The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-08
RUSSIANS HATRED OF THE WAR
ATTITUDE OF THE MASSES MOST
pOVERFUL FACTOR FOR PEACE.
Strong Man Needed 70 Improve the In
ternal sltuatlon-Czar May choose
NJ. de NItte-Baluc Fleet May Return
or stake All on a Battle With togo.


come decisive indications as 70 what will be
,bo immediate effect OF the fall of Port
Arthur This indication can come only
from St. Petersburg. 1t is now generally
recognized that Japan's great victory can
Nuke for peace only in case Russia's in
ternaI crisis ma kes peace imperative.
Eyidence mutiplies daily OF the uncom-
nroni.ing opposition to the war throughout
tho Russian masses. This was intensified
during the present week by fresh dis
clo.ures of wholesale robberies Of war sup
niles and hospital necessaries en- route tc
Manchuria, even more than by the news
n the Port Arthur disaster. These ex-
nosures are never followed by the pun
ishment of the high placed thieves among
the bureaucracy.
Pubic evaporation, which in any other
country would long ago have demanded
revenge. has at last become force which
must be reckoned with. 1t has found
expression in several new localities during
the present week. where the local authori-
tiesrefused to perform their usual functions
Of providing funds for local and imperial
purposes
Meantime, the Car has returned to ST.
Petersburg, where his most significant ao-
ton is daily conference with NJ. de Witte
President of the Council. This has aroused
some slight hopes outside of Russia that
the situation may yet be saved. Nearly
every statesman in Europe ia now con-
WINGED that the disruption OF the Empire
can only he averted by placing unlimited
mower in the hands of a really strong man.
il the Car has sufficient wisdom and
strength of will to make NJ. de White Grand
vizier Of the empire, with absolute au-
thority in all respects the internal situa-
ton might be brought under control
NJ de Witte is intensely dslked by the
ducal cabal. who brought about his retire
nent as Minister of Finance eighteen
months ago, and also by the Holy Synod.
which is Russia's second great curse.
But NJ de Wtte is by no means so liberal
in his views as many outside of Russia
suppose. His policy OF State ownership
Of many industries would multiply the
present bureaucracy, and it is difficult
10 believe that he would succeed in its
publication. There is no question. how
ever Of his ability both as financier and
administrator and there is no other man
in sight in Russia to whom the country
can turn in its dire extremity with any hope
If reform short OF the most disastrous
revolution.
The situation is so full Of uncertainty
that every one whose opinion is of the slight
est value wisely refrains from prophecy.
Europe is watching the drama with the
most intense interest and events Of SUI
preme importance seem close at hand
but the form they will take is the greatest
mystery Of to-day
Turning to the immediate war situation,
attention is chiefly directed toward Vice
Admiral Rojestyensky's feet Opinions
are divided as to whether he should return
or stake all upon the desperate chance
Of defeating Admiral Togo, High authori-
ties argue that IL the vessels possess any
thing like their normal efficiency they
should try conclusions with the Japanese
feet Immediately.
1t is pointed out that Admiral Rojest-
vensky would be justified in destroying
Admiral Tcgos vessels even at the ex-
pense Of the loss Of his own feet, because
Russia has sufficient ships in reserve TO gain
command of tho sea if Admiral Togo's
ships we're sunk, Russia cannot in any
event hope for a final victory whatever
the results Of the military operations in
Nanchuria may be, unless she gains CON
ANl 0l Allt Etd ms VI NbhiNff IN VIC
counsel OF desperation, but if Admiral
Rolestyenslty returns It must signify that
the war will be indefinitely prolonged unless
Rus7ias domestic crisis forces an igno-
minious peace.
Such indications as come from st. Peters
burg and the statements of Count Cassini
the Russian Ambassador at Washington
give the impression that the Russian fleet
will soon return. Those who know most
about the utter ineftlciency of Admiral
Rolestvensky's squadron expect the Rus
sian authorities TO decide upon his recall
To continue. they declare, would be to go
TO certain destruction.
II is expected in st. Petersburg that the
Car viii order Gen Kropatkin TO take
the offensive Immediately before Gen
Aogis veterans can join the Japanese
forces in Manchuria and TO gain at any
expense some success to Offset the effect
OF the loss Of Port Arthur upon the Russian
people Such instructions win place Gen.
huropatkin in a most difficult position
he severity Of the winter in northern
Manchuua makes extensive military OPP
atoms next TO impossible, even with troops
with the hest equipments 1t is known
mat the Russian Army il suffering from
me deprivation Of such necessaries as
boots and oyercoats, owing to the whole
sale robhcries OF supplies. and battle
fought solely for political reasons would
he with the advantage strongly on the
hde oi the Japanese.
Inc ST. Petersburg correspondent OF
iHR SrN says widespread discussion Of
me Possibilities Of peace are wholly
IaTred by the supreme persouages Of the
government. They clearly recognize that
'hey dare not think Of demobilizing the
great army now gathered or proceeding
Nanchuria
The reimanent military rart thereof
nas LOST ascondency over the masses through
profess lrnal ucn-success against a people
Wey We're taught to consider an inferior
race. The temporarily military part
GTaTn from civil life as reseryists is, both
CIhcei- and men, vehomontly against the
Government The miserable financial
provisions for them and their families
nave converted even the most indifferent
'h'' agiators What money they get
Que 20 the initiative and generosity Of
'he Hemsivos, whom they now regard