Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-02-20

ocean on the north Connecting these
widely seperate units is single line OF
railway across Siberia. But this railway
has been equipped more for the trans
portation of troops than for the haul
ing Of merchandise On it not less than
$4,000 troops can be in motion at one
time, and within 15 days from the time
the first of these leave st. Petersburg
they can be landed in Manchuria. OF
Russia's 100000 peace army not less
than 300 900 are either in Manchuria at
the present time, or within short
distance of there.
On a peace footing the japanese army
numbers $685. 900 men. In time of war
this number can be increased to little
less than 900 men, but this is prac-
tically the extreme limit. Japan's peace
army is well equipped. Considering Its
size it is well supplied with both ar
tillery and cavalry, though in neither
arm is 1t a match for the enormous
strength of Russia. OF means of trans
portation there is an abundance. Suf-
ficient transports are at hand to put the
entire army into Corea within few days.
In the matter of strictly military dis
cipline there is none better among the
armies of the world.
Somuch for army figures. The chance
for japanese success upon land lies not
In figures, but in the enthusiasm and
patriotism of her troops and her people.
The japanese people are animated by a
patriotism which borders on fanaticism.
They count it privilege to make any
sacrifice, no matter how great, for the
nation The Japanese soldier is fatal
list. He considers 1t not only duty but
an honor, the greatest honor that can
come to him, to die fighting for the ma
ton.
II is told that in the great ceremony in
honor of those Japanese who had fallen
in the fighting around Tientsin Gen.
Fukushima made speech to the troops
who had participated in those battles
in which he told them he felt it an honor
to have commanded such men as those
who were dead, but it was still greater
honor TO have died for Japan. This one
lesson Is impressed upon the soldier
from the day he joins the colors. 1t is
made part of his military education,
and II Is small wonder that 1t produces
a wonderful effect upon the army dis
cipline. The autocratic government Of
the car, on the other hand, demands and
receives a blind obedience rendered
without other interest than the obeying
of orders so as to escape the punish
ments that come with disobedience. The
effect of the japanese training makes OF
their army an agile, enthusiastic, mobile
body. that stands out in strong contrast
to the slow moving. massive, machine of
Russia.
The first conflict OF the contest must
necessarily be on the sea. Japan must
control on the water before she can sue
cessfully transfer the conflict to the land.
Mr.. O. X. Davis. the correspondent of
the New York Sun in China during the
Boxer troubles. contributed to the De-
cember Everybody's an article on the
Japanese Russian situation in which he
embodied a good comparison OF the
naval strength of the two nations, and In
which he says:
'In number OF ships Russia outclasses
Japan. She has % battleships to
Japan's eight, 16 coast defense ships TO
three, % armored cruisers to seven, and
&C protected cruisers and gunboats to
a. But the Russian ships are divided
into three fleets. one for the Baltic, H.
900 miles from Port Arthur, and another
5000 miles away in the Black sea. To
reinforce the far easteSn feet after war
begins will be impossible, for Russia
has not coaling station on the way
and to use the friendly French stations
would be violation of neutrality by the
French which, under the terms of her
treaty with Japan. would force Eng
land into active assistance of her ally.
To meet this obvious difficulty, Russia
has already strengthened her Siberian
fleet, to some extent. She has there
now four battleships. comparatively
new, the Petropavlosk. Peresvet, Osli-
abya and Pobieda. They are all Of about
the same class, ranging from II, 900 to
10000 tons. One carries four 12-inch
rifles. and IL six-inch quick-frers. the
others carry four ten-inch rifles and IL