The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-04-10
THE RUSSIAN DILEMMA


yertiser. discussing the probable out
come. suggested: First, that IL "ouiu
not be surprising if the Russian army
and navy should at least temporarily
turn out, owing TO the corruption III
the Russian Empire, to be as defective
in organization and equipment as the
French army during the Russo-Franco
war; secondly, that the severity of the
contest would probably be augmented
by internal connection in Russia; and,
thirdly, that these difficulties would be
aggravated by the long distance of the
seat of hostilities from the real Mus
covite base and the inadequate means
of transportation on the Siberian rail-
road.
So far all these hypothetical antc-
ipations have been more than realized.
The history of the war embraces an
almost unbroken series of Japanese.
victories. On both sides, great brave
nv and consummate generalship have
been manifested. But to Japan be-
longs the credit of having, with marvel
Gus strategy and with the greatest
tactical skill, carried on the most
! stupendous International conflict OF
modern times, and single battles which
perhaps transcend the worlds records,
The seas were speedily cleared, and
the comparatively short line of COM
munieation with the Japanese base
opened and kept open. Korea was fully
occupied. The Liaotong Peninsula was
seized, Kuropatkin held back, Port
Arthur isolated and captured, and then
the vast army of Russia was slowly
pushed toward the north and Manchu-
ria practically reduced to possession.
These are notable achievements, but.
extraordinary as they are, they can
be easily understood. The Japanese
are a united people. Within fifty
years. in their internal economy and
external relations, they have identified
themselves with progressive civiliza-
ton. They are not only intelligent but
also Systematically educated and train
ed. They have avaiied themselves of
their opportunities and resources with
out a serious mistake. They are prac-
teal to the fullest possible extent. but
likewise inspired by an Overwhelming
enthusiasm, partly due to their reli-
gion, but in a large degree attribute
BILE to their intellectual advancement.
With al fhair- in ND
almost reckless courage, they have OBJ
served the amenities of war.
1t is a natural result that Japanese
loan of $50 millions is over-subscribed
fifteen times. On the other hand the
credit of Russia lags. Capital is SEN
sitive and the capacity to raise money
is the test of national power and stand
ing In these respects a comparison
between the belligerents in the East
is decidedly odorous, although Russia
has a much larger population and more
aggregate wealth than Japan.
OF course it is barely possible that
seven vessels encounters Togo, there
may be reversal of the previous rec
ord of the war. although, while a naval
victory would do much to rehabilitate
Russian prestige and might entail i'm
portant practical consequences, it
would not necessarily and at once af-
feet the occupation of Manchuria. Rus
STA, however, is confronted with do
nestle ha+
affect her position. The most autocrat-
ic government on earth, to a con-
siderable extent, is isolated and is
struggling against the most intelligent
and best educated classes of the popu-
lation, animated by the concentrated
purpose of compelling the partial in
PRODUCTION of constitutional govern
ment- The series of assassina tions
that have occurred since the outbreak
of hostilities have almost introduced
a Reign of Terror.
Sasaneff, who killed Minister Won
Plehve has written and the Assoeiat-
ed Press has supplied copies of, one
OF the most striking papers of Modern
smouldering fire that is burning under
the throne of the Car. He gives the
history of his own life and of the
processes of observation, experience
and thought which made him first a
Socialist and afterward a member Of
the fighting organization of that party.
He shows how deeply and widely tn
kind of Socialism which he repres ants
has penetrated the mass of the Rus
sian people. His claim is that the So
cialistic party aims at a revolution Of
the government through peaceful
methods, and that its members are op-
posed to all brute force and simply
desire to become mot only subjects
but citizens of their country" He
insists that the massacres of the Jews
at Kishenev and in other places and
the specific cruelties of Plehye-whicF