Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-28
NAPOLEONS NOT WANTED IN
MODERN CONFLICT.
Influence of German Ideas Shown in
the Japan-Russian Struggle
in the East.

"War news is so scarce" remarked The
Stars military expert today, that there is
a tendency to magnify the Importance of
small events in order to supply the popular
demand. A skirmish of outposts becomes
a defeat or victory as the report comes
from Tokyo or ST. Petersburg. A combat
of hostile patrols becomes great turning
movement in the absence of more stirring
events A reconnaissance of few scouts
is cabled as a deep strategical combination.
In most cases it would be just as easy to
elaborate these incidents in this country as
to get them from Europe.
I'm this class seems to be the reports of
a Cossack invasion of Korea on the flank
of the Japanese advance. Also the report
of a crossing of the Yalu by Japanese at
several places. If the former report be
correct 1t only indicates some small in
convenience to the japanese line of COM
munications. II the latter report is true
1t will show that the Russians are not in
terested in holding the Yalu, but are
abandoning 1t for a better line. You know
/ never liked that position, when the Rus
sions have a line 100 miles long at the
least to defend. A withdrawal on the left
flank to the Korean gates, thirty miles at
the rear, will reduce that defensive line
nearly one-half. 1t may also be said that
the Japs do not cross the Yalu into Man.
churia, as the boundary is some distance
north of the river.
Why Things Are Not Moving Rapidly.
"As a matter of fact things are not NOV
ing rapidly for a number Of reasons. More
than three weeks ago, when the Japs were
first reported at Wiju, ventured to predict
that the date Of crossing the Yalu was not
near at hand. l am still Of the opinion that
matters will continue to go slowly unless
some amazing vitality or burst of conf
dence takes possession of one or the other
combatant.
Taking it for granted that the Russians
have had considerable force on the Yalu,
concentrated and ready for action, while
the Japs have been struggling forward In
the mud there was a chance for a Stone
wall Jackson Sheridan to have dealt
a staggering blow to their advance some
where south of the Yalu within ten miles
of Wiju. The Cossack general Mischenko
seemed to show the divine spirit when he
rode over to Chang-ju few weeks ago,
hit the town in rear, hurried up the out
posts, and then walked away deliberately,
like an Indian, carrying his dead. lie
seemed to show the qualities of recklessness
combined with prudence that are SO rare
and so valuable in a commander of horse.
/ was prepared to hail In him the modern
prototype of Steingel, the Alsatian, whom
Napoleon described as his idea of a cav
alryman. But Mischenko disappeared quite
suddenly from our view and the balance OF
the Russian army, apparently under in
structions from high authority, has re-
manned on the defensive.
brilliant results have also been open
to the Japanese in half dozen directions
by a rapid descent on the coast But in
all Of these there was the accompanying
element of risk the chance of failure, the
possibility that some stubborn detachment
might spoil the plan or even turn it into
a disaster.
Influence Of German Teaching.
"This is all in the line of modern ideas
of leadership. The influence of German
teaching is to discourage the clashing and
the brilliant in war. Officers now are ex-
pected to spend their lives in study. reach
high rank at an age when the blood of
youth is growing cool. An officer wins high
command by showing the qualities of safe
leadership. usually working through the
lower grades. Military men are gradually
coming to the conclusion that the battle
of the future is to be more like a smuggling
match than duel between skilled swords
men. 1t is the ever increasing power of
the de'ense that is. thus neutralizing the
powe. skill. The intrenching tool is dig
ging Z grave of strategy. Generals are
beginning to lose faith in their brilliant
conceptions and to pin all their hope upon
heavy battalions. loaded down with cart
ridges