Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-02-12
THE JAPs AS SOLDIERS.
American Army Officers Think They
Arc Superior to Russians.

American Army Officers Think They.
Arc Superior to Russians.
There is no doubt as to the sympa-
thetic leaning Of American army and
navy officers towards Japan In the ap-
preaching war in the far east. The
prevailing opinion among these high
authorities on matters bellicose Is
unanimous 1t might also be said, on the
subject Of Japan's advantage over her
great adversary, Russia, In the event OF
short, sharp struggle. Should the
war be prolonged the result is problem
atical, our officers think, but in its
early stages Japan is picked as the de-
cided fayorite. =.
II think there Is no doubt that ia
pans navy is superior in point OF ef-
ficiency to that Of Russia" said high
naval officer in discussing the situa-
ton, although Russia has more ships
and Is stronger on paper In the matter
of battleships. But we all know that
the Jap Is a better seaman and engi-
neer than the Russian and everything
goes to prove that he Is better trained
and disciplined. The ships OF both ma
tions were made mostly by other coun-
tries, and in point Of construction may
be said to be about equal. All our In
formation Is to the effect that the Rus
sian men of war, in engines and ma.
chinery, are in poor shape. This Is De-
cause the Russian is not Of mechan-
ical turn Of mind, and has permitted
the machinery to get In very much the
same shape as the Spaniards allowed
theirs to drift before the war with the
United States.
But it Is in the men behind the guns
that Japan finds her great superiority
over Russia 1 do not hesitate 10
say that one Jap is equal IN f1ghting
capacity to two Russians. So In the
early part of the fighting look to see
Japan victorious. They will probably
win the first sea fight and force the
Russians to retreat from Port arthur
and Vladivostock. The Japs will then
control the principal ports. which OF
course they will be called on to defend.
This will prove big task for the little
brown men and promises eventually
to wear them out. Russia, with her
unlimited stock of troops. can mass
tremendous force Of men and gradual
ly crush the invaders out, driving them
to the very shores Of the sea.
1.-THE Japs will cripple Russia baGly
by putting the great Siberian railroad
out of commission quickly, In my opin-
ion."
American army officers who were
with the allied troops that marched to
Pekin in 1900 have not yet ceased to
talk Of the wonderful performances OF
the Japs on that trip. The little brown
men were the admiration OF all the 1or-
eigners. our own officers do not hesi-
tate to say the Mikado's soldiers were
the best on the ground during that
memorable march on China's capital.
The Japs seemed never to tire. Iney
set the pace and the column OF allies
found it exceedingly difficult to keep
I'D with it. At noon they squatted on
the ground, took out their little pack
cts of rice, ate them, and In 80 minutes
were ready to press on. The terrinc
heat of the sun had apparently no ef-
feet upon them. At Pekin they did
gallant and splendid work. The discip-
| line was in striking contrast with the
reckless and uncontrolled work OF the
Russians, who got beyond the control
of their officers and INDUCED In shock
| ing cruelties.
| On account of the showing Of these
two armies in 1900 the Japanese army
| is decidedly the Washington
correspondence Atlanta Journal.