The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-06-16
q CHEAP RRPUrATIoN.
Japan Is Hardly Deserving of Her
Spurs by Ilussia's Defeat.


Spurs by Itussia's Defeat.
In the estimation Of some news
papers the Japanese are the greatest
people on the face OF the earth. This
absurd opinion is based on the fact
that they have whipped the Russians
raj land battles. The Russians may
have been great people once, but
that day has departed, and Japan is
making reputation at Russia's cx.
pense at very small cost. AS we view
the events that have happened since
the war began they reveal to us more
the decadcnce Of Russia than the pro-
gresS Of Japan The Rus SLAMS have
blundered in everything they have at
te mpted since the war began. In the
first place they were not at all prepar-
ed for war either at home or the Far
East. Just previous to and since the
war began they have shown great lack
OF common sence In the management
of the navy and the army.
When the first coWardly attack was
made by the japanese on the Russians
at Port Arthur the Russians had
fine fleet OF war vessels in the Eastern
waters, and they would have done good
service had they been properly manned
and intelligentIy used. Inst.7a Of this
being done, the fleet was del led up
and stationed at different places, and
what was powerful fleet when united,
became an easy prey to the enemy la
Its frag condition. The lack
OF intelligent direction OF the fleet and
army in the Far East In the first few
weeks Of the war has caused all Of Rus
Sla's later disasters, because these
blunders destroyed the morale of the
rank and file Of the army and navy
This blunder in the disposition and
management OF the fleet at the open.
ing OF the war, has been followed up
by other blunders of the leaders OF
the army and navy until now the
fighting men have no confidence In
their officers.
Those who are in position to know
say that Russia's army and naval
management is notoriously corrupt
and incompe'en Mill rs OF dollars
appropriated by the government for
the purchase OF guns, ammunition,
aud supplies for the army and navy
have been worst than thrown away in
the purchase OF inferior goods that
are OF no service, and the difference In
price OF these inferior goods and the
first class goods the government ap.
propriated the money to buy vent
into the pockets OF the thieving gov
ernment officials who purchased tbs
supplies, InStead Of entrusting the
management Of her affairs to men
who have brains, Russia has pushed to
the front and entrusted with leader
ship lot OF 50 called nobemen, who
are noted only for their incom potency,
and whose cnlef aim in life seems to
be to rob the government and live
lifes Of ease and debauchery.
III we judge them by their record
In the past we are compelled to ad-
nit that the Russian soldiers and sea
man are brave men, but it seems that
they lack discipline and leadership,
and consequently are easily demoral
ICED. On no other ground can the
poor showing made by the Russian
fleet In the late battle be accounted
for. With so large fleet OF modern
war vessela 1t is hard to account for
the small damage done to the Japan.
ese except on the theory that the Rus
slams were either sclred to death or in
state OF panic, The condition of the
Russians soon became evident to the
Japs, and they pressed on, and soon
had the Russians fleeing In every al.
rection. Such catastrophe could not
happen In we'll disciplined and pro-