DRINK, AND THE FALL OF PORT ARTHUR.
A RECENT number of Tidings from Japan, the interesting missionary magazine published at Tokyo, contains an English translation of an article in a Japanese Presbyterian journal, over the signature of "M. T.," who is said to be one of the Japanese military surgeons at Port Arthur and an eye-witness at the evacuation. The translation reads: The so-called impregnable stronghold, Port Arthur, was finally taken, and when, ascending the hill Tokeikwan, overlooking those of Niryu and Shoju, the forts were in full view, I could not help wondering at the fall of the stronghold into our hands, and moreover, when I witnessed the surrender of such enormous multitudes of soldiers as they came out from the forts, trenches, and barracks, my wonder was increased. They were so numerous it took us full three days to complete the transfer of them all as prisoners. They numbered, in fact, 31,000 in all; and allowing for one-half as invalids, the rest, fifteen or sixteen thousand, must have been able-bodied, fighting men. With regard to these troops we do not hesitate to admire their stubbornness and bravery so often displayed against us; but with so strong a position and still so many fine men, why were the Russians reduced to the point of surrender? What induced them to capitulate? In my personal observation of the Russians at Port Arthur, what struck me most was their inordinate drinking of such liquors as whisky and vodka. Even at the time of surrender, both officers and men were found quite shamefully intoxicated. This disgraceful practice was found to be in vogue everywhere, together with that of excessive smoking, even in the hospitals. Judging from these, I easily conclude that their constant drinking and smoking reduced the troops to general incompetency, and was the principal cause of the fall of the Port Arthur stronghold.