The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-18
RUSSIA'S HOPE OF PEACE VAIN
CHANCE FOR AN ALLIANCE WITH
JAPAN HAS PASSED.
Grand Ducni Cabal Alone Desires That
Hostiliues Continue-Scheme Sug-
Eested Likely to he Sharply Resented
! in Tokio-Germany Is Aiding Russia.
Special Cable De,poteh TO TIE SUN.

Special Gable Despofeh 10 TIE Sun.
LONDON, Sept. l7.-Profound but anony-
nous announcements of great events
pending in international politics come this
week from several sources. To discuss
the first, namely. Russias reported desire
to end the war by making Japan friend
and ally it is only necessary TO repeat
what was said in these dispatches fort
night ago, that Russias ingenious scheme
comes too late.
The argument from the Russian stand
point, which was cabled to The SUN yester-
day, is perfectly sound. There Is little
difficulty in recognizing n. de Witte as the
anonymous statesman quoted by the Daily
Telegraph, and the views expressed TN
doubtedly have been his for long time.
1t is true also that there was time,
previous to the Anglo-Japanese alliance.
when Japan would willingly have made
friendly compact with Russia whereby
Oriental interests would have been equi-
tably divided between the two countries.
1t is not improbable that Minister Kurino
made overtures to this effect, but they were
spurned almost without consideration.
Russia has learned lesson since, and it is
certain that her liberal and honest states
men would welcome a Japanese alliance
upon terms far more generous than Japan
dreamed Of asking in ante-bellum days.
But what Inducements could Russia
offer now that would tempt the Mkado to
break faith with Great Britain and offend
the United Statesp A Russo-Japanese
alliance, with Germany in the background
would soon drive the opposing interests
into an open or secret coalition and create
world crisis of appalling peril. No existing
alliance, least OF all the Franco Russian
alliance. could stand the strain.
1t Is limited that the plan would not in
olude an imme date alliance Of the two
belligerents. but would seek an early peace
on liberal terms, with the distinct under
standing that formal alliance should be
made when Japan could free herself from
her engagements with Great Britain. The
whole scheme, in fact, seems to imply that
Japan secured the existing compact with
England as a makeshift to help bring Russia
to her terms, intending all the time to join
the enemies OF Great Britain and America
az soon as she had succeeded in extorting
o satisfactory bargain.
II is only fair to believe that this Russian
suggestion OF Machiavellian policy to
Japan will be received in Toxic with sharp
resentment and Reputation 1t Is further
intimated from st. Petersburg that the
foregoing plan ia receiving the Cars
serious consideration. The answer to thiS
il that the Grand Ducal oabal, which con-
trols the Gear and Russia, must be destroyed
bsfore this or any other scheme for ending
the war can prevail. There is no sign as
yet that their power has been shaken. q
The real Significance in the appointment
OF Prince Svietopolk- Mirski to succeed NJ.
de Plehve as Minister Of the Interior Ia
not yet clear. He Is credited with holding
mildly liberal ideas but it must be re-
membered that the selection OF another
notorious tyrant "a administrator Of Rus
sias domestic affairs would have boon
equivalent to throwing another victim to
the assassins, and therefore was probably
never contemplated.
The influence Of the Grand Dukes and
the bureaucracy could not be seriously
impaired without the fact speedily becom-
ing apparent. Their determination to pros
ecute the war without stop or hindrance
10 unquestionable. The earnest desire OF
all others in Russia, high and low alike,
to seek peace has grown very strong since
the Liaoyang defeat
The plan above considered appeals to
many and it is finding significant express
sion. THE Suns st. Petersburg CORE
spondent telegraphs that widespread dis
oussion has been reused by the published
letter OF Prince Mestchersky, in which
he rebukes those Russian writers who in
sist that the war must be fought to finish.
Prince Mestchersky is the only Russian
editor with personal influence and access
H. Ia ahpI tha
internal departure a month ago, when, con-
trary TO his previous writings, he declared
that the bureaucratic repression ought
to be diminished and the provincial coun-
ellis consulted in loca affairs Prince
Mestchersky now writes:
Peace is the holy idea of the Emperors
father, who saw the horrors of the Turkish
war before he came to the throne and kept
peace inviolate throughout his reign His
son showed his own ideal when he sought
to originate a movement for the peace
of the whole universe.
In the face of the present position Of
the war" he says further, "if we would
be finally victorious, we must place on the
scene a feet three times as powerful as
that Of the Japanese and maintain an army
in Manchuria Of 100000 rpen and perma-
nently weaken all our European frontiers.
Tho sooner we finish the war with Japan
the sooner will VIC finish serving the inter-
ests Of England. II we arrange a salts
factory settlement with Japan we can face
TRANQUILITY the future between two strong
alies-Japan on the east and Germany on
the West-and postpone for long time
the Chinese military renaissance"
The interest in Prince Mestcherksys
letter is enhanced by the fact that he Is
now on prolonged visit to Germany.
Germany's efforts to seek the closest
relationship with Russia arouse intense
interest in Europe. There is strong reason
to believe that there is full truth In the re-
ported understanding by which she is CIV
ing Russic every possible practical as
distance.
Despite the emphatic, almost angry,
denial published to-day there Is not the
highest doubt that an arrangement ex-
.sted whereby the Port Arthur feet sought
escape to the harbor Of Kiaochau, where
would have remained in safe refuge to
: he end of the war. 1t begins to be evident,
indeed after the Lena incident, that this will