New-York tribune., 1904-09-04
SURPRISES OF THE WAR.

One feature of the war which has greatly
surprised the world is the ineffciency of Russia
as a military power. That is not TO be ex
planned on the ground that she was taken un-
awares and was therefore unprepared for war,
for at least three reasons. One is that the
great military powers of Europe are supposed
to be always ready for war. That is what they
are maintaining great armaments and spending
vast sums of money for. Another is that even
If unprepared at the outset OF the war, Russia
ought to have been able to complete prepara-
dons by this time. IL in these days a compe.
tent army cannot be got together in six months
how long will it take TO do il? In the third
place, there is every reason to believe that
Russia was well prepared for the war as
she could be- She had been preparing for it
for years, by massing troops in China and
erecting Notifications and sending her ships to
Port Arthur. The record of history will be
that the power which professed to be the great
est military power Of the world, when attacked
upon her own ground by a new, small and
despised power, for at least six months met
with an unbroken series of defeats. That is
enough TO set the military qudnuncs of the
world TO rubbing their eyes wide open.
Another is the marvellous development Of
Japan military power. The world had for
generations regarded the Asiatic nations as
dead, so far as great conquests were concerned.
LHSIt WIS AO tl1puSAl lAuk cIsldS lOf
could ever rise again TO her ancient glories, or
that India could revive the prowess OF the
Nogul emperors, or that the MongoI tribes
could produce another Genghis or Timur. Yet
here is one Of the smaller Asiatic nations
within the span OF a single generation rising
10 d leading place among the great military
powers of the world 1t does So too, not by
means of a barbarc raid like those of the old
time Tartars and Aongols but by means of
conservative, ordered permanent upbuilding of
armed strength, on the same lines as that of
any European or American power, Indeed, we
are not sure but that the Japanese have shown
us a more highly scientific warfare than any
o'her nation has ever waged. We say again.
the world did not look for such renascence of
Asiatic prowess Or is it renascence? De-
spite her venerable age. it may be that Japan
IL still in her national youth, and is destined
henceforth TO play fer centuries the great part
in the worlds affairs for which she now seems
10 be fitted
0f these two features at least. the lessons
should be obvious and they are lessons which
no nation can afford 20 overlook. The enor-
NOUS bulk and physi-a strength OF Russia
and we may add Of America-are seen to be
Of little avail in themselves. They must be
animated with an enlightened spirit, with edu-
cation and with constant training. That feet
viii have to do least shooting In war that does
most target shooting In time of peace The
marvellous industrial and commercial develop
ment Of Japan In the last thirty years has not
been incompatible with. bnt has been accom-
panied bg, q commensurate development Of
army and navy power. IL is proverbiaI that
Japan learned much from America 1t seems
that one Of the first things she learned. and
learned most thoroughly, was Washingtons ad-
vice 10 his oount'ymen, that If they desired TO
secure peace if must be known that they were
ct all times ready for war. The arts of peace
and the arts of war have advanced side by side