Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-22


en- any indication to France that she
is ready TO take up the question OF
peace and therefore the authorities
here do not feel qualified to discuss
the ST Petersburg reports giving the
precise terms.
Reports Explained.
The reports are explained substan-
TALLY as follows:
Peace sentiment has lately been
steadily augmented throughout Rus
sia, particularly outside of St. Peters
burg and within recent days some of
the most influential personages in St
Petersburg have come out favorable
TO peace and have sought to impress
responsible officials that the time has
arrived to take definite action.
OmcIaIs slow TO See Light.
However those having the chief re
sponsibility such as Foreign Minister
Lamsdorff have not yet shown will
ingness to accept the peace arguments
Therefore so long as the Russian for
eign office is not prepared to accept
the peace view il is considered doubt
full of accomplishment. In spite of this.
peace reports are considered a hope
full sign of the tendency in the high
est quarters towards peace.
No License TO Talk of Terms.
The Japanese legation points out
that peace negotiations require certain
definite steps between the parties and
as Russia has not yet made the slight
est overture to Japan concerning
terms Russia is not in a position to
elaborate on the pacific conditions
Officially the legation inclines 10 the
view that ST Petersburg reports were
designed TO sound official sentiment in
Japan. What Toxic will say is not
known.
A. Seen in Germany.
Berlin. Feb. 22.-That the Russian
emperor has actually determined to
seek peace does not appear to be
known here officially, but this court has
been aware that the emperor's mind
was wavering between peace and the
continuance of the war. What he has
so far decided to do seems TO be to re-
quest of France to ask the British for
eign office to inquire of Japan what
terms might be expected were Russia
To propose peace. Russia will thus be
able TO refuse open negotiations if
Japan's terms are eXorbitant.
London Calls IL Toy Balloon.
London. Feb. 22.-The terms on
which Russia is reported to be prepar-
ed to conclude peace are regarded in
official circles in London as inadequate
and largely in the nature of a trial bal
loon. Among British officials the
speedy cessation, Of hostilities is most.
" based on official advices telling of
increasing asCendency and activity OF
the peace party in Russia.
want japan 10 Propose Terms.
81. Petersburg. Feb. 22-Although
the party which is advocating peace as
the only egress from the present situa-
tion continues to gain strength nothing
has actually been decided and no move
has yet been made. Il Is officially
maintained Russia's attitude is un-
changed. At the foreign Office not tn,
slightest encouragement is given TO
peace talk. II is affirmed as strongly
as ever that Japan must propose the
terms
Peace IntImatioBs.
London, Feb 22-Iutimations of ap.
preaching peace in the far east. an
nounced some time ago. received this
morning further support from St Pet
ersburg The Information. which is as
crihed TO a source enjoying high pat
ronage." says not only has the ques
tion OF peace been discussed by the
czar. but the conditions on which Rus
sia is prepared to make peace practi.
cally have been agreed upon. These
are:
/ That Corea be placed under Japs
nese suZerainty.
. That Port Arthur and Liaotune
peninsula be ceded 10 Japan.
3. That Vladivostok be declared 3
neutral port on the open door system
4. That the Chinese eastern rail
way be placed under neutral interna
tionai administration
5 That Manchuria as far north a.
Harbin be restored as an integral part
of the Chinese empire
IadeHauIty oaIy Obstacle.
The difficulty lies IN settling the