Evening star., 1916-01-07

man makes the best soldier, not only
because he is more active, but because
he is more fearless, Mr.. Washburn
says. The family ties of young man
are not SO binding as those of the older
man. He accepts the orders of his su-
give the matter of personal safety such
serious thought as the older man.
Few men are in better position to
speak authoritatively of the merits and
dier than is Mr.. Washburn. Up until
the time he returned to this country.
few weeks ago he had been with the
Russian army since the outbreak OF
given passes which permitted him to
visit all the Russian positions. He has
covered more than 10000 miles in visit
ing various points along the great Rus
scene Immediately before, during or
Immediately following forty great bat
ties. He has talked with more than
1000 Russian army officers about va
riouS phases of the war.
He is the authority for the statement
that the Russian soldier is showing
greater initiative in the war today than
the German. Although the Russian
ranks are made up almost entirely or
men of the peasant class, they make
better soldiers than the we'll educated
Germans.
Reason for German Victories.
The victories of the Germans over
Russia have been due. to shortage OF
ammunition and arms, Mr. Washburn
says. Eight months after the declara-
tion of war Russia's supplies were ex-
hausted: Germanys vast supplies had
not begun to feel the great drain upon
them.
1.-The great German drive was accom-
Y,1ic oh
have the ammunition to check the on
slaught. not because of any superiority
of the German soldier over the Russian.
"Germany's advantage over Russia
was at its zenith in September. Since
then Russia has been gaining strength
in the form of greater supplies and
ammunition, and today Germany is fac,
ing an enemy who has his second
finish. Germany is confronting short
age of men in her own ranks-a short
age that is becoming more and more
serious each day. and which, l hrmly
believe, eventually will bring about the
defeat of the German cause"
Mr.. Washburn said that early in the
war Germany would attack time ana
time again in an effort to gain posi-
ton, but that now seldom more than
three such attacks are made.
IT have seen the Germans begin their
attacks at daybreak and continue them
without interruption until midnight AS
to gain a desired point fresh one
came up from behind and attacked:
There always appeared to be plenty OF
men for these attacks, for While the
loss of life would be terrible there
would be no let-up.
Shows Shortage of Men.
To-day it is seldom that more than
three attacks are made on any one po-
sition in quick succession. This, 1 be-
lieve. is due to shortage of men, and
to the fact that there are more men of
middle age and even older in the Ger
man ranks than before-men who will
not attack with the apparent disregard
for personal safety that was evidenced
when the German ranks were composed
of younger men.
Ever since the outbreak Of hcstil-
tiles Germany has used mass forma-
tions in attacks on the Russians-tac-
tics which result in great losses even
if the advantage is gained. The Rus
slams have deployed and have fought
in extended order, and in this the su-
perior initiative of the Russian soldier
over the German has been manifest.
The German soldier has been taught to
fight according to hard and fast rules;
the Russian, while following commands
that of the German, has shown initia-
tive and has adjusted himself to meet
conditions"
Mr.. Washburn said that his obser-
vations of the past sixteen months
have indicated to him that there is no
such thing as the fierce and brutal
Russian" 1t Is true. he said, that at
the very outbreak of hostilit;es GER
tain of the Cossack troops carried on a
few weeks of warfare in East Prus-
sia that gave rise to greatly exag-
gerated stories about Russian atroci-
ties.
Spirit of Revenge Aroused.