SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8054, 5 July 1904, Page 2

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

[Per Press Association.] (Per R.M.S. Ventura, at Auckland.) THE CZAR AND THE WAR, VIENNA, June 13. The Polish newspaper, " Czas," which is usually well informed in regard to- the affairs of the Russian Covfrt, publishes to-day a communication from St Petersburg, on the state of mind of the Craz. The ru"mours which represent the Emperor as downcast, and doubtful of the issue of the war, says the despatch, are no longer in Accordance with truth. The Emperor Nicholas, on the contrary, is full of confidence that his army will ultimately triyyk^i. The change in his mood dates from l^^|fey lie passed in review his Iroops aPtmg for the front. The Czar, it is asserted, is not informed of the real state of the country, and has been led to believe that the war is exceedingly popular. His advisers have-succeeded in persuading him that the partisans of reform are responsible for all hitches and disturbances, and a diversion has thus been created in favour of a corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy. Though originally opposed to the war, the Czar recently expressed his readiness to sacrifice a million men, if necessary, in order to defeat Japan; and in working {or this end he believes himself able to rely upon the patriotic cohesion of all parts of the Empire. A SERVICE' PAPER ON THE WAR: ST PETERSBURG, June 14. The " Vazvedchik," the leading service magazine, in reviewing the war, has arrived at the conclusion that after three and a half months' the Russian^ will find themselves exactly where they expected to be, while the Japanese are behindhand. The Russian flanks at Vladivostock and Port Arthur remain unshaken. The magazine points out that the main army at Liaoyang is being constantly and. rapidly reinforced. On the other hand, the Japanese have accomplished little, despite the fact that they took the offensive at the start. Their obvious plan, to rout General Kuropatkin before he becomes too strongs has been de--1 laved by the necessity of assuring the masi terv of the sea, which is imperilled as 1 long as the Port Arthur squadron remains in being. This fact, and none other, is, in the opinion of the "Vazvedchik, responsible for the siege of Port Arthur. Had j the squadron not been there, the Japanese would never have stopped to reduce the fortress, but would have combined : its land forces to crush General Ruropatkm i Discussing the chances of Port Arthur Ifflj^ 1* 6 "V^vedchik" says.the ! JapanL hitherto have displayed a fanasu^ to" of CX^battle an of Kiu IWy wrote home deploring then: failure to die on the battlefield. Such fanaticism must Waken into account as a strategical and ♦ ni? factor We cannot count indefinSf on homing the place against such, a foe 7 '- no fortress.is really impregnable if • its assail^ is billing to move enough men aiiXt it- As it happens, this. Japanese Stf ii" is eminently suitable to the/enemy's present; plan of campaign winch hinges npon the rapid conduct of operations, 'but which, is worthless m the slow and earnest game they will be compelfed to play against General Kuropatkm on the arrival of the Russian reinforcements. j