The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-03-31
CONFLICT in FAR EAST

but the criminal proved himself the
stronger and tore himself away.
According to the theory of the po-
lice the revolutionists calculated on
Baron o Nolken going to Praga on
learning of the explosion of the bomb
at the station there. and knew he
must pass the castle, that being the
only road by which he could reach
the only bridge across the Vistula.
The affair caused great excitement.
A popular rumor says the revolution
aries adopted this curse of informing
the police that they have more bombs
besides those discovered in the Pow
onski cemetery Saturday.
Russia Makes Move for Peace.
Paris, March 26.-The prospects OF
peace between Russia and Japan as
sumed a more definite n almost
tangible aspect yesterday as the result
of the announcement of the resump-
ton Of negotiations for a Russian
loan. The postponement of the loan
occurred through the stand taken by
the financial element against proceed
ing while the unc~ertainties>of war con
tinued, whilst a willingness to resume
negotiations was construed as mean
ing that their strong influence finally
has prevailed with the authorities at
st. Petersburg. The announcement OF
the resumption of negotiations took
definite form in a communication to
the syndicate of agents de charge,
who form an influential element on
the bourse, holding government Gre
dentials.
Take Steps Toward Peace.
Coupled with the announcement of
a resumption of the loan negotiations
come a strong intimation from official
and diplomatic quarters that steps
looking toward. peace had definitely
been taken by Russia. The foreign Of
fee declined to confirm a report that
France was likely to be the interme-
diary; but diplomats, who are actively
interested for the first time give credit
to the statement that Russia had de-
cided to seek peace. 1t was said in
these quarters that Russia would deal
directly with Toxic through the
French minister, who has charge Of
Russia's interests there. However,
the reports of Frances active part in
the negotiations were said to be not
entirely correct, as other powers have
contributed
Toward a Pacific Solution,
and it is expected they will take part
in it's realization. 1t appears that
some of the lesser powers, including
Sweden. are assisting to that end.
May Not Try to Hold Hardin.
ST. Petersburg, March 25.-The pos
sibility that if the Russian army
should be unable to hold the lower
line of the Sungari river at Chun-
chiatsu, it may be compelled to retreat
not only to Hardin, but also further
westward along the railroad, abandon
ing to the Japanese Northern Man
churia and the Russian maritime
Amur provinces as well. is the start
ling news from the front.
The strategic weakness OF ZEN.
Linevitch's position as he falls back
northward is made clear by a Gunshu
OlSDdICu " Tic HSooNldtNu ~
which it is pointed out that unless
Chunchiatsu and the Sungari lines, a
scant hundred miles below Hacbin,
can be held it will be
Difficult to Maintain
a position farther back before Hardin,
where. with the front of the army par
alleling the railway. the practicability
of a turning movement to completely
sever communications and isolate the
army 5000 miles from home is too
serious for Russian consideration. In
view of this possibility the dispatch al
luded to suggests the ACCESSIBILITY Of
Immediately providing V~ladivostok
with war munitions and supplies for a
two years siege. The correspondent
estimates the number of reinforce
ments needed to give Gen. Linevitch
the requisite superiority in force at
least 200, 900. That such a dispatch
should have been permitted to pass
the censor at the front
Is Significant,
and if Gen. Linevitch has communi-
Gated a SIMILAR estimate of the situa-
ton direct to st. Petersburg, 1t may
account for his majesty's increased
disposition to listen to peace ~counsels
and open negotiations before the Jap
anese establish themselves on Russian
soil. With Manchuria entirely aban-
doned to the Japanese and Vladivos-
tok as Russia's solitary sentinel on
the Pacific, it is realized that Russia
will be practically at Japan's mercy in
the matter OF peace terms. 1t can now
be definitely stated hat the decision
to appoint. Grand Duke Nicholas Mich.
olaievitch to the supreme command
in the Far East was reconsidered, be.
cause the outlook at the front does not
warrant the risk OF compromising the
prestige of a member of the imperial
family. Military authorities here be.
slieve that unless Gen. Linevitch Is
sure of his ability to hold the lower
Sungari lire. he
Will Risk His Whole Army
il he forrifies and Concentrates there
as if he should be defeated his line OF