Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-09-08
SAME OLD STORY.

WangcnenR, TelTedleu W AlaiSnehS
driven from Kinchow, rushed from
Nanshan heights, cornered in Port
Arthur, held there until starvation or
assault completes the work; beaten at
Vafangow, broken at Telissu, hurried
from Molten Pass and now over
thrown in complete disaster at Lao
yang, field of their own choosing.
fortified during months of preparation,
and with an army almost if not quite
equal to that of the enemy. As 70
their naval showing, the story is the
same, or worse.
What is the matterP But one con-
clusion can be drawn General tor
general, admiral for admiral, soldier
Tor soldier, sailor for sailor, the Rus
slams are not in the same class with
the Japanese. Nothing else can ex-
plain results up to now. Russia is as
far outclassed in every essential as
Jack Munroe, the Butte miner, was
when he got into the ring with Cham
pion Jeffries.
Here is one fact In not one single
clash during the war, whether on land
or sea, have the Russians failed to
come off second-best. japanese
charges have been repulsed, japanese
movements have been checked. il is
true, but only TO lead TO successful
charges or movements later on that
have given them possession OF the
coveted points. Not always have the
Russians been outnumbered, frequent
ly they have occupied supposedly inn
pregnable positions. Were they the
equals of their foe they must some
time ere this have scored one victory.
at least. That they have not compels
the conviction that they are not. If
they are not, the issue OF the war
hinges entirely on whether they can
at some later time muster troops in
sufficient number at the scene of con-
flict to overcome the individual
superiority of the japanese and
margin besides, for on the aggressive
il win be needed.
The Russian soldier is brave and
stubborn. He can endure hardship
that would appall most fighters. He
keeps his spirit under disaster He
obeys unfalteringly. But with these
good qualities he lacks alertness, in
telligence, enterprise and quickness of
movement. The japanese soldier
seems to have the bravery and zeal Of
a fanatic, an utter disregard of death.
the patience of an Indian, the hardi-
ness Of the Russian himself and in the
clash of battle the fury of a tempest.
His onslaught is as terrible as that of
the Saracen who courted death and
counted it bliss to give up life for the
Prophet.
But If the Japanese soldier is supe-
rior to the Russian, what shall we say
of the ofiicerg All the craitiness. all
the strategy, nearly all the initiative
from the beginning has been shown by
the Japanese commanders. The Rus
slams have acted as If they were tied
down, while the japanese have moved
about seeking vulnerable points and
delivering their blows with accuracy
and skill. The Russian generals
appear like harried animals of the
chase. unable to strike their adversary
or offer serious resistance when at
tackled. They seem to possess no
originality, and not more than fair
understanding of accepted strategy.
They never take advantage of the
enemy's mistakes. They never ven
ture, as a military genius must. They
disclose no merit, unless 1t be to sacri-
flee lite in the effort to keep Off the
ever-pressing enemy until the main
army can retire for repetition of the
process.
Take Liaoyang as an example.
Here, if anywhere, we might expect
departure from the ordinary course.
Here Gen. Kuropatkin had concen-
trated his great army on ground very
favorable tor defence. Here were
strong Notifications with plenty of
artillery. His TANKS were protected
by the Taitse river. The world
watched to see the Japanese advance
turned back at this point. And Kuro-
patkin doubtless tried his best. Yet
what do we see? His whole front
attacked for several days by only a
part of the japanese forces and even
that attack partially successful, while
the remainder of the japanese army.
making detour to the northward.
crossed the Taitse unopposed and
gathered ready to assail his rear