RUSSIANS AND JAPS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 June 1901, Page 3

RUSSIANS AND JAPS.

Asa conflict between Russia and Japan cannot bo regarded as improbable, seeing the trend of events in China, a comparison between the Russian and the Japanese

soldiers, instituted by a writer in the “ Daily News, ” is not without interest. If they should come to blows, it is said, we shall witness “some of the most sanguinary and desperately contested battles fought since the introduction of the pospel of open order into the tactics of warfare.” During the international intervention in China Russian soldiers we are told have mui’dered non-com-batant Chinese in cold blood, burned,

pillaged, and destroy property in a most unwarranted and indiscriminate manner; but so, we may say, have soldiers of other Powers. It is admitted at the outset that Russian and Japanese soldiers are both brave, but that the latter is more prone than the former, to seek occasions for distinguishing himself heroism of the kind finding ready recognition among Ids compatriots. Under similar circumstances the Russian soldier does not find an appreciative public. Both Russian and Japanese forces equally distinguished themselves in ihe storming of the native city of Tientsin. We are warned not to take the habitual stolidity of the Russian soldier for stupidity, for when once he has grasped the idea of what he has to do he is far from stupid in carrying out his orders. The estimate of the cavalry arm of both armies is high. In the opinion of the writer, however, the Japanese cavah'y is too light, the horses not being worth much when compared with the Cossack mounts. The Cossack appears to be fearless, and always willing to take the most desperate chances. In esprit de corps, however, the Japanese has very much the advantage over the Russian.