The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01
RuSsrrs iRuY AND JAPAN's.
ON Paper n Is Case Of $500 900 Men
FITTED Against I .OOO.O 900.


NAsHiSdroS. Dec. 3t.-A German stat
istician who jotted down daily the reports
from both Russian and Japanese sources
OF the number OF casualties in the Man.
ohurian campaign found by adding up the
figures few weeks ago that the Russians
had lost in killed and wounded 1887 900
men, or a. many az the entire quota of
soldiers available from the Cars Empire
and that the Japanese have suffered the
enormous loss OF 5.77s 800 men. five times
the total Of all the Island Empires soldiers
of the standing army and the reserves.
While the exaggerations made by both
sides are thus exhibited wildly. the losses
have undoubtedly been tremendous and it
becomes interesting TO know how long
either country can continue to I'll up the
broken ranks.
! Russia "a, an almost unlimited supply
of pen with military training, and the size
Of the army which she can gather in war
time is estimated at 1900 900, including
/ about IS 100 officers.
Every man In Russia Ia a soldier, that Ia,
every man between the ages Of 81 and 49,
With the exception of educated persons,
those who have been graduated from uni
versites. colleges and grammar schools,
five years with the colors or in active
service is required A graduate Of a uni
versity IL required TO serve actively for "A
year only. Those in the active service are,
Of course. receiving training continually.
The reserves are trained for fixed num-
Der of weeks periodically. Regimental
barracks are scattered from one end of the
empire to the other. and the mobilization
Of the troops. although a vast undertaking.
If systematically carried out. Besides the
periodical drill TO which the reserves are
subjected. there are many companies and
regiments which are called out for active
duty in quellng riots.
In Japan the total Of available reserves
falls far below that of Russia but to Offset
this is tho fact that Japan is nearer the scens
Of the fighting Some experts also believe
the Japanese are better fighters.
The Japanese standing army consisted
before the war of only i67629 officers and
men. while Russia's peace quota was 600
600 men and 5000 officers. according TO
figures supplied by each Government
The organization Of the japanese army
is rather complicated, but its efficiency
has been fully tested in the mobilization
and transportation 81 the troops to the
field
In Japan all men from II to 40 are liable
to military service. In addition to the
standing army aie the reserves; then what /
is known bv ;ne German term landwehr,
and the frt and second depots
The reserves consist of those who have /
quilted the active service. They are en-
listed for four years and four months and |
~ 81 no IN ,jiug
The landwehr which is brought into ser
vice after all the reserves have been called |
TO the colors. is composed of those who have
Quilted the standing army, active and |
reserve. and the enlistment period is five
years. The first depot comprises oil those
who have not enlisted in the active army
for a term of seven years and four months.
Those who had not previously enlisted in
the first depot comprise the second depot.
the term OF service Of which il only a year
and four months.
These divisions are called out in regular
order. Training Of three or four weeks
each year ia given to all those not in the 4
active service. much after the manner of .
our own State militia organization.
In war times the reserves are put into
active trimming. and a depleted regiment |
can easily and quickly be filed with trained
and experienced men. There is also fifth
division called the landsturm. which con
-ists OF those who have gone through the
landwehr or first depot. but who have not
been in other service. In this manner the
ranks Of the army are quickly filled.
Aside from all these there are thousands
in the empire who can be called upon for
active service and. counting every man
eligible for the service the total military
strength Of japan would be upward Of
! 100000 men
On paper this number compares poorly
with the Russian figures. but Japan, II must
be remembered. can more easily get her
men 10 the field. The main problem which
each nation must face i that OF feeding her
soldier. With Japan the present base OF
field supplies j., short when compared with
RUSSIA. 1000 miles
that the Russian army is suffering from
he lack Of facilities for Transporting food
,tufT- to the front is partly shown by the
request which came from Gen. Kuropatkin
! few days ago asking that eighteen or
wenty trains dniy be added 10 those al
.eady crossing Siberia and entering Man
,huria over the Siberian Railway.
Japan also has theadvantage OF having her
roop- better equipped than her opponent.
HE reserves of Russia are not all supplied
it'll modern rifle, Some Of the regiments
we're fitted ont years ago and new arms
ave not entirely replaced tho'e Of the old
tyles
On the other hand Japan's forces go TO
he front with guns and arms OF the latest
ype The preparedness of Japan for the
,lr il shown cmphelically in the better
quipment Of haf forces.
Ilshcrmen's Clocks Always Fast.