The sun., 1903-12-13
RUSSIA PLAYS WAITING GAME.
If VAR MUST COME, CHAR WANTS
JAPAN TO START 1T.
Attempts to Convince Europe That the
Responsibility for Any Crisis Rests on
the NikadO's GOyernment--OnIc
declarations Must He Awaited.
.sp,eial Gable Despatch 10 THE SUN.

Spectai Gable Despatch 10 THE SUN.
LONDON Dec l2.-European opinion as
regards the situation in the Far East has
f,ctuated all the week between the belief
in war and peace. AS to actual knowledge
of affairs between japan and Russia, out
side the Cabinets of Toxic and st. Peters,
burg, there is none. 1t has become album
daptly evident that no reliance whatever
can be placed on anything emanating from
a Russian source, unless, indeed, 1t shall
take the form of an official declaration.
This is not forthcoming, and until 1t is
youchsafed the world may as we'll possess
itself in patience.
These who enjoy the analysis of the
motives of diplomatic moves are still study
ing Russia's attempts to produce certain
effects through the medium Of the foreign
press Thus, dispatches were sent out twice
within the week, the first through Paris
and the second through the medium OF
news agency despatch from st. Petersburg,
containing the most peaceful announce
men,s which seemed to foretell prompt
adjustment Of the difficulties upon terms
more or less agreeable to Russia.
These dispatches, while undoubtedly
sincere on the part OF their writer's, have
been received with cynical incfedulity by
those who are acquainted with Russian
Diplomatic methods. They have been fol-
lowed to-day by the following telegram.
which the Russian censor kindly allowed
the st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Cologne Gazette to send to his paper
Whether peace in the Far Fast is to be
assured for any length Of time depends
iSl faIi in ylyal n
formed Russian circles that certain demands
made by Japan in the form in which they
are laid down cannot be admitted by Russia.
Much speculation prevails here as to whether
the Japanese Government will prove to be
sufficiently strong despite the Russian
concessions already made and Russia's
anxiety to avoid war; to resist successfully
the popular cry for trial of strength with
Russia
This despatch is much more significant
than the confident assertion that peace Is
assured. which was made by an unsuspicious
correspondent and cabed to America
earlier in the week. 1t implies, at least,
the unhappy fact that no agreement be-
tween the two countries has as yet been
reached, and also a doubt as to whether
such fortunate result is possible. More
over, it indicates Russia's desire to throw
the onus of the responsibility on her op-
ponent
Here the hand of the Gar seems to be
dscernible.- 1t is an accepted fact OF the
situation that war is impossible unless
the Russian war party is able to convince
the Emperor that he must fight in defence
OF his country's inalievable rights. There
the matter rests until Russia sees fit to make
known her decision
There is considerable evidence that the
influence Of the war party in shaping the
Russian policy has been greatly diminished
recently. The difficulty is that the country
is so far committed to a certain course.
esnecially in Manchuria that it will be
extremely embarrassing to withdraw. no
matter how much she may regret her
original policy and the great sacrifices
that must be made both in past expenditure
and present prestige. 1t is this grave
problem, 30 say the friends of Russia.
which is delaying her reply to Japan. In
the meantime the danger Of war from
spontaneous combustion. 80 to speak, in
the Far East ia great.