Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-09-28
THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER
A Tribute to His Character and
 Fighting Ability.
HE MAKES FRIENDS EVERYWHERE

of Danger and Patience Under Suf-
 fertngs of All Kinds Are Unsur-
 passed, Says Count von Hinder
 Attacks.
 Ut was at Mukden, as was bargain ing for some provisions in an. Arme- nian store, that I first met face to face with typical Russian soldier" says Ernest Count von Binder Krieglstein in the New York American.
 "A man about thirty five, 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 bottle of zubrowka, 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 2 rubles- then gave him 60 lxopeks. 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.
 'sThe Siberian Rife guard looked at the 60 kopeks and after moments thought pushed the money toward the storekeeper 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 2 rubles and 40.'
 'sThe 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 so followed their advice and in return asked for bottle of madeira.
 with perfect ease this common sol dier 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 homev and how he had received two letters from his family, which he pres ently produced from an inner pocket and asked permission to let the Arme- nian read to him, as he is sorry to gay that he does not know how to read himself.
 .aThe 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 him back the letter he can no longer control his emotion and says, smiling in an embarrassed manner through his tears: And when I now get down to the Yalu to be shot by the JapQnstIlg I Twill get no more letters from my little dove hope your exceIlencfes will for give 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 furi ous lunge at passing dog, as if to show that his sentimentality will not prevent him from performing heroic deeds at the right time and place.
 Thus is the Russian soldier mix ture of Slav sentimentality and Asfatic brutality; but even his peculiar charac ter makes him soldier as no other, with the possible exception of the Turk. His fanaticisn, his lack of crit- ctsm, which makes him 1bspond to or ders with the automatic action of machine; his indomitable courage and contempt of danger and his patience under sufferings and privattons 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.
 sHe is, however, ready to sacrifice his life at all occasions in the most reckless manner. When dangerous attack is to be made it is not, SIS in our army, the officer who leads, but the private soldier, who, after having made the sign of the cross, will step on mine to make it explode or, as on the Korietz and Variag, 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 ofa- cers, but will carry them out to the letter, no matter how foolish they may appear to man with sound Judgment Neither will he lose courage, even if beaten back ten times, and will quietly bear the defeats of a campaign of years and win at last if his officers do not give up the game. He never growls or complains if he must starve, and when he once more gets something to eat he considers 1t as wholly unde- served grace of God and appreciates as child every kind word spoken to him by his officers. When off duty he is as playful as a kitten and sings and dances outside his tent in the barracks or 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 characteristic of the Japanese and oth-