Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-23
REASONABLE Peace.
RUSSIAN MINISTER SAYS TERMS
WILL BE CONSIDERED.
Admits Sitter Defeat on Land and
and Sea, but Denies That Con-
tinuanCe of War Is an lmpOS.
Sibiiity - Unre aSOnable Terms
Would Cause Another War.

st. Petersburg, March 20.-While
Emperor Nicholas. whose word is final,
still declines TO abandon the prosecu-
ton of the war, and the government
maintains its ability to continue the
conflict, the Associated Press is in
position to state that powerful influ
ences, including several of the emper-
or's own ministers, are now strongly
urging that the time has come TO iIldi.
cate to Japan Russia's desire for peace
upon reasonable basis. Should ia.
pan then attempt to impose too onerous
conditions, these influences argue that,
in view of the universal wish to see
the bloody conflict ended. Russia's
position will be strengthened abroad
by the alienation of sympathy from
Japan, and the situation at home i'm
proved when the nation is made to un-
derstand that the emperor's pacific
proposals have been met with lmpos-
sible terms.
One Of the emperor's ministers, in a
conversation with the Associated Press
said:
kINdiS WIZ OVuY \IOuI'
1--WE have suffered bitter defeat on
land and sea. We can, however, still
continue the war. But both countries
have suffered great losses in blood and
treasure, and it would only profit the
rivals if both were willing to fight on
until one or the other is exhausted.
Russia has had hard task fighting
the war against such adversaries six
thousand miles from home, and con-
tend that she can make diRpified
peace. without glory, but not without
honor.
"As the victor on land and sea, ia
pan can afford to renem Der, as Bis
marck did at the conclusion of the
Austro- Prussian war, that two coun-
tries which must live through the long
future as neighbors may need each 9TH
er's friendship. japan may consider
the time propitious, on account Of the
situation in European Russia, to try to
crush US. Suppose, for the sake of ar
gument, she succeeds in finally forcing
humiliating peace; it could not be
more than al armed truce. Russia is
too big and powerful to retire perma-
nently from the field. The clouds at
home will eventually roll away. With
the army and navy reorganized in FIVE,
ten or fifteen years there will come in
evitably our revenge. No permanent
peace is possible now or later unless
Japan is reasonable"
Reasonable Peace First.
To the suggestion of the posi- bility
of an alliance between Russia and ia
pan, the minister said:
"A reasonable peace must first be
established"
What would be 'reasona ble:' y was
asked.
Broadly speaking, Russia's renunc.
should satisfy Japan's claims. She
could have her protectorate over Korea
such privileges on the Kwantung pc.
ninsula as the powers would not op-
pose, and the Chinese Eastern railway
be placed under International control,
Russia maintaining her rights to a
railway line through Northern Man.
churia TO Vladivostok.
what would be Russia's attitude
on the subject of indemnify
Russia never has paid indemnity
and history practically affords no prec-
edent for indemnity when territory is
not occupied to insure payment, and
Japan holds not foot of Russian ter
ritory. Japan could, however, take
the proceeds of the sale of the property
and rights of the Chinese Eastern rail
way, which was built with Russian
money.