His Leadership Inspires Confidence.
The appointment of General Kuropatkin
to direct command in the field has been
received with enthusiasm and his leader
ship inspires complete confidence that
there VIII be no mistake and that Russian
arms will be carried to succeed on land.
General kuropatkin Will be accom-
panied to the front by the Grand Dukes
Boris, Alexis, Nicholas and Michael Niko-
laievich.
The exact mission of Grand Duke Alexis
is unknown, but 1t is undoubtedly an i'm
portant one, as he has been in supreme
Of the Russian navy as presi-
dent of the board of admiralty, taking an
active part in the negotiations preceding
hostilities. He presided at the special
council which prepared Russia's undeliv-
cred reply to Japan.
Alexis paid a memorably pleasant visit
to the United States when a young man.
His career as high admiral is we'll known
and brilliant, and he has always sur
rounded himself with a notable staff.
Alexis Likes Yachting.
The grand duke has been q prominent
figure in two capitals. During the busy
months of winter he is often seen walk
ing on the Grand Orskaia to and from
the stately palace, and in front of the new
admiralty dock yard. His f%avorite resort
is the yacht club. He spends his summers
in Paris.
The Grand Duke Alexis is now in very
bad health, but his desire to go to the
front could not be resisted. If his health
permits he ma exercise general direction
of the naval movements in the far east.
Grand Duke Boris is a lieutenant of
hussars and is considered a daredevil of
the soldier sort. He is likely to distin-
guish himself in battle and probably will
be on the staff of Grand Duke Nicholas.
After Boris returned from the United
States he bought the palace formerly oc-
cupied by Ambassador Mccormick.
Nicholas a Cavalry Expert.
The Grand k Nicholas is Al years
of age and Is considered the foremost
cavalry expert In the Russian army. He
is tall and fair, will q pleasant face. AS
the occupan of the responsible post of in
spector general of cavalry he will be able
to advise General Kuropatkin, who is an
infantry specialist.
Nicholas is one of the few grand dukes
who married a commoner, and though his
marriage has not been recorded it is none
the less a happy one. His wife was the
widow Of a wealthy merchant named
Bourenin.
With General Kuropatkin's appointment
as commander-in-chief of the army and
the presence of the Grand Duke Alexis
In the far east, the opinion is strength
ened that while Admiral AleXieff may re-
main as viceroy, the active direction of
operations will pass out Of his hands.