The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-03-10
BEFORE MUKDEN.

II the conditions about Mukden as
described in the censored reports from
the seat OF war are correct then IS sne
Russian army in a critical and desper-
SO here are the Japanese, by desperate
courage absolute disregard of life and
consummate military skill, slowly, put
steadily driving their enemy to utter
defeat. The news from either side IS.
of course, colored to suit the authorI-
it must be borne in mind that most of
the dispatches we get in regard TO the
operations of the two armies now come
to Is through ST Petersburg and. OF
course, are made as favorable to the
Russian side as possible. It is natural
to suppose that they do not give accu-
rate accounts Of the conditions about
Mukdzn at the present time. But take
them to be perfectly correct n they
show that so far the advantage is great
ly ON the sid Of the japanese. The
most that the Russians have claimed
IOT u utlIlStif@ s11pLC IIC p4CCOAAl SICAt
battle began is The occasional driving
back Of the Japanese from an advanc-
ed position o. the repelling Of a des-
perate attack on some n Of their I'M
portant strongholds, while all tine time
indicating the steady driving i'm of the
two wings Of Kuropatkin's army. Ac-
cording to their own accounts their
forces are almost surrounded and their
line of communication to Hardin in
danger of being cut.
This battle is being fought ON ground
of the Russians own choice. Kuropat-
kin, after his retreat, took up this Pc
sition where he awaited the attack Of
the enemy, confident that his army was
SO strongly posted that lit could not be
dislodged. The Japanese have shown
him differently. Already they nave
driven hin from much Of the strongest
ground he occupied. While the enemy
a been unable to force a passage
through his strongly posted army 1t
a by strategic movements n dcs-
perate fighting driven both his wings
from their original position and doubled
them back upon his center. There a
be no doubt that at this writing these
are the conditions which exist and it
is possible, highly probable, that the
situation is even more critical for his
army.
According to latest reports the Rus
sian army is i'm such position hat re.
treat would be almost as hazardous as
to stand and fight with the enemy on
three sides and seriously threatening
it's rear. A retreat ON Hardin could
hardly be made without great oss
will have, to be a hasty one i'm order to
prevent heavy casualties as we'll as the
other losses. Unless the Japanese make
some Dlunder or suffer unexpected re-
pulse at some important point it looks
as If Kuropatkin's army was destined
to utter defeat. Ii seems to he beyond
the generals power to " it.
What will be the effect of such a
disaster on the internal affairs of Rus
sia no one can foretell. That it will be
SidNo S1iLlIol OC "CluOo, IL Will lay
bare to the political a~sitators the weak
ness of the imperial government. 1T
will arouse the enthusiasm of the
opponents of the empire and encourage
them to more open opposition, per-
haps increase the disorder and laWless-
NESS, which the ear is trying to quell
by his vague and unsatisfactory prom
ises of reform, to open rebellion and a
general revolution. The throne Of the
czar is lettering. The defeat of Kuro-
patkin would likely knock the last prep
from under it, to be followed by revoiu-
ton and anarchy. Revolution and an
archy are fearful conditions, but as
their seeds are sown in despotism SO
are their fruits liberty of the people
and freedom of government. Horrible
as it may seem, nothing but these will
ever put Russia and her people roon
the same plane with the other Ibe-al
governments and free, enlightened peo-
pie of the civilized nations of the
world. 1t cam be accomplished il no
other way and come it will. Tt may net
follow immediately upon the heels Of
the war 1t looks now though, as if
It will, unless Russia can gain decisive
victory over her enemy.
The Biblical text whatever We SOW
that also shall We reap was not meant
to apply to the garden seeds sent put