The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-11
In A FAST WAR .
JAPS Will WIN
BUT THEY MUST BE QUICK, SAYS
S. G. HAZZARD.
He Has Been Close Student of the
Science of War and Makes Interest
ing Comparisons Between the jap
anese and Russian Soldiers.

"Japan's better trained army. the
patriotism of her people and her
stronger geographical position should
give her the victory over Russia, If she
strikes now, while the iron is hot =.
So said Samuel G. Hazard as he sat
quietly in his arm chair in the county
Jail, and, putting musingly at his fav-
orite French briar, applied his wide
knowledge of military affairs to the
war situation in the far east.
Hazards judgment may have been
poor in matrimony but no one who
knows him denies that he is well
posted upon army matters. A grad
at his alma mater, a first lieutenant OF
artillery and experienced thru service
and foreign travel, Samuel Hazard is
in a position to know whereof he
speaks on war questions.
Yes; the little fellows ought to win,
but they have got to do it right away
continued the ex-sOldier. 'They have
all the advantage at the start-off but
If Russia can ever get her army to the
seat of war and does not fall down in
her commissary arrangements. then
the almost untold resources of
Muscovy will tell and the island en-
pire will be crushed beneath superior
weight.
Russia's Methods Antiquated.
1.-THE japanese army as an organiza-
ton is at present far superior to that
chine is the result of antiquated meth
DDS. There are we'll trained men
among the Russians as for. instance
the Cossacks, than whom the world
does not produce more dangerous en-
emies in guerrilla warfare. Military
drill Is, of course, compulsory in Rus
STA and she has thousands Of well
trained soldiers. but the tactics used
are not up-to-date as those Of the Jap
anese, there is not the system and
above all there is not the spirit nor in
centive' that animates the mikado's
troops. - -f
Japan started in to form an army
long after Russia had system COM
pleted. AS a result the Japs have
taken advantage Of the experience of
other nations and have adopted the
most improved methods of organiza-
ton and drill and the best of equip
ment. Their commissary is the won
der Of the world. 1t proved SO in the
Chinese war and will do so again. And
that is where Russia is going to fall
down.
"As has already been demonstrated.
Japan is ready for the conflict and
Russia is not. With the wonderful
activity and energy Of the Japanese
we'll directed and their geographical
situation taken advantage of they
should be able to cripple Russia, cut
off her base Of supplies and win be-
fore the northern bear can really get
into the game.
Heady Jap; Logy Russian.
1T have had considerable expert
ence with Japanese officers and am
firmly convinced that as individual
soldiers the Japs are greatly superior
to their antagonists. The, little fell
lows are all heady soldiers, they are
observant,, ALERT aridi'ready to take adj
vantage OF, 6eXery,, turn Of fortunes
wheel. They 1earn Quickly and initiate
wonderfully and these qualities make
them dangerous enemies.
THE Russian soldiers, on the other
hand, are mere parts of a machine.
They are all right as long as their Of
ficers are on hand to give orders. The
minute the head Is gone the army will
disintegrate. The individual intelli-
gence Of the Russian soldier is very
low and what is more he does not
know what patriotism or national
pride is and that means everything in
war. The Japs will be like the Ameri-
can troops who, practically unoffi-
cered, charged up San Juan Hill and
won a magnificent victory. The Rus
slams under like conditions would
surely suffer defeat and probable ami
hilation" -. :.