THE WAR.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12017, 19 October 1904, Page 6

THE WAR.

The military authorities at St. Petersburg have an undeniable gift for glossing over unpleasant incidents. Some time ago we were told that Kuropatkin was making an "offensive march" to his base; now wo hear that he has "ordered a retreat" ta Mukden and Tiohling. There is no doubt that, a Russian retreat is in progress, but it was Oyaana and. not Kuropatkin who had the ordering of it. Apparently, it is hoped by this means of publicity -to lessen j tho shock of bad news, and thus to d'minish tbo possibility of popular demonstrations against the powers that be. Meanwhilo, it is almost pitiable to consider tho state to which Russia has been reduced. The aristocracy and the military «nd official classes no doubt feel keenly the unvarying failure of Russian arms throughout tlie campaign. Their national prideis deeply wounded, and it is their voice . that cries, "Wo cannot stop; w© must win one 'battle." . Opposed to these ore the forces of disruption—Socialists, Anarchists, Nihilists—which have from the outset bitterly denounced the war and those who. caused it. Between tuese two parties lies the great mass of tlie people, and especially the peasants, appallingly ignorant, pathetically trustful in the omnipotence of the Czar, tho millions with whom belief in the destiny of Holy Russia has been an. article of their creed. What these think of tho war and its humiliations is difficult to ascertain, but there are not wanting signs that their confidence in the wisdona 6f their rulers is being shaken. But they have not lost it yet. • How much more pun: ishment the nation can endure has yet to be seen, but the Emperor of Japan, we believe, showed a true appreciation of the spirit of his foe .when he reminded his victorious armies that tho end of the wjir was yet far distant. 'A The most sensational news in to-day*s cable messages is the statement that Russia will abandon Manchuria, though .ho contest will continue. Whatever might be tho effect of a continuance ot the prceent campaign, it Beems incredible that .with the Japanese nob yet .at Mukden, to soy, nothing of Harbin, RussiaTsliould relinquish without any further serious effort the great territory which she has* defended ' at such .' terrible 7 ; " cost. The difficulties of .evacuation wouldr-\ belittle less than those of reinforcing tlie i army now in the field, and the operations could not bo carried ■ out without t groat loss of material and possibly of men. Such a step would give Japan time to concentrate her forces'' on the frontier, if she wished to do so, and .in important strategical 'positions,- to develop and strengthen her means of communication, and to reap all the benefit accruing from occupation of the extraardimrily fertile. ' landsrof iTanchuria. The.fate of Vladivostok would olsq be settled by such action, since the Japanese would command the railway and the rivers," and oould probably starve the garrison into surrender, thus leaving Russia without any naval base for htr fleet, if it ever gets so far. On the other hand,, by retiring from Manchuria Russia would be safe from Japanese pur.suit, and her Generals would be free to concentrate huge armies and enormous supplies in preparation for the ro-openfng of the campaign. Already we hear of the intended mobilisation of 600,000 fresh troops. All this, however, would be of no avail unless can regain the mastery of the sen." Can she in tho interval afforded by a policy of passive resistance, get together a fleet capable of achieving this iask? If not she had better acoept the inevitable at once,, and make peace wkh her enemy on the best terms sh« can obtain. y