Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06
TO CONTINUE THE WAR
Strong Anti Peace Sentiment
Exists in Russia.

ST. PETERSBURG. August 5. 1908.
Peace or war is the all-important question
Of the hour here. More, even, than the
problem of the revolutionary ferment 1t alb
serbs the attention of those influential per-
sonages who, dispensing with vain titles
and official positions. enjoy the cars con-
fidense aRd-tender him advice and co-opera-
ton in the work of governing the empire.
The view taken in that exclusive circle
which speaks and acts for Russia Is essen
TALLY different from the opinion held in the
United States and England The conviction
prevailing is that the abandonment of the
campaign without a victory would be highly
prejudicial to the interests of the dynasty
the regime and the nation. while peace pur-
chased by territorial and financial conces-
sions would be positively suicidal. To out
sidcrs this view, which has largely deter
mined the choice of Russia's representatives
to the peace conference and Wall unuerhe
the official instruction to the delegates, may
perhaps appear extravagant or untenabe
but only because outsiders are unaware OF
all of the elements of the question.
If foreign critics We're in possession OF all
of the facts-and rr'eged factS-laid before
the highest personages here they would I'M
derstand why the continuation of the war
IL desired and aimed at. and why the wish
for peace is regarded as almost reasonable.
IL is affirmed that Gen. Linevitch and the
commanders of each of the Manchurian
armies have literally bombarded his majesty
with reports tending TO show that victory Is
about to perch upon the Russian banners,
and that all past disasters may be retrieved
and abundantly compensated for by deci-
sive triumphs within relatively short
space of time
In these suasive efforts Gen. Linevitch
and Gen. EUROPA tkin have accomplished
great deal In removing imperial doubt In
the latest reports from these generals the
jrav, 10 haIi tlad he
cause it leaves matters about where they
were at the beginning of the war, when
Japan became dominant al sea In the orient
II her naval superiority be accounted suffi-
Client motive for peace now, Ii is argued
bostilities should have been discontinued
when the Russian squadron lying at Port
Arthur was dsa bled on the very first day
of the war.
Army in Magnificent Form.
In reality. it is represented. Russia s
power lies In her territorial army. which
was never in a better condition than it is at
the present time. In the beginning. it is
urged. gross mistakes were made, both
at St Petersburg and at the theater Of
the war, but since then everything has been
changed. In Manchuria the officers have
been learning by actual experience, and at
st. Petersburg the committee of defense
is presided over by an energetic grand
duke. The reservists, whose fighting pow
ers were very inferior. are now seasoned
while the other troops are simply invfncible.
The artillery and cavalry are immeasura-
bly, more efficient than the Japanese, IL is
alleged, and long to give proofs of their
loyalty and their prowess. Never was the
Intelligence department well organized
and thoroughly efficient today. when
every movement of the enemy Is known
sometimes before II has begun to be exc
cuted, as can be proved by striking exam
pies.
Gen. I.nevitch is not only eager but
ready. to assume the offensive. and fear
Ing lest his majesty should attribute his re-
solve the foolhardiness. he obtained the
views of his colleagues. who indorse his
opinions with unanimity. The spirit actu-
ating the and officers is patriotic en-
thusiastiC and irrepreSsible and they are
filled With confidence not only that victory
is within reach, but that the father of the
Russian people will not call them back on
the very eve of harvesting IT. An army
smarting under defeat and resenting the
pusilisIHmity of the :cefs&rai authorities
and without more terribly than all enimies
together could harm her. Internal uisor-
ders. 1t is urged. will disappear before the
shouts of victory raised by a triumphant
army. Therefore the spokesman of his
majestys soldiers confidently beseach the
little father TO accord them at least six
months more.
ssAs the emperor and his advisers repose
implicit confidence in the generals they
cannot disregard such patriotic petitions
Hence unparalleled efforts are being put
forth to ensure such military success as Will
warrant the continuance of the campaign.
Reinforcements are being thrown into Man.
churia with a regularity and rapidty of
which the bureaucracy seemed incapable,