The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-22
PUTSOUTAFEELER
Russia Is Cropping for SatisfactO-
ry Peace Terms.
That Is the View Taken in Dip
lOmatic Circles.
A ROUNDABOUT ROAD.
She viii Ask France to Induce
Great Britain
To Enquire of Japan What She
viii Take to Quit.
4 ROUNDABOUT ROAD.

Berlin. Feb. 22.-That the Russian en-
peror has actually determined to seek
peace does not appear to be known here
officially but this court has been aware
that the emperor's mind has been wav-
ering between peace and a continuance
of the war. What Emperor Nicholas
has so far decided to do seems to be
to request of France to ask the British
foreign office to inquire of Japan what
terms might be expected were Russia
to propose peace, that is to say, the pre-
lininary steps are to be taken by the
seconds. Russia will thus be able to
refuse to open negotiations if Japan's
terms are exorbitant.
1t Isn't Enough.
London, Feb. 22-The terms on which
Russia is reported to be prepared to
conclude peace are regarded in official
circles in London as inadequate and
largely in the nature of a trial balloon.
Among the British officials the hope of
a speedy cessation of hostilities is most
! ly based on Official advices telling of the
/ increasing ascendancy and activity of
the peace party in Russia. It is known
that Count Benckendorff, the Russian
ambassador to Great Britain is an ad-
herent of this party and it is under
stood that he did all possible to impress
his views on his government during his
recent stay at st. Petersburg.
just FeeIer.
Paris, Feb. 22-Russia has not
given any indication to France that
she is ready to take up the question
of peace and therefore the authorities
here do not feel qualified to discuss the
st. Petersburg reports giving the pre-
else terms.
The reports are explained substan-
TALLY as follows: The peace sentiment
has lately been steadily augmenting
side of St. Petersburg, and within re-
cent days some of the most influential
personages in st. Petersburg have
come out favorable to peace and have
sought to impress responsible officials
that the time has arrived to take def
mite action. However, those having
the chief responsibility, such as For
eign Minister Lamsdorff, have not yet
shown willingness to accept peace ar
gumentS Therefore so long as the
Russian foreign Office is not prepared
to accept the peace view it is consid-
cred doubtful of accomplishment. In
spite of this the peace reports are con-
sidered hopeful sign of a tendency
in the highest quarters towards peace.
The Japanese legation points out
that peace negotiations require GER
tain definite steps between the parties,
and as Russia has not yet made the
slightest overture to Japan concerning
terms Russia is not in position to
elaborate pacific con ditiOnS- The Off
cials of the legation incline to the view
that the st. Petersburg reports were
designed to sound official sentiment in
Japan. What Toxic will say is not
The Japanese officials express a
strong personal conviction that prior to
determining definite terms it viii be in
dispersal BILE to settle the main principle
that the terms will insure peace in the
far east for many years to come The
japanese position is said to be quite
definite against arranging peace
which would permit Russia to rehabili-
tate herself Concerning the indemnity
it is said that the Japanese war budget
up to March 81. shows that the total
war expenditures will be about $780,
900, 900. The legation considers that
some indemnity is equitable as Japan
has expended double the amount of the
cost of the Chinese war in holding up
principles which st. Petersburg reports
Indicate Russia is now disposed to rec
ognize
The Russian embassy replying to in
quiries relative to the peace rumorS
says that while peace is the subject Of
elsewhere it is incorrect to assume that
the government has taken up the ques-
ton 1t is pointed out that some weeks
must pass before General KurOpatkin
can make a decisive effort and there
fore it is inopportune for Russia toI
consider peace at the present time,
much less determine the conditions on
which peace is possible.
Sharp Fighting.
St Petersburg, Feb. ga tele-
gram from Huan mountain, Man
churia, says sharp outpost fighting oc-
Cured February 90 IN the Tzinchen
mountain district
The Russian losses in the outpost
skirmishes southwards of Tzenti pass
were Il killed and SO wounded
Grand Duke Paul Arrives.
Moscow, Feb. 22.-Grand Duke Paul
arrived here today. He was met at
the railroad station by his chlldreh'
Dimitri and Mary, who had been un-
der the care of the late Grand Duke
Sergius and Grand Duchess Elizabeth
Trains Can't Run.
Warsaw. Feb. 22=Trains for
Vienna are unable to leave w arsaW
in consequence of the strike Later IN
the day all the employees of the Vienna
railway struck and the entire traIlc
bv direct route from Warsaw to Aus
tria and Germany was suspended. The
strikers forcibly prevented the prlng-
ing out of locomotives from the round
houses
Foundations Laid.
Washington, Feb 2.-Although not hg-
urfng formally of late in the various ten
tative efforts by the powers 70 Drlng about
peaee between Russia and Japan.th gov
elrment has kept in very close touch
with 5eyeiopments along this direction.To
make any official statement of what it
has done on its own account might be i'll
-.-;,,- to The extreme Ss7,ssfi[-
ness of both belligerents when any open
evidence is shown Of a purpose to bring
outside pressure to bear upon them But
II may be safely said that while peace is
not regarded as Immediately at hand. at
negotiations that will bring the principals
together in the END and it probably will
be found that the United States has had
some share IN this work