Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-08-07
Italy's War Leader
Literary digest.

Etsorary p19eaS
lust as General JOffrs was practically unknown
u outside Of France before the beginning Of the
war. 20 Italy's leader comes upon the European
battlefield unheralded and unknown to the American
observer IN ltaU' however, ne was ereaoy ,aInou..
Count Luigi Cadona has long been regarded there az
the army's one hope and tho man who has the
ability TO revive its glory An Italian writer, friend
Of the count, characterizes him, in article
tributed 20 the Brooklyn Eagle, by the two words
Nivacity" and calm" These describe alike his ca
reer and his temperament His quick mind has built
up storehouse of military knowedse; II has judged
keeniy both interiors and superiors; has foreseen
and planned long in advance but always beneath a
surface OF canness and without the friction OF dis
ordered haste He maintains his balance in the most
trying circumstances refuses to yield biudg
eonngs of hasty argument prcjudiced persuasion
Such II the praise given him by his friends and subse
quent eiimpses OF his career seem TO bear II out
The count has always been a soldier. his father
was before him IT was from his father that he first
learned the value OF iron discipline in incident that
occurred when he young in the service. When no
was appointed lieutenant read at the tender age
Of 90 he attached TO the staff Of his father. who
was commanding the army division at Florence The
latter named commander-in-ohisf OF the army
which was 10 take Rome Here something TO re.
joce the heart OF brilliant young officer burning
with desire to win honor for himself. But the old
general. fearing that the of his his
staff might be interpreted favoritism promptly
displaced him.
80 well did he understand and retain this lesson that
on the very day when declared Austria
ne sent hts own son, who was then his ordnance Of
ficer, to rejon his regiment This time the younger
man had cause to complain. The cavalry regi-
ment IN which he is a lieutenant has been placed in
the first line on the 'front.'.
In 1876 at the age of 26 he was made a captain
and his progress thereafter rapid and As
instil into tho rather sluggish blood OF the old
the ideas OF q Here for time he met
with quite natural difficulties and are told that
colonies OF the old school did not look with
ava fDatF rrhi fhofY
ideas. ana did everything in their TO combat
them- But these instructions always had special
charm for the younger officers. and Captain Cadorna
smiling, calm. and persistent. also knew how to
oounteract the efforts in favor OF the old routine In
such charming that the fruits Of his teach
ings always very brilliant
Attached finally 70 the staff OF General Pianeil
who commanded the army corps Of Verona. no found
q who knew how TO appreciate him and who con-
sequently furnished him the best opportunity for
pieting his education. and for his development
He Of the most distinguished generals OF the
italian army. and without doubt Of the most
inspiring.
While under his orders II was necessary to fol,
low the straight and path at all times Very
active himself. he never permitted laxity. Wel-ln-
formed himself although advanced In years, he was
OF the opinion that officer like physician. ought
to study all his life. and follow the made In
his own science. Himself martinez to the tips Of
his fingers, demanded strict military from
his subordinates A soldier at heart, he imposed n
discipline. Louis Cadorna was delighted. He
worked with DETERMINATION, made some studies re-
lating to the Italian-Austr1an frontier which are
marvel OF detail and precision He published Of
fcers manual for times Of war. which IL model of
style. and at the time remarkable military text
book
Now in those days Verona was the center OF some
memorable maneuvers. Having in mind the reputation
OF General Pianer the minister of sent under his
orders all those division generals whom he held IN
only mediocre esteem. The minister was counting
the inflexibity and observation-disclosures Of Panell.
W. OF the Blue party. to break
them. once the maneuvers were over. cad0rna wes
the chief Of staff of his division As he did every
thing himself and performed his duties with
knowledge and astonishing Brightness all the generals
of inferior order made brilliant succesB and the
minister of could address them only his best
pliments. General Pianell. however, who knew ths
secret OF the situation. called Cadorna who then
only colonel and said to him. smilingi
MY dear colonel have read all the reports writ.
ten by the generals who are under my command. on
the subject of the great maneuvers Please accept
sincere compliments"
And az the confused csdOrua did not know how to
'sYou ought TO write q manual teaching generals
how to get the services Of an exceptional staff officer
II was supposed that Count cadorna would become
Itay's military commander time before
he actually did He expected to succeed tho
Count saletta At his retirement but instead
General Polio given the appointment There was
much comment from the admirers OF Cadorna but
never a word from him Calmly and without giving .
sign OF his feelings In the matter he went about
and commander Poiiios death not long afterward
gave cadorna the post at last at time when his up.
t0-dato knowledge and executive ability were
most needed AZ the writer REMARKS In conclusions
EVERY knows in what condition the italian
army found itself when Louis Cadorna became its
chief He ala everything possible 20 revive Its energy
and 10 overcome the "siAckers" But he found IN
General Grand. the minister Of war. the stubborn
Opposition OF official overcome by budgetary dit
fcultles II necessary to submits It was a ques.
ton OF discipline. During few months General Cad.
orna submitted. Rut when the war broke out. when
eigaor salandra and the king called him before them
In order to oonfide to him the task Of putting the
army condition. and also to ask his advice on
the selection Of the new minister OF war. his heart
swelied with Joy
-And during eight months he has worked day and
night He has saven 70 every one the faith that Is
IN mis- own heart He has been the benevolent and
tutslary genius Of Italian military politics. II was
on this occasion that the two essential qualities Of
his enthusiastically and caim-performed miracles
Everything TO be done. ana everything has been
done. The required time has been consumed but not
an instant more. one day General Cadorna said I'VE
are roady" He said with his cear-cut voice. In q
decisive and tranquil tonA his bright eyes smiling.
1 RsH 20, for an