Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-22
PEACE IS TALKED
In the Courts of Europe Re-
garding the Far East.
War Talk Limit Reached and Influence
Is Now Being Felt.
Thouqht Tha. Whole Matter Will &c
Laid on the Table,

London. Jan. 21.-The Westminster
Gazette. Thursday afternoon Voices
official and general opinion on the far
Eastern crisis saying:
We believe the chances of peace are
ut this moment more iaForapie ''i.''
they have been for some weeks past.
The Associated Press learns that
even Lord Lansdowne. who has been
consistently pessimistic. Wednesday,
took a hopeful view of the situation
and expressed the belief that war
would be averted. His opinion was
based on the conditions outlined Ill
these dispatches, "Wednesday. namely.
that Russia is willing to concede prac-
tically all Japan'S demands. but. that
she cannot see her way to make n
treaty with Japan recognizing i'll black
and white Chins'S sovereignty over
Manchuria.
Discussing this. however. Baron
Hayashi, the japanese minister TO
Great Britain. maintains pessinistic
view. He declares that Japan WOULD
rather fight than forego an actual
treaty admission by russia of China 5
sovereignty over Manchuria.
The diplomats here, though differing
in views as to the outcome, all agree
that the dispute is not likely to be set
tied without another depressing period
which is expected to occur when the
war party in Japan raises its ineVita-
bic objections after the receipt of tn
pending Russian reply against any
settlement except by recourse OF arms.
The Times correspondent in Pekin
says the inspired messages alleging
improved prospects of peace, which
have been SO industriously telesraphed
from the Far East and caused the riS,'
in Japanese and Chinese securities. i'll
dictate either that Europe is ignorant
OF the terms of the japanese note sent
to Russia. Jan. l.. or the conviction
that. in face of Japan's determination
to abate nothing in her demands Rus
Sia will climb down. For the not" il
stronger in tone than the preceding
one which was answered by the Rus
sian proposals published in Berlin last
week.
Japan is unable TO accept these pro
posals She will not yield her moderate
standpoint and will not accept the
mediation If third power. She Will
insist upon her reasonable demands be
ing accepted by Russia. Ii they are
not accepted, she will have recourse to
arms.
4 prominent diplomat describes the
situation by saying: Russia has hluil-
ed once too often.
Not only 20 the Japanese but to the
American and the British ministers
china has given satisfactory ass IT
arces that she will maintain neutrality.
The veiShty advice sent by LORD
Iars loWne TO Prince Ching. support
ing Japan in impressing upon china
the necessity Of declaring and MAIN
tanning neutrality, was olportune. u
vas convincing and pleasing To the
Chinese, who. requiring assistance In
international law. has given q seat IN
the Wai-wu-pu (China's new foreign
office to q barrister from Lincoln :
Inn.
The Times st. Petersburg corr"-
sponient says that from a Thoroughly
competent Russian source comes fhr-
Their confirmation of the extremely
peaceful outlook for the present from
the viewpoint of recent conclusion
reached in Russian ruling spheres.
Ii the interest Of peace. it is hoped,
says the correspondent, that the re-
newell demands of Japan Will not oe
dr. es.d in an unconciliatOry spirit, 50
Aas 10 make it difficult for Russia to
continue in her present frame OF rafnd-
II is now said that in Manchuria AL
that japan has asked Is that f;u-Si't
nat ner various declarations i'll the
form of Il treaty. which Russia refuses
to do. AS regards a neutral zone III
t'orea, this proposal appears to nave
been rejected by Japan because Russia
wished to have the zone on one sid"
onlv of the Yalu river. while Japan III
sisted that it be or both sides.
The Times correspondent in Moscow
eays that a telegram from NladiNoStoh
saws the harbor il frozen oVE. n
entrance to the port from tn" Japdu
saa is covered with 4 thick coating OF
ire forming a natural bulWa'k ana
fortress for Vladivostok from the sea
Vessels make their way to the duaEs
with the assistance OF an ic"-brtak"i