Among the main reasons for our disasters must be mentioned the indifferent, even hostile attitude of the people to the late war; but the menace to our nation from the Far East is now so clear that all grades of society ought to prepare—in case of a fresh attack on Russia by Japan or China—to rise like one man to defend the integrity and the greatness of our Fatherland.
Thus, to attain success in any such future war, which is by no means an improbable contingency, we should strive—
1. To be in a position to make use of all our troops;
2. To have thorough railway communication between the Pri-Amur and Russia;
3. To prepare the waterways of Siberia for the carriage of heavy goods in bulk from west to east;
4. To move the army’s base as far as possible from Russia into Siberia; and, what is most important—
5. To make ready to carry on a new war not only with the army, but with the whole of a patriotic nation.
History had apparently destined Russia to undergo a bitter trial from 1904 to 1906, both on the field of battle and at home. Our great nation has issued renewed and strengthened from still heavier trials, and let us not doubt now but that Russia, summoned by the Tsar to a new life, will quickly recover from the temporary blows which she has sustained, and will not fall from her high place among the other nations of the world. As regards the army, its bitter experiences should not on this occasion fail to bear fruit, and the most detailed, thorough, and fearless study of all its defects can only bring about a renewal and increase of strength. We must remember one point—and it is the main point: our officers and many of the men conducted themselves most unselfishly in most difficult circumstances. Given this, all our other faults can be comparatively quickly mended; but before all else, we must not be afraid of openly acknowledging them.
Strength lies—in the truth.