'Russia and India in 1903' [‎3r] (5/68)

RUSSIA AND INDIA
IN 1903.
THE RUSSIAN ARMY OF TO-DAY.
More than five-and-twenty years ago the oppor
tunity was afforded me of contributing to The Daily
Telegraph detailed accounts of the great Russian Army
massed north of the Danube for the invasion of Turkey
in Europe. Indeed, the issue of June 4th, 1877, gave
an entire page to a single letter, which was widely
reproduced. I had just returned from the head
quarters of the Commander-in-Chief, His late Imperial
Highness the Grand Duke Nicolas Nicolaivitch, and,
having previous knowledge of the Turkish forces in
camp and in the field, I was able to forecast the result
with some degree of accuracy. Re-reading those
letters by the light of subsequent events, it is satisfac
tory to note how little there is to alter. Nevertheless,
the view taken was far from being the popular one,
either in England or Germany. The most sinister
reports of the organisation, equipment, and discipline
of the Russians found ready acceptance at the hands
of a public, feeling the confidence, kindled by sympathy,
in the Turkish cause. We readily believe what we
wish to believe. The popular delusion before the
South African War in the summer and autumn of
1899 is but an instance in point. On both occasions
it was my fate to have to take a contrary line. The