It has been impossible to conceal this tremendous event from
the Russian people, but its effect on them will not be known for some days. They are for the moment stunned, for they bad always been told that Port Arthur would be relieved. The Czar has abandoned his tour of inspection in the South, and has returned to St. Petersburg ; but he is believed to be more resolved than ever on continuing the war, or, at all events, all Russian officers and officials who speak out maintain that view, which was expressed some time since by Count Lamsdorff himself. The Continental Press shows symptoms of similar stupor, the Austrians writing, according to the able correspondent of the Times, mere conventional inanities, while the Germims have obviously not yet received their marching orders. The French, of course, are free; but their chief impression from the catastrophe is that it increases the necessity for a closer union between the Russian Emperor and his people, which is perfectly true, but will be pronounced by great men in Russia "a purely Western idea." In this country as yet the governing ideas have been to acknowledge the astonishing courage and devotion displayed by both sides, and to give General Nogi a meed of praise, which is perhaps a little belated, Other Ideas will come to the front in a few days, when the diplomatists have mastered the facts and the wishes of the Governments they represent. We note, how- ever, both on the Continent and in England, signs of a belief that all men must wait the result of the great effort which General Kuropatkin will now be ordered to make.
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