A CATECHISM FOR RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 202, 24 August 1904, Page 2

A CATECHISM FOR RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

BY GENERAL, IMtAGOMIKOKF, TUC LOKD KOBBKTS OF KUSSIA. The name of General Dragomiroff in' f Knssla is a household word. He is, perhaps, the most, famous of all the Czar's soldiers, and although he is too old to go to the front, ho takes an active thinking part in the present campaign. Unfortunately hie advice at the beginning of the war —the immediate evacuation of Fort Arthiittr-was not followed. During the Kusso-Ttfrkish war in 1877 he commanded the famous 14th l.'iv|sion, which was the to cross the Danube under Turkish &te at Siatova, and at the Shipka I'ass he was dangerously wounded, but refused to leave the field. Many high commands have been entrusted to him. and he is well known in Russian military literature. He* devotes much time to writing about the Russian soldier-, whom he knows well. Curiously enough, it is the Jap soldier, and not the Russian, who is taking Dragomiroff"s advice, given below:— 1. Pr>rish self, but rescue your comrade. -. fusli forward, altheugh those in front are falling. * o. Don t fear to be killed, however difficult the task; you will surely win. 4. If your task is difficult, that of the enemy is not easier, and possibly more difficult than yours. Tou only see your own difficulties, and not those of the enemy,; nevertheless they are there. Never be dcj>;ted, but always audarious and bold. <>. When attacked also attack, and not merely defend. The best mode of

defence is to attack. 6. In battle those win who are more obstinate and tenacious, and not who are stronger or irora skilful. Victory is not Bt*si:.«ble at once; the enemy is also )'?i-r-. Sometimes the second and t>.Kf: s*-'.raipts fail, then po forwards tli* fourth time, or even raorp, until you have gained your Mid. 7. More or less Ktilfu! dispositions render the task easier anrt with less loss, but that is all. The -winners are those who hnve resolved sooner to rlif than not to pain their ends. 8. Whatever u^°7r- fliffirnlties you meet with o" th» way you must only think of them, and not think that affairs irn badly. 9. A srood detacn-mept has no rear and no flanfc, but f-Tprywhere is front where arc tbe enemy. 10. However unosp-oterlly the enemy appears, don't forest that he can be beatpn e't.hPT by bayonet or fire. From the,two the choice is not difficult, anrt the order of battle is of secondary importance. If the enemy is nesr. al-ways use the bayonet; if at a distance, first lire and then bp.yonPt. 11. Tti<*re is ro sifTjdtlon out of which one cannot pmer?p with honour. 12. In battlp there Is no relief: when once in the fifrbt retrain therp to tbe end; supports will arrive, lint reliefs n*ver. 13. During battle rc-smi* nnwonndefl comrad«*s; only remember your woifndPd aftor you havp hpnten the erjetny. Wlin makes a fuss a!>ont them duriuc battle is cowardly and infamous. av<\ not a tender-hrartefl man. Not bis fellows are dear; bis own skin is dear to him. For picking up wounded there are always special rtetachmeiitel 14. 'When you are commander don't interfere In what concerns your Junior; see that he is cleverly lee, and Iα hnrtle he will take 7 care'of "himselt Who runs after what others should do lets slip his own duties. Every rank must have Its own sphere of independence and responsibility. Jfonnbservance of the first takes away the second. The commander must see that everyone fulfils his duties, otherwise show no mercy.