Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1904. The Beginning of the End.

Manawatu Herald, 6 August 1904, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. [Established Aug. 27, 1878.] SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 1904. The Beginning of the End.

The fall of Port Arthur is daily, nay even hourly, expected. The Russians have been driven back from the outer fortifications to tho innermost defences, and «it seems likely that this, their final position, will ere long be carried by one of those irresistible though costly onslaughts for which the little brown men are renowned. A modern fortress is, however, often a “ very hard nut to crack,” and is capable of affording a long and stubborn defence when resistance 'is least expected. The Russians, too, are dogged fighting men, and may be counted on to defend their posts to the last extremity. The commander of Port Arthur, General Stoeasel, has also stated that lie Will never yield to the enemy, and that his intention, like the law of the Medes and Persians, changeth not, Too much weight hou f ever must not be attached to this announcement. Circumstances sometimes alter cases; and the apparently irrevocable decisions of the Russian leaders have iliofe often than not been rendered inoperative by the .unprecedented successes of the Japaneseforces. Nevertheless. General Stoessel is an experienced and able soldier, and if he make# as desperate a struggle as did his co-patriot, Todleben, when besieged by the allies imSebastopol, the Japs will have a difficult task to accomplish in reducing the garrison into submission. The moral effect of the capture of Port Arthur would be very great, and should be vincing proof to the Tsar’s advisers of the hopelessness of continuing the contest. In Manchuria matters ftfe rapidly reaching a climax, Generals Kuroki, Oku, and Nodzu, are dosing in on the hapless Kuropatltio, and the latter will require all his much vaunted skill to prevent his army from being destroyed by the Combined Japanese forces. The Russians originally intended to make a stand at Liaoyang, hut the disposition of the Japanese armies, and the cutting of the lines of communication, almost preclude the possibility of the Russians being able to offer battle there.

To add to these disasters the whole of Russia is lit a state of commotion, and the revolutionary fires that smoulder in the hearts of the people burst forth every now and again into the Committal of nets of violence, such as the assassination of General Bobrikoff and of M. Plevhe. With trouble at home and defeat abroad the end is fast approaching, and Russia would do well to secure what concessions she can while the opportunity offers. If she does not it will ultimately be a case of “ Hobson’s choice,” and she will be forced to submit unconditionally to whatever terms her adversary may think fit to dictate.