Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-09
TO EFFECT A PEACE
Russia Believed to Favor a
Council of the Powers.
VIEW OF DIPLOMATS
TRUSTING TO THE MERCY OF THE
NATIONS,
Alleged Clever Game to Gain the Best
Possible Terms-Why Japan Would
Oppose Such an Attempt.

Not only are the prospective terms Of
diplomatic circles, but the method by which
these terms to be determined is of more
immediate Importance to the people who
are watching the international attempt to
close the great war between the two leading
powers of the far east.
1t is understood in diplomatic circles that
Russia is making move toward throwing
her case into what would have practically
the erect of an arbitration She does not
want arbitration, and has not yet taken
positive steps in the carrying out of any
plan for concluding a peace, but at the
same time it is said there is shown a strong
tendency on the part of her representatives
mere toward the submission of Japans
propositions to a council of the powers.
That is just what Japan has no intention
OF doing. She considers herself and Russia
big enough to look after their own inter-
ests with the good offices of an interme-
diary power merely in order to make the
negotiations proceed with greater facility.
But so far as Japan is concerned it is gem
orally believed that the close of the war IS
to be as independent of outside influence as
If the generals of the two nations were
drawing up the terms of peace on the
battlefield, or as If diplomatic representa-
tives of the two governments were meeting
Proposed Council Of Powers.
1t is understood that Russia is taking
the view that there would be nothing for
her to lose and much ITO gain by having
the proposals of Japan submitted to a
council of the powers. Such a conference
with the purpose of declaring as to the
reasonableness of japanese demands
would have given to it's conclusion a
wonderful influence. 1t would be difficult
for Japan to fly in the face of such de-
termination and for that reason and be-
cause Japan believes that such course
is unnecessary, and even humiliating to
her, there is no disposition on her part to
adopt it.
The situation is such, in the opinion of
men who have carefully followed these
everts, that Russia must accept almost
anything that Japan offers unless she can
command some influence outside of her own
realms to protect her. No one seriously
suggests that Russia has any further fight
ing powers that are worthy of considera-
ton at this time. She has been beaten at
every stage of the war and it is quite gem
orally believed that further resistance
would only expose her helplessness.
Trusting to Mercy of Nations.
For these reasons Russia would like to
throw herself on the mercy of the nations,
using such arguments privately as would
induce as favorable consideration as pos
final terms of peace. She could thus have
the advantage Of all that prejudice and
fear of the yellow peril that exists in
some quarters of Europe.
She could use the subtle argument that
to place large indemnity in the hands of
Japan would simply result in it's diSburse-
ment for armaments of war to the danger
of the peace of the world. Her own help
lessness would be a guarantee that for
many years to come she could not engage
in war, and a small award accorded to
Japan would to that extent guard against
an invasion of the peace of the world.
In diplomatic circles it is said that the
Japanese are not likely to be beaten in this
game of diplomacy. Russia is looked upon
as being strong automatically, although
weak from a military point of view. Many
men are wondering whether, after her
we're whipping, she will be able by the
wiles of diplomacy to evade much Of the
disaster of the war.
Even the influence that the President is
supposed to use in his capacity of inter
mediary is not believed to be settled by
many of the diplomats. 1t is difficult to
coin a word that would exactly describe the
position to be taken by the President in this
case But it is declared confidently by men
who are familiar with what is going
about the White House that the President
has not yet any function except that nee
essary for two hostile governments to carry
on a communication. Whether not that
power will be changed is a question that
interests every one.