THE COSSACKS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11877, 26 April 1904, Page 8

THE COSSACKS.

The Russian cavalry in the Far East is almost exclusively composed of Cossacks, . whose fame has travelled to the uttermost ends of the world. Generally «<peakmg -Cossack" is the name under which all ♦he population* situated on the boundary line between Russia in Europe and Siberia his known. Grouped -in communities known as "voiskos,-' tlie Cossacks poM«s a. quit* peculiar and somewhat primitive iH.litical organisation. Accustomed for generations past to defend the Empireagainst its terrible neighbours, engaged in a perennial struggle with the Turks, the Tartars, and the Chinese, aud thereby perfected in the art of war, they have preserved to this day a warlike spirit and warlike proclivities, which the Russian Government Ls ever carefully fostered and employed «. often a-s ,*ssibl*. In return for certain foncessiow, *uck as exemption from taxation, the Cossacks accept much heavier military obligations than the remainder of Russian subject*. They are all. without exception, liable to twenty years service. Tb-v cannot buy out or obtain substitutes, and" they have* to equip themselves and horse tf-enwlves at their own expense. The units formed by the Cossacks are of three grades. Those said to be of "the , first circle" alone exist in times of peace ; th*v consist- of men from 22 to 26 years of, age"; "they are always on a full war footing,' and are always instantly available. The units of the second circle are only mobilised by special command ; they comprise men from 26 to 30 years of age, in time of p-ace they follow- th<vr civilian calling, but liave to go into camp for threeweeks every year, and they have to hold themselves "ready to join their regiments at the shortest notice. Finally, the men aged from 30 to 34 years serve to form, m case of need, the units of a third circle; they are subject to the same liabilities as there of the second class, but- are exempted from providing their-own mounts. Tlie remount resources of the voiskos are more than sufficient to provide for the remounting of this uiird class, as also for the mounting of the reserves which comprise all the men over 34 years of age. Thanks to this arrangement, it is possible, whilst only maintaining a small peace footing, to mobilise very rapidly a large force. In December there were in the whole of Eastern Siberia only 35 squadrons of troops, 29 of which were "Cossacks. To-day, it is probable that the Russians can command 100 squadrons thoroughly trained and seasoned. From early childhood the Cossacks learn to ride. "Moreover, the rigour of life teaches them to submit without complaint to fatigue and privation. Consequently,' when they join the ranks they are already accomplished horsemen, sober, patient, and heedless of fatigue. As regards their officers, these aro of the, same stamp as the officers commanding the regular cavalry; they all come from the same military schools. The military instruction given to Cossacks is very complete. From the earliest times the squadron or "sotnias" have l>een trained to fight equally well on foot as on horseback.' Their arms consist of v. sword, a dagger, and a carbine. The men in the front rank also carry lances. It is easy to understand what advantages are to be derived from troops which can fight equally well as charging cavalry and mounted infantry. The Cossac_ks are better adapted than any other troops to offer an impenetrable front to the enemy, to reconnoitre the enemy's forces, and to harass his columns. It follows that the Cossacks have played an important part in covering the concen- 1 tration of the Russian forces, and the early skirmishes of the war, reported at tho T-eginning of last month, served to exhibit the nature of their tactics, and the skill and precision of their movements, j When still some two hundred miles from the Yalu, several reconnoitring parties were sent forward. Tlie object of such parties, which were mobile and small in strength, was not to offer battle. Their mission was solely to discover the whereabouts of the enemy, and, having done so, to keep in touch with him, and watch his movements, keeping the main body informed thereof. In their rear, hut still on tho left bank of the river,* sotnias of Cossacks occupied certain easily guarded positions, such as mountain defiles and river passages, with quick-firing artillery. These troops offered a first resistance to the enemy, and served as supports to the advanced scouting parties mentioned above. Finally, on the banks of the river itself, were-the main cofuntn of Cossacks, covering the Russian, concentration. Thus the Japanese troops are being liarassed without respite by an elusive enemy, which will hinder their movements and impede their advance. It is thus that the Cossacks acted in 1812 and 1813, and their success was immense. Morand, the famous general of Napoleonic days, said of them that they were "the veritable supports and the only saviours of Russia-"