Willmar tribune., 1904-11-16
QUEEN ALEXANDRA
WORKING FOR PEACE
Prominent Russian Official Says War
Is Not Subject for Arbitration
The Casualties at shakhe River
Battle.

k11Col LQV 1S14A VI IOA = al IuuT Jdkt1u
would, l believe, be ready to treat for
peace on no higher essential basis than
that Russia should evacuate Manchuria,
Japan also agreeing to a similar evacua-
ton. The two great difficulties In the
way Of any suggestion Of peace are, first,
the apparent opposition Of Emperor
Nicholas present advisers to a settle
ment of any kind; second, the preserva-
ton of Russian prestige. When a ma
tons prestige, if not gone, is severely
impaired, it is difficult matter, even
with the best of intentions, to preserve
it,
Queen Working for Peace.
1t is learned that Queen Alexandra
has been In constant communication
with the dowager empress of Russia and
Emperor Nicholas himself during the
last few days. This is interpreted here
as hopeful sign and as possibly likely
to lead, though not in the immediate
future, to the establishment of some
modus vivendi whereby steps looking
to arbitration might be initiated without
offense to Russia.
The reiteration of the American state
departments determination not to in
tervene except on requests from both
of the belligerents tallies with the off,
cial attitude of the British government,
but it is thought that before long some
method may privately be devised where
by this diplomatic barrier to action will!
be overcome.
Cannot Accept Arbitration.
st. Petersburg, Nov. 12.-It is con-
sidered significant that the Russian
newspapers ignore Lord Lansdowne's
suggestion regarding Russo-Japanese
arbitration. Referring to Lord Lans-
downe's arbitration suggestion a
prominent official of the foreign Office
expressed the opinion that such an Of
fer even coming from Japan could
not possibly be accepted. \"Such a
controversy" he said, "cannot be arbi-
trated. The idea is not worth consid-
ering. We believe the war has reached
the turn of the tide and it must go
on. The only possibility of peace
now, in my opinion, would be on the
basis of proposition submitted> to
Russia by Japan offering to accept
less than she demanded before hostil-
tiles opened. AS it is inconceivable
that Japan at this juncture is pre-
pared to Offer such terms l can see
no chance of ending the war;"
Paris dispatches published here say
that the French government express
ly excluded the intention of interven-
ing when it proposed it's good Offices
for the settlement of the North sea
dispute.
Casualties at Shakhe River.
St. Petersburg, Nov. ia correct
ed casualty list of the len-day battle
OF the Shakhe river issued by the war
Office places the total of killed or
wounded at 33,250, of whom 900 were
officers. The first returns, it is ex-
planned, contained Implications and
some of the men were so slightly
wounded that they returned to the
ranks in few days.
There is persistent but uncon-
flrmed rumor here that Gen. Gripen-
berg, commander Of the Russian Sec
ond army, has been stricken with
apoplexy at Wilma. It is said that he
had stroke two years ago. There
fore his selection to command the
second army created some surprise at
the war Office.
Artillery Fire Continues.
Mukden, Nov. 10, via Tientsin, Nov.
12.-An artillery fire from both sides
is continued at intervals. 1t is heav-
1er on the Russian wing, where, all
day on November and also during
the night, the Russians shelled the
Japanese positions with their heavy
guns. Neither side on that date
gained any advantage. As result Of
the heavy bombardment by the Rus
SLAMS the Japanese have withdrawn
some of their batteries from the ad-
vanced positions. 1t is now believed
that, not being ready to attack, they
ere falling back to the hills. The
Russians gained a great advantage
when towards the end of the battle on
Shakhe river, they recaptured Lone
Tree Hill, which has since been re-
named Poutilon Hill in honor of the
colonel who led the last successful at
tack. This hill commands q large
part of the plain over which the JAP
anese must advance.