The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-20
GAR WANTS ID
 KEEP UP FIGHT Strong Influence is for an
 Honorable Peace SITUATION IS EXPLAINED
One of the czar's Ministers Says Claims of indemnity Will Not .e consldered-Russia Can
 Still Carry on War.

St. Petersburg, March 20. 1:45 a. m.- While Emperor Nicholas, whose word is final. still declines to abandon the pros- ecution of the war and the government maintains its ability to continue the con tiict, the Associated Press is in a position to state thai powerful influences. in ,;rd- ir.g several oi the Emperers own minis ters. are rew strongly urging that the time has Come to indicate to Japan Rus sits desire for peace upon a req ,onaole basis. :sii, uld Japan then attempt to im pose too onerous conditions. these infu- ences argue that in view of the wish to see the bloody conflict ended. Russia ia position will be strengthened abroad by the alienation of Sympathy from Japan and the situation at home improved when the nation is made to understand that the Emperor's pacific proposals have been met with impossible terms.
 One of the Emperors ministers in con versation with the Associated Press, said:
 Can Continue War.
 We have suffered bitter defeat on land and sea. We can, however still continue eho wei iodt Doth countries nave Suf- fered great losses in blood and treas ure, and it would only profit the rivals of both were we to fight on in the war against such adversaries, 6o00 miles from home. l contend we can make a dignified peace without glory, but not without honor. As the victor on land and sea Japan can afford to remember, as Bis marck did at the conclusion of the Aus tro-Prussian war, that two countries 4r h fala r4t Inc n. as neighbors may need each others friendship. Japan may consider the time propitious on account of the situation in European Russian. to try to crush us' Suppose for the sake of argument she succeeds in finally forcing a hnmiliating peace; 1t could not be more than an armed truse, Rnssia is too big and pow erfui to refife kn1anently from the field The clouds at nome will eventually roll way. With the army and navy reorgan- ized In five ten or fifteen years, there will come inevitably our revenge. No perma- nent peace is probable now or later unless Japan is reasonable.
 Reasonable Peace Wanted.
 To the suggestion of the possibility of an allaince between Russia and Japan. tho minister said
 "A reasonable peace must first be estab- lished."
 What was asked, would be reason able?"
 Broadly speaking, Russia's renuncia- tion of her entire Manchurian policy should satisfy Japans claims She could have her protectorate over Korea, which privileges on tho Kwang Tung peninsula, and at Port Arthur as the powers would not oppose, and the Chinese eastern rail- road could be placed under international control, Russia maintaining her rights to a railway line through northern Manchu- ria to Vladivistok.''
 What would Russia's attitude on the subject of indemnity?"
 Russia never yet has paid indemnity, and history practically affords no pre- cedent for indemnity when there is no land occupied to insure payment, and Japan holds not a foot of Russian terri tory. Japan could. however, take the proceeds of the sale of property and the rights of the Chinese eastern railway which was built with Russian money"
 Difficulties Appreciated.
 Proceeding. the minister said the diff faculties of continuing the war were fully appreciated, both from a military and financial standpoint, but neither was un- surmountable. He denied emphatically that the negotiations for French loan were adjourned because Russia would not make peace. He expected these negotia- tions would be resumed soon. The suc- cess of the internal loan, first announced by the Associated Press Saturday, the minister said, is assured. As for the question of a new army, much depended upon the exact situation when General Linevitch got the army out of danger.
 The minister said further that com plete details of General Kuropatkins losses have not yet reached the govern ment. but 1t is already known that the Japanese victories are greatly exaggera- ted. The report that sixty siege guns and many hundred cars were left behind is false, as practically no siege guns or rolling stock fell into the hands of the Japanese. No new general mobilization has been ordered, and it may not be nec- essary. Of the 3O0000 reservists mobilized last fall, 10000 and the fourth army corps, numbering 10000. are now begin ming to arrive in the far east. If, there- fore, Linevitch's army totals 100000 when he reaches Harbin df that for instance Is to be the new basel he will have an army of about 100000. without summoning ad- ditional reserves Some regular units, like a division of the guards, might be sent without further mobilization"