ABSTRACT
The Baltic Provinces are partly populated by Esthonians and partly by Letts, but the Nobility is of German and Swedish extraction; and although these Provinces have never belonged to Germany, the Nobility is German-speaking. The Press campaign produced its effect, creating distrust of the German-speaking landowners of the Baltic Provinces. Then there are the Russian Poles, the Lithuanians, the Cossacks of the Don and other regions, the various nationalities of the Caucasus, and many other peoples or tribes. Japanese war could easily have been avoided, and was partly brought about by the private speculations of highly placed Russians in the Far East, which interfered with Japanese interests. If proper energy had been displayed the Japanese could not have resisted the gradually increasing Russian forces, but General Kuropatkin's lack of determination caused even those actions which should have been victories to end in defeats.
