Omaha daily bee., 1904-08-27
RUSSlA'S POSITION HOPELESS
Eminent Frenc enernl Discusses
Situation In the Far
East.

Copyright by New York Herald Co., 1904)
PARIS, Aug 2L-CNew York Herald Ca
blegram-Special Telegram to The Bee)-A
military man Of high rank whose reputa-
tion is worldwide, and whose personal re-
lations with the best officers OF the armies
OF other nations, have blven him intimate
knowledge and experience of affairs in
Europe, Asia and America, has kindly ia
vored us with an impression Of the actual
state Of the campaign and its probable
termination
A patriot before everything else, and
sympathlzer with Russia as much from
conviction as from sentiments of the heart,
this eminent authority in our conversation
declared that he must bow before the evil
dence of the facts which establish, ac-
cordlng to him, the astonishing superiority
Of the Japanese In point Of orgauizati tion,
equipment, instruction Of the staff ca
pacity Of the generals, utilization Of the
ground in artillery and The different arms,
and the knowledge of tactics
According to this officer, the issue Of the
campaign is only too certain. In spite of
Port Arthur is only question of days,
and General Kuropatldn, owing to the
physical impossibiity of breaking through
the japanese barriers from the east to the
south, which are opposing him, Will not
trust to d general decisive battle.
If he is attacked as already announced,
he will! find safety only in an orderly re-
treat carried out toward the north.
As for the Russian fleet, it's best elements
are or are about to be destroyed and the
Baltic fleet, composed of ships of various
and inferior types to those of the mikado,
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 ally, and it is of i'm
portance to consider it without delay in the
general interest of Europe. 1t is the Ger
man emperor. continues the general. who
tomorrow may be expected to make an ap-
peal to the high sentiment of the young
and magnanhnous emperor of Russia, and
to his clear comprehension Of the true
duties of "Fother of His People" He flat
ters himself that the moment has arrived
when he may offer his good offices as a
mediator
The defense Of Port Arthur will become
historic and may be considered to rival the
most heroic feats Of war, The glory OF the
brave men who are shut up there on sea
as on land is recorded, The supreme valor
of the Russians has indeed gained general
admiration. 1t is not then necessary, per-
haps. the Emperor William will say. that
final battle should be fought to save the
honor Of the Muscovite armies.
Japan has had Tic advantage in the
first phase Of the war, but tomorrow in a
new campaign, time may change her favor,
I'm concluding from today an honorable
peace Japan should retain Port Arthur
and the protectorate of Corea- Manchuria
should be restored to China, except Kwan
Tung and Russia should pay an indemnity
of war.
The czar, on his side, should lay upon
Emperor William the task of bringing his
army and navy to the pitch of perfection.
which the experience of the Russo-Japa-
nese conflict has shown to be indispensable
to the security of his empire, and the two
sovereigns should work together to endew
Russia with liberal institutions, thus check
ing the spread of nihilist teachings, which
are undermining on all sides and under
various names the foundation of our old
social order.