Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-08-07

following the Russo-Japanese War
Russia has strengthened her army
and navy, and has materially cut
down the, time required for the mo-
bilization Of her forces by eliminat-
ing many Of the difficulties attendant
upon transportation and equipment
of troops. Her quiet advances to-
ward becoming q Power to be feared
by the most formidable European
nation have been recognized in a
vague way. Just what her potenti-
alities are even Russia herself can
only guess.
Certain 1t is, however, that the
Russian nation would welcome the
opportunity to retrieve the prestige
lost in her encounter with her prev
iously illSfSAiftcsslt adversary d. the
Far Easta with thaa aveisaS .Rsleian.
as with any: student Of Russia's last
war II, Is ~ firm conviction that the
world In general erred grievously in
measuring the power Of Muscovite
arms by the issue OF the conflict with
Japan. Russia entered that war ignor-
ant of her adversary's strength, en-
tirely unprepared herself In q mill
tary sense and as a people, except
for the commercial interests, indif-
ferent to the causes OF the war and
its objects.
Even so, but for her internal trou-
bles, which prompted her to listen to
advances made by British diplomacy
in its own and It's ally's interests,
the end would have been different.
She might have dfsregarded peace
overtures and ultimately, once her
latent strength began to be exerted,
could have turned the tables on the
Japanese, who had already reached
the utmost Of their exertions.
Military Budget @40o, 200, 900.
Since that time Russia has been
busily at work Her military budget
last year was nearly $4O0, 100000. In
Eastern Siberia, where, the strength
Of her Asiatic military is concentrate
ed, the army has been increased and
reorganized until, consisting of five
army corps, and approximately three
Cossack cavalry divisions say near
-ly 100000 men-it is upon an indie
pendent footing. In time of need It
might serve to strengthen Russian
European armies at the other end Of
the Trans-Siberian Railway. The
likelihood Of some of the force be.
coming available in the western part
Of the Cars domain is increased by
the friendliness which may be ex-
pected from Japan in any compiled.
ton which would line her ally Great
Britain up with Russia.
But the rehabilitation of Russia's
strength in the Far East and the in
creased effectiveness of the Trans
Siberian Railway as transportation
agency in time Of war, are as moth
ing to what has been done nearer the
Neva to prepare Russia for Just the
sort Of contingency she faces today.
Reorganization Of her local irregular
militia force has been accomplished.
A navy which found itself crippled
after the disasters met with in the
Far East, Is in process Of recoSstitu-
ton. Already in effective fighting
ships built and building it is very
far ahead Of italy and twice as well
on ~ Austria Hungary. In torpedo
boat destroyers she is about as
strong as Germany, and in sub
marines has distinct advantage.
Great progress has been made In the
air service both for the army and
navy. To such purpose, indeed, has
Russia taken up this branch OF war.
fare which promises to figure promi.
nently In modern battles at sea and
on land, that she Is said on the high.
est authority to be probably the third
strongest air Power In the world.
with Italy fourth, and Great Britain
fifth.
While Russfa's preparedness for
war admits of no comparison with
Germany's In 80 far as the working
out Of details Of equipment and trans.
portation with scientific exactitude
is concerned, still she has surprises
in store for her enemies. The dis
patch with which the partial mobili-
t3fsss2 ~ !