Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-09-16
Friday, September 16, 1904.
SOME WAR SPECULATION


shown superiority to the twentieth
century Mongcl.. Thus far the brown
men have not been so unfortunate as
to demonstrate their ability to pull
OIL q mastery retreat. The oppor-
tunity may come later. In specula-
ting two weeks since as to what
effect the issues of the battle
OF Liaoyang-then pending aud
uncertain-would have upon the
belligerent nations we used these
words: "The Russian for the first
time has the advantage, aud unless
he can improve his opportunity The
ultimate result is not hard to forelell.
Kuropatkin has at least an equal
number of troops; his artillery may
be weaker but his cavalry is superior
to the enemy's; he is close TO uninter-
rupted bases at Mukden and Hardin,
and, best of all, is on ground of his
own selection and we'll fortified. If
kuropatkin loses under these cir
cumstances the Russian cause is al
most hopeless" The result has
caused us to change our opinion but
slightly, if any. Gen. Kuropatkin
conducted a retreat almost unpar-
allelled in the history of wars. Not
wlthstanding this, final Russian
triumph is almost out of the ques-
ton. Well fortified, with abundant
supplies on hand and in his immedi.
ate and uninterrupted rear, in a
country thoroughly familiar the Rus
sian should have been able to check
at least twice his number of assailan Is.
The Jap was advancing through
region to which he was a stranger,
was far from his supply base, having
to convey all munitions and supplies
as ne attacked, and was the party as.
siulting strong entertainments. To
analyze the cause of his victory is to
prove that not in two years-even if
in q decade-will his enemy be able
to withstand him when on anything
like an equal footing. Save in retreat
Jap strategy has been so far superior
20 Russian that it is doubtful if Rus
STA in quarter of a century will be
able to produce talent its equal. The
Japanese soldier has showed super
iorlty in physical endurance, agility,
manipulation of guns, and all this
coupled with fanatical bravery that
Is almost superhuman. While the
Russian has displayed stolidity in
defensive warfare he has not been
equal to the avalanche-like rush of
MS opponent. The Jap is fighting
because he loves to fight, and courts
death for his country as did the
Spartans of old. His bier means a
monument that will live in song and
story and in the bosom of his de-
lighted family; this he knows and
seems to welcome. The Russian is
more of an automaton; he fights
because centuries have taught him
to obey orders from a superior. Ills
Gar is demi-god, looked up to and
religiously obeyed, feared but not
loved. de will die at his post calm
aud unperturbed, but it is without
glorious hurrahs. Like the pack
mule ne is there to have put upon
him anything his superior elects and
never murmur. These are virtues in
war, but lacking in certain ele-
ments that command success. His
zeal Is at a low ebb, while he is also
clumsy and inaccurate of aim.
Another campaign and it is fair to
assume that conditions Quot results)
will be reversed. japanese arms have
aboutaccomplished all it set out to do.
With sovereignty over Korea, master
OF Manchuria, and Port Arthur
RACED, Japanese ambitions are
achieved. Japan will hardly attempt
invasion of Russian territory; she
dare not, just yet, stretch out over
China; the Powers would not permit
this she knows. A few more battles
may be fought during the two months
left yet of campaigning season, but
these will only serve to strengthen her
grip on Manchuria. All winter she
will bave to strengthen herself in the
conquered territory. When the
spring opens it is presumed that
Russia will take the offensive. Her
have yet to prove that they
are better in attack than defense
which no one believes-if Russia can
ever hope to win back what she has
lost, even though she should have
double the men at command that
her enemy has. Not under couple
'f years could the Slav hope to be-
come as far advanced in the science
'f war as his enemy, aud we repeat,
aot In a quarter of a century is it
to suppose Russia conld
grow such geniuses in the art of war
's Japan already has. During two
'ears the war could not be at
'tand still; something must continue
o be doing. Should Russia post
zone offensive operations for any
UGH period the Powers would com.
lan6 fhn naona