The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-07
RUSSIAN GENERALS AND RUS.
SIAN COWS.
Astonishing Revelations OF Tomfoolery
at tho Scene Of War.

ST.. PETERSBURG, July ls.-The educated
class throughout Russia ID astounded at the
unlimited license that has recently been given
to the'press, Long articles are printed In the
leading newspapers every day In which men
high In position are accused OF being respon-
slble, In this way or that, for the misfortunes
growing out OF the war
Among these articles a series headed
Truth About the War. which has been APP
pearln9 for some days In Noroe Vremyo
(NcW Times), Is being reprinted from War
saw to tho Urals and Is attracting much at
tention. These articles are written by Mr..
j. Taburno. one CT the war corresponden"
OF Noros Vrenya. and he 10 giving his con.
illusions as to some OF the causes that helped
to make the Manchurian campaign signal
failure. One article IL devoted TO transpo!-
tatlon. and some OF the facts the writer ad-
duces will seem very astonishing TO those
who are not familiar with conditions In this
empire.
Every body knows that the single track
railroad was all too inadequate for the move
ment OF supplies and troops. but Taburno
says that these meager facilities were not
fully utilized. vlceroy Alexief. who was
In command In Manchuria early In the war
travelled constantly in a luxurious private
train and necessarily delayed the movement
Of troops and supplies. He could not get over
his dislike TO travelling In the night. ana 80
his train was halted at any station he might
select for his nights rest As trains passing
on the side tracks would disturb his Excel
lenoy's slumbers. all movement was stopped.
and trains moving In both directions were
held Up till next morning at the stations on
either side of Alexieff' q resting place The
trains moving east were loaded with troops
and provisions. but though the exlgenoy was
great. they had to lose ten hours when they
approached the commanders resting place.
Gen. Kuropatkin. who was then the chief
Of Atexieff's staff. and the Generals In com.
mand Of the army divisions each demanded
and obtained a private train for himself
which was fitted up with every possible lu1 4
ury. These private trains were an impedl-
menttand inconvenience In two ways. They
were continually getting In the way OF the
troops and supply trains. and sometimes
blocked the track for half day at time:
they also practically absorbed all the passen-
ger cars on the eastern part OF the line. so
that ordinary officers and passen gers had to
travel In freight cars that were sorely needed
for other purposes.
Gen. Gripenberg was very much displeased
when he found that the train prepared for
him he'd not been fitted with electric lights
He remained at one station for two weeks
until the desired appliance had been obtained
from the nearest point where It was pro-
durable.
little later Gen. GrIpenberg's train stood
on switch and that Of the General In COM
mand on another switch Of the main line.
They were only eight miles apart. and there
was a comfortable carriage road between
them but Gripenberg would go to the fire.
ouent consultations with his chief only In his
private train. with his cooks and servants
and every luxury from home that could pos
sbly be supplied. The railroad officials
vainly protested that by taking his train to
the main track he arrested the whole move
mcnt in that neighborhood. Their protests
had no effect. In fact, tho necessity OF eha-
ming all movements 80 as not to interfere with
tho comforts OF the higher Generals or COM
pel them to leave their private trains soon
became generally recognized
The number of ladies' In tho army was un-
usually large for war times. Some of them
had privileges on the railroad that were
detrimental to the service; and 1t occurred on
several occasions that the wives Of the higher
officers had the right of way on the road when
hospital cars with wounded soldiers were.
standing on the switches.
1t was the talk among the peasant soldiery,