The San Francisco call., 1903-12-03
INFLUENCE
Of AMERICA
AVERTS WAR
Powerful Factor in
the Russo-Japanese
Negotiations.
Peace News From Paris Is
Credited in British
Capital
~1seroy Alexief7s Decision to Return
to st. Petersburg Is Regarded
as Confirming Press.
Advices.

LONDON, Dec. S.-The news cabled
by the Associated Press correspondent
? at Paris that the Governments OF Rus
sia and Japan were on the verge Of an
agreement as TO the Far Eastern diff
culties, and giving the basis Of the
probable agreement, aroused intense
interest in London. The inclination in
most well-informed quarters is to be
Ieve that an agreement insuring the
peaceful solution Of the difficulties is
on the eye OF arrangement Even
where some hesitation is shown as to
the accuracy Of the details, Viceroy
Alexieff's decision TO go TO st. Peters
burg is held as confirmatory Of the in
formation obtained by the press, it be-
ing contended that the Viceroy would
not leave the seat Of the difficulty un-
less he were assured that the negotia-
-tions had reached a stage where no Sc
rious misunderstanding would be prob
able during his absence.
Assuming the news TO be well found
ed, il is supposed that the probable ac-
ton Of the United States may have had
a great deal Of influence in the decision
OF Russia and Japan TO consent to a
compromise in order TO avert war; the
developments of which 1t would be diff
ficult TO foresee.
CZAR'S GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY
The Standard this morning, in a lead
ing editorial, dwells upon the unknown
dangers which might arise for both
powers and considers that the known
conditions gave promise Of protracted
hostilities which, except by a miracle,
could not be confined to the two lead
; ing opponents. The Standard adds:
China is far too deeply concerned to
stand neutral. The action Of the United
States cannot be foreseen with GER
tainty, but America would not be in
different 10 the fate Of Manchuria
while France and Great Britain might
also be drawn into the conflict. Rus
sia's responsibility, therefore, is very
grave and she viii incur the condem-
nation Of the civilized world by an OBJ
stinate adherence 10 the policy of ag-
gression."
The Daily Graphic publishes an ar
ticle in which it claims that it is known
. that Russia an japan have arrived at
a practical agreement in respect TO
each others interest in Manchuria and
Korea The Daily Graphic thinks that
such a bargain is not an ideal one, but
IL says that the statesmen concerned
had 10 accept the lesser Of two evils.
WILL PLACATE JAPANESE.
The Morning Post, which throughout
the crisis Is alleged TO have been in
spired from japanese quarters thinks
it extremely likely thar the arrange
ment arrived at will. ENABLE the Japan
ese Premier to meet the Diet with such
assurances as will calm the rising gen
Grafton and relieve the rensIon which
exists among the press and populace
of Japan.
The Daily Telegraph contends that,
should Russia annex Manchuria, Japan
would be justified in annexing Korea,
and that in such a determination Japan
would count upon the moral support Of
the United States and Great Britain.
The Telegraph believes the arrange
ment outlined from Paris would be a
reasonable solution which we'll might
be accepted by Russia
The Toxic correspondent of the Daily
Mail says that kilograms have been re-
ceived from Seoul to the effect that
japanese Minister Hayassi was in
formed by the Emperor Of Korea at