RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 50, 1 March 1905, Page 4

RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

Yesterday wo had news of a serious agrarian movement in Central Russia. To-day the Polish peasantry are joining tho striko movement, demanding 50 per cent, riso in wages, nnd the right to retain their own language. One hundred anu ttnrty Polish villages have refused to receivo official proclamations in Russian, which is flat rebellion, nnd 50 othor viU lages aro in open re-volt. The authorities nro helpless, nnd alarming developments nro feared. The latest striko is that of i the domestic maid servants /it Kictf, whoro many wero arrested by tho übiquitous Cossack. Whilo from day to aay unrest, disorder, nnd violence gather in threatening strength, the newest Council of tho T«ar->i» punting resolutions nflirming tho necessity of tho obvious, but without any assurance that reforms proposed will bo supported by nny form of constitutional government. If Nicholas is to save his throne nnd dynasty from deadly peril ho will gfvo the people somo fiharo in tho government of tlio country. Ikit ho can do now, and Russia will know that reforms will follow ; but with Ino country hourly hurrying to convulsion and cn'il war. thero is no time for councils and conclaves to discuss and debate a policy of reform. The thing to do now is to set up a constihitionnl assembly that tho country will accept. Reports from Chinese at Niuchwang of tho fighting on the Shnho may bo passed by, but if it be true that Kuropntkin huw reported that tho Jnpaneso "continue to turn both ilanlcn of tho Russian army nt 'J sinche-nohan, especially tlio left flank," it would seem that St. Petersburg has, worso news to come. On Sunday, according to the Russian Commander, tho attack on Bintsiaputse was repulsed, but the battlo may be expected to rage at this point until it is lost or won. Bintsiaputsc is situated on tho north bank of the Shaho. and apparently forms tbe left centre of tho Russian front. It is at the junction of two roads that run north lo Pufchun on tho Him River. Military experts at Sfc. Petersburg predict nn immediate attempt to rush Smminting (130 miles north-east of Mukden, and in Chinose territory) to co-opemto with a western force for tho purpose of cutting Kuropa-tkin's communications. If such a movement is afoot it is most likely headed by Fukishiina, who was sent to organise an army in that direction before tho winter set in. As Kuropat.kin will be weak in reserves, and cannot weaken his fighting line, tho report has in it a menace for tho Russian chief that may be a determining factor in tho great battle now prococding. Fronch advices from St. Petersburg mention nn operation to cut off Vlndivostock, nnd a second report is thnt 60,000 Jnpnncso nro marching on that placo. Several dnys ago wo hnd ndvico of a largo Japanese forco being transported by sen to tho Tunien Rivor, south of tho northern fortress, and wo now incline to, tho belief that the army recently moved to iNorthern Korea is destined to movo up tho Ynlu River to tho northern railway. This would mean investmontof Vladivostock — as Port .Arthur — by land and sen. If this bo so Oynma must bo confidont of his suporiority in tho trial of strength now Ibeing waged on the Shaho.