The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-24

thought much of in the Russian army
unless he is able to say, II was with
Skobeleff at Plevna,'' or, 81 fought in
Turkestan under Skobeleff." There is
hardly single prominent general in
the service who is not one of "Skobe-
leff's men," That great commander
showed unerring judgment in picking
his subordinates. The unknown SUI
balterns whom he chose for his staff
ot1cerS and the captains and colonies
to whom he entrusted the command OF
small armies have since become, almost
without an exception, famous generals.
Michael Annenkoff was born in 1885,
and received his first commission in
the Russian army in 1868. He IS an
older veteran than Kouropatkin, for he
served as staff captain during the
Polish instruction. and rose to the
rank of colonel at the remarkably early
age of %. He was with the Germans
during the Franco-Prussian War as
Russian attache, and acted as one of
Skobeleff's chief staff officers in the
Merry campaign.
Gen. Annenkoff has played a lead
ing part in the intrigues against Eng
land on the Indian frontier. and is
credited with having at least fifty spe-
cific schemes for conquering India pig
eon-holed in his desk.
Il question whether there is a sin
gle British officer who has such a 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.
General OberubscheG.
Another well-known Russian soldier,
who might be expected to play a
leading part in time of war, is Gen.
Obrubcheff. He is the hero of a hun
bred desperate fights in the success
sive Central Asian campaigns, and
enjoys a greater reputation for per-
sonal courage than probably any other
Russian general.
During the siege of Cock Tepe,
Obrubcheff was sent out by Skobeleff
one night to reconnoitre the position
of the enemy. He refused to take any
soldiers with him, as the other officers
detailed for that duty used to do but
went alone disguised in Turcoman
costume. He penetrated to one of the
campfires of the Turcomans, under
meath the walls of the fortress, and sat
down and calmly ate supper with
them, introducing himself as man
from another branch of the tribe who
had been separated from his COM
rades.
Il rom the Idlh dIOuHu the CdUlDlTG
he learned all he wanted to know, and
he was about to retire unobtrusively
when a Turcoman, who had known
him as a Russian officer before the
war, strolled up to the campfire and
recognized him.
Almost before the Turcoman could
denounce him. Obrubcheff sprang to
his feet, drew his sword, rushed to the
nearest horse, and cut it loose from
rushed up, but he cut his way through
them and was swallowed up in the
darkness before most of them realized
what was happening.
General BObrikOR.
Gen. Bobrikoff, the Governor Cen
eral of Finland, is another of "Skobe-
leff's men" He is an able commander.
but he has reputation for extreme
harshness, and even cruelty. His re-
cent administration of Finland has not
belied that reputation. He is credited
with great influence in the Council of
State and the Committee of Ministers,
the two bodies which formulate and
execute Russian policy. He is a warm
friend and ally of his old comrade,
Gen. Kouropatkin.
The NestOr of the Army.
The Cars uncle, the Grand Duke
tor of the Russian army. He played
a leading part in the Russo Turkish
War, commanding the Army of the
Caucasus. He is now Y years DID, and
would not be likely to take the field
again. But he would certainly help to
form Russia's plan of campaign 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 general" one OF them de-
clared 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 ana
heir to the Russian throne. The elder
of the two Michaels is now president
of the Committee of Ministers. AL
though himself an old war-horse, he is
the strongest ally of M. White and
Count Lamsdorff 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 wouId
soon be chance of active service. 81
want to see no more. War is devil
ish."
The Head of the Navy.
Another Grand Duke Alexis Alex-
androvitch, is the theoretical head of
the Russian navy, being High Adj
miral." He takes keen interest in
naval matters, but the practical con- |
troll of them is in the hands Of yicn-
Admiral Tyrtow, who directs the Min
istry of Marine.
Alexis Has Seen Service in Central
Africa.
Count Lamsdorff, the Foreign Min |
lister, is regarded in Russia as a very |
poor successor to such diplomatic |
giants as Ignatieff. Gortehakoff and |
Lebanon. He is unpopular with the |
army, because he has 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
Nations rivals.
Personally, Lamsdorff is an attrac-
tive man. No other Russian states
man is so much liked by the foreign
colony in st. Petersburg and by the
mass of the people. He is democrats
and approachable. Other Ministers
of the Car surround themselves by
secret service agents, and are as diff