The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-12-12
COMMANDER Of
SERBIAN ARMY
General PutnIk Came From tho Com
mon People and Has the Conf
dence and Honor Of
All.
sooRNs USE OF MAPS
Knows Every Mile Of His Country and
Keeps Plans In His Head
Instead Of on
Paper.

UNITED Press Correspondence
PARIS, Nov. 8. (By mail. Some
where back of the Serbian lines, at
some point on Serbias remaining
torn and devastated landscape today,
there SITS in super-heated room, the
real soul OF Serbia.
Wracked with chronic asthma, strug-
Cling at times to breathe. a pain rid
den little figure is directing the des-
TIMES Of heroic Serbian arms and the
destiny OF the house OF Karagerge-
witch.
II Serbia's suffering people and her
heroic little armies could be rolled
Into one composite shape, the person
iication would be Radomir Putnik,
commander in chief of the Serbian
forces, and idol OF the Serbian people,
say the Serbians.
All the moves of the Serbian SOL
diery, fighting for life on three sides,
are directed from tho room where
Aadomir Putnik sits, gasping fetid air
to ease his breathing and planning
strategy in his brain to slay or stay
the enemy
The Serbian commander in chief Is
ia bantam in physical stature. But his
shoulders are erect despite his suf-
ferings and he possesses the brus-
|queness and energy of born leader
LOT men. His eyes, deep set, are
flashing orbs Of command. His heavy
eyebrows denote an iron will and his
pointed vandyke beard. literally
streaked with grey, tells Of some of
the anxieties and cares attending
leadership in Serbian wars. He has
suffered physical ills during twenty
LOT his sixty-nine years.
The popular idol Of Serbia is a peas
ant He began his military career as
Ia boy IN the military academy at
belgrade He served through the
Turco-Serbian war OF 1876 as a lieu
tenant.
A year later, when Russia declared
war against Turkey and took the
struggle out Of serbia's hands, Putnik
became captain. Serbia's declara-
him Northumberland and chief of
stair. Later in this campaign he was
appointed colonel and became chief
Of the general staff.
The end Of the war found Putnik
commanding a division.
On account of his political SYM
known, was forced to retire after the
1903 he lived life of humble retire
ment, devoting himself to the study OF
military subjects. '
King Peter, who assembled the
throne in 1908, recalled him to active
!eral From this he jumped to minis
ter Of war.
When the first Balkan war. the
campaign against Turkey, was declar-
ed, General Putnik assumed command
LOT the army. In the struggles that
followed he gained the title Of idol Of
Serbia" which title the present crisis
has intensified and multiplied into
veneration and worship by soldiers
and public alike.
The aged leader, on account Of his
physical condition, fs now forced to
take every precaution. He rarely
LEAVES his room. Surrounded by
small staff he schemes and issues his
orders to officers who hurry to and
fro from the fighting line.
He seldom refers to map. He has
a remarkable memory for topography
Every hill and dale Of Serbia Is
spread out in his memory. He follows
the movement Of his troops with I'M
canny precision and knows every re-
treat and every advance from hour to
hour in a minute mental picture OF
the country in which they are operat-
ing.
His armies are filled with blind con-
fidence in their leader and look to
him for final victory. Every Serbian
will say that whether Serbia lives or
dies. the name Of Putnik will never
Ibe forgotten.
Though surrounded by every care.
under the direction Of the king and
crown prince General Putnik is poor,
like most serbians. At the conclusion
Of the first -3alkan war, I'm recognition
Of his service, group of weather.
icountrymen offered to present him
with a home and fortune. He refused.
what I have DONE" he said, does
not require any material reward.
am poor. I have always been poor, and
poor l shall remain.
'T only ask one thing. I have many
children. If ever one OF them should
be in need, hope that in memory OF
me they will find helping hand
Some Of these children OF the gen.
ieraI are today fighting for Serbia. :.
The commander In chief has long
Ibeen known for his simplicity OF
dress. whether in military or civilian
nniform. Els last appearance with his