The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-09

true that the Siberian railway will help
Russia some, but it must be remem-
bered that it is a single track affair,
and there is bound to be trouble and
CONFUSION in shipping provisions, ETC.,
TO the front. Our own experiences in
the Spanish War are illustrative of
this, and we had more than a single
track on which to operate.
Comparisons Between Two Armies.
There is also a great difference be-
tween the two armies. Russia's SOL
diers are like machines. Each regi-
ment will do its part mechanically,
will fit exactly into it's proper place.
The entire army is one great machine,
doing just as it has been taught. The
japanese army is more of what might
be called an individual army Each
man has ben taught his duty Each
man is a bright, quick-witted individ-
ual, all combining and working as an
harmonious whole. The Japs will be
quick to see their opportunities and
just as quick to seize them.
THE system of instruction among
the Japanese officers has resulted in
giving them the cream of the French
and German systems. All their Off
GERS are we'll trained, well disciplined,
and perfectly capable of carrying out
their parts. If they loose, it will not
be because they do not have compe-
tent officers.
1T has been suggested that the in
tense cold of the country in which
the fighting will be done will initiate
against the Japs. I do not agree with
this. The Japs have more endurance
than any people l know. They are
trained from infancy. almost, to en-
dure great physical strains. They are
used to cold and will not be any more
handicapped by the climate than the
Russians themselves.
THE japanese cavalry is small and
cannot be compared with the Russian.
But the rapidity with which the in
fantry can move will greatly offset
this. l have known Japs to travel
forty and fifty miles a day, carrying
a heavy burden, comparatively, and
yet not be exhausted at the end of a
journey The chances in the army
are practically equal, and Japan will
surprise the world.
Japan's Navy is Superior.
when it comes to sea fights the
chances are all in favor of Japan. Her
navy is greatly superior to the Rus
sian, and is in many ways one of the
best navies afioat. The ships are mod
eled after the English plans, though
the Japs allowed the builders to make
changes which they thought would
prove beneficial. The vessels are up
to-date in every way. They are neat
trim, fast, fighting machines, well Of
ficered and well manned. The English
system of sea fighting, modified by the
best of the American, is in vogue.
"In the gunboats and smaller yes
sells Japan is more than the equal of
Russia In the matter of transports
she is most admirably equipped and in
this respect can be eXcelled by no ma
ton on earth. Some of the steamers
are beauties, and actually run in COM
petition with the big lines of the world.
Her sailors are good ones, her marines
well drilled and her gunners quick and
accurate. In many cases her engi-
neers are Scotchmen and Americans.
on sea she is greatly superior to Rus
STA.
conditions also go to make Russia
even weaker on the sea, as far as the
Orient is concerned At the most she
does not have more than half her
navy in the Far East. Fearing inter-
national complications, a thing which
/ regard as probable, she must keep
much of her fleet at home to protect
her coast. II England were to go TO
the aid of Japan, and Russia's entire
fleet were in the East, what a simple
matter il would be for the English
navy to play havoc on the Russian
coast of the home country.
THE danger OF internal troubles Is
also a handicap TO Russia. The Bal
kans are a veritable powder mine,
which Is likely to be touched on At any
moment. She has put herself In bad
muddle and she will have trouble eX-
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