Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-20

ol lne larm wagons az home. How
ever, the army transport wagons form
ii small percentage OF the whole
Work of Peasant Wagons.
The bulk Of the work is being done
by peasant wagons, slightly smaller
than the other The horses collars
are fastened to the front end Of the
shafts From the same point rope
is stretched tightly to the outside of
the huh of the front wheel so that
the danger of breaking the aSle is
greatly minimized
There Is generally brace from the
body OF the wagon to the outside Of
the rear wheel, which frequently runs
upon a wooden axle. All of these ve-
hices are drawn by small hardy Rus
sian horses, but these, unlike the we'll
trained cavalry mounts. are hardly
broken.
The great advantage Of this system
of transport is that It can go over any
kind Of road or no road. The two
wheel cart are almost as mobile as
pack horses The loss Of any unit is
also comparatively insignificant On
the other hand, the number of driv-
ers'required is enormous, but numbers
is Russia's greatest asset. The United
States could produce enough men for
this form Of transport, but the cost of
wages would be prohibitive.
Splendid Specimen.
The Russian infantryman is the
most splendid physical specimen in
the war. Owing TO her immense pop
Russia has not resorted to
conscription. Only the best
and strongest are chosen. In Eng
land the army Is composed by volun-
tary enlistment, and warlike enthusi-
asm is not measured In inches and
pounds.
The Russian soldier Is very much
bigger and very much more athletic
than the English Tommy, due partly
to these reasons-m0re, | believe, to
the fact that the bulk Of the Russian
population is agricultural, while the
English Is manufacturing.
] have often read Of the Russian
soldier being clumsy. Nothing could
be farther from the truth. While at
The front / was in a state of continual
over the agility and grace
Of the soldiers movements. When a
private is given some order by a COM
missioned officer he generally runs TO
execute it.
This is partly due to discipline. but
Is also because rapid movements de-
mand so little exertion. The wonders
Of the Russian ballet are due to long
training, but the raw material from
which the dancers are drawn is eXcep-
tional.
Not So Clumsy.
IDari,a,,e, ,,,, t1aa- Of y ttrgiaa
1ieTs' clumsiness comes from the pic
lure of their high boots They look
heavy. but are not The term Rus
sian leather universally applied TO the
best, has not been lightly earned. The
soldiers boot does not weigh
half as much as the one commonly
worn by American surveyors and
sportsmen. The sole appears too
hin for heavy marching, but the Rus
sian has been accustomed to it from
childhood.
/ came to Russia with all of an
prejudice against the Rus
sian custom of maneuvering and
with fixed bayonet | find,
however that my two first premises
Df biecton-namely that the bay
)net makes the gun muzzle heavy and
hat reflection from it interferes with
3lghting-were badly taken.
The Russian bayonet is only trifle
over foot long, is very light, and is
olued like the barrel. 1t is fastened
Dn the right hand side and thus does
not cross the line of vision when
sighting for long range. 1t is almost
a few yards away, and thus
oses much of the moral effect attrib-
lted to l'arme blanche.
Rely on BayOnct
The Russians, however look upon
he bayonet as an arm of execution
and depend upon the terror caused by
he use OF it for effect upon the en-
amy.
They tel me that the Austrians fire
lntll the Russians are right upon
hem, but surrender before venturing
% fight at close quarters. This ] can
'eadily understand, for the thousands
If Austrian prisoners | have seen are
inferior to the Russians
10Th in size and activity.
The Germans have developed a ma
leuver of defense which consists in
while firing upon the ad-
rancing foe | am told that they will
'etreat from an entrenched position if
he Russian irfantrymen are able to
each it, rather than undertake a
nd-to-hlnd conflict.
There is no possible question but
he bayonet is frequently used in this
var. How different from the expert
nee of General Funston, who records
n his memoirs of two wars that ne
las seen only one man struck down
~ a bayOnet
Tradition and temperament have
to do with fighting They
lssert themselves in the face OF all
The evidence appears conclusive
hat the German infantry was not
,ble to come within 800 yards of the
English at Mons, in spite of the great
Of German artlllery
md verwhelming numbers, but the
British army was a regular army es-
,ecially drilled in rifle fire. There ls
low no such body of marksmen on
,ither front. The Russians are also
'ery fond of the grenades and appear
O have made better use Of them than !
heir allies.
Steady Under Fire.
As to their shooting l can say noun
ng, as have never seen them under
ire in their trenches and can add |
word to the high praise for steadlhess
.iyen to them by the German gem |
raj. Van Morgan, who commands
ferinan army before Warsaw.
The Russian soldier, in addition 10
lis bayoneted rifle, carries 100 ROUNDS
# ammunition. an overcoat ana
helter tent rolled together over one
houlder and a pack sack. on ms
light hip is an entrenching tool |
hovel not much larger than the one
lsed by children playing in the SAND !
-..e... e;e.k ,,,.,, narriac q uickax or |