The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-07
RUSSIA IS BOUND TO WIN,
SAYS AMERICAN GENERAL
Japan Must Triumph on Both
Land and Sea in Order to De-
feat the Muscovite.
RUSSIA CAN WIN ON LAND

NEW YORK. March e.-That the Rus
slams will win eventually is the
opinion of Brig Gen. McCoskry Butt.
of this city. who has followed European
military manoeuvres more closely. proba-
bly,, than any other officer. regular or mill
tia, in the United States.
General Butt only few days ago arrived
from Germany. where he had been study
ing the Kaiser's military system. and on
Tuesday next he will sail on the Celtic 70
resume his German army studies. This VIII
be his seYenty-frst trip across. The ma
neuvering fields of the continental nations
familiar to him the parade ground
at Van Cortlandt Park. Speaking OF the
possible outcome Of the present conflict.
Her naval victories may delude super
fetal students OF war into the belief that
Japan's triumph is already in sight; but
the real and nnal test is TO come IN the land
battles When the war is over, depend upon
IL. the Russians still will be in Manchuria
and to stay. They may be beaten tactical
ly in every battle. yet their strategy VIII
be worked out remOrselessly. and IL VIII
give them the final fruits OF victory.
THE greatest general of modern times.
Napoleon. found the Russ unconquerable.
He defeated Muscovite armies in battle,
but when he attempted TO seize the fruits
of his success he encountered disaster ana
his memorable retreat was an overwhelming
victory for the Bear. In this case. OF
course, there is no probability or the laps
churia on the north. but in any event they
will end up as Napoleon did.
Russia will win by sheer prepoaderance.
doggedness and pertinacity: she VIII wear
out Japan by attrition, IL by nothing else.
lust as the North did the South In the civil
war II will be like game OF checkers, IN
which a player has one piece more than
his adversary. and keeps on exchanging
pieces till il gets down 10 two 10 one Wnen
the game is won and lost. Russia can al
ford to trade off men with Japan III she
eraaeC 40 nn
"In sea lighting a torpedo may sink
battIeship, but in land lighting ten men
won't be able TO whip regiment
There is no better soldier than the hus-
sian private. Obedience has been ground
into him by centuries OF training. and ooedi-
ence is the first requisite OF good soIoler.
Reverses do not discourage him. He keeps
hammering away. and il always there at
the end with something 10 his credit
''In the land fighting Japan VIII De serl-
ously handica pped by her want of cavalry.
The 1900 Cossack horsemen the Russians
have at the seat OF war count as tremen-
dous advantage Tor the Bear. Lnr9us. ,, men IN
kent advised Of every move the Japs make.
And when the little yellow men try TO rush
the Russian lines they VIII ma tney are
dealing with soldiers as brave, IL not as I'M
netuolis as themselves-men whose train
ing has been that defeat Is worse Tor them
than death. -, -. 49,. -. 49,.
never was but when II comes 10 holding
place or siege he has not superior The
naces stiles OF the situation are gong 10
coDneI Iapan 10 give these qualities IN
which the Russians are strongest a chance
20 disnlay themselves. she must force the
Russtsns back TO the railroad. This IS ap-
nsrent for the road Is the encmys base 81
ssnaoiies With this untouched Russia could
isngh AZ Japan's efforts 10 dislodge her.
,T,,,7s II viii be seen that the naval vic
,orios are valuable 10 Japan chiefly as a
safeguard against invasion OF the island
empire by Russia
ITO take Korea would only be a step for
% leave the railroad untouched would be
merely 10 let Russia pour IN MON and more
troons and supplies tin she would fairly
deI,,re Korea and drown out the Japs. as IL
Nrere Remember, IN this case n h.
trv able 20 put only oooQo men at the
most in the field against a nation that can
throxv 100000 into service. Japan must
Command the sea absolutely. Let her
lost that command and she is done for. for
She could neither land troops IN Korea nsr
sunply food 10 those already there. In
other words, Japan has 10 win on both
land and sea TO triumph ultimately. where
as Russia may lose utterly at sea and stin
win the war by land successes.
Il am not favOring the Russian aboNe
the Jap. I merely Of the opinion that
the land lighting Win Show Russias r.
periority and give the tnai triumph to
Bear.