The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-08-28
French Military Authority Be
lieves Time Opportune for End
of Russo-Japanese War.
BELIEVES RESULT IS CERTAIN.
Japan Demonstrates Superiority
in Every Phase of Campaign,
Especially in Careful
Preparation.

SPECIAL BY CABLE TO THE ST. LOU RE-
PUBLIc AND THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Paris. Aug. E.-Copyright. 19oi)-A NIL
itary man of high rank. whose reputation
is worldwide. and whose personal rela-
tons with the best officers of the armies
Of other nations have given him intimate
knowledge and experience of affairs in
Europe. Asia and America, has given his
Impressions OF the actual state Of the
campaign and its probable termination.
A patriot before everything and a sym
pathizer with Russia. as much from con-
viction as from sentiments of the heart.
this eminent authority in cur converse
ton declared that he must bow before the
evidence of the facts. which establish. &C
cording to him. the astonishing superiority
of the japanese in point Of organization.
equipment. instruction OF the stan, ca
pacity OF the Generals. utilization of the
ground, in artillery and the different arms
and in the knowledge OF tactics.
ISSUE is CERTAIN.
According to this officer. the issue Of the
campaign is only too certain. In spite of
the heroism of its defenders. the fall Of
Port Arthur is only a question OF days
and General Kuropatkin, owing TO the
physical impossibility Of breaking through
the formidable barrier. which these Jap
anese armies from the east to the south
are opposing to him. will not trust TO 4
general decisive baitIa.
If he is attacked. as IS already an
nounced. he will find safety only in an
orderly retreat carried out toward the
north.
As for the Russian feet. its best ele-
ments are or are about to be destroyed.
and the Baltic feet. composed of ships of
various and inferior types TO those of the
Mikado. may be considered for the mo-
ment as a negligible quantity. and it Is
even doubtful whether it can ever reach
the Yellow Sea.
This situation is of the gravest conse-
Quence to our great allies. and It is OF i'm
portance 10 consider 1t without delay IN
the general interest of Europe.
IL Is the German Emperor continues
the General. who Tomorrow may be ex-
pected 10 make an appeal TO the high
sentiment of the young and magnanimous
Emperor of Russia and to his clear COM
prehension OF the true duties of the 'Fa-
ther OF his peoples. He ~fiatters himself
that the moment has arrived when he may
offer his good offices as a mediator.
DEFENSE HISTORIC.
The defense of Port Arthur will be-
come historic and may be considered to
rival the most heroic feats OF war. The
glory Of the brave men who are shut w
there on sea. as on land. IL recorded. The
supreme yalor OF the Russians has in
deed gained general admiration.
1t Is not then necessary. perhaps, the
Emperor William will say. that a final
battle should be fought TO save the honor
of the Mrscovite armies. Japan has had
the advantage in the first phase of the
war, but Tomorrow. in a new campaign.
time may change her favor. The two
countries, then. have every interest in CON
Guiding from to-day an honorable peace.
Japan should retain Port. Arthur ani
the protectorate of Korea} Manchuria
should be restored to China. except Kwan-
and Russia should pay an indemnity
of war.
The Gar. on his side. should lay upon
the Emperor William the task of bringing
his army and navy to the pitch of perfec-
ton which the experience OF the Russo
Japanese conflict has shown to be indis-
pensabie to the security of his Empire
and the two sovereigns should work to-
gether to endow Russia with liberal insti-
buttons. = thus checking the spread of
Nihilist teachings. which are undermining
or all sides and under various names the
foundations OF cur old-school order"