The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-20

emperor's pacific proposals have been
met with impossible terms.
One of the emperor's ministers, in
q conversation with the Associated
Press. said:
I'VE 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 un-
til one or the other is exhausted. Rus
sia has had a hard task fighting the
war against such adversaries 5000
miles from home, and I contend she
can make a dignified peace without
glory, but not without honor. AS the
victor on land and sea, Japan can ar
ford to remember as Bismarck did at
the conclusion of the AuStro-Pruss1an
war, that two countries which must
live through the long future as neigh
bors may need each others friendship.
Japan may consider the time pro-
pitious on account of the situation IN
European Russia to try to crush u.s.
Suppose, for the sake of argument,
she succeeded in finally forcing hu-
initiating peace. it could not be more
than an armed truce. Russia, is too
big and powerful to retire permanent
ly from the field. The clouds at home
win eventually roll away. With the
army and navy reorganized in f1ye,
ten or fifteen years there will come
inevitably our revenge. No perma-
unless Japan is reasonable"
To the suggestion of the possibility OF
an alliance between Russia and japan,
the minister said:
"a reasonable peace must first be es-
What was asked, would be rea-
soma ble?''
Broadly speaking, Russia's renunci-
alton of her entire Manchurian policy
should satisfy Japon'S claims. She could
have her protectorate over Korea, such
privileges on the KWatung peninsula
and at Port Arthur as the powers will
not oppose, and the Chinese Eastern
railways be placed under international
control, Russia maintaining her rights
to a railway line through Northern
Manchuria to VladivoStok.
What would be Russia's attitude on
the subject of indemnify"
Russia never has paid indemnity,
and history practically affords no pre-
cedent for indemnity when a territory
is not occupied to insure payment, and
Japan holds not a. foot of Russian ter
ritory. japan could, however, take the
proceeds of the sale Of property ana
rights of the Chinese Eastern railway,
which was built with Russian money"
Proceeding, the minister said the diff
cuItieS of continuing the war were fully
appreciat ted, both from the military and
a financial standpoint, but neither was
insurmountable. He denied emphatic
ally that the negotiations would be re-
sumed soon. The success of the internal
loan, first announced by the Associated
Press Saturday, the minister said, is as
sured. AS for the question of a new
army, much depended upon the exact
situation when General Linevitch got
to army out of the danger
The minister said further that "com-
plete details of General Kuropatkin's
losses have not yet reached the govern
ment but it is already known that the
Japanese reports are greatly exag-
gerated.
1.-THE reports that sixty siege guns
and many hundred cars were left be-
hind is false, as practically no siege
guns or rolling stock fell into the hands
of the Japanese