RUSSIA MAKES READY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 19 January 1938, Page 16

RUSSIA MAKES READY

MEN MOVE EAST. JAPANESE AS FIGHTERS. PARIS, Jan. 3. Russia is expecting a conflict in the Far East, and is moving many men into Eastern Siberia, according to M. Robert Leurquin, a leading Writer on military affairs, who has returned from a visit to the front in North China, by way of Russia. Before recording his impressions of the Japanese Army as a fighting force, he recounts that lie saw 7 on the way across Russia an amazing spectacle. “Russia,” he declares, “is literally on the move. “From Moscow, you see an extraordinary sight. Thousands’ are moving towards Lake Baikal, Mongolia, and Eastern Siberia, where they are expecting the future conflict. Russia is building up an Asiatic Ruhr, capable of forging arms for the army of Marshal Blucher.” Like General Sir lan Hamilton. M. Leurquin is not scornful of the abilities of Japanese soldiers, after having spent a considerable time in their front line in North China.

Nevertheless, M. Leurquin believes that the Japanese will be defeated if ever they are engaged by a force with a military, tradition behind it. Instead, M. Leurquin observes, Japan is fighting a nation in which for centuries it w 7 as truly said in a proverb: “There is only one thing w r orso than a soldier, and that is a General.” M. Leurquin found that the result was that China’s psychology was undergoing an important change, as every 7 bevdlderod able-bodied man prepared to defend his country against an enemy who had already occupied vast areas of it.

M. Leurquin is a contributor to the most important military 7 reviews. Some time ago, he was instructed by the General Staff of the Belgian Army to follow operations in North China as a voluntary observer. He obtained permission from the Japanese authorities to join the first-line forces near Tatung. In articles in L’Europc Nouvelle, he recounts his experiences and states his conclusions. GREAT PHYSICAL RESISTANCE.

In the first article, which deals with military aspects, M. Lcurquin, discussing Japanese _ methods of warfare, states that in North China the Japanese are copying the methods of tho French Army in the Itiff (Morocco), operating in mobile groups which are self-contained. The groups consist of a regiment of infantry, reinforced by cavalry and artillery. Usually there are thro'o batteries of artillery, and there is keen rivalry between the groups. M. Leurquin illustrates this by stating that on one occasion lie was attached to Colonel Otaka’s group (which, the day before the incident he dscribcs, had done 55 kilometres). Colonel Otaka forced the group to march across a marsh, sinking to tho knees for an hour. Then the colonel put his horse to the trot, tho men following as host they could for 55 minutes, at tho end of which they were granted five minutes’ rest.

During the rest period, Colonel Otaka showed M. Leurquin a map. pointing out that, unless they had covered the last hour at gymnasium pace,'a riyal group coming from tho opposite direction, and with no obstacles like a marsh, would have beaten them by several lengths. M. Leurquin remarks that the rival group turned up ten minutes after Colonel Otaka’s group had arrived at its objective. BOOTS SPECIALLY MADE. M. Leurquin observes that tho physical resistance of the Japanese soldier is remarkable. Officers take a pride in their men, and each group has bootmakers in order that the men’s feet may be as comfortable as possible. Each man has his boots made specially for him.

ML. Leurquin explains that one of the reasons for the Japanese energetic marching is that flags of the Rising Sun are always carried before a column. To the soldiers, the flags are more than symbols of their country. They are symbols of the Imperial Divinity, before which no soldier would risk losing “face.” The soldiers live on practically nothing. Soldiers and officers eatj daily half a pound of rice, a few doubtful potatoes, and hot water. There is no fish, no meat, and no tea. Alcohol is strictly forbidden. Thus the groups live easily on the country if cut off from supplies. BRAVERY, NOT DISCIPLINE.

M. Leurquin found many weaknesses in the Japanese soldier. “He is a fierce warrior,” he states, “precisely because be is a fierce warrior rather than a soldier, his dominating quality is not discipline, but bravery. The Japanese have not that feeling for discipline which gives our armies their unshakable cohesion and nerves of steel. He loses in a minute control of his nerves to plunge with frenzy into an orgy of hand-to-hand fighting. He likes to appear as a terrible warrior, who faces his enemy with alarming shouts and brandishing weapons. The Japanese Army sfill holds to the theory of the celebrated tSouvaroff, who said:. ‘The shot is mad. Only the bayonet is intelligent.’ ” “This frenzy of fighting explains why the soldiers are had shots, and why the artilleryman, who also wishes to be an enthusiastic warrior, goes to the front line to use-his weapons at close range.. This explains why the artillery sustains losses equal proportionately to those of the infantry. Japanese officers with whom I expressed this criticism were upset, and tried to persuade me that it was only a case of the application of a particular form of war to meet a certain adversary. It is possible, but I am not convinced. The Japanese Army lias not endured the ‘trial by fire’ in a reallv big war.” STOICAL CHINESE.

M. Leurquin, referring to the Chinese Army, admires its stoicism, bravery, and courage in face of odds. He declares that it has certainly made real progress. The resistance at Shanghai was an eloquent demonstration of the fact, but the Arm.y, he considers, will remain for some time a second-class army. The commanders and staff ser-

vices are still relying on foreign milifbary advisers, especially Germans. Among the Chinese counsellors there are some most capable men. “But, M. Leurquin remarks, “with an army whether it is an echelon, army corps, division, or brigade general staff, the successful carrying out of operations lies in the hands of the officei’s. Thus, with the rapid advance of the technique of modern warfare, the. execution of successful moves lies increasingly in the hands of subaltern officers. It was said that the last war was a war of commanders of companies. Without doubt, tjie pext will be that of the chiefs of army groups.”

NEED FOR MI LIT AKY ’TRADITION. M. Leurquin admires the self-sacri-fice of the Chinese, but expresses the opinion that it will be a long time before the Chinese build up a military caste which will lay down for China a military tradition. He believes tiiat the nation which ignores military tradition forges a weapon for its own defeat. He agrees with M. Raynald, who wrote in his book, “Francerie:” “Victories . are achieved on the battlefield, but it is in peacetime that a nation wins a war.”