Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-08-24

right) and Count Won Moltke.
The attention of the entire world is
now centered on Germany and the
leaders who are guiding the destinies
of that nation during the troublous
days of the general war. The most
illustrious OF these leaders, aside from
the kaiser himself, are the Imperial
Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg
Field Marshal of the German Army
General Count Won Moltke, and the
head OF the kaiser's navy, Grand Ad-
miral Won Tirpitz.
| Won Bethmann-Hollweg is a big,
raw-boned man who looks like a
| backwoodsman, built by nature for
the rough, uncivilized life of the
frontier, it's poverty and privations.
He is in reality the product of many
generations OF wealth and culture, a
philosopher whose highest delight is
in the abstruse, scholarly problems
OF metaphysics, and who has become
statesman by imperial command.
His face is peculiarly Indicative of
his character. The mouth is hidden
by a bristling moustache and short,
bristling beard, both falling to con-
ceal the stern. ascetic lines OF the
thin lips. The eyes are stern but not
cold, the nose is boldly strong, while
the high, narrow forehead is the
domed shelter of an intellect ideal
istic to extreme.
He towers in giant physique head
and shoulders above his imperial
master. the kaiser, but he stands
humble and passive. a courtier wait
ing for the commands of the king.
He is ready to fulfill them whatever
may be the cost-to the people or to
himself.
Bethmann-Hollweg has been in
stalled in the chancellor's official resi-
dence five years. He has been min
lister OF the interior and vice chan
cellor as well as having held some
minor posts. Not the least import
ant OF all he has been a fellow stu
dent OF the kaiser at Bonn and a
member OF the Borussia corps, to
which the kaiser and none but his
intimate friends belonged. He
succeeded as chancellor Prince Won
Buelow.
The German chancellor is known to
be, personally, a man OF peace. 1t
is an open secret that he likes Eng
land and desired TO come to an I'm
Outstanding with her government
But It must not be forgotten that
the kaiser is. in reality. at the pres
ent time his own chancellory.
General Count Helmuth Won Moltke,
field marshal OF the German army,
now IN supreme command, under the
kaiser, of the united forces OF the
empire, is the favorite nephew OF the
old field marshal OF the Franco
Prussian war OF 1870. About twelve
years ago the kaiser appointed him
quartermaster general OF the army,
an appointment which pleased every
body, as the officer was popular and
had an excellent reputation as a
military executive. He had become
popular with the kaiser for his ac-
compliments of culture as well as
those OF the soldier. a very natural
thing.
The kaiser twice offered him the
baton OF the field marshal before
Noltke could be persuaded to accept
It. He has the one strong trait of
his great uncle IN being extremely
modest. He frankly told the kaiser
he was not the best man to be found
for the place. The frank opinion of
the army seems to lean the same
way.
Helmuth Won Moltke is undoubted- |
Iy a capable leader in the field, but |
much doubt Is expressed as to his |
ability 20 plan the great campaigns. |
which is the duty OF the field mar
shall.
He is reported TO have accepted |
the post after the kaiser had per-
suasiveiy remarked: ''In time OF
peace. any one can do the work. In
time OF war, / shall be my own chief
% STAFF"
Grand Admiral Won Tirpitz. the
head OF the kaisers nvay. is the
dominating figure in German official
lie. As far as the navy is concern
ed. Tirpitz dominates over the kaiser.
A man OF comparatively humble
birth, born SIS years ago. he entered
the royal Prussian navy when he was
only 1s. cruising in the Baltic. the
North Sea, the Mediterranean and the
Atlantic ocean. and rising TO the grade
OF second lieutenant in time TO serve
in the Franco-Prusslan war on board
the Koenig Wilhelm. Service in
South America. in the West Indies
and again in the Mediterranean fol
lowed. and the young seaman had
soon become so Indispensable 20 the
service that IN 1879 he was appoint-l