The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-03-23

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He was with the Germans during the
F'ranco-Prussian War as Russian at
tache, and acted as one of Skobeleff'
chief staff officers in the Merv cam
paign.
Gen. Annenkoff has played a leading
part in the intrigues against England
on the Indian frontier, and is credited
with having at least fifty specific
schemes for conquering India pigeon
holed in his desk.
L question whether there is a single
British officer who has such good
collection of English and foreign books
on India as 1 have pulled about in the
library of Gen. Annenkoff." said an
Englishman who became friendly with
him while travelling in Central Asia.
Another we'll known Russian soldier,
who might be expected to play a lead
| ing part in time of war, is Gen. Obrub-
chef. He is the hero of a hundred des-
| perate fights in the successive Central
| Asian campaigns, and enjoys a greater
reputation for personal courage than
probably any other Russian General.
During the siege of Geek Tepe Obrub-
chef was sent out by Skobeleff one
night to reconnoitre the position of the
enemy. He refused to take any SOL
diers with him, as the other. officers
detailed for that duty used to do, but
went alone disguised in Turcoman cos
tune.
He penetrated to one of the campfires
of the Turcomans, underneath the walls
of the fortress, ana sat down and calm
ly ate supper with them, introducing
himself as man from another branch
of the tribe who had been separated
from his comrades.
From the talk around the campfire
he learned all he wanted to know, and
he was about to retire unobtrusively
when Turcoman, who had known him
as a Russian officer before the war;
strolled up to the campfire and recog-
nized him.
Almost before the Turcoman could de-
nounce him Obrubcheff sprang to his
feet, drew his sword, rushed to the
nearest horse and cut it loose from its
heel rope. Several Turcomans rushed
up, but he cut his way through them
and was swallowed up in the darkness
before most of them realized what was
happening.
Gen. Bobrikoff, Governor General Of
Finland, is another of Skobeleff's men.
He is an able commander, but he has u
even cruelty.
His recent administration of Finland
has not belied that reputation.
He is credited with great influence i'll
the Council of State and the Committee
of Ministers, the two bodies which for |
mulate and execute Russian policy. He |
is a warm friend and ally of his old |
Gen. Kouropatkin.
The Cars he DIll<e !
may be regarded as the Nestor /
of the Russian army. He played Il
leading part in the Russo-Turkish war, !
the army of the Caucasus. |
He is now u and would not be likely |
to take the field again. But he would /
certainly help to form Russias plan of |
if she went to war.
He has been a soldier for over fifty |
years, and his military talents are held |
in high esteem by Russian officers.
He would have been a greater Gen |
eraI," one OF them declared the other |
day, If he had not had the misfortune |
to be born a Grand Duke
This veteran prince should not be |
COMPOUNDED with the younger Grand |
Duke Michael, the Cars brother and |
of the two Michaels is now president |
of the Committee of Ministers.
Although himself an old warhorse |
he is the strongest ally of NJ. White !
and Count Lamsdorf in their efforts to /
keep Russia at peace with the world.
Il have seen too much war; he once |
said to an ardent young officer, who |
told him he hoped there would soon be
a chance of active service. II want to
see no more. War is deviIish.''
Another Grand Duke, Alexis Alex !
is the theoretical head of |
the Russian navy, being High Admiral. |
He takes keen interest in naval mat |
tiers, but the practical control of them |
is in the hands of Vice-AdmiraI Tyr |
tow, who directs the Ministry of Ma
rine.
Count Lamsdorff, the Foreign Minis |
ter, is regarded in Russia as a very |
poor successor to such diplomatic
giants as Ignatieff, Gortchakoff and
Lobanoff. He is unpopular with the
army, because he mas always shown
himself to be on the side of peace. The
officers accuse him, as Englishmen ac-
cused Lord Salisbury, of making too
many graceful concessions to the ma
TONS rivals.
Personally. Lamsdorf is an attrac-
tive man. No other Russian statesman
is so much liked by the foreign colony
in St. Petersburg and by the mass of
the people. He is democratic and ap-
proacha BILE. Other Ministers of the
Car surround themselves by secret
service agents. and are as difficult to
interview as the Grand Lama of Tibet.
Not so Lamsdorff. He mikes freely
with the public, alone and unguarded, |
and anybody with reasonable excuse
can see him at his Office any day
NJ Y Sun