Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1904-02-11

are very light, the bundles may be
carried easily if the vehicle breaks
down, and consequently the Jap SOL
dierg, though bearing little them
selves, are always well supplied, and
can move with great despatch. The
transport Of the troops Of the great
Powers of Europe was bad and de-
layed the column; but the Japs never
suffered. In a country where the
water supply was deadly, they were
the only troops supplied with portable
filters for use in the field; they drank
only aerated water prepared regularly
by the field filters, the water carts
moving with the column, so that the
canteens could always be rePlenished
on the march.
Of course the task of supplying such
an army is made easy by the fact that
the Japs are content with and thrive
on their ration of rice and dried fish,
trusting to luck for anything else.
They carry nothing on the march but
their rifles, ammunition and water
bottles; and when the allies arrived
at Pekin, though oDe-third o. the
American force was unfit for duty,
only FIVE per cent. of the Japs, who
had done the most arduous work IN
the campaign, were invalided. The
japanese Tommy Atkins is, perhaps,
rather callous, but he is a thorough
little soldier, brave and dashing, who
can go anywhere and do anything
The Russian soldier Is in marked
contrast to the yellow-faced soldier OF
Japan. He belongs to the largest
army in the world, an army which
numbers nearly 100000 OF men on
war footing, and since 1874 has
been organized on compulsory military
service. Every man of twenty-one
is liable to serve, but there is exemp-
tion for many who can show title to
the privilege. The physique of the
average Russian peasant is not good,
and from 10000 to 100000 are
found too weak and physically unfit
for service every year. Those chosen
have to serve tor FIVE years IN the
army, though by furloughs the actual
period is reduced to four; then they
spend thirteen years in the reserve
and five in the Zapas.
They are mostly very poor, and the
few copecks which come to them do
not serve to mitigate the rigor OF
their lives. Comforts they have few,
but then they have never been used
to them they are grim, rough crea-
lures, ready forany hard usage, Injured
to hardship, taking their pleasures
sadlv over the occasional vodka. They
are very patient. They bear the lash
of the officers whip, which Is frequent
ly applied. without protest; it is a
part OF the discipline, of the system.
l have seen group Of Russian SOL
diers making as merry over hand
full of sunfower seeds as a party Of
English Tommies over the canteen
beer. The Russian is placid and
patient, though he looks strong and
rough, but he is ruthless fellow
when the dogs Of war are loosed, for
he is, in the majority of cases, little
removed from barbarism.
Some of the Russian regiments, es-
pecially those of the Imperial Guards,
are magnificent, and fill the English
man with admiration. Composed Of
picked men, of splendid physique,
they are the pride of the army. But
the average infantry soldier is not 50
impressive. In a climate Of such ex-
tremes be needs variety Of costume,
and IN Summer he wears linen blouse
and trousers, while in Winter he may
have a sheepskin under his great coat,
his hands encased in thick mitts with
one space for the fingers and another
for the thumb, and his feet shod IN
long Russian boots reaching to the
knee. He carries in full marching
order a weight OF htty-elght pounds
with biscuits and salt for two and
half days.
What may be the issue Of struggle
between the two forces, so different
in construction and personnel, We
need not attempt to forecast, but
when the yellow fighting man Of the
East comes to grips with the dreaded
hosts of Muscovy, the world, looking
on with wonder, may well be pre-
pared for surprises.