The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1905-03-23
RUSSIA MAY SOON MAKE
A PROPOSAL OF PEACE
CzAR GIVING MUCH ATTENTION
TO THE QUESTION.

"u 10 AnuAcate 10 Japan hussias
Willingness to End the war-Report
That Emperor william Has offered
His Good Offices Seems to be Con-
firmed.
st. Petersburg, March 23.-12:35 a. m.)
The party within the government
which is urging the emperor to indi-
cate to japan Russia's willingness to
end the war if reasonable basis can
be reached, as related in these dis
patches on March 20 has been greatly
encouraged the last few days, and an
actual pacific proposal may be Just
ahead. The subject has occupied much
of the attention of the conferences at
Tsarskoe Selo. Certain grand dukes, sup
ported by General Saknaroff, the minis
ter Of war. Admiral Avellan. the head
Of the admiralty, and what is known
as the war party, are still bitterly op-
posed to the idea of peace under pres
ent circumstances; but with the excep-
ton Of the ministers of war and ma
rine the eTnperor's ministers, backed by
M. Witte, solidly favor this course, and
the convincing arguments they offer
are telling. French influences in the
same direction are now being supported
by German opinion. The rumor noted
by The Associated Press last week that
Emperor William had rendered his good
offices now seems to be confirmed The
Associated Press is in position to as
sert, however that if Emperor Nicholas
decides to approach Japan it will be
through France and that negotiations
will be conducted either between NJ.
Delcasse, the French foreign minister
and DR.. Montono, the Japanese minis
ter at Paris. or M. Harmand. the
French minister to Japan and Count
Katsura, the Japanese premier at To-
kio.
The Russian government now feels
certain that Japan will not make the
first move or disclose her position until
overtures are made authoritatively in
the Russian emperor's name. on the
ground that he alone is capable of
binding Russia Tt is quite possible that
Japan's attitude in this regard has been
exposed through unofficial attempt to
ascertain terms. Japan, it will be re-
membered, took the same position when
Herr Detring, the German commission
ser of customs at Tientsin without plen-
ary powers, sought to obtain Japan's
terms for ending the China-Japanese
war. declining. to treat until Ii Hung
Chang accompanied by General John
w. Foster, went to Toxic clothed with
full powers Furthermore, in view Of
the possibility that no basis Of agree
1nent might result even should the en-
peror now approach Japan with pacific
proposals. it is regarded as entirely
likely that hostilities would continue,
again following the precedent of the
China japanese war, until negotiations
ended The China-Ja Japanese negotia-
tions were begun in December and
peace was concluded in the following
April Meanwhile the Japanese made a
winter campaign in Manchuria.
In the conferences concerning the
question whether Russia should now
indicate her willingness for peace all
agreed, firstly, that preparations to
continue the war shall not be relaxed,
and, secondly, to reject humiliating
terms There probably would be two
points on which Russia would be found
implacable, namely, cession of territory
and indemnity, to neither. of which, it
is said, would Emperor Nicholas ever
agree. 1t is pointed out, however, that
if Japan is seriously desires enduring
peace on collateral questions Russia
might be ready to offer liberal compen-
satory considerations. For instance, in
lieu Of direct indemnity she might turn
over to Japan the proceeds of the sale
of all the rights and property of the
ports Arthur and Dalny and the Chi
nese Eastern railways and liberal pay
for the maintenance Of Russian pris-
oners in Japan, and, while refusing to
cede Sakhalin, might grant rights to
the fisheries there or even relinquish all
the valuable sea fisheries on the Com
rnander islands. 1t is possible, also that
satisfactory arrangements might be
made regarding Russian naval strength
in eastern waters for a period Of years.