The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-01-02

Congratulations Galore.
LONDON. Jan, 2.-The Japanese
embassy is to-day besieged with
Baron Hayashi's fellow countrymen
who cali 10 offer their congratula-
lions on. the news that Port Arthur
has capitulated, or Is about TO do so.
Your correspondent had an inter
view this morning with NJ. kaige, the
first secretary OF the Japanese EN-
bassy. Speaking in behalf of Baron
Hayashi, he said:
I'VE have not received any official
news announcing the definite capitu-
the messages to this effect received
from Toxic to-day by number of
Japanese residents of London are
premature. We interpret these tele-
grams as meaning that General
StoesseI and General Nogi are dis
cussing terms of surrender.
What these terms consist of we
do not know. 1t may be regarded as
certain that General Stoessel will not
surrender unconditionally. His max
imum terms will probably be that per-
mission be given the whole garrison
to return to Russia with their arms
on parole.
"The Toxic authorities will un.
doubtedly allow Stoessel the most
generous terms possible in recogni-
| tion OF his magnificent defense, but
as for permitting the Russians to re.
turn home. 1t must be remembered
that this was done on previous occa.
tsions during the war and the Rus
SLAMS have broken their parole and
returned again to fight. AS we esti
mate the Port Arthur garrison at 90,
f6d0. this number would be too large
to permit their return to Russia, for.
if there were any chance of their
breaking parole they would be sent
as reinforcement to Kuropatkin.
Our besieging army numbers at
least about $4,000. 1t is not likely
that they will be sent north to join
Oyama. They have worked so hero
ically they need a rest. II 1t is in
any way possible, the large part of
| them will return TO Japan and recu-
perate. The others will probably be
used as garrison at Port Arthur,
unless the general staff believes 1t
necessary to send a new force from
home for this purpose.
I'VE are naturally delighted that
General Nogi's work is at last accom-
plished. We consider that this
brings the end OF the struggle appre-
ciably nearer. Russia should realize
that she is now unable to again Sc
cure her lost prestige. Probably
after one or two more fights between
Generals Kuropatkin and Oyama the
ST. Petersburg authorities will ex-
press desire to discuss terms of
peace.
I'VE are unable to make the first
advances. They must come from
Russia.
The fall of Port Arthur must ma
terially affect the plans of the Baltic
fleet. With the fortress remaining in
the hands of Russia there was al
ways chance of Admiral Rodjest-
vensky being able to reach It and use
it as q base for operations. Now
he has nowhere TO go. for it is i'm
possible that he can reach vladivos-
took, which will be icebound until the
end of March
'Ie seems to us that the best pro-
cedure for Russia would be the re-
call of the Baltic fleet. There would
be loss of prestige by this course,
certainly, but Russia would save her
feet from destruction, which Is GER
tain to occur if Rodjestvensky per-
sists in proceeding to the scene of
hostilities with no port which he can
enter"
The evening papers comment on
the news by eulogies of the brave
men of both sides
Russia to Fight For Her Life.
LONDON. jan IA diplomat con-
nected with one of the continental
embassies In London, who is cogri-
zant of the view of the European
chancellors commenting on the fall
of Port Arthur. said.
Il do not believe the fall OF Port
Arthur win hasten the end of the war.
The diplomatic view is that Russia
must now, fight for her life. The fail
of the fortress VIII be such an over
powering blow to her prestige that
she VIII be required to strain every
nerve to secure yictorfes slsexvfaere1