Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-01
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER
a Tribute to His Character and
Fighting Ability.
HE MAKES FRIENDS EVERYWHERE

CT Danger and Patience Under suf-
ferinRs of All Kinds Are UnSur-
passed, Says Count Binder
KrIegIsteIn-Leads In All PeriIous
Attacks.
1T was at Mukden. as I was bargain
ing for some provisions in an Arme-
hiau store that first met face to face
with a typical Russian soldier" says
Ernest Count Won Binder Krieglstein
In the New York American.
"a man about thirty-fve. built as a
college athlete. with magnificent black
full beard and dark. expressive eyes,
entered the store and greeted Us in the
most friendly manner and went over
to the counter and asked if he could
have a bottle of zubrowka, a cheap
Russian whisky. The Armenian said
that he could, and as he handed him
the bottle of poison the soldier, with
out asking the price, threw three silver
rubles on the counter The Armenian
hesitated a mOment-the price of the
zubrowka was rubles-and then gave
him TO kopcks. With his fine knOwl-
edge of the Russian character he knew
that the soldier would feel ashamed to
ask about the price In the presence Of
strangers.
THE Siberian Rife guard looked at
the 90 kopeks and after a moments
thought pushed the money toward the
stoTekeeper. You may as well keep
the change, little father The Arme-
nian acted as If he was greatly offend
ed and replied. But, my little dove, it
costs only rubles and 40
The soldier did not deign him an
answer and, lighting his cigarette, of
fers us his case that we may help our
selves.
"My friends. two Frenchmen, who
have been in the country for some
time. whispered to me. Take one or he
will feel offended 50 l followed their
advice and In return asked for a bottle
of madeira.
with perfect ease this common sol
der accepted my invitation. Over the
wine we soon became fast friends. The
soldier told us his name and spoke OF
his wife and child, and how the grain
had just begun to get green when he
left home. and how he had received two
letters from his family, which he pres
entity produced from an inner pocket
and asked permission to let the Arme-
MAN read to him. as he is sorry to say
that he does not know how to read
himself.
THE contents of the letters touch
him deeply. and soon the tears roll
down his checks as he listens to his
wife's terms of endearment and wishes
for his safe return. and when the Ar
menian has finished reading and gives
h. no
control his emotion and says, smiling
in an embarrassed manner through his
tears: And when | now get down TO
the Yalu to be shot by the Japonskis |
will get no more letters from my little
dove. l hope your eXcellencies will for
give a plain soldier
"Of course we forgive him. But
when we come out into the street the
soft hearted. good natured fellow
draws his bayonet and makes a furi-
Gus lunge at a passing dog, as If to
show that his sentimentality will not
prevent him from performing heroic
deeds ut the right time and place.
Thus is the Russian soldier Il mix
turc of Slav sentimentality and Asiatic
brutality; but even his peculiar charac
ter makes him a soldier as no other.
with the possible exception of the
Turk. His fanatiCiSm. his lack of criti-
cism. which makes him respond to or
ders with the automatic action of q
machine: his indomitable courage and
contempt of danger and his patience
under sufferlngs and privations of all
kinds are unsurpassed. These qualities
make the Russian almost useless for
offense. for all active and Independent
action, as he sees in all opposition
which he cannot overcome in the first
assault an unsurmountable obstacle.
lie Is. however. ready to sacrifice
his life at all occasions in the most
reckless manner. When a dangerous
attack is to he made 1t Is not, as in
our army. the officer who leads, but
the private soldier. who. after having
made the sign of the cross, will step on
n mine To make II explode or, as on the
Korietz and Nariag. throw himself
upon an enemy ten times his strength
and die with heroism which is won
derful.
Under no circumstances Will he crit
iciSe the commands of his superior Off
GERS. but Will carry theW out TO the
letter. no matter how foolish they may
appear 10 man with sound judgment.
Neither viii he lose courage. even II
beaten back ten times. and Will quietly
bear the defeats OF campaign of
years and win Ut last II his officers do
not give up the game. He never Erowls
or complains II he must starve. and
when he once more gets something to
eat he considers II as wholly unde-
served grace OF God and appreciates as
q child every Kind word spoken To him
by his officers. When of duty he Is as
playful as n kitten and sings and
dances outside his tent in the barracks
W in the street. giving himself fully up
TO the enjoyment with the abandon OF
a child
HE is never cruel. though often bru-
tai. He Is entirely devoid of the cold
love OF murder and torture which Is