RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 40, 16 August 1905, Page 4

RUSSIA AND THE WAR.

More than once the Mikado of Japan hns, during the past few-months, warned his people that they must be prepared for an indefinite continuance of the war, and the attitude of M. de Witt to-day is confirmatory of the outlook of the Mikado. As to the present prospect of peace, if Russia will not consider surrender of the ships interned in neutral ports, or limitations of her naval power in the East, it seems a waste of time lo discuss an indemnity of 200 millions, and the cession of Saghalien. The disclosure of tho terms of the enemy may be used to stimulate Russian patriotism to continuance of the war ; and, indeed, that move is being mado already, for wo are told to-day of a general mobilisation and a supreme effort in the Far East during the present year. But if ifc be made, it will almost certainly, after tho Russian manner, arrive too late, for if Linevitch be drived from his present position, the way will be loft open to his enemy to destroy communication with his base, and then, among other things, all reinforcements can be opposed in detail. Linevitch, it is> true, continues to profess confidence in his army, yet ifc is cabled to-day that 1200 Russian soldiers are under treatment at Kharbin for cutting off the first finger of the right hand in order to escape from service in the army upon which the Com-thander-in-Chief so emphatically relies. There are indications ■to-day that Oyama is getting to striking distance, prelimiiir nry to the great engagement that has doomed nearer for many weeks, and which we fancy would have taken place ere now but for the heavy rains that put back the offensivo movement of Kawamura's army on the Tumen river. In that direction, it is said that the Russian force has retired toward Vladivoslock, but we have yet to learn whether the Japanese commander will follow, or move- on Ninguta in order to cut communications with Vladivostock, and later threaten the left flank of the army of Linevitch. Kawninura to effect these movements has many miles to travel, and ifc seems, therefore, that if Linevitch means to fight, the sooner he precipitates a general engagement the shorter will be the odds against him.