HEAD OF SERBIAN ARMY

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 521, 11 May 1915, Page 7

HEAD OF SERBIAN ARMY

MARSHAL PUTNIK AND HIS TASK. Like some other soldiers of renown Marshal Putnik, head of the Serbian Army, is short of stature and slight in build. His manners are simple, a trait which has often been remarked in men who wield power, perhaps on account of contrast with the pomp and circumstance of their surroundings. He weaijs his years lightly — he was born in 1847— -and the vivacity of his glance doe. not consort with his short., grizzled beard. Radomir Putnik was born 67 years ago in the S'humadia district, vhe heart of Sorhia, whose wooded hills were the cradle of Serbian freedom. The struggle began in 1804 in tha village of Oroshatz, and went on until 1813. wheu it was quelled by the Turks. But in 1815 a s-econd revolt broke out at Takovo. the fruits of which were permanent. It is a remarkable coincidence that in the recent offensive movement, which has led to such happy results, the right wing of the arm}' rested on Oroshatz and tbe left on Takovo. i Jn tho war against the Turks of 1876 he held the rank of captain. In that, against the Bulgarians in 1885 he was 1 chief of staff of a division.. In the wars of 1912 and 1913, and in the present one, he has held supreme command. He. was kept in the shade during the" reign of King Milan, to whom he was not- persona grata. That monarch only patronised men who were his creations, and Putnik had made his own way. After the accession of King Peter he was made chief of the general staff, avd afterwards Minister of Wax, a choice which has been, abundantly justified. Perhaps his salient characteristics are liis coolness and determination. The latter has stood him in good stead. In the Bulgarian war of 1913, when the Serbians were outnumbered, he took the offensive in the teeth of strong opposition on the part of the council of war, and his action saved the situation. It has baen the same in the present campaign. The concentration of forces and .the pushing home of the vigor mis advance which led to victory was carried out in spite of the apprehensions evei\ of members of his staff. The general opinion was in favor of a retreat on defensive positions to be heid until the Russians Avere able to render aid. The policy of waiting for something to turn up wae not one to commend itself to a temperament like that of Putnik. He quietly maintained his point — and won. Marshal Putnik's topographical knowledge of his. country is phenomenal. He knows by heart' not only the contour afcid general features, but all the details', every bridge and stream and by-path. He listens to a despatch and follows the report of a movement without referring to a map, occasionally commenting on some omission — la house or a coppice. This intimate know- ' ledge of the land is supplemented by an equally perfect knowledge of its people. Ho knows exactly what to ask of the Serbian soldier, what he can do, what to expect of him, and how he should be handled. In this lies in a great measure his success. It is by the intelligent use of this precise estimate of his; land and his nation that he has driven an -: vorwhelmingly powerful invader acro: - the fonticrs. oonteary to tlie expect:. "■ i of the world.