The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-23

SC. HeIGISUuIS, Il COs 90 |
will end in August or September, in I
the complete defeat of the japanese"
said, to-day, a high authority in in |
innate touch with the Russian war |
plans, whose opinion can be taken |
faithfully to reflect the belief in the |
highest official quarters. He added:
How the Japanese can hope to sue
coed when our army in the east Is
strengthened to a point equal or SUI
perior in numbers to that of our ad-
versaries, we are honestly unable to
comprehend.
"It will not be difficult to place 200,-
900, 100000 Or even 100000 additional
men in the field if necessary. When
our forces are concentrated and ready
they will finish by driving the Japan
csc into the sea.
Frankly it seems to us that the
Japanese either have utterly failed to
appreciate Russia's resources or have
the United States, neither of which
ever contemplated becoming involved.
$50 far as Great Britain Is con-
cerned, we do not believe any hallu-
cinations existed there. We think the
British statesmen who did so much
with Japan's defeat they would accom-
plish two things for Great Britain
first, to give Russia a Check-for, of
course, the war must impede our
progress temporarily; second, to Grip
pie Japan'e maritime power, which was
beginning to be greatly felt in the Pa
cific."
Russia will act on the defensive I'M
til she feels confident that her weight
of numbers will leave no doubt as to
the result. Reinforcements are going
| forward at the rate of 5000 a day.
The conviction is growing here In
official circles that in spite of Japan,
csc denials, the Japanese fleet was Sc
verely crippled off Port Arthur in the
| engagement which began Feb. 8. The
admiralty has no direct official infor-
nation to support this except the man
ner in which the Japanese abandoned
the attack at the end Of forty-five
minutes.
1t is pointed out at the admiralty
| that two weeks have now elapsed
, without the whereabouts Of the Jap
anese fleet being definitely reported
and the opinion is gaining ground that
it has gone to a japanese port for re-
pairs. 1t is pointed out also that 1t
4 has always been the Japanese policy
i to announce only victories, the ad-
admiralty adding:
1--WE know they sustained losses in
the China war which were never adj
! mitted."
General Kuropatkin will not leave
\ for the front for another fortnight
Tn the meantime he is going to his
country estate to bid farewell to rela-
tives.
His status has not yet been fully
settled. BY the terms Of his appoint,
ment the general will command the
Manchurian army, subject to Viceroy
Alexieff; but his powers will be ex-
tended to include the troops north o.
Manchuria.
The official view Of the status is tina
yiceroy Alexieff will remain in SUI
preme command; but the viceroy be
ing a. sailor, General Kuropatkin viii
Ibe appointed his lieutenant for tn
army as Admiral Makaroff is for thu
/, navy.
The viceroy's departure from Por
Arthur was not due to apprehension
of the possibility Of its investment, blu
simply TO the requirements of tn
strategical situation, so as to enabl
n him to direct the operations now il
n progress along the line Of the Korean
4 frontier from a more central point
= Possibly he will not remain at Muk
- den, but will go from place to place
r. as circumstances demand.
g Speaking on the subject OF the pos
. sible investment of Port Arthur, tn
military authorities here do not be
:, lieve that the. Japanese will attemr
II to make landing in force on tn
: Liao-tung peninsula
:. The formergsay there is nothing tn
10 Russians would like better, as such a
- attempt is doomed to certain failur.
The authorities here assert that. tn
81 southern portion of. the peninsula !
m strongly guarded and that the NORTH
r ern shore presents insuperable obsts
III cles.
4 The only chance of the japanese.
n is claimed, would be marching dow
le from Korea; but to do this they mu
IS first defeat the Russian army on tn
I'd side of the Yalu river, and, even If SUI
of cessufl, they would be face to FAT
with an impregnable stronghold.