The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-24
FAR EAST WAR WILL END
IN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS,
HIGH RUSSIAN ASSERTS
Japanese Will Be Driven Into the
Sea When the Cars Troops
Get Ready.
RUSSIA TO BIDE HER TIME.
Great Britain Accused of Pushing
Japan. Into War for Mer-
cenary Reasons.

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb. 23.-"The war
will end in August or September, in the
complete defeat OF the japanese" said TO
the Associated Press to-day high au-
thority in intimate touch with the war
plans. whose opinion can be taken faith
fully to reflect the belief in the highest
official quarters. He added:
How the japanese hope to sue
coed when our army in the East is strength
ened TO a point equal or superior in numbers
to that of our adversaries we are honestly
unable to comprehend. 1t will not be diff
fcult to place two, four or even six num-
dred thousand additional men in the field
if necessary. When our forces are con-
centrated and ready they Will finish by
driving the japanese into the sea. Frank
ly, IL seems TO us that the Japanese either
have utterly failed to appreciate Rus
sias resources, or have counted on the aid
OF Great Britain or the United States,
neither of which ever contemplated becom-
ing involved. So far as Great Britain is
concerned do not believe any hallucina-
tions existed there. We think the British
statesmen who did so much to push Japan
into war realized that with Japans de-
feat they would accomplish two things for
Great Britain-frst, to give Russia a check
for, OF course, the war must impede our
progress temporarily; second, to cripple
Japan's maritime power, which was begin
ming TO be felt in the Pacific"
WILL BIDE HER TIME.
1t can be said with the utmost positive
ness that Russia will bide her time. She
will act on the defensive until she feels
confident that her weight of numbers will
leave no doubt as TO the results. Rein
forcements are going forward at the rate
of 5000 a day. Probably some time will
elapse before Russia feels fully prepared
to assume the offensive.
The conviction is growing here in official
circles that despite Japanese denials the
japanese fleet was severely crippled off
Port Arthur in the engagement which be-
gan Feb. s. The admiralty has no direct
information 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 where
abouts OF the Japanese 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 it has al
ways been the Japanese policy to announce
only victories, the admiralty adding: I'VE
know they sustained losses in the China
war which were never admitted
General kuropatkin will not leave for the
'front.' Tor another fortnight. In the mean
time he is going to his country estates, to
bid farewell TO relatives His status has
not yet been fully settled. BY the terms of
his appointment the general will command
Alexieff; but his powers probably will be
extended TO include the troops north of
Manchuria. The official view of the status
Is that Viceroy Alexieff will remain in
supreme command; but the viceroy being
a sailor, General Kuropatkin will be APP
pointed his lieutenant for the army as Ad-
mlral Makaron is for the navy.
Inc VlceroyS departure from Port Arthur
was not due to apprehension of the possi-
bility of its investment but simply to the
requirements of the strategical so as to
enable him to direct the operations now in
progress along the line of the Korean
frontier from a more central point Possi-
bly, he will not remain at Mukden, but will
demand.
DIFFICULT TASK FOR JAPAN.
Speaking on the subject of the possible
investment of Port Arthur the military
authorities here do not believe the Japa-
nese will attempt to make landing in force
on the Lao-Tung peninsula The former
say there is nothing the Russians would
like better as such an attempt is doomed
to certain failure. The authorities here as
sert that the southern portion of the pen
! insula is strongly guarded and that the
northern shore presents insuperable OBJ
| stacles. The only chance for the Japanese
it is claimed, would be marching down from
Korea; but to do this. it is added, they
must first defeat the Russian army on this
side of the Yalu river, and, even If success
| full, they would be face to face with an i'm
pregnable stronghold
The Associated Press now understands
that Grand Duke Alexis, uncle of the Car
/ and high admiral, has reconsidered his de-
cision TO go TO the far East He was ex-
/ tremely anxious to go, but the grand duke
! felt that his duties here would necessitate
/ his remaining in st. Petersburg.
| The Russian government has no official
confirmation of the report that the foreign
| commanders at Chemulpo, except the com
mander of the United States gunboat Vicks.
| burg, protested against the Japanese enter
| ing the harbor of Chemulpo. A preliminary
report from Captain Roudnef of the sunk
en- Russian armored cruiser Variag, the
| senior officer, says Admiral Uriu served
| notice that If the Russians did not come
| out he would order" the foreign ships tC
| leave the harbor. Extended reports have
| been mailed by Viceroy Alexieff
| The Russian squadron, under the COM
| mand of Admiral Wirenius, composed OF
! the battleship Oslabya, the armored cruiser
| Demitri Donskio the cruiser Aurora and
t~five torpedo boats, which has been ordered
| TO return north Immediately for Jibutil
| French Somaliland. will go to Libau. Cour-
| land the Baltic, and not to Kronstadt
| as previously reported.
| General Sakharof. chief of staff of the
military district of Turkestan has been an
pointed TO act as minister of war during
! the absence of General Kuropatkin, whose
| appointment TO command the Russian mill.
| tary forces in the far East was gazettec
| yesterday.