The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-17
GENERAL KOUROPATMN
FOREMOST FIGHTER
Russia's War Chief Was Skobe-
leff's Right-Hand Man at
Plevna and Also IN Asia.
MILITARY
AUTHORITY

PARIS, Feb. 1.-THE following is a brief
description of the man who will command
Russia's land forces in the East in the war:
1t is safe to say that not Russia alone,
but the great globe itself, contains no man
so thoroughly equipped in every branch of
military knowledge as Gen. Alexei Mich
olavitch K~ouropatkin, who since 1898 has
been minister of war in the Russian en-
pire.
Educated in the theory of arms at the
best of the Russian military schools. trained
to practice under the greatest of modern
Russian warriors, Gen. Mikha Skobeleff,
he made a glorious record in every impor-
tant Russian war since 1866, and worked his
way up from sublieutenant in tina year to
the command of the army in 1897.
Nor is this the sum total of his accom-
plishments. His monographs on the chief
episodes of the Balkan campaign are ac-
knowledged classics, his books on algeria"
and "Kashgaria" have been crowned by
the Imperial Geographical Society, his es-
says are recognized authorities on every
point of strategy. his proficiency as an in
structor of youth has been demonstrated i'm
the echnicaI schools, his executive abilities
have been put to the severest and most
successful tests in the governorship of the
transcaspian district and in the onerous
office which he occupies at present. and he
has worn more decorations than any one
breast could wear at any one time.
Like most Russian officers, he comes from
the ancient nobility. For centuries his
local government of Pskoff. where their
ancestral estates are situated.
Here he was born on March IL, 1s4s. After
School and of the Imperial Military College
in st. Petersburg. he obtained a commits
sion as sublieutenant i'm the Turkestan
Rifles. He was then only eighteen.
The various tribes and nations which oc-
cupied the vast territory then known sim
ply as Turkestan were in a condition of
wild disorder. and were united only in a
common hatred for the Christians.
DECORATED BY FRANCE.
In June, 1864, an expedition under General
Chernaief had been sent into that portion
of what is now West Turkestan, which lay
just across the then borders of Asiatic Rus
STA. Tashkend had fallen i'm June, 1865. Just
before Kouropatkin's arrival on, the scene
the important victory of Irjan had been
won by 5000 Russians over 10000 Bokharans.
under their Emir. Kouropatkin participated
in all the subsequent hostilities, which cul-
minated in the capture Of Samarcand. the
Emir's capital. A treaty was concluded
which left Bokhara politically free, but
transferred Sama-cand to Russia.
Kouropatkin returned to St. Petersburg
with the rank of lieutenant. 10 continue his
military studies in the academy Of the gen
eral staff. In 1871. as the most brilliant
graduate of the academy. he was sent
abroad TO study military conditions in va
rious European countries. In France Pres
ident MacMahon invited him TO take part in
the maneuvers at Metz. Here he displayed
.,,aL Q o ga
rated with the cross OF the Legion of
Honor. being the first Russian to win that
distinction. He was In Algiers with the
French General Laverdeau i'm 1874. and there
accumulated the materials for his first book.
Algeria" which was published in 1877.
In 1876 he was back again i'm Turkestan.
assisting General Skobeleff in the conquest
of Khokand. This province was annexed
by Russia under the new name OF Ferg-
hama. Skobeleff was appointed Governor.
with Kouropatkin as his chief Of staff.
War with Turkey broke out on April %.
1877. Skobelef and Kouropatkin were sum
moned back to Russia. ~Constantinople was
to be taken. Between Russia and Constan-
tinople lay three great barriers-the River
Danube, the Turkish strongholds I'm Bull
garia and the Balkan mountains. which
form the neutral boundary between Bull
The Russians now pressed forward TO the
very suburbs of Constantinople. on March
3. 1878, peace was concluded at San Stefano.
Only the intervention or the other powers.
and notably England. had prevented Russia
from capturing Constantinople.
THE TURCOMAN BARRIER.
With the proclamation Of peace Kouro-
patkin, now raised to the grade of colonel
returned to st. Petersburg, where he was
appointed Asiatic director of the general
staff and joint professor of military stalls
tics in the academy. Again troubles broke
out in Turkestan. Russia. still smarting
M the memory of England's interference In
Turkey, conceived the idea OF making those
troubles a pretext for conquering the en-
tire territory and laundering at the very
gates of India. The British public. catching