III. The Present Military Educational System of the United States. By A. C. IHE UNITED SERVICE EDITED BY L. R. HAMERSLY, Jr. APRIL, 1905. OFERATIONS ON THE YALU.* MANY articles have appeared on this ten-day battle, which was fought around the little village of Liao-Yang. But it seems that the writers, following their individual sympathies for one or the other of the adversaries, have either excessively praised the conduct of the Russian general or have, on the contrary, judged him. too harshly. So it is interesting to examine into the tactical conceptions and criticisms which have been expressed in different quarters, about the conduct of the operations of those long and bloody days and especially those during the decisive events of September 1 and 2. The Russian view. General Kuropatkin puts into practice the experience which he acquired at the siege of Plevna, where he took an active part as the aide-de-camp of Skobeleff. sought to derive the advantage of the defensive power of well prepared positions, while at the same time avoiding the danger which attends them when they are held until their envelopment by the enemy. Thus the following plan: To cause the enemy to attack a defensive front prepared near Liao-Yang, south of the Tai-Tse river and sufficiently strong to be held with few troops against very superior numbers of the enemy; to hold a great part of his forces concentrated in rear to crush the first hostile columns which should attempt to outflank the position, and at the same time to cover the line of retreat of the army on Moukden. *From La France Militaire, October 18, 1904. Translated for the General Staff by Fulton Q. C. Gardner, Second Lieutenant, Artillery Corps. |