Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-08
OPINION AT PARIS.
overtures to Japan Said to Have Begun
Three DAYS Ago.


PARIS June SIT is definitely known
that the Russian foreign minister, Count
Lamsdorff. seconded by NJ. Witte, president
of the committee of ministers, has initiated
ov ertures through the Russian representa-
tives abroad to learn Japan's disposition
and terms of peace These overtures it is
said here, began three days ago and were
the basis of the decidedly more hopeful
view which the officials began to have At
the same time it was then. and still is
recognized that Count Lamsdorff and M.
Witte represent the peace element, and it
is not yet clear how far the movement Is
shared by the emperor.
However, Count Lamsdorff's position gives
the overtures the force of coming from re-
sponsible quarters, whereas the previous
movements lacked official origin. This
clears the way for conversations between
officials and diplomats here and at other
capitals which are now actively going
on. These necessarily are circuitous owing
to Russas inability to approach Japan di-
rectly NJ. Nelidoff, the Russian imbassa-
dor here, has already conferred with the
French authorities who are fully aware OF
the desires of Count Lamsdorf and NJ
Witte. The change of the foreign office
portfolio from NJ. Delcasse to Premier Rou-
vier caused slight delay, but there is
every indication that NJ Rouvier will lend
strong aid toward bringing the parties to-
gether. This is likely to occur both
through the japanese authorities here and
indirectly, with London as an intermediary
of Japan. British and American influences
are chiefly relied on to move Japan, now
that Count Lamsdorff and NJ. Wtte have
made the preliminary approaches.
The sentiment here is strongly against
over-optimism, as it is said serious obstacles
remain. One of the chief among them is
the emperor's failure personally to approve
Count Lamsdorfs initiative, which leaves
doubt to whether the movement has the
silent acquiescence of the emperor. Diplo-
bpre be view that Tokyo would
prefer to continue the war until Vladi-
vostok is taken and all the territory up to
Lake Baikal is under Japanese control
The diplomats also believe that Tokyo Will
hesitate to lay down terms until 1t is clear
that Emperor Nicholas is willing to treat
Zemstvo Delegation to Gear.
MOSCOW, June S.-rhe all-Russian Zem-
stvo congress today elected a deputation of
ten delegates, headed by Count Hayden
and NJ. Shipoff to present an address to
the emperor asking for the immediate con-
vocation of a representative assembly to
decide the question of peace or war
Change in Newspaper Tone.
ST PETERSBURG, June S.-There is
significant change in tone on the part OF
some of the Russian newspapers like the
Novoe yrenya which never heretofore
have even admitted the possibility of the
conclusion of hostilities until Russia had
recovered her military prestige by VIC
tory Today the papers discuss calmly the
advisability of ending the war if Japan's
terms are reasonable. The payment of a
big indemnity, they declare, would DE 100
humiliating.
The Novoe Vremya says bluntly that II
Japan asks too much 1t will pay Russia 10
nroIone the contest Indefinitely, While the
Russ argues that if representatives of the
Russian people are called togetner, oapdi ps,n
will see herself confronted by the whole
nation and she will readily agree to reason
able terms
.sF,ven the revolutionists," the Russ adds
.'are not traitors. They are lighting the
present rotten bureaucracy and not the
mother country. They would not tolerate
disgraceful peace.
Universal regret is expressed in official
circles at the retirement of M. Delcasse
until recently French minister for foreign
affairs He was regarded as a true friend
of Russia was personal friend of Foreign
Minister Count Lamsdorff, and was a sim
cere and unequivocal supporter of the dual
alliance
The Novoe Vremya says:
I'VE know how to appreciate true friends
We have so few of them.
The Russ and the Slovo consider M. Del
casse to be the victim of trying to play the
impossible role of a connecting link be-
tween two rivals-Russia and Great Britain.
| The SloVo says:
M Delcasse's policy was directed
| toward the isolation of Germany, but he
| forgot that alliance with Great Britain
! would ruin any political system aimed
| against Germany. The British alliance has
not helped France in Morocco, but 1t has
| embro.led her with Germany. M. Delcasse
| pays the penalty by retiring, complica
| tions can be easier avoided with him out OF
| the cabinet. and his retirement will not af-
| feet the dual alliance.