A RUSSIAN GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11828, 13 October 1916, Page 1

A RUSSIAN GENERAL.

+ BIS RELAH3NS WITH THE MEN.

In a sketch of the typical Russian General of Division, Mr Stanley AYashburn describes » visit to General Monkevitch iu simple quarters just behind Ibf lines.

After dinner I accompanied General Xlonlceviteh on a walk about the tosvil. Wo turned into the great shed were first oomo the wounded from the smaller units of the divisions. Yesterday, the general told us, his laee suddenly growing very .sad, had resulted m heavy losses. For a moment ho stood in a reverie, and then, throwing off his mood of melancholy, shrugged his (shoulder,* as he said, " Well.- let us look at those withiir."

Tliercbm m of the Russian peasant to hi« superiors is extraordinary. Never is there vlio slightest degree of selfconeciouswoss or embarrassment on tho part of the soldier, 110 matter how nijrh or exalted bo the rank of the ofiicer who addresses him. Again soldiers whose haggard features and glazing eyes denoted the gravity of their wounds called to him in faltering voices. "How £oe,s the fight, Excellency?" or "Did we take the trench, mv general?" And always he would stop and reply, " All goes well, my children. You. have done superbly. I am proud of you. Go now back to tho rear and get well; you hare behaved like heroes-'' Another groaned audibly as he raised himself to ask, " Have more of my brothers fallen than of tho Austrian's?" Tho General replied, quickly, raising his voice that all might > " For each one of vou here, my children, tliere are live Austrians to pay for it. so rest contented that you have done vour dutv well." One, mere stnpliiv. 'shot through the stomach, called to "his chief. "I did iffy best, Excellency. I killed nil 1 could. : " and then sank back, groaning, -on his bed or straw. , Avd thti« it. went on as we entered building after budding where lay the prof victorv. One badlv wounded iaa called to the 'General, who immediately went to his side and _1 intoned to tho high, feverish voico tilling of tho as-s-dr, of capture. escape. »nd a bullet through the abdomen. With tho cruick compassion characteristic of the .Russians, tho General suddenly turned tho contents of his cigarette enso into tho outstretched hands of the soldier Amongst tho wounded wore many Austria ns',' who. with stricken,, pallid features lav side bv fcido with tho s ja,*; receiving the same kind words and gentle treatment, as the Russians thomselvoi).