Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-01-05

only lacked the arms wherewith to join
the armies now preparing for Russia s
future campaign.
With the beginning of the new year
various estimates placed the number 0e
fresh-armed Russian troops at five mil
lion. At least two million more are be-
ing armed at the rate of over half a
million q month. An additional million
of twenty-year-old youths were called
upon December 4. There win take their
places in the ranks early in the year.
Twelve Million Soldiers.
Russia's veterans already holding
the battle-lne from Riga TO the Black
Sea and operating in the Caucasus are
estimated to total at least 100000,
all hardy fighters, making the total of
Russian military strength in sight ap-
proximately twelve million men.
Like England, France and Italy, Rua-
sia is preparing to fight in the Bal
kans. This campaign, which is already
under way, is under tho leadership OF
General Dimitrieff, ex-commandcr OF
the Ninth Bulgarian army, who re-
n0unced Gar Ferdinand and Bulgaria,
and sent back the military decorations
rendered him by his former sovereign.
Dimitrieff' $ first objective is Bulgar-
ia, anticipation Of waich early in De-
cember sent Austro-German and Bull
garian regiments hastily to Rustehuk,
the nearest Bulgarian city to the Rus
sian border.
1t was Russia that delivered Bulgar-
ia from the Turkish yoke. When faced
bv the Russians as foe, led by fornl-
or popular general Of the Bulgarian
army, wholesale desertions from the
Bulgar forces are considered a potent
possibility.
HAS Million Prisoners.
Russian forces too, have been sent
in ample numbers to the Caucasus in
order, if necessary, to lend aid 10 the
British in the event the Suex Canal
should be seriously threatened by the
reinforced German-led Turks.
Though Russia has lost an estimated
million and half prisoners TO Ger
many and Austria, neariv million
men Of the double enemy have been
they are in no danger Of liberation, as
are the Russian prisoners in germany
and Austria. The Austro-GermaD loss
es during the last three montns, ON
the Russian front, have been enormous.
Russia's own losses have not been
slight, but they are undoubtedly far
under those Of the enemy, most OF
whose fighting has been offensive. The
activities Of General Ivanoff in East
ern Galicia during September, October
and November are credited with put
ting 100000 of the enemy out OF tae
fight.
Plans General Offensive.
Optimism has now taken the place or
tho pessimism that prevailed in Rus
sia during the dark days of the sum
mer. The man on the street in Petro-
grad knows as well OK the highest Of
ficial that Russia plans an offensive
against Germany and Austria in tho
spring of 1916 the like of watch tho
world has never experienced. Perhaps
II will come sooner. Whether the ex-
penditure of vast quantities Of ammunI-
tion on the front starting in NOvcm-
her and continuing through December,
is preparation for an advance earlier
than March, or just q measure to keep
tho Germans from digging in and pro-
tecting themselves against tho intense
cold Of Russian winter is not quite
clear.
Russia generally Is watchful waiting,
but IL takes no clairyoyant TO forecast
that the animal that confronts the Ger
mans before many weeks will not be
tho same sore-nosed beast Of the sum
mer and autumn Of 1915.