The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-12
Russian Foreign Office Expects
 Delay to bs Brief
ROOSEVELT MAY lGyS.sy
General Opinion, How sS to the Effect That Russl. Japan Should Arrange the
 Terms Unaided.

St. Petersburg. June Il, 11:15 a. m.- Russia is waiting for Japan to fix the time and place when and where the Jap anese terms will be placed in the hands of Russia's representatives. The foreign office expects that the delay will be brief. The Emperor's government would prefer that Paris should be the scene of the negotiations, but neither the place nor the personality of Russias represent atves are discussed greatly.
 During the temporary armistice both countries probably will be free to con tinue the movement of troops and muni- tions of war within prescribed limits, al- though nothing definite on this point will be known until the meeting takes place.
 If Russia finds that the conditions are on basis on which negotiations can pro- ceed regular plenipotentiaries will be ap- pointed, the number being decided by the belligerents themselves, and then it Is not impossible that the negotiations might be based on Manchuria, as President Roosevelt is believed to have suggested.
 PIenipotentiares Not Chosen.
 It is stated at the foreign office that
  yet been officially considered, but it is regarded as almost certain that Arnbas- sador Baron Rosen will be chosen on ac- count of his acquaintance with the far eastern conditions.
 George De Staal who preceded Count Benkendorff as Russian ambassador to London, and who was president of the peace conference at The Hague in 1S99 might be another although circumstances at The Hague end the fact that he has been several years out of touch with ac- tive diplomacy, might initiate against him.
 The number of plenipotentiaries would be a matter of mutual agreement. though Russian precedents lean to two. In the Crimean war when the allies finally de- cided to accept Prince Gortchakoff's con- temptuous advice, If we can't fight, hen make peace,' two plenipotentiaries, Count Carloff and Baron Brunnow, conducted the negotiations for Russia. Again at the end of the Russo-Turkish war the same number, Mignatoff and M. Nelidoff concluded the treaty of San Stephano.
 Roosevelt Can Be of Service.
 President Roosevelt also might be of service in arranging preiminaries but Russia would be disposed to respect his advice to settle all questions after the first meeting directly with Japan. While proffering all the aid in his power 1t is well understood here that the Pres ident having served to bring the repre- sentatives of the warning countries face to face believes it would be to the best interests of all concerned that he step aside
 The United States 1t is recognized here desires to keep all the powers out of temptation of the spells of war to be di- vided and to follow out the logical se- quence of the pledge secured by Secre- tary Hay at opening of the conflict
 The statement in these dispatches last week that Emperor William warmly sup ported Roosevelts efforts is confirmed and information now in the possession of the Associated Press indicates that the German Emperor not only heartily ap- proves the Presidents course but may have his share in 1t as he did in the case of Secretary Hays note to the pow CTS of which he was the actual inspira- ton.
 Hays Action Endorsed.
 Secretary Hays action has been en- dorsed by practically all the European powers. notably France, Great Britain and Italy, and the fact that potn peilis gerents now understand the solidity of the powers in the view that the time has come to end the struggle imposes moral pressure upon both Wnich VIII compel them to come to terms or race the disapprobation of the civilized world
 Too much credit for the President diplomatic triumph cannot be bestowed on Ambassador Never who handled the Russian end with consummate skill, keep ing his own counsel even against me applause of his colleagues in the dlpio- matic corps and going straight to the throne with the Presidents message, thus avoiding the formalities, delays and pos sible complications of the regular peau- cratic channels.
 Personal Message to Czar.
 President Roosevelt through Ambassa- dor Meyer has sent a personal message of thanks to Emperor Nicholas Tor the reccplon of his appeal. m c,piolia'ic cir,.les here it is felt that Great Britain can now play a great role in secondlng the l.resIoents initiative by restraining her al,y anG counselling m ferate terms. F,areh and humilating terms would not bs accep ed, and for that reason dlplo n,atic c'rcics express the greatest skep- tic.sm as to whether Japan, elated by her ", nde1sul victories, will be reasoh- ahle enopgf to offer a bass which Rus sta can posslpl- accept If at ths end Russ:a ,ue forced to humble herself in tn. cnst ner ignominy would spur her to see,S re, enge as Alsace-Lorraine dio fer France fer many years.
 Exact Terms Not Known.
 Members of the diplomatic corps, even tha British embassy, are convinced that while the main outlines of the terms or peace are matters of common knowledge in America and in the chancellories or Europe. Japan has not revealed her exact terms even to her ally.
 Russia is not likely to prove recaici- trant. According to the best opinion she is prepared to abandon the whole or ner Manchurian adventure and give guaran- tees The rub will come upon the ques- tion of indemnity, which 1t is the con sensus of opinion in diplomatic circles, Japan will exact. but if it should be made moderate and sugar-coated so that it could be liquidated by the sale of the Chinese Eastern railroad and the cession of Russian property and leases in the Kwantung peninsula, 1t might be over come Russia probably will insist on holding the railroad to Vladivostok through northern Manchuria, and will