The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-03

Continued From Tenth Page

ing at the japanese legation. Minis
ter Hayashi was the recipient during
the day of hundreds of kilograms of
congratulation from all parts of Great
Britain and other countries, and Off
cial dispatches confirming the news
from Tokyo Were received at frequent
intervals. Minister Hayashi declined
to discuss the probability of peace ne
gotiations. He said, however,
The fall of Port Arthur will at any
rate end the horrible slaughter in one
part of the theater of war, and sin
7cerely hope that in some way it will
facilitate final peace. This depends
upon Russia and not upon US. 1t may
strengthen the determination of Rus
sla TO continue the war at all costs. It's
effect on Japan. however, cannot be
doubted. Our fleet is free and the re-
lease Of the besieging army gives us
increased forces available for service
elsewhere. Our base becomes more se-
cure than ever"
Speaking of Gen. Stoessel, Minister
Hayashi said:
ne surrender will in no way affect
the glory belonging to him and his men
nor our admiration for their splendid
defense"
Baron Suyematsu, som in-law of
Marquis Ito, and former Japanese min
lister of the interior, said:
NOW that We have again got Port
Arthur we will not allow any other
power to hold 1t after we have beaten
RUSSIA; and am now more than ever
confident that Japan will be victorious.
do not expect the fall of Port Arthur
Will make much difference with the
progress of the war, though Japan will
undoubtedly be in a better position
In British naval circles the prevail
Ing opinion is that the recall of the
Russian second Pacific squadron has
now become an absolute necessity
Gen. Stoessers defense of Port Ar
thur has excited the admiration Of Earl
Roberts, commander in chief of the
British forces.
Tt has been a magnificent Defense .
said the veteran fighter, enthusiastica1-
ly. What a splendid fellow he is, to
be sure! How all the world must adj
mire hin!''
Maj Gen. Baden Powell also pay en-
thusiastic tributes to Gen. Stoessel,
Gen. Baden-PoWell saying:
1T is an honorable surrender after a
splendid defense
The opinions of public men of all
ranks have been canvassed, but few of
those questioned would venture beyond
similar praises of the bravery and ten
ac1ty ON both sides in the great strug-
however, thinks that in face Of such
a blow to her prestige Russia, to re-
1nstate herself, will turn her attention
TO the northwestern frontier of India.
The London papers discuss the fall
OF Port Arthur in all its bearings on
future events. The Telegraph devotes
five pages to a history of the fortress
and all concerned Herewith.
The sympathies of the British press
naturally flow in the direction of Great
Britain's ally, but nothing could ex-
ceed the generosity Of the tributes paid
to Gen. StoesseIs magnificent defense.
There is considerable difference of
opinion as to the lessons to be learned
from the siege; but the majority of
the editorial writer's take the view that
the defense of Port Arthur was tao
tlcal error and that the fortress exer-
cised a fatal fascination for the Rus
sian army and the Russian fleet, and
had Russia abandoned Port Arthur at
the outset she would probably have
been enabled to crush the Japanese ad-
vance in Manchuria. On the other
hand, it is agreed that it's enormous
strength compelled the Japanese to
waste their energies for many months
and prevented them from employing
their full forces against Gen. Kuropat-
kin, and that the immediate effect will
be to revolutionize European ideas of
the value of the art of permanent forti-
fcation.
The question whether it will be pos
sible to raise and repair the Russian
warships is also discussed. It Is be-
lfeyed that the Japanese may succeed
in doing so.
Another point exciting keen interest
is the status Of Wei-hai- wei, which,
according to treaty, was to be held only
so long as Russia remained in posses
sion of Port Arthur. The idea is, how
| ever. that Great Britain will continue
| to hold Wei-hai-wei Admiral Sir Cy-
prianbridge holds this view and thinks
there is nothing to prevent Great Bri-
| tain from making a fresh convention
with China
The fall of Port Arthur caused great
rejoicing among the alien Jewish pop
ulation at the East end of London.
| There is much talk in the press ano
elsewhere Of the possibilities of peace
mediation, but such discussion gener-
| ally is regarded as valueless at the
present stage of affairs.