RUSSIAN DIFFICULTIES

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 13

RUSSIAN DIFFICULTIES

One of tho Manchurian corre-pon denta of tho Paris “Journal," who ha: visited the Russian hues from Muhdor and Liao-yang to the outposts south 01 Kai-ping, thus summarises his impres sions:— _ , “If tho-Russian navy does not sue ceod in recovering the command of tin sea, it is considered that Russia canno. possibly bo victorious unless she niaket, an immense and immediate effort to despatch to tho Par East several array corps composed of her best European troops. Tho Siberian armies, in the opinion 'of tho experts, are courageous, but those which have thus far been on* gaged were rather militia than regular armies, and were made up for the most part of reservists and raw recruits. Some of the artillery regiments bad possessed their quick-firing guns only, for two months. The colonels frankly admit that their men do not know, how to handle this piece properly, whereat the regiments in European Russia, par* ticularly those near the German frontier, have had this gun now two year* and been able to become familiar with its manipulation. Even an outsider can see that what is wanted is a stronger artillery and. much more expert gunners. The cavalry is too numerous, since it is often .useless in so mountainous a country. There are not enough guns nor infantry. . “This accounts for tho initial failure# of the Russians, but they are failures that may very well be made good. It may legitimately be anticipated that n€ serious diversion can be attempted about Port Arthur (before September. The Japanese, who are so ’ well informed by Japanese spies, know this better than we ourselves. The citadel bristles with new fortifications, and is abundantly provisioned. “It is futile, moreover, to try to predict what will ibe the result of the assault projected by the Japanese against the Siberian railway. The railway ic now provided with now sidings, and between now and the autumn it will transport to General Kuropatkin the supplementary quota of 21X1000 men which ha' needs for his advance. If it can also continue to provide the necessary food and ammunition for these increased forces, the Russians will be able to win the day.

“Tho question whether or not tho rain will stop the advance of tho Japanese is tho ono that is foremost at present. Meanwhile the interest is probably about to be centred in Port Arthur, whore the rain cannot delay the siege.”