The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-25

Hardin Unless Strong ReenfOroements
Reach IInIeyft Ch--Nayal Loss RumoFed
Special Cab. Dsspaioh 10 Tm suS.
LONDON, March 25-The st. Petersburg
correspondent Of the Telegraph declares
that, despite the seemingly hopeless out
look owing TO the Cars hitherto firm re-
solve TO persist In the war, peace at last n
I'm sight. The correspondent adds that
he makes this statement deliberately and
oategorically. and not as a probable in-
ference from the signs and tokens observ-
able during the last few days. He says:
what has happened Il that his Majesty
has been convinced, much against his will,
that further continuation Of the war viii
be disastrous to Russia financially, eco
nomicaly and politically. He is there
fore conditionally willing to discontinus
It.. Conditionally, not absolutely.
Il am not at present in a position 70
elucidate the pro1imate cause Of this sud-
den change of view. can state, how
ever with certainty, that the military adj
visers Of the Car are largely responsible
for having heretofore neutrRli0ed the
influences tending to peace. Among the
other advocates Of a struggle TO the bitter
end was Gen. SakharOf, Minister Of War,
who probably will now be relieved Of his
functions.
strenuous, persevering and patriotic
endeavors have been made since the Mukden
catastrophe to shake the Cars resolve TO
continue the campaign, and at last they
have succeeded, but, as already stated, his
Majesty willingness is conditional. Unless
the terms are such that peace will be OBJ
yiously preferable to a continuation OF war
negotiations will be worse Than superiuoua
Elm the present embryonic stage Of the
new relations between the belligerents 10
would be premature TO enumerate the
conditions Russia would accept, but 1t may
be affirmed positively that while she 10
willing to draw far reaching and practical
consequence from her defeat and embody
them in the peace conditions In the form
Of territorial compensations and possibly
also self-denying stipulstions, Russia viii
on no account allow a war indemnity 70
form any part Of the arrangement,
The argument employed TO support
this negative proviso is this: The sum Of
$500 900 OOO which would probably con-
stitute the war indemnity, would also en-
able Russia to carry on the struggle until
Japan was completely exhausted. There
fore It would be more advantageous to
spend the money on running the enemy
than In enriching her and enabling her TO
acquire an enormous feet.
'On the other hand, however. II may be
argued that in order 10 continue the CAM
paiRn not money only, but men are needed,
and the mobilization Of these may caues
disturbances throughout Russia But for
this objection TIE military officials are
prepared and propose 10 despatch TO the
a., II
whom there are quite enough for the pur-
pose and to mobilize others to take their
places. They believe that II the mobiliza-
ton takes place on the understanding that
the men called to the oolors will not be cent
to the Far East no dissatisfaction will b.
displayed.
1T is felt that another condition on
which the qualification OF the Cars peaoe-
full mood u understood to depend IL the
cooperation OF England, America, France
and Germany, more especially the two
Anglo-Saxon Powers, as moderators Of the
Japanese demands. Russia on her part
would make It quite clear that she was
actuated by genuine desire for peace
and had assimilated the bitter lessons
taught by the war That disposition would
be manifested in the heavy sacrifices she
would b. r ady 20 consent to in order TO
end the slauglIr. Refusal to concur In
these conditions would doubtless relegats
peace to the distant future
The ooi. espondent admits that It Ia re-
garded as unlikely that Japan will agree
to the conditions, and Accordingly Russia,
whenever she formulatss them, will prob
ably bespeak the approval Of outsiders
and the sympathy Of all peoples who de-
sire the ending of the blOOdshe
But the japanese viewpoint is Ineligible.
A peace concluded on these terms would
leave Japan with diminishing credit, q
large war debt, and the necessity for bor-
rowing again to raise her navy 10 the re-
ouisite strength. Russia keenly aware
that supremacy Of the sea il the key 10 the
lordship Of the Pacific, would immediately
create an enormous feet.
This she could do with ease. for France
and Germany will advance unlimited suma
for warships on condition that these be
built where the money Is raised and that the
proceeds Of loans be left 10 pay for them.
That facility Is really the master fact Of
the situation, enabling Russia 70 possess
herself in a few years Of an overwhelming
naval force. with which japan cannot hope
TO compete.
Then what territorial concessions Japan
wrested from the enemy would be Of no
value because with the loss Of the oom-
mand Of the sea they would all disappear.
On the other hand, a heavy indemnity
would enable Japan 10 buy ships and main
tain her prepondeTanoe at sea, without
which she is doomed 10 lose all the fruits OF
her present victories.
The st. Petersburg correspondent Of
the Times says that the delegation from
Moscow IL Fastening back TO that city TO
convey TO the Zemstvo and municipal ooun-
Gil the response Of NJ. BOulyguine, Minister
Of the Interior, 10 its reform represepta-
lions, which is UNDERWOOD 10 be satisfao-
tory. 1t lie the best opinion that the Zemsh
Sober will be oonvoked very soon.