The Hawaiian gazette., 1904-06-28
A RUSSIAN GENERAL s
VIEWS UPON THE WAR
Continued from page 81


"a few millions, no doubt, but In no
way a military disaster. Look at the
configuration of the coast" and the
sweeping gesture once more compre-
hended the map on the wall; "a fleet
could not assist an army in Manchuria
"a Russian fleet, l mean-thousands OF
miles from its base"
"a fleet could hamper the movements
of the enemys transports" l inter-
posed.
Not materially" was the answer;
"when the enemys base is only 200
miles distant and the enemy in battle
formation weeks before he has given
the slightest hint of hostile intent, a
fleet can be of no avail after the enc
my's troops are on the march to the
frontier. Japan was still negotiating
when she attacked Port Arthur; Japan
had landed an army corps in Korea
while she was awaiting Russia's an
swer to her last note; Japan had land
ed fifteen thousand muratta rifles in
Shanghai for Yuan Shi Kai's army two
weeks before she torpedoed the Care
WITCH"
1 wondered whether this soldier was
thinking of Fontenoy and the chivalry
that inspired the famous, Gentlemen
fire first" But l merely remarked:
Russia procrastinated Russia did
not reply to Japan's last note: Russia
sedulously ignored Japan's demand con-
corning Manchuria and the integrity of
China
II am a soldier-not diplomat" was
h.,
interview.
"Then you do not regard the loss of
your fleet as a disaster?" 1 inquired.
Morally, yes: materially, no." was
the Generals answer. 1T was abso-
lutely necessary that Japan should win
the confidence and applause of the
world at the very beginning. Russia
can afford to be patient. 1t may be a
long war--apd Russia has had expert
ence of long wars"
There was just a glimmer of grim
defiance in those soft blue eyes as this
soldierly subject of the Tsar limited
of Russia's ultimate purpose.
"Then all depends on the army?" 1
suggested.
Unquestionably."
AND the army Is adequate!
"The army will give a good account
of itself when it meets the enemy on
anything like equal terms"
us it prepared for that emergency"
at will be prepared"
"Where does the blame lie for Rus
sia's unpreparedness?
THAT is not for me to say"
"Was diplomacy responsible?" 1 per-
sisted
II have nothing to do with diploma
cy," was the prompt reply. In this di-
rection 1 was thrusting at a shadow.
I felt around for the substance. will
the army at Liao-Yang attempt to re-
lieve Port Arthur" l asked.
Port Arthur must take care of it
self until we meet the japanese ad-
vance from the Yalu," the General an
swered. There are enough men in
garrison at Port Arthur to defend the
fortress and they are provisioned for
a years siege. The enemy has landed
at Kinchou, about thirty miles north
of Port Arthur, and they must cross
the Kinchou mountain through a mar
row pass, strongly defended, before
they can attack the intrenched posi-
ton of our troops outside the main
fortress of Port Arthur. In the mean
time our business is to deal with the
japanese army now threatening in the
vicinity of Liaou- Yang"
you say it is likely to be a long
war;" I began; "do you think other
powers will be involved before the
end?"
IF the Japanese are uniformly sue
cessful, / am sure other powers will
be involved" was the ready answer.
"Why, if the Japanese are success
ful?" / asked.
Because the Chinese will not be con-
tent to let the Japanese boast that they
We're solely responsible for driving out
the intruder
"And that would furnish an excuse
to Russia for calling on her French al
ly. under the agreement regarding the
interference of a third power?"
General Dessino did not Immediately
answer. / did not expect a categorical
reply. AS military agent of the Rus
sian Empire 1t is not in the province
of General Dessino to tell all he knows
to the newspapers of the world, and
/ have reason to know that he would
be especially chary in talking of this
delicate phase of existing conditions to
the representative of an American
newspaper.
Finally General Desslno asked a ques-
ton in his turn: do you think 1t
would be necessary for Russia. In the
event you have mentioned, to call on
an ally?"
My own answer Is immaterlal; but
clearly General Desslno had properly
answered my question,
ut Is your opinion, then" | went on,
THAT there Is an element OF danger in
the Chinese army around Pekln and
north Of the Great Wall2'
Decidedly nut Immediately ! fear
the mounted bandits OF Aanohuria
more than l fear deneral Mas army
or the soldiers IT Yuan shi Sat II IL
the guerrilla OF kirin and the rpHIop
roundabout Hardin that VIII annoy va
before the Hhlnese army decides ~ Atr
M