THE GALLANT RUSSIAN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 7

THE GALLANT RUSSIAN

Sir, —The simple-hearted but gallant Russian is again in evidence as orio of the mainstays of the Quadruple Alliance..' .-A brave fighter he lias ever •proved since:his victory over the;Swedej who, under the leadership of the gallant, but unfortunate Charles-the XII, fought and lost the Battle of Pultowa. This was without; doubt the .real commencement of Russia's military c-reer, since, which the valour and generalship of her soldiers have been fully proved on many-a-stricken field, for* and against his' present Allies. At Borodina, against .the greatest and most successful leader of the ago, (save our own great; victorious General,' the Iron Duke), he made so stubborn- a defence against -the French , onslaught that when the wreckage.of that great battle was cleared up there was Tittle practical difference between the actual loss of men on either side. The 'French: had more killed, but less wounded, and they kept the field and marched on to their objective—Moscow; but the chances of 'success were so shaken in that great fight as to lessen in no small degree tho prospect of Napoleon's ultimate victory./ Brave, in war, but braver far in self-denial to which no other-nation has yet approached, I- allude to his abstention from .his favourite intoxicant in order to put -fortji his best effort in the great struggle for the freedom of his race in other lands, he has denied himself a fleshly gratification which was well nigh to him-a second nature. . A few men here and there have stood far. in advance of their fellows in self-abnegation, but never has an army- numbering its millions made so great a sacrifice to the shrine of self. A nation that can curb its fiercest passion in the heat of this great strife in order to obtain the best results is an object-lesson to be regarded, with admiration, and -when the.full history of this great war. is written the Heroic courage-and self-denial of Russia will have its full recognition and reward— which spells am, etc., J.B.R.