AUSTRIA'S FIGHTING CHIEF.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914, Page 11

AUSTRIA'S FIGHTING CHIEF.

ANXIOUS FOR WAR

A REMARKABLE PROPHECY

One of the best judges of foreign politics in Europe—tha only man who long foresaw the Balkan war—predicted that an Austro-Russian war would follow. The late Austrian writer,' Alexander yon Peez, wrote shortly before his death that Bulgaria. Servia, _ and Montenegro (ho omitted Greece) would make -war on Turkey before the end of 1913, and that the Turks would" bo beaten.

This remarkable proof of foresight gives value to the rest of Pccz's prophecies. Within a couple of years after the Balkan war, he. predicted • AustriaHnngary would!go to -war-.with Russia in order to settle, once and for'all, the dividing question of - the' Slavs, Ho gave his reasons. "A Slav victoryover Turkey will so raise the race-con-sciousness of the Slav States and" of their friend. Russia, that Austria will be threatened with disruption through the secession of her' own Slavs. Our Serbs. Croats, and Slavonians at present look down "on the Serbs and Mon» tenegrinsof the Balkans; but once the latter justify themselves on the battlefield, the Slavs everywhere .will want to form their own States/'-'. * Russia, ho added, would again- try to' taJke the Slav leadership, so that "the only.measr uro for Austria, if she wishes to exist, will be to put Russia back into her place." ■ • .--■-- ■ '*• -' * AN ANCIENT QUARREL.' '.. That was written. less .than three years ago. and it was quoted; at tho Vienna Military Debating-Society. " recently as reason, why. Austria and "Rus7 sia must go to war. ■ Tho • speaker, Herr'Lomacs, gave a long .summary of the ancient-quarrel. '. He pointed out that ■ Russia and Austria have never got on since the Crimean war, when Austria refused to-help Nicholas 1., who' had himself helped Austria in 1848. This hatred has increased, and it came to" a climax in 1909, when Czar Nicholas 11. made a detour of 1000 miles on his way to Jtacoonigi; in Italy, rather than undergo the pain of passing through Austrian territory.. - ■•■'.;•• "The Austrian Army," added Lomacs, "is now at the apex -of ■•military efficiency, and*it needs a victorious wax .to justify its self-confidence. Wo'have now back with us the t men- who made our army efficient; the maniwhofSOipersistently taught• us that our army exists, not to keep the peace, but to gain victories in war." : "*' . TRIUMPHS bVEROPOES. f These remarks were made two daysafter the return to the position of chief of staff of Conrad -yon Hoetzendorf, the most daring, militant and; capable soldier in all Europe, who according to recent cablegrams is to be generalissimo of Austrian forces. Conrad yon Hoetzendorf had a surprising triumph over his foes; After a quarrel with the late Count, Aehrenthal. ■-~*■ he ,was dismissed from the post ..of* chief -of., stiff, which he had held since -1906, was given the far less influential post of inspector of the army. Conrad "had ofr fended the peace-loving- Aehrenthal -y his,too bold preparations and'too-costly

expenditure on .the expected' war ■ with Italy. The army iVas furious. "Conrad will: return," was the prophecy, "and when he returns 'the war with Italy will begin..' The first part,of th.s forecast* has been fulfilled. Conrad has returned, and now Austria expects that the second part will be fulfilled—with the difference that the war will not be with Italy,.but with a mightier opponent—fßussia-. ',_.••' General Conrad yon Hoetzendorf. is the most • imposing personality - Austria has produced, since the r-ge of Wallenstoin. . He is. a discovery of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose one real claim to genius was his skill* in finding brilliant men. Ten years ago Conrad was known to the army at large only as a writer of books on tactics; but m the army locally, he was admired and revered; and his kindly, chiyalrous character and exactins and severe methods as commander earned him the incongruous nickname "The Genial Hangman. In those days the chief of staff was old Baron yon Beck, a scientific warrior who did everything aocordin- to .the best book-rote, and had a typical Austrian detestation of original military •l-ilpnt *-. DOING THE IMPRACTICABLE. In 1905 Conrad was stationed at Innesbruck in command of. the Eif£tii lafantrv Division. During the ma-, noouvres he drew to himself the attention both of the Archduke and of Beck Beck was horrified. .Conrad was doing incompieh-.-ns.ble things which the very best military - manuals said nothing about. According to, the manuals, Conrad had already put h meelf in a position where his whole division must be taken prisoner on strength of that alone, the Chief-of-Staff as umpire, had decided that Conlad's'force was out of action. 'In fact, he was "surrounded." . *,A few hours later Beck saw something which in; creased his horror. surrounded Conrad's army, heavily laden wrth knapsacks, rifles, and several days* food was climbing down a -&%&** "*& the best guide books and the best military maps agreed was absolutely impracticable- Thus Conrad's force won. GENERALS WHO WANT WAR. The "genial hangman" hold that in these bellicose plans he was,doing his best for Austria, and has been backed by a grouo of generals who want war, and of politicians - who hold that: the

. time has' come to end for ever the Russian Pan-Slav dream. '• '-Among the fenerals is Conrad's-nominal chief, tho linister of War,-Von. Krobatin. .Kro'batin isa capable'soldier, but" in*all doubtful matters-he -succumbs to tho impetuous Chief-of-Staff. The "genial -hangman'" ?is not' moved by political considerations. -Ho is l moved by the ardent faith; that armies exist for war, that -fighting is .glorious - and profitable, and that,-thanks to himself, - AustriaHungary .has, -perhap.-.tbe finest fighting army in the world. And the Army is with nim. Oh the night it was announced that he was, coming back to his post,, the old English toast, "A bloody war and quick promotion, was drunk at a big dinner of officers at the Imperial Hotel in' Vienna. And the second toast was "We meet in Warsaw." : • i ■ •

Conrad believes that armies exist to make war j that given too much rest, they deteriorate; and that, in the clash of- arms and the 'roll- of cannon,- the glory of generals and chiefe-of-staff is to be found.