RUSSIAN MORALE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1917, Page 2

RUSSIAN MORALE.

HOW TO RESTORE IT. 'DISCIPLINE OR DEATH. In an article in the Dunedin Star "Criticus" writes as follows: The restoration of discipline 19 the problem of the moment and the first thing to be tackled. The Hussian Government have received an official account from the south-western front which says that a fatal crisis has occurred in the morale of the troops. "Orders are unheeded, and exhortations of comrades are replied to by threats ar.d shots. Some elements voluntarily evacuate positions, not waiting for the approach of the enemy, and sometimes urgent orders ifor reinforcements aje discussed for hours. For a distance of 100 versts long files of robust, shameless deserters are proceeding to the rear, and frequently entire units desert." An army must be in a bad way before such admissions are officially made and pubto the world. The Commander-in-Chief has ordered deserters to be fired 0,1 that is not enough. The situation needs to be taken in hand with system and tactical skill.

Treatment must vary according to circumstances. Where the demoralisation Has not proceeded too far, regiments should he paraded by officers, with revolvers drawn, and all the loyal elements skilfully placed in such a way as to be able to give the utmost assistance. Tf possible, they should have control of the machine euns. Orders should be given, and when one is disobeyed it should be repeated individually to the nearest man. If he disobeys, ho should be shot down at once, "to encourage the Tlif next man should then be given his clioico between obedience or death. ith death as the alternative, lie will probably obey, and his example will then communicate itself to the rest pf the reeiment. A mob of undisciplined men without a resolute leader is very much like n Hock of sheep. Jt can usually b° dominated by a determined man. partieubriv when each individual knows '•hat he will be shot down on the instant if ho attempts to take the initiative, before he can get the rest to support. Many a mutinous regiment has been brought to heel in this way.

THE WORST CASES. Where a regiment i« too far gore to give the above method much chance of Miccess. the methoil used bv the British In India during the mutiny may be adopted. When it was decided that a regiment which was planning mutiny must, be disarmed, it was paraded, and covered by batteries of guns loaded to the muzzle with grapeshot. so placed as to be able to rake its ranks from end to end. British regiments -with loaded muskets and fixed bayonets stood by ready for instant action, an/1 when ail was ready the order was given to the mutineers to disarm. Any hesitation in obeying was instantly followed by the sweeping aivay of their ranks bv grapeshot, and the infantry and cavalry fell upon them and cut them to nieces before they could organise resistance In this way a mere handful of British soldiers again and again dominated and disarmed huge bodies of mutineers. If a substantial part of the "Russian army retains its d" •■•;pline. there is no reason why this Ibnd should not bo adopted with success. Wherever possible the mutinous unit should be surrounded by loyal troops, and covered by quickfirers and machine guns. It should lie disarmed, or cut to pieces in the event of resistance. All the ringleaders should be ruthlessly hanged or Bhot. In the worst cases the regiment should be decimated, and the remainder of the men distributed among other units, with orders to shoot them upon tlie slightest siirn of insubordination. It is in these proceedings that the personal energy and prestige of the Commander-in-Chief will count for so much. lie needs to be. here. there, and everywhere, lie needs to encourage here and threaten there; noiv to hustle hack a regiment into the lighting f.r.v. now to order it. to be shot down if it disobeys. Sometimes he must shoot down an aggressive mutineer with bis own hand. Only a man of iron nerve, will, and energy can grapple with such a task; but, given these qualifications, it is astonishing what the inlluencc of one man will accomplish.