"AN OPEN LETTER TO RUSSIAN."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8061, 13 July 1904, Page 3

"AN OPEN LETTER TO RUSSIAN."

11 FROM THE DEFENDERS 6f PORT ARTHUR." The following is a translation of a letter whjch has appeared in the Russian Port Arthur, journal, the "Novii &rai," under tiie t above title : — The Russian soldier. 1 ! to whose lofc it has fallen, _ at the first word of our. fevered Sovereign," to Staiid iii the foretront of the armies engaged in protecting the interests pf Rueein, arc cheered an.d comforted by the knowledge that the heaf ts of Our fellow countrymen at, home are full of sympathy for -us in the hour of trial. Having received the Imperial blessing and Royal compliments, transmitted to Us by our beloved leader, General Kuropafckin, We shall nofc fa-il^ to justify the confidence reposed in us by our Emperor, and shall fulfil our sacred 1 , duty — which shall be' terrible for the Japanese and other enemies—- and keep our 6at.li. There is no noble* death than to die for ohft's country. That ib the covenant- fulfilled by many during tfld present War, a covenant which we are ready to. follow and shall beo;ueatn to those who come after us* It is difficult Ho express how pleasant it is to the Soldiers, who have" hot, and cannot have at tine present time, any personal interests 'beyond the desii'e to. sacrifice the i ives fol'<the general welfare, to be fiensi»io of Ibve and kindnesa no\y being shdWn to tfiem by the Russian people, and to kbow that every one is striv* ing; according t&his means to lighten- the duty, they are now 1 balled tlpon to perform. Fathers and inotherS, wives attd sisters, bi'others, frisniig and comrad;es ? Kst assured that every Russian; soldier, froin the latest-joined recruit to the oldest War-Worn Veteran of many campaigns, is invoking blessings on your names, and ia thanking you fW.your sympathy and for your cohtributidh, however hvmible> to the needs of those who are maintaining the hoflonf of your country ! ' For all' your kindness; tfiay (Sod reward you a tondredfbld! j ' -New ships are coming out to the Fai^ East, and will wreak a terrible vengeance on. the enemy for his ctinnmg and treaohcry^-';., ; . .. ' -...-■'-• .-'/ ." IThe knitted jacket, worked by the hand of a .fond mother or sister, saves inariy a. soldiet hero froitt malaria and enable* him to die, not of disease, but ■ fighting fbf his faith, his Emperor, and his country; or, if God. so wills, he may ueturn with honour to the joy and consolation of his parents awaiting him tiader the patefbal roof. The tobacco sent by friends at home is much appreciated here, and the soldier gjx >iu>«. ik. -adiix. a, aiah of jrr o^''^"^ 0 !. fealiaa

his labours lightened by tho timely gift. The Russian soldier, to whatever branch of the service he may belong, is sensible of all your kindness and sympathy, and your hearts must tell you that the good seeds you have sown have fallen on no infertile* soil. The soldier will show his gratitude, not by merely saying "Thank you," but by proving himself a worthy son of such -a fatherland as mighty Russia. At the present time we recall to mind the words,, of the White General: — x "Do not forget, brothers, that to us is j entrusted the honour of our country, and ' that .our Little Fatherj the Czar himself, in even now praying for us, and with him the whole of Russia. Our countrymen esP pect U3 to return victorious. Let not the numbers, or the fHntnnses, or the fury of the enemy- daunt you! Cm* duty is a sacred one-..- God is -with i:e!" Yes. we remember his words, and the spirit of Michael ' Dmietrovich Skobelev still lives in the army. The White General led the Russian troops to victory in the Turkish campaign 1877-78 ; and now hia disciple, fellow-hero, and friend," General Ktirofiatkin, will follow his illustrious example. Of- this we are firmly convinced; so.it wtfl be. The world shail learn once mdre that "Nothing is impossible to the Russian soldier. "