Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-01-20
Hindenburg Talks Of
His Famous Victory

BERLIN. Jan. ia correspondent
OF the "Berliner Tageblatt writes from
the headquarters OF the German army
In Russia:
A few weeks ago the German EN-
peror attended divine service in the
little protestant church Of wilma. Be-
hind the monarch sat his greatest
rrmy leader, Field Marshal Won Hin
ienburg. During the entire service
The famous general did not move even
1 muscle OF his face. He seemed to
be a statue of bronze. When at the
md Of the service he arose with che
Emperor, stretching his gigantic body,
ne was the personification of force
end self-confidence. And so he ap-
oeared to me today. when he received
me In company with a number of other
var correspondents.
IAN army leader has to remain
calm in all circumstances" the great
field marshal said. IF commander
becomes nervous his subordinates lose
their heads completely and disaster Is
sure to follow"
One of us mentioned the battle OF
fannenberg, where the Field Marshal
on his most glorious victory. Then
we talked of the terrible destruction
caused by the Russian troops and the
misery of the Germans. Jews, Poles
mis- N-h drt,FA
from their homes by the soldiers OF
the Gear
"rhe methods employed by the Rus
slams are more than barbarous, they
are terrible" Hindenburg said. II
never forget how met our East Prus.
sian fugitives Il few days before the
battle of Tanncnberg. The unfortu-
Iates, with the few possessions they
had dragged along, were camping or
the sides of the roads, which had to
~ kept open for the. movements of
our troops. My heart became heavy
" thin my breast when I saw all tbs
misery and / asked myself: what
will be the fate Of these poor people
II / do not win, II have to retreat
and the unfortunates have again to be
given up helplessly to the Russians
II was the saddest moment of my life,
but sense Of duty conquered the de-
preston which threatened to over
power ME in sight of so much misery"
ITO plan and direct a battle is n
serious natter the Field Marshal
continued" Everything depends on
the spirit. The battle really is a con-
test between the two commanders
You always ask yourself: Who will
be smarter and more resourceful, l or
my opponent That fascinates and
makes the nerves hard as steel. After
his initial successes in Eastern Prus.
STA Commander General Rennenkampf
believed the German army in full re-
treat on Koenigsberg and he massed
his troops for decisive battle in front
of this fortress. While he was pre-.
pairing the crushing blow which he
hoped to strike, attacked at Tannen-
berg. l had outwitted my opponent
and the result was Russian dis
aster."
ITO be successful an army leader
has to be brave. prudent. self-confident
and calm" the Field Marshall con-
cluded. Sometimes great victories
are won by reckless daring, and some
times by prudence. These two char
acteristics ought to be evenly mixed
in every general. To much prudence
is not desirable, because many a battle
is lost by hesitation. 1t has always
been my principle to strike wherever
can and my chief.of-staff fully
agrees with me-"
We tried TO get the great leader 10
talk about the present situation and
the probable future developments of
the war, but he declined to be ques.
toned and cut us short with the curt
remark: "One of the first duties of q
commander is to keep his mouth shut.
A talkative general never accom-.
plishes anything"
This is also the program of linden.
burg's chiefof-staff, General Won Lud.
endorff Like his superior, Luden.
dorff takes no stock in hopes which 10
not rest solldly on military successes.
He Is just as septical about revolu-
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