The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-07-07
Ghe Wlessemer.
RUssIA,s CONDITION.

, What a pitiabie plight the great Rus
sian empire finds herself in regarding
the mutiny on the battleship Kniaz Po-
temkine of her Black sea feet! The
powerful warship in the hands Of a
mutinous crew, is sailing the sea at
will and the admiral of the squadron
is afraid TO attack her. His fears ex-
tend further than this. He is unwlll-
ing to leave his vessels in condition TO
go to sea and has had the fires III
their furnaces drawn to prevent the
crews adding these vessels to the mutt
nous feet. He does not dare order his
men to fire on the battIeship he was
sent with his whole squadron to cap
ture or sink.
Truly the condition of Russia is des-
perate. The whole world is waiting
with bated breath for expected news of
the humiliation of her vast army in
Manchuria. The concensus of opinion
is that when Oyama thinks the time
has come to strike be will strike such
q blow as will level in the dust the
power of the Russian empire.
Conditions at home are such that
Russia could not rally from the shock.
She has no of money, NUM-
tons of war or men to draw from.
She has as deadly enemies, and as for.
midabIe ones at home as are facing
her army in the far east. What troops
remain loyal today may join the in
surgents tomorrow. Even if they will
remain true they cannot be spared to
recruit Linevitch's army when it has
been shattered. The more loyal any
body of troops the greater is the need
to keep it at home to attempt to sup
press the revOlts hat are occurring
daily all Over the empire.
Japan has been preparing for this
val for the last ten years. She struck
at the right moment. The question is
had she thorough understanding of the
conditions in Russia when she began
the war and knew that revolt and rev.
OlutiOn would follow Russia's defeat at
any time, or were her secret agents in
touch with the leaders Of the revOlu-
tionary party, and the agreement made
before the beginning of hOstilities that
Japanese success in the east was to be
followed by as formidable attacks at
home on the government? Which ever
way it was Russia's two enemies have
played into each others hands, and
together are shaking the very founda-
tons of the empire.
Unless some unforeseen aid comes to
Russia, she is doomed. From what
quarter that assistant can come no n
can conjecture. Her only real ally has
her hands full with her own interests
in Morocco which are being threatened
by Germany. The latter power, while
I always friendly to Russia in her ag-
gressions in the far east, is not now
in a condition to involve herself seri-
Ously in eastern matters. While she
has on hand her little affair with
France she would not care to incur the
displeasure of Great Britain and the
United States, both warm friends of
Japan.
There is no other country to which
Russia can turn with the hope of ma
terial aid of any kind. She stands
alone, with Il formidable enemy at her
gates and a more dangerous one with
in her midst, with no one to whom
she can turn with the hope of succor.
1t looks as if her doom were sealed
and her days were numbered.
The throne Of the naughty Roman
offs is lettering. Any day may see it
fall and crumble into dust. What, then,
will follow no man can f~oretell. Reyo-
luton, anarchy, a war of class against
~class,a reign of terror such as like con-
ditions in France produced are as like
~ as any other results. Truly, Rus.
sia's condition is fearful to contem-
plate.