The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1905-03-21
The Gar, Whose Word Is Final,
Declines to Abandon PrOsecu-
ton of the Conflict.
POWERFUL INFLUENCE AGAINST IT
Several of the EmperOr's Ministers
Are Strongly Urging Peace on a
Reasonable Basis With Japan.
1t Is Commended That the Russian Gov
eminent Can Make a Dignified
Peace Without Glory But
Not Without Honor

st. Petersburg, March 20-While
Emperor Nicholas, whose word is fl
nal, still declines to abandon the pros
ecution of the war and the govern
ment maintains it's ability to continue
the conflict, press representative is
in a position to state that powerful
influences, including several of the
emperor's own ministers, are now
strongly urging that the time has
come to indicate to Japan Russia'S
desire for peace upon a reasonable
basis. Should Japan then attempt to
impose too onerOus conditions, these
influences argue that in view of the
universal wish to see the bloody con-
flict ended, Russia's position will be
strengthened abroad by the alienation
of sympathy Of Japan and the situa-
ton at home improved when the ma
ton is made to understand that the
emperor's pacific proposals have been
met with impossible terms. One Of
the emperor's ministers in converse
ton said:
Both Countries Suffered Heavily.
1--WE have suffered bitter defeat on
land and sea. We can, however, still
continue the war. But both countries
have suffered great losses in blood
and treasure and it would only profit
the rivals Of both were we to fight on
until one or the other is exhausted.
Russia has had a hard task fighting
the war against such adversaries, g.,
900 miles from home, and | contend
she can make a dignified peace with
out glory but not without honor. AS
the victor on land and sea, Japan can
afford to remember, as Bismarck did
at the conclusion of the AustrO-Prus-
sian war, that two countries which
must live through the long future as
neighbOrs may need each others
friendship. Japan may consider the
time propitious. on account of the sit
uation in European Russia, to try and
crush us. Suppose, for the sake OF
argument, she succeeded in finally
forcing a humiliating peace it could
not be more than an armed truce.
Japan Must Be Reasonable.
Russia is too big and powerful to
retire permanently from the field.
The clouds at home will eventually
roll away. With the army and navy
reorganized in five, ten or fifteen
years, there will come inevitably our
revenge No permanent peace is pos
sible now or later unless Japan is rea-
sonable."
To the suggestion of the possibility
of an alliance between Russia and ia
pan. the minister said: "A reasona-
BILE peace must first be established.
Russia's Remuneration of her entire
Manchurian policy should satisfy ia
pans claims She could have her pro-
tectorate over Korea, such privileges
on the Kwantung peninsula and at
Port Arthur as the powers would not
oppose and the Chinese Eastern rail
road be placed under international
control, Russia maintaining her rights
to a railway line through Northern
Manchuria to VlaivOstok.
Russia never yet has paid indem-
nifty and history practically affords no
precedent for indemnity when terri
tory is not occupied to insure pay
ment. and Japan holds not a foot of
Russian territory. Japan could, how
ever, take the proceeds of the sale of
property and the rights of the Chinese
Eastern railroad, which was built with
Russian money"