Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1916 — IDOL OF SOLDIERS [ARTICLE]

IDOL OF SOLDIERS

Aged Count Is Real Commander at Verdun. Count Von Haeseler, Eighty Year* Old, Is Adviser to Crown Prince — Many Stories Are Told of Grizzled Old Warrior.

Berlin. —Field Marshal Count von Haeseler, eighty years old, but sitting his horse as straight as an arrow, is the adviser of the crown prince and the real commander at Verdun. The bronzed and grizzled warrior is the idol of his soldiers. He is a veteran Indeed, for he fought throughout the wars of 1864, 1868 and 1870. Despite his age Count von Haeseler is one of the most modern and undoubtedly one of the most Important of German generals. He is held up to the soldiers as an example of the true Spartan. On horseback —riding Is the aged general’s favorite sport—he presents a striking picture. He sits as straight as the youngest recruit and his smooth shaved, wrinkled, but rosy cheeked face, contrasts Singularly with his flowing snow white hair. A great fund of stories has been built up on Count von Haeseler. The most famous of the anecdotes told about him is that of the time “when he fooled the kaiser,” as one can hear German schoolboys Tell. It was during the regular kaiser maneuvers in May, some twenty years ago. The emperOr made a bet that he would capture the count. He was the commander In chief of the “reds, while Count von Haeseler, commandant of the fortress of Metz, was the leader of the “blues,” defending the heights of the Fort Kaiserin against the kaiser’s forces.

Suddenly “Exzellenz Gottlieb” was heard to mutter between his teeth: "Donnerwetter! What’s the idea of that foolhardy cavalry reconnolssance? These fellows seem to be after me!” The general staff officer to whom the count had spoken galloped with half a column of cavalry after the reconnoitering party. The horse of the last man stumbled and threw his rider. The general staff officer had a talk with him, then dashed back to his commander. Count von Haeseler thualearned the object of the reconnolsance. After a brief explanation his whole staff rode forward, forming a semicircle around the count, directly toward Fort Leipzig, Immediately in front of the advancing enemy. There Count von Haeseler unobservedly left the staff. A few minutes later there rolled out of the fort’s gate a wagon in which were piled straw and old sacks. It passed closely by the kaiser and stopped a few steps behind him. “Gentlemen,’ 5 said the emperor at this juncture, “I believe we have now surrounded Count von Haeseler. lam anxious to capture his person. Allons, ahead! And the kaiser’s suite galloped The count crawled from under sacks and climbed out of the wagon, to the great amusement of the troops camping around It. “What are these troops doing? u® asked the general in command. “By order of his majesty put out of action!” was the answer, The count gave a hearty laugh. “General,” said he, “upon my responsibility, attack the Ted’ army from the rear. No contradiction, please, I am responsible!” Count von Haeseler being of superior rank, the officer of the “opposing army bad only to obey. A few minutes later the astonished emperor heard the signal of retreat at his back. At the same moment the “blue” army moved forward and the emperor found himself in such a trap that he had the bugle blow “Das ganze haiti” —r - :