The Washington times., 1917-06-07

from HeuoBrad announces the ap-
pointment OF Gen. Alexis A. BrusiIoff
to be commander-in-chiefo Of all the
Russian armies. He succeeds General
Alexien, who was appointed chief OF
star-the Gar was commander-in-
CHIFFON the dismissal of the Grand
Duke Nicholas in 1915.
The appointment Of Brusiloff 10 a
Victory for law, order, and the COM
pletfon OF the war by victory over
the central powers as far as Russia's
part in that victory is concerned.
Brusilon is not only the Russian SOL
dier's idol, he Is an idol Of the Rus
sian masses. His face has been steel
set against Germany for many years,
he never has had anything but anger
and contempt for the pro-German in
triguers at Petrograd, never any
thing but Impotence with the belief
whether held by the revolutionary
leaders or their predecessors in gov
ernment-that there was any other
way to the triumph OF Russian free
dom than that over the dead bodies
of the enemy. A year ago he said:
MY one desire IL to do for Russia
all that lies in my power. II does
not matter so much where the hght-
ing line extends-have we not Two
continents behind us!-because the
outcome OF the war will be settled
not by the occupation of territory
but by the destruction Of the enc
mics armies and resources"
BrusIIon and the Revolution.
Speaking at Odessa-after the reVo-
lution-to the Duma delegates who
visited him, Brusiloff said: I'VE OF
the army took the oath Of allegiance
TO the newly formed government, fully
realizing the imperative necessity OF
supportinR its steadfastly. and we are
nrepared to sacrifice our lives IL that
will AFFORD It chance OF iuihiiihs
its purpose to the END.
when the soldiers and WORKING
mems delegates began to interiors
with the working and intentions OF
the provisional government GenerA
Brusiloff rendered his resignation as
Commander of the southern armies
Ne was asked by Kerensky and some
other ministers TO withdraw II Inls
he did tentatively. NOW, eNloently,
he has learned from Kerensky that
there is no further fear that the rus
sian armies will not remain nghtlng
armies, nknllnB Ne aAhSN
Austria and he returns Win me-
sword drawn, this time at the head OF
a host OF fghting men of which ne
is now the chief.
AppoIntment PIeases Army
That his appointment to the su-
preme command will be received by
the army with delight is foregone
conclusion. The most brilliant ana
able of all Russian officers in this
war was evidenced to all the world
when last year he made his drive
from the front of the Pripet marshes
10 Roumania. Then he practically
nut the Austro-Hungarians out OF the
war for the time being. taking 3oO.OOO
prisoners and 400 heavy guns, nous
ands OF machine guns. and causing
the enemy a loss in killed and wound
ed of over half a million. HIS strategy
then, and now, can be understood IN
his own words: Neither Germany nor
Austria can AFFORD to walt patiently
and confidently for the best moment
TO strike. They must anticipate an
impending blow or not strike at all.
At the beginning they expended their
patience and confidence in one great
effort. Patience and confidence then
passed to the allies"
Commander of Russia's Power.
Such is the man who commands the
armies of Russia Affable and good
natured in private intercourse, he be-
comes as hard as steel in service mat
tiers. This is the general who struck
in the spring OF 1915 a lightning blow
at an army Of 100000 men, and made
captive its immense debris: the gen.
eral who has given our banners the
glitterIng impulse OF great victory;
the man who has still a great task
before him to fulfll. such is the lead
er, invested with so signal mission
that one must try to depict him as he
lives and moves. and certain details
that might with you or me appear
empty and trivial. become significant
when they 20 to make up the physiog-
nomy OF one OF those who are the
moving factors OF that strange, dread
mystery that men call the future.
Man of Gentle Breeding.
In General Brusilon's whole out
ward manner, in his fne and delicate
courtesy. you perceive the authentic
descendant OF one OF those old Rus
sian families OF dvorianius or gentle
folk: this is, as we do not always
sufficiently recognize, from more
than one point of view the direct con-
tinuatIon OF that exquisite French
politeness Of the eighteenth century
which has largely disappeared from
the soil that gave II birth. writes Lu-
doyic Naueau. Some OF the anecdotes
that General Brusiloff tells when he
is in the humor relate 20 the tutor
who taught him French so perfectly
sixty years ago. You cannot spend
even a few minutes In touch with
General Brusiloff, in short, without
realizing that you are in the presence
of a man who is In the full sense OF
the word a gentleman"
General Brusilor, though he can
content himself with a Spartan diet |
in case Of necessity, prefers, never |
theless, a table provided with some |
care: he takes regularly with every |
meal a glass Of red wine and one OF
white. never more, never less. He
smokes many Russian cisarettes-too |
many, his close friends say. He has
his eanctum and salle-amanger sepa- |
rate from the mess where his general |
stan dine: but to every meal II is his |
habit TO invite some higher officers. |
Al those repasts all talking shop" is |
strictly forbidden: all restraint is |
thrown aside, and the only rule Is that
Of !oldierly camaraderie, General |
BrusiIoff Jokes with zest. and pro- |
yokes his subordinates to return in |