To the Editor of the "Mobrh. Cwhn Dany News"
Sm—The sarcastic rejoinder by "C.G." nailing down as a Hollywood history the Ossrnvrw's reference to the military exploits of the Russian troops under the famous Russian Generalissimo Alexander Souvorov and the French troops under one of the best of Napoleon's generals Andre Masséna (and not Masson) in Switzerland in 0779 is equally far from the serious records of history—General Masséna did not beat Souvorov nor did Souvorov beat Masséna—they simply had not met on the battlefield! Gen. Masséna won a smashing victory against another Russian army under Gen. Korsakoff, while Souvorov brilliantly fought in Northern Italy against the French Generals Moreau, Joubert and Macdonald, but his successes came to nought as he was let down by the jealousy of the allied to Russia Austrian commanders, who feared the Russian ascendancy on the field. When Souvorov realized that it was useless for him to stay in Italy any longer he turned northwards to join the Korsakoffs army in Switzerland but when he crossed the Alps Korsakoffs army existed no longer and Souvorov received the Imperial order to retire with his troops back to Russia.
"Would it also be for the sceptical "C.B" a piece of Hollywood history to learn that the glorious Marshal Andre Masséna, the Duke of Tivoli, himself made a remark that the Souvorov's passage through the Alps was such a marvellous military feat that he would be ready to exchange all his victories and campaigns for one like that, Our Souvorov won the victory against something greater than an enemy general—he defeated the Alps! Forcing the St. Gotthard Pass he did loose many men and guns but he brought out his army intact and no doubt still ready to fight, should he receive different orders, There were real marshals in Russian history.
Shanghai, Feb. 10.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.