Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-04-15
RUSsIA's LACK OF PREPARA-
TON.

II Russias Port Arthur squadron
was properly termed lame duck after
the first attack by Admiral Togo, 1t is
now a close approach to dead one.
Even though the st. Petersburg dis
patch announcing that Port Arthur
has been finally blockaded by japanese
hulks sunk at the entrance are true
the losses In the battle OF the 18th inst.
were such as to place the Russian
squadron beyond hope Of offensive ac-
ton and able TO offer very little re-
sistance in defensive operations.
Russias naval activities and the
continuous train OF disaster has been
the cause of surprise and disappoint-
ment among the friends OF that Ma
ton who at least anticipated strong
defense though II were impossible TO
out general and outright the enemy.
Russia's excuse put In the form of a
protest. that the first loss was due to
breach of international law, an attack
without formal notification, has not
inspired sympathy among neutral OBJ
servers or inspired special confidence
in the prowess of the Russian navy
whatever may be said of the land
forces. The whole thing smacks of I'M
preparedness which Is not excusable in
first class power. and shows either
incompetence or absolute inability of
Russia to properly estimate the fight
ing strength of Its enemy. Russia
| complains that Japan had invested its
naval and military centers of the Orient
with spies for many months before the
war, and then complains that 1t was
whipped before It got ready to fight.
Its protestations against unfair treat
ment do not appeal to the average cit
izen. War at best is legalized murder.
Victory crowns the nation that strikes
quickly at the vital part.
On the water Russia has proved q
signal failure. Japan can now afford
, to plan the capture OF the Russian ves-
sells remaining in the Orient, and in
dications promise either capture or
destruction before assistance can be
rendered by the European feet II this is
even contemplated. Russia's only hope
of success now Is on land. Movements
Of the land forces. however. as cleaned
clusion that Russia Is much weaker
here than its tremendous armed re-
source should warrant. Important
strategical posts in Korean territory
have been abandoned. The fighting
ground will be Manchuria. Retreat
from advanced positions is not the re-
suit of sentimental considerations.
though the diplomats might be foolish
enough to suggest 1t. Russia may be
selecting an advantageous fighting
ground, but II was not ready to over
whelm the japanese at the period in
their advance when reverse would
have spread confusion and been most
effective.
Russia was not prepared on the sea.
There Is nothing to indicate much bet
ter equipment on land. Her soldiers
must naturally be more or less dispir-
tied, though defeat sometimes leads to
; more desperate struggle to retrieve
, fallen fortunes. Japan advances with
the inspiration Of victories gained. Go
ing into the fight for self-preservatior
J the time will be short, unless Russia
, shows ability to use some of its latent
, energy, when the japanese will be max
, ing the fight Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
, Europe will be summoned to do what
Russia has failed to accomplish-hold
. the new Oriental Power In check.
The first battle on land of any con-
sequence has yet to be fought, but there
seems little promise that Russian
arms will carry the palms Of victory
unless the nation awakens to a realiza
ton that II has a real fight on tt
hands.