The Washington times., 1905-03-11
VictoTu's Source.

Japan's undoubted victory at Muk-
den, the extent Of which triumph will
grow rather than diminish in the
light Of more complete reports, has
drawn from the world once more the
tribute which man pays to his fellow
man who achieves things.
Whether the observer at this dis
tance from the scene of conflict be
partial to the japanese or sympathlze
with the Russians, he must contem-
plate the series Of successes gained
by the subjects of the Mikado as more
than mere luck-or, as is oftentimes
heard. The fortunes of war" The
intimation underlying such an expla-
nation is that one contending party
cannot expect to win all the time and
that victory will shift to the other
side in time. But in the present war
in the Orient there has been nothing
to indicate that turning point Of
that sort is near at hand On the
contrary the noteworthy achieve
ments Of the japanese In the first
year OF the struggle are now being
far surpassed in the second year by
the amazing victory at Mukden.
Whence comes such success? The
Russian generals confided to all the
world last autumn the stereotyped
boast that they would eat their
Christmas dinner in Tokyo There
would they make terms with the Japs
pleading on bended knee But such
things have not occurred
The silent, thoughtful sons of the
island empire said nothing. More
than that they prevented others from
saying anything-those who would
have heralded to the world the strong
AID weak points Of the yankees of
the East All they wanted was a
fair field and no favors. Having had
the power TO screen their war prepa-
rations behind the veil of secrecy,
they have made no advance claims,
have issued no bravado proclama-
tions. They have just quietly per-
sisted, asking no personal credit.
seeking no recognition, desiring no
reward other than the approval OF
their august emperor.
Now comes the explanation from
many quarters that keeping ever
lastingly at it brings success - which,
Of course, is a delightful truth, when
properly seasoned. despite the fact
that blind adherence to the letter and
not the spirit Of the maxim has often
caused equally sublime failures. The
japanese have been keeping at it, as
the Honorable Mr.. Kuropatkin is in a
position to testify. But when he
comes to tell his story-and may his
brave life be spared to describe his
part Of the bloody confiict-he is
more likely to speak in this wise:
The enemy were brave; so were
we. They were skilled in warfare;
so were we. They fought increasingly:
so did we. What more did they do?'
And then, in the bitterness of de-
feat, viii he be compelled to say:
preserved unity of purpose.
while dissensions rent my counsel
ors. They lived in rigid routine,
from commanding general to the most
abject private. while in my forces
grand dukelings set the pace for
orgies even in the face of the enemy.
They had whole armies in reserve.
while court intrigues were in store
for me-.
Could Kuropatkin-veteran strate-
gist and master of warfare-speak his
nslnd. would the world brand him an
incompetent? Far from it. The world
awaits details of how he was trapped
when he felt himself secure. And
when these details come they will
tell of armies hidden in northern
Korea, drilled incessantly, provision
ed fully, equipped for instant action
as raiders when needed. The psyche
logical moment arrived, they were
swept TO the front and Kuropatkin
found his army encompassed.
IN the outstanding of their resources
and in always having one more trump
IN reserve, the Japanese have taught
the world a lesson. Victory at Muk-
den was not accidental, or even the
result only of persistence. It was
their untaxed reserved energy which
won the day and which always wins
when other conditions are anywhere
near equal.
J-1E. sc D no.: