The San Francisco call., 1905-03-23

81 PETERSBURG, March ZZ-The
party within the Government which is
urging the Emperor to indicate TO
Japan Russia's willingness TO end the
war If q reasonable basis can be
reached, as related in these dispatches
on March 20, has been greatly encour-
aged the last few days and an actual
pacific proposal must be just ahead.
The subject has occupied much OF the
attention OF the conferences at Tsar-
skoe Selo. Certain Grand Dukes, sup
ported by General Sakharoff, the Min
lister Of War; Admiral AveIan, the
head OF the Admiralty. and what is
known as the war party. are still bit
terly opposed TO the idea of peace un-
der present circumstances, but with
the exception of the Ministers OF War
and Marine. the Emperor's Ministers.
backed by Witte, solidly favor this
course, and the convincing arguments
they offer are telling.
French influences in the same direc-
tion are now being supported by Ger
man opinion. The runaor noted by the
Press last week that Emperor William
had rendered his good offices now
seems 10 be confirmed. The Press is
in a position 70 assert, however, that
II Emperor Nicholas decides TO ap-
proach Japan it viii be through France
and that negotiations VIII be con-
French Foreign Minister, and DR..
Montono, the japanese Minister in
Paris. or Harmand, the French Min
lister to japan. and Count Katsura, the
japanese Premier in Toxic.
GAR MUST MOVE FIRST.
The Russian Government now feels
certain that japan will not make the
first move nor disclose her position un-
I'll overtures are made authoritatively
II the Emperors name. on the ground
that he alone is capable Of binding
Russia 1t is quite possible that Ja-
pans attitude IN this regard has been
exposed through unofficial attempts 10
ascertain terms. Japan, II will be re-
membered, took the same position
when Herr Detring, the German Com
missioner Of Customs at Tientsin, with
out plenary powers, sought to obtain
Japan's terms for ending the Chino
Ii Hung Chang. accompanied by Gen
eral John W. Foster, went to Toxic
clothed with full powers. Further
more. in view of the possibility that
no basis of agreement might result,
even should the Emperor now approach
Japan with peace proposals. it is re-
garded as entirely likely that hostil-
ities would continue, again following
the proceeding Of the Chino-Japanese
war. until negotiations ended.
The Chino-Japanese negotiations
were begun IN December and peace was
concluded in the following April. Mean
while the japanese made a winter cam
paign IN Manchuria.
WILL NOT PAY INDEMNITY.
In the conferences concerning the
question whether Russia should now
indicate her willingness for peace, all
agree, firstly, that preparations TO con-
unue the war shall not be relaxed and,
secondly, TO reject humiliating terms.
There probably would be two points
on which Russia would be found i'm
placable, namely, cession Of territory
and indemnity, TO neither Of which, il
is said, would Emperor Nicholas ever
agree
II is pointed out, however, that II
Japan seriously desires enduring peace
on collateral questions. Russia might
be ready TO offer liberal compensatory
considerations. For instance. in lieu Of
direct indemnity she might turn over
TO Japan the proceeds of the sale Of all
the rights and property Of the Port
Arthur and Dalny and the Chinese
Eastern Railways and literally pay for
the maintenance Of Russian prisoners
IN japan and, while refusing to cede
Ssghalien, she might grant rights to
the fisheries there or even relinQuish
all the valuable seal fisheries on the
Commander Islands. II is possible
also that satisfactory arrangements
might be made regarding Russian na-
val strength in Eastern waters for q
period OF years.