The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-14
Walter Wellman s Washington Special
 to Chicago Record-Herald.

disaster that has overtaken the Rus sian nation, the world will be surprised attitude as to the future is one of mod eration and even of generosity to a fallen foe.
 While all the world is wondering how much will remain of kuropatkin great army by the time the triumphant Japanese have finished with them, and while military authorities everywhere are sounding the praises of Marshal cial and diplomatic world is speculating as to the immediate future and the prospect for peace. Obviously the current talk of peace
 negotiations must be more or less con
 jectural. The many and conflicting re-
 ports that come out of St. Petersburg throw no satisfactory light upon the in- tentions of the Czar. Nor Is 1t expect ed that the Russian Emperor will seri.. ously take up the great program of what he and his Government are going to do till after the veil shall have been lifted from pMukden and the surround ing country and it be ascertained whether or not Kuropatkin has even the remnant of an army left to form the
 nucleus of a new fighting force.
 One mans guess that the Czar will now be forced to conclude peace may
 be no more valuable than anothers guess that the damaged pride and lat ent patriotism of the Russian people will now be so reused that the Govern ment simply must continue the war to the bitter end.
 But in this hour of crisis in the his- tory of the Russian nation, and. indeed. in the history of the Russian nation, and indeed. in the history of the whole Euro-Asiatic continent, one most im- portant phase of the situation Is open to pertinent inquiry and satisfactory response. This is as to the attitude. broadly. of the Japanese Government, and on this score your correspondent ic not fn a tion.
 The general attitude of the Japanese Government is known in Washington, and probably in the higher official cir cles of other national capitals. In- stead of being drunk with victory, in- stead of planning to destroy Russian power throughout all Eastern Asia, in- advance to the westward toward Eu- ropean Russia itself. with thet payment of enormous war indemnity as the price to be paid for staying the feet of the titude is one of extreme moderation and fairness. If the Czar is finally con- vinced that his cause is hopeless one and that peace must be had. there is Japan will smooth his way as much as possible and make 1t as easy as cir- cumstances admit for the Russians to swallow their pride and stop the horrid putcnery..
 It is premature to talk of terms in detail. Even the Japanese have not come to that. There Is no substantial evidence that the Czar and his coun- selors have reached the point where they are willing to inquire what terms may be had from the victor, but 1t is important to know that the conqueror Is in no truculent or voracious mood. If the vanquished nation will but take the trouble to learn the truth, 1t will find that I1nan Ia ready to open the door to peace negotiations and to assure the loser that behind the door a reasonable man will be found to deal with.
 This is precisely what Japan con- veyed to the Czar, through Berlin and Washington, after the fall of Port Ar thur. Within a few days. I have req son to believe a similar intimation will same Governments, as to the situation created by the fall of Mukden and the virtual destruction of Kuropatkin's army as fighting force.
 Of prime importance is the fact that at the present time Japan's demands are not likely to be much more onerous upon Russia. than they were two an accurate and trustworthy account of what happened after the surrender of that fortress. The Japanese Govern ment decided it would be the part Of "ISuOHi anu IL tO III some manner to the Czar that peace might be had on reasonable terms pro- vided the Czar were to seek 1t. Ar engagements were made to convey these neither put Japan in the false attitude of suing for peace nor impinge too sharply upon Russia's pride. Both President Roosevelt and the Emperor of The United States was selected as Ja- pans next friend" and the Kaiser as the guide and counsellor of the Czar. With their usual tact. the Japanese did as the relations between St. Petersburg and London are not as cordial as be- tween the Russian capital and Berlin.
 Both the Kaiser and the President managed to discharge their part of the duty with tact and skill. The Kaiser sent Prince Frederick to St. Petersburg to see the Car In what manner Pres ident Roosevelt conveyed his message I am not permitted to state. It is enough to know that such influence as the German Emperor and the American President were able to exert in a deli cate way was exerted in behalf of peace. But without avail. The Czar and his counsellors determined to con- tinue the conflict till one victory at least should come to soften their wounded pride.
 The intimations which Japan thus conveyed to the Czar after the fall of
 Port Arthur were that a settlement might be had on the following basis: Port Arthur and the Liao Tung Pen insula to remain in Japanese hands. Korea to remain under Japanese suzerainty.
 Russia to evacuate Manchuria up near to Harhin.
 The Chinese Eastern Railway from Harbin to Port Arthur and Dalny to pass under Japanese control. There was no suggestion of an in demnity and Vladivostok, the original terminus of the Siberian Railway, was left in Russias possession.
 As soon as 1t became known in the diplomatic and official world that Oya- mas brilliant strategy was sure to overthrow Kuropatkin at Mukden. speculation at once started up as to the effect of this almost unparalleled defeat upon the outlook for peace. It was generally believed Japan would ceedingly well informed quarters the opinion was expressed that, instead ef permitting Russia to retain Vladivos- tOk. Japan would now demand cession of all of Eastern Siberia, including the railways east and south from Harbin. thus wiping Russia off the map as 2 power in the littoral of the Pacific Ocean. not only stopping the Russian advance to the sea, but sweeping 1t backward a thousand miles in distance and half a century or more in time. It was also believed Japan would now insist upon an indemnity of perhaps $500, 100000.
 This view was supported by the enormous losses Japan has suffered and