The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-04
HOPE OF EARLY PEACE SMALL
BEST CHANCE If JAPAN SHOULD
OFFER Liberal TERMS.
Even That Not Likely TO BE Accepted
Russia Practically Decides on New
Campafgn-German suggestion OF q
New Triple Alliance Has Weak Point.

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Campafgn-German suggestion OF q
New Triple Alliance Has Weak Point.
SPECIAL Gable Despatch to THE SUN
LONDON, Sept 3.--The latest successes OF
the Japanese army are naturally coincident
with fresh reports OF intervention and the
probable form thereof The most extraor-
binary OF them Ia the st. Petersburg
report, which was cabled briefly to-day,
to the effect that the Kaiser hopes to Or
ganize Russo German-Japanese alliance
This bold project Is advanced In quite
plausible fashion. 1t Is even said that Mr..
Kurino the former Japanese Minister to
Russia, went to st. Petersburg originally
in behalf OF Japan to advocate this policy
or rather Russo-Japanese alliances and IL
was the spurning OF his overturee by the
grand duoal cabal which led Japan to turn
TO Great Britain. It Is now argued that
Russia must realize that she cannot. single
handed, acquire predominance In the
Pacific, whereas a combination with Japan
and Germany could dominate Asia and
Europe.
There are plenty OF historic precedents
for bellgerents becoming allies after
sanguinary war, notably Austria and Prus-
sia. A powerful argument advanced Is that
the Russian autooracy demand the ooncen-
centration OF all forces in the interior TO
meet the serious difficulties which are
L., h. f,t,, MNrnNvnr
farseeing Russians are becoming convinced
that, however long the war may last. the
terms Of peace will not be one whit more
favorable than those which are available
to-day. The loss Of the fleet destroyed
Russia's last vestige Of hope Of debating
terms in Toxic.
1t is easy to understand how such
scheme would commend itself TO the Kaiser
and the Car, but the presumption that the
Mikado would also welcome 1t is little short
Of ridiculous, Such an alliance would not
only be a direct menace to the United
States and Great Britain, but would be
equally repugnant to France, and the effect
would be to throw those countries into an
opposing coalition.
The prospects Of Intervention, even
assuming that Japan succeeds In capturing
Gen. Kuropatkin's army, are extremely
small. No combination OF Powers for this
object is possible, and no action by single
Power could win acceptance from both
belligerents. Japan, for instance would
regard overtures from Russia 9 ally, France.
far more favorably than from Germany.
Japan's rnistrust OF Germany Is deep and
ineradicable.
Peace. if it comes In the near future. will
be due to Japan's direct initiative. There
is strong reason for believing that II the
present campaign results in complete
Japanese success the Mikado's Govern
ment will propose liberal terms to Russia.
but the question Of their acceptance 10
extremely doubtful
1t must be remembered that while Japan
not won the war. Russia must decide In
the next few weeks whether she will em-
bark on another campaign, and. II words
apparently sincere count for anything,
then it must be said that Russia will de-
eide to do so. Every assurance from Of
fetal quarters during the writer's recent
visit to st. Petersburg was to this effect.
Nevertheless, the internal crisis In Rus
sia is 80 acute, and the will OF the Car 90
unstable, that it would be folly to assert
with confidence which policy will prevail.
New and startling features Of the internal
situation may develop at any moment.
which will alter everything.
1t must be said that the effects Of an over
whelming defeat OF Gen. Kuropatkin upon
the Russian policy would be In favor Of
the continuation Of the war, instead OF
peace. Resentment against the high placed
sooundrels who are responsible for the
war Is rapidly increasing among true Rus
SLAMS, but they also regard defeat by ar
Asiatio Power as an inexplioable shame
They might. submit to partial humiliation
II there were drawn battle. but the dis.
grace which attaches to the present stu
alton will not allow them to advocate q
shameful peace.