The San Francisco call., 1905-06-10
EMPEROR CASTS THE DIE.
NAIiI Make Peace II Russia Can With
Dignity Accept J=pan's Terms.


Dignity Accept Japan's Terms.
ST PETERSBURG. June 9. midnight
N. Boutiron, first secretary of the French
embassy, had long conference with For
eign Minister Lamsdorn this afternoon.
and Al. Bompard. the French Embassa-
oor. is hUrrymg Lack from Paris. France,
instead OF displaying Jealousy at the mi
tatiVe taken by President Roosevelt with
view 10 bringing hUssia and Japan to
2ethcr for peace, has apparently warmly
welcomed il and Will give il cooperation.
No further development is now expect
81 until President Roosevelt returns TO
Washington from his trip 10 Virginia
Statements IN The dispatches that the
Presidents sole aim is 10 bring the war
riug powers together IN direct negotia-
lions have been confirmed. There has
bc,n no undertaking on his part 10 ap-
prise Russia Of the Japanese terms nor,
ii IS believed. TO ind preliminary basis
f0T negotiations. The main obstacle 10
The Presidents efforts has been removed
al the Emperor's acquiescence in his ini-
t.stiVe. and negotiations are probably
now proceeding at Toxic.
When the question of the naming of
peace p!enipotentiaries is raised the name
Of George 0e StasI, who preceded Count
Beukencorh as Russian Embassador at
London and who was president Of the
peace conference at The Hague in 1899.
at once occurs TO every Russian Not
Withstanding the progress already made.
a great deal Of skepticism is manifested
ia certain quarters as TO the result Of
President ROOsevelt's efforts. The pub
lie seems reluctant to believe that the
Emperor could have assented 10 anything
Ike a movement toward peace. Some
Cynics even try to create the impression
that Russia only seeks TO ascertain ia
pans terms and then, by Haunting the
hard conditions imposed in the faces of
the representa- atives Of the people when
they meet. TO arouse the whole nation to
resist them. Such talk. however, is mere
irresponsible chatter. The Emperor has
cast the die and will make peace If ia
pans terms be such that Russia can ac-
cept them with dignity.
The Emperor. Il must be pointed out,
has not sued for peace. He has only as
sented 10 a proposition submitted by the
head OF q friendly power. and the matter
officially goes no further than that Rus
-sla, now as ever, is ready to see II
common basis can be reached. The com
mencement of formal peace negotiations,
especially II coupled with the prompt an
nounce ment of the convoxing of a ma
uOnal assembly, may avert the threat
ened crisis which the liberals are forcing
'On the Government. or it may only serve
10 I4EClDildNS IL MUSEUM IL uOh d per
feet hotbed of protest against the exist
ing regime and the address which the
deputation from the ZemstvO congress
held there has brought 10 St. Petersburg
10 present TO the Emperor has fairly
stunned the members of the Government
Nothing approaching such language used
in the document from men of such stand
ing as these who signed ii has ever be-
fore been heard in Russia There is a
reremptory ring about il which is omin-
Gus. Those bearing the address came TO
ST. Petersburg claiming TO be the pleni-
pOtentiaries OF the Russian people deliv-
ering an ultimatum. not begging terms.
but demanding rights and almost threat
ening the Government with civil war if
il does not yield. What is more ominous
still is that the body which this deputa-
ton represents has not left Moscow, but
has only adjourned awaiting the EN-
peror's reply.