Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1904. The War.

Manawatu Herald, 9 June 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 1904. The War.

$ There is a striking difference be tween the behaviour of the Russian and Japanese authorities. The Japanese would appear to have carefully considered every contingency in advance. They had their plan of campaign carefully mapped out, and they have executed it so far in the most brilliant manner. There is a precision and a certainty about their measures which reminds one of the popular conception uf Moitke’s conduct of the German armies in the campaign of 1870 With the' Russians everything is different. There seems to be endless confusion and wrangling. Alexieff and Kuropatkin are disagreed about the value of Port Arthur. Alexieff insists on its relief, while Kuropatkiu is apparently for leaving it to its own devices. The question is to be referred to a council of war, but, in the meftHtimO) the town vhll either hays

fallen or the Japanese have rendered 'heir position impregnable. It is- the same with the Baltic licet. First it is going to sail and thou its departure is delayed Omramonr after another, each conflicting with the last, gains currency, and probably ill' are equally untrustworthy. To ns, of course, it seems as if euv such mcasuro would Vt simply the sacrifico of the revnainde! of the I'usshiu naval force. Certainly, if Port Arthur falls, the fleet may as well stay at home for all tbcnso it can be ! And tho Japanese mean that Port Arthur shall fall. 0! that there can bo no doubt. If tingling which destroyed the batteries at Kinchan are turned on to the forts of Port Arthur they are likely to give ns good an account of themselves. It is interesting to note how cleverly the Japanese catch German methods of diplomacy. ibo telegram 01 Genera! Yodnma ii -evil mg the nr "A d i,h. ; :r \ irl.ury to lierman training is calculated, no doubt, to check tin recent rapprochment of German} and Kussia. The old rule, never to praise anybody except for the purpose of damaging somebody else, is iretty obvious beneath this pretty piece of flattery..