MAKING WAR.

NZ Truth, Issue 180, 28 November 1908, Page 6

MAKING WAR.

Kuropafkin's Story.

The Tsar a Poppet.

The -secret history of the Russo-Japan-ese as written by General Kuropatkin, contains some .amazing' disclosures which are likely to cause a painful sensatior m high Russian quarters. The General openly alleges that the disastrous campaign was forced : upon his country by 'an adventurous capifialist, who was a powerful figure behind the, Russian Throne, land m whose comnKercia'l enterprise a .substantial, sum of thp Tsarfs family funds was staked; General Kuropatkin, -who tells his astounding narrative m the current number of "McClure's Magazine," says that m 1898 a Russian , company promoter named 'Briner secured timber ragits of a fabulous i value from tbe Korean* Government. In [1902 these came into the hands of Attexi ander Michailovich Bezttfj"azofi— holding ' a I minor "'■■■..; [OFFICE OF A- STATE COUNSELLOR r— because a great and mysterious power [behind the Throne of .Russia. Imperial (Ministers were openly charged with being afraid of hinii The reason for this was that this promoter was backed by : the investments of the funds of the Tsar lof Russia and the whole Royal Family. [ Lfc was this promoter whose acts drag- \ ged "Russia against her . will into war with Japan. Russia had made two great mistakes*— Kuropatkin shows— the first of • building ■& railroad across the -foreign ter- I dtory oi Manchuria; the second m holding and "building Port Arthur and DaUny. I In the "spring of 190? .Russ&a agreed with Ching 'to evacuate the territory, of Man^ churia. ; within a year. Bezdbrazofl fought this evacuation with all his power. "Mukden had already been abandoned," says Kuropatkin, "when suddenly ■.eVerythi-ig stopped." The reason, of this sudden change m policy is not far to seek. Man> churia was not evacuated because of the influence or' Bezobrazofic and company. 1 A NAJTIONAL DAWGhJK. "One jincredpble scheme, of UezobrazoQ followed ano!ther, J> says Kuropatkin ; "and m theaummer of 1903 there was submitted to) me (as Minister of War) a project of his which provided for the immediate concentration m Southern Manchuria of 7(^000 «men. Amoig the requests he n>ade wiere to send m the Jiorean territirtcy 600 soldiers m civilian dress ;•■ to organise; for use m the same territory ; a force of 3000\ Khunlchuzes (mounted Manchurian bandits)." In the spring of 2903 three Russian Ministers j met m special council to see what could j be done to> check: the- enterprises of this j timber company, now BECOME A NATIONAL DANGER. Witte, Minister of Finance ; Lamsdorf , Minister of Foreign Affairs ; and Kuropatlclr>, ,then Minister . of War, protested unani:pao(usly to the Tsar that BezaiirazoH's .'company must 'stop its aggressions, or t'nete would be danger of war wfth Japan.-' Kuropatkin was sent by the Tsar on $>^special mission to Japan, and, .retur/udg six months before: the war broke ouij, ."he made a report to the Tsar m which he said: "If we do not put an end to* the uncertain state of affairs m Manfiaiuiiia,'; and to the adventurous activity jbt Bezobrazoff .' m Korea, we must expert ija nipture with Japan." TJlie General proceeds to relate how, at :;thej bidding of Bezpbrazoff, a force of tr*ops was sent to Shakhedze (on' the "ijalu) prior to the outbreak of war, apd gravely adds: 'Jlf Admiral AlexieH had not succeeded m intercepting a despatch to 1 Captain Bodisco (the Russian to charge of the troops), with regard to /•CATCHING ALL THE JAPANESE,' ["punishing them publicly,' and' 'taking acItion with volleys,' there '.would have been La, bloody episode on the Yalu before this ".time." • These remonstrances having no effect. i Kuropatkin resigned his position as War Minister, and was given along leave ot absence. Witte was relieved on the Ministry of Finance, and the whole Far Eastern Government was turned over to itezobrazoff and his friends. Tlren came war. The secret history of these proceedings is given by Kuropatkin, who supplies his o-wn reports, and the Tsar's comments thereon. Five telegrams implicating the Tsar with the Bezobxazofi interests are given m a supplementary article by George Kennan. ,

Since the Emperor's give-away has disclosed, beyond cavil, Germany's hostile attitude, the "little Englanders," at home arid m Australasia, are keeping very quiet. Not so much talk about jingo, preparations just now*