The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-04
PEACE TALK NOT RELIsHED.
Russian Omcials show Resentment | Over the Rum0rs.

Russian Omcials Show Resentment Over the Rumors.
 St. Petersburg, Jan. 4--(2:40 a. m.)- The flood of telegrams from abroad bringing talk of peace arouses only re. sentiment in official circles here, and even many liberals who are urgently pressing the Government for reforms declare emphatically against any ces- sation of hostilities until Russia's honor is vindicated by a victory in Manchu- ria. Equal resentment is aroused by foreign criticism of General Stoesscl for blowing up the ships in the harbor and destroying the town of Port Ar :. thus when he could no longer defend them.
 Reports from Port Arthur of the straits to which garrison was reduced before it surrendered are unexampled. It is quite true that some explosives were left wherwith the ships and some houses were destroyed, but the ann intuition of many of the forts was absolutely exhausted. Some had not fired a shot for two days before the negotiations opened. The men had been living solely on rice for some months and many were suffering from scurvey. Even the effective soldiers were nearly all wounded and dropped asleep amidst the Japanese lombard ment beside their own useless guns. One midshipman who had passed through the siege has turned a white haired, prematurely aged man. Admiration here for the heroic de- tense is mingled with wonder how Gen. eral Stoessel continued to hide the true i condition from the world. Emperor Nicholas has already granted General Stoessefs request thats his officers be allowed to give their parole
 Tn Dna ba inc nP0nIR seem to have forgotten all their diff ferences in the common grief. The revolutiJnists who had intended to mark the event with demonstrations. evidently found the moment inoppor- tune and no disturbances Is reported anywhere in Russia today. Nevertheless that the revolutionists intend to make every use of the fall of the fortress later is not doubted.
 The governments position is a diff fcult one. It has enemies ready to take advantage of whatever course 1t adopts, and peace under present con- ditions probably would compromise the dynasty more than the determination to continue the war to the bitter end.
 The Emperor will arrive here today and a council of his advisers will likely be held immediately. Much as the situation is complicated by agita- ton at nOHty Iu0 war pdEty SCSAuS NtAtA completely in the ascendant and the in- dicationJ are the Emperor's advisers are practically unanimous that Russia's prestige abroad and the security of the dynastysat home make 1t impossible for Russia to accept a humiliating peace dictated by Japan as the con- dueror Still there is every evidence that Japan would proffer moderate terms and it is possible an offer of generous terms would make a good i'm pression and pave the way for the re- ception of proposals in conciliatory spirit.
 While the general impression is that peace at this stage Is impossible, there always is the possibility in autocratic government that the unexpected may happen. The suggestion that President Roosevelt would be willing to tender the good offices of the American Gov ernment in case Russia intimated that it would be acceptable has aroused a most friendly feeling, but from official sources the Associated Press is in- formed that Russia can give no such intims ton and will continue to refuse anything except direct proposals from Japan.