The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-03-30
RUSSIA TAKES
STEPS FOR PEACE
Will Deal Direct With Toxic THROUGH
the French Minister.
NEGOTIATING LOAN IN PARIS

tAo FRENCH minister.
NEGOTIATING LOAN IN PARI!
Paris, March 25.-The prospects O
peace between Russia and Japan as
sumed more definite and almost tan
Glble aspect as the result of the an
nouncement OF the resumption Of nego
tlatfons for Russian loan. The post
ponement of the loan occurred through
the stand taken by the financial ele
ment against proceeding while the un.
certainties continued, whilst a willing.
ness to resume negotiations was con-
strued as meaning that their strons
influence finally has prevailed with
the authorities at st. Petersburg. The
announcement of the resumption OF
negotiations took definite form in g
communication to the syndicate ol
agents de change who form an infiu-
ential element on the Bourse, holding
government credentials.
The effect of the first announcement
was to stimulate the market, and par,
ticularly Russian securities. A reac-
tion occurred on fears as to the effect
the heavy demands of the loan would
have on the market and doubts con.
cerning the uses to which the loan will
be put. However, it seems to be the
accepted view Of financiers that the
proceeds of the loan will not be applied
to the further continuance of the war.
Coupled with the announcement OF
resumption of the loan negotiations
came a strong intimation from official
and diplomatic quarters that steps
looking toward peace had been def
nitely taken by Russia. The foreign
office declined to confirm report that
France was likely to be the interme-
diary; but diplomats, who are actively
interested, for the first time gave credit
to the statement that Russia had de-
clded 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 8
interests there. However, the report
OF Frances active part in the negotia-
rect, as other powers have contributed
towards pacific solution and it is ex-
pected they will take part in its reali-
cation. 1t appears that some of the
lesser powers, including Sweden, are
assisting to that end.
Russia's chief preoccupation is said
to be avoidance of having peace plans
arouse the animosity of the powerful
war element at home.
The receipt OF an official dispatch at
st. Petersburg on March TO- saying
that the Japanese were approaching
Vladivostok is said to have induced
the determination to seek a pacific 60
luton On the other hand, 1t Is assert,
ed that Japanese proximity to Vladi-
yostok promises to be chief obstacle
in the way of peace, as diplomatlsts
conversant with the situation say that
Japan will seek to avert peace until
she possesses Russia's only outlet to
the Pacific ocean.
The possibility that if the Russian
army should be unable to hold the
lower line of the Sungari river at
Chunchiatsu it may be compelled to
retreat not only to Harbin. but also
further westward along the railroad,
abandoning to the Japanese Northern
Manchuria and the Russian maritime
Amur provinces. as well, is the latest
startling news from the front
The strategic weakness of General
Linevitch's position as he falls back
4 rH,p
dispatch to the Associated Press, in
which it is pointed out that unless
Chunchiatsu and the Sungari lines.
a scant 100 miles below Harbin, can
be held 1t will be difficult to maintain
q position farther back before Har-
bin where, with the front of the army
paralleling the railroad, the practical
bility of turning movement to CON-
pletely sever communications and iso-
late the army 5000 miles from home, is
too serious for Russian consideration.
In view of this possibility, the dis
patch alluded to suggests the advisa-
bility OF Immediately providing Vladi-
vostok with war munitions and sup
plies for a two-years' siege. The cor
respondent estimates the number Of
reinforcements needed to give General
Lirevitch the requisite superiority in
force at zoe, 900. That such a dispatch
should have been permitted to pass
the censor at the front Is significant;
and If General Linevitch has COM
municated a similar estimate OF the
situation direct to Emperor Nicholas
1t may account for his majesty's in
creased disposition to listen to peace
eounsels and open negotiations before
the Japanese establish themselves on
Russian soil. With Manchuria entirely
abandoned to the Japanese and Vladi-
vostok left as Russia's solitary senti-
mel on the Pacific, it is realized that
Russia will be practically at Japan's
mercy in the matter of peace terms.