Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-02
IS FORMER GRAND DUKE
ANOTHER BONAPARTE!:?
Nicholas NichUlaivitch, Uncle Of De-
posed Gar. May Lead His
People to Light.
LOVED BY MEN OF COMMANDS
Possesses Stupendous Abiiity-His
Strategy brilliant and Eorceful.
Brought 10 Russian Arms Vic
tories of Early Campaigns.

PARIS, December Twill the chaos
of the Russian revolution produce a
military genius who will lead the rcvo-
lutionary forces OF the great Sav re-
public TO victory, as Napoleon, produced
out OF the chaos OF the Reign OF Terror
led revolutionary France?
Many students of Developments in
Russia believe that such a figure will
appear. if such u figure has not AL
ready appeared III the commanding per-
son of the gigantic Nicholas Nicholai-
witch, former Grand Duke and uncle Of
the depoScd car. Latest reports from
the turmoil OF Pctrograd indicate that
Nicholas * gathering forces about him
for the purpose of either assuming his
ncphew's throne or OF giving himself
some such dictatoriai title AZ First
Consul" as did Napoleon in l19?
Like France, when Napoleon mot
then Emperor began his great cam
paign in Northern lta!y, Russia is in
the midst OF more or less disastrous
war. the people are starving and the
armies are ragged, tired and disor-
ganizcd When Napoleon gathered his
troops for the Italian campaign. France
WAS at war with England, Austria and
Sardinia. all the outGrowth OF the
before commencing the execution OF
his plans, Napoleon himself admitted
that they were half starved and half
naked. but urged this as more reason
why they should fight valiantly for the
riches and spells that lay before them
Napoleon proved himself Il superb
military genius. Nicholas has already
proved himself such. Military men
agree that the Grand Duke is one of
the most able strategistS of all Europe
AS genera lisSimo, he drove the Germans
out OF Poland and invaded moi only the
kaisers province OF East Prussia, but
also Austrian Galicia. EuHoNina and
even the plains Of hungary. when his
troops. ins To ghastly mismanage-
mcnt and dishonesty and trc;ichcrv in
high places at Pc;rograd, had but one
rifle 10 every four men and were with
out sufficient artillery. being cvcntu-
ally compelled TO retire owing to the
complete absence OF munitions p,u-
posely held back at Pctrograd by Ger
manophilc influences at court and in
high government circles.
STRATEGY STIPENDOUS.
FORCEFIL AND BRILLIANT
When transferred to the Caucasus
owing to his passionate and bitter re-
proachcS addressed 10 his kinSmau the
former Emperor, he pursued his career
Of victory far into Asia Minor. his can
turc Of the celebrated Turkish strong
holds OF Erzcrum and Of TreZibond
being among the most brilliant vic
tories OF the war.
Nicholas is abStcmious and a strict
diSciplnarian adored by every body
Of troops he has ever led. lie is all
business. possessing an uncanny ability
~ forge through work. His strategy
is brilliant. forceful aud stupendous
He feels the present dchatlc in gov
crnmcntal Russia bticrl~ PERHAPS as
no other Russian feels il. II was oniy
through his efforts that the Cars Off
Gals remained AS long as they did: he
was constantly toning down dangerous
inccptiouS Of the imperial government
through nleadngs at first. and later
through threats to personally lead a
peaceful revolution.
In the Bosheviki. with Trotzky and
Lcninc in control at Petroerad is n
condition which is striltnCly similar
TO conditions that prevailed in Paris
before The rise of Napoleon and the
execution of Robespicrrc. There wero
great military leaders in France but it
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