Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-09-28

| bornness and high warlike qualities dis
played by the japanese impel me to
strengthen considerably the forces at the
front in order to attain decisive success
in the shortest possible time" says the
Emperor IN an autograph letter to Gen.
Grippenberg. "Since by this increase
the units will reach a figure making
their continuance in one army impossible
without prejudice to the proper direction,
l have found it necessary to divide the
active forces in Manchuria into two
armies, leaving one in the hands of Gen.
kuropatkin. l appoint you to command
the second.
''Your many years service in warlike
exploits and your wide experience in
training troops assure me that you, fol-
lowing the general directions of the COM
mander in chief, will successfully lead to
the attainment Of the objects of the war
the army lntruSted to you.
God bless you for your great and glor-
ious services to me and to Russia"
Shows Mediation Is Impossible.
The Emperor is personally convinced
that the political as well as the military
prestige Of the empire is at stake and
that every other consideration must give
way before the exigencies of war. The
resources of the empire III men and money
must be drained, If necessary, to turn the
scale and vindicate the power of Russia.
The Emperor's rescript is intended to
silence definitely all talk of foreign inter
Ventlon by the announcement that Russia
means to fight out the issue with Japan
on the held Of battle. Probably 100000
additional men will be placed in the field.
Five corps, the Third, Fourth, Fifth,
Eighth and Sixteenth, are already des
tined for the front, and the talk is that
i've more corps will be sent forward.
Siberian Roads Capacity Doubled.
Russia's recognition Of the fact that
her forces now in the far east cannot sue
cessfully prosecute the war against the
men Japan is able to put into the field,
with the knowledge that the latter power
is mobiliZing 100000 more men for the
front and the Cars decision to reorgan-
lze the Russian army on a gigantic scale
in order to be able to assume the often
sive quickly, marks distinctly new
phase of the war. The physical difficult
ties to be reckOned with in promptly get
ting out such large reinforcements over a
single line Of railway more than 5000
miles long are fully realized, but with the
line around Lake Baikal completed, the
announcement of which comes from Ir
kutsk, the authorities expect practically
to double the present capacity for the
transportation of men, munitions and
provisions and send out two corps instead
Of one monthly.
Within three months three corps are
expected to reach Hardin, swelling the
total number of Russian soldiers in Nam
churia to considerably over 100000.
Meantime the armies at the front, con-
tinually augmented by fresh troops, viii!
act as a buffer to hold in check the Japa-
nese until the army may be able to as
sumo the aggressive through sheer weight
Of numbers.
Russia to Forward Many Guns.
In the reorganization special plans have
been made to overcome the deficiency in
guns under which the Russians have been
laboring. Over 600 additional field and
rapld-hre guns are to be sent to the front
The great struggle for the mastery in
the far east now seems destined to as
sumo Titanic proportions.
The reiteration Of the familiar official
statement that the military situation at
the front is unchanged is believed to indi-
cate merely that, III view of the shifting
of forces, the probability of fresh impor-
tant Developments there is not immediate
Gen. kuropatkin deems it wise to make
public unofficial advices which indicate
that Marquis Oyama is slowly continuing
to advance. His tendency seems to be to
the northeast. This may be prompted by
recognition of China's superstitious rever,
ence for Mukden, the japanese being anx-
ious to remain on the best terms with the
Chinese.
1t is also likely that the presence of the
Hun river in front of Mukden has con-
WINGED the japanese Of the impossibility
from a strategic point Of view Of making
a frontal attack, while if they succeed in
gaining a footing at Flu pass or some
other point on the north side Of the river
and north of Mukden they will render
Kuropatkin's position in the city unten-
able and force him to evacuate without
fighting, retire northward and give battle
elsewhere should he decide to contest the
japanese advance.
Alex;eff May Be Chancellor.
In the best informed circles there is
little idea that Niceroy Alexieff the pres
ent nominal commander-in-chief. will ey-
ercise the actual functions of commander
OF the 100000 or 100000 men that Rus
STA has resolved to put into the field.
1t is the best opinion that Grand Duke
Nicholas Michaelovitch inspector general
of cavalry, will attain the high command.
occupying in the war with Japan the no.
sition held by his father in the war with
Turkey.
There are various reports regarding
Viceroy Alexieff's ultimate DESTINY. #
is declared in some quarters that he will
be recalled and Grand Duke Nicholas be-
come viceroy as we'll as commander-in-
chief. 1t is also said on apparently equal
authority that Alexieff will return as
chancellor of the empire to succeed
Count Lamsdorff. None of these reports