The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-19

Gunners was beyond all praise. on riding
over the battle-ground afterwards i, was
seen that although the japanese shells
had hardly been able TO reach those Rus
sian guns on the high peak behind Tao
wan. the other batteries had endured a
perfect hailstorm OF shrapnel. which were
under foot everywhere. while common shell
had torn gaps over every few feet of
ground about the guns.
Many statements have appeared in Eu-
ropean newspapers about the superiority
q: japanese gUns. but their work 50 far
has illustrated the Western aphorism that
success Is not holding a good hand. but
In playing poor hand we'll"
II is conceded by the experts who have
seen their work lin the field that the Rus
sian guns are better than the japanese
should he about six japanese guns against
four Russian.
But the showing made BY the Russian
infantry leaves much to be explained. II
their trenches had been held by marks
men Ike the Beers there would have been
no question Of the japanese reaching them
without heavy loss. II at all They were
dug in splendid positions on the sides and
the SUBMITS Of hills and the approaches
across the valley and UP the hillsides had
little cover except patches Of corn Yet
ably weak or only a demonstration. he
cause the Japanese OF the central divi-
sion hit b. their fire numbered only
score or two
Blu l.
Moreover there was the same blunder-
ing management that marked the Yaiu.
The infantry in front of the japanese left
fought well and maneuvered skiilfully
But late on the night Of the battle two
Russian hat:alions appeared north OF
Taowan in front OF the japanese right
Hank and then retired without opening fire
and the purpose Of their movement re-
mains a mystery.
At Henling. where = thousand were cut
TO pieces and where. as ut Hamatan. they
had a brass band that left its Instruments
in the field. they gave one of the finest ex-
hibitiOns Of futile bravery witnessed dur
ing the war. They were marching in close
column Of fours under n destructive fire.
and although men We're cut down by
squads they never broke ranks nor re-
treated The uselessness of the sacrifice
was as eloquent as its courage. and the
credit For the former belonged to the off,
Gers.
JAP GENERALS DIRECTORS.
The great number OF casualties among
the Russian officers and particularly their
Generals. while no japanese Generals had
been hit. is due largely to the differer.
theories of gen.ralship followed in the
armies. The Generals OF the japanese are
directors. while the Russians cling to the
old SkObelofI tradition of a Commander
at the head OF has men leading the fight
Ing.
From the Japanese lines we can see The
white-co3ted Russian officers riding con-
spicuously before their troops while from
the Russian side IL must he bard to dis
cover the japanese officers because their
uniforms are so like those of the ranks
and because General Kuroki and rhc lesser
Gencrais usually are sonewher. behind
, he fighting Tires managing their battles
by telegraph ana telephone.
ELECTRICITY IN WARFARE
Probably electricity has never played So
great a part in warfare before as il does
30. To,
brigade in the field is like a modern am
bassador. at the end of wire which
his divisional commander controls. and
III. Generals of division are in touch by
Telegraph or telephone with the corps com
The engineers run wires after the coI-
l;rnn with naryc lous rapidi,y Firing is
heard Somcyh, re at the front. n ,i.tacb-
nent OF engineers energies from headquar-
,ers, pack ponies are carrying bundles of
lght bamboo rcles. while coolies and carts
follow them with coils of slender conner
wire The poles. which have pointed ends.
are quickly Planted the wire spreads out
az last as men can uncoil it, and a field
telephone Is at work.
No evidences have been seen as the army
advanced into the eneiny-s country chat
the Russians employ the TELEGRAPH .y-
ieEsively. There are no traces az wires
or poles except the old Chinese line from
TO Pekin.
GENERALSHIP SPECTACULAR.
The Russian generalship is more spec
.acular and perhaps inspires the soldiers |
with greater courage. but the japanese |
Is more businesslike. These Generals do
not play TO the galleries at all The CEN
sorship which they enforce tends 10 de- |
prive them of their Just dues in reputa- |
ton.
Often correspondents are forbidden TO |
telegraph the names of the leaders in I
ia-ing and important fights because the 1
names might give the enemy a ciew TO |
The identity and. therefore, to the strength /
and the characteristics OF the organiza-
lions opposing them
MODEST STRATEGISTS.
General OTTAWA gathered his troops I'm
he log OF early morning on the Fourth /
II July and prevented the Russians from