Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-25
WANT PEACE.
All Powers but Russia
Are So Inclined.
Dispatches Show Great Powers
Urging Mediation.
President Will Make No Overtures Ow
ing to Recent Tart Russian Replv.

Washington, Feb. 2i-Washington
continues to be puzzled over the end
| less chain Of peace rumors which con
| tnues to unroll it self Japan has III
| formed the state department that she
| is ready to negotiate for reace. The on
| ~ importance that attaches to this il
| that il may be taken to accenuato III,
| fact that Japan wants to end the war
| on her own terms. without the further
| less of life. But Japan mas been ready
| to negotiate at any tim" Since Port Ar
| thur fell.
| Absolutely no word comes from Rus-
STA showing that those in charge Of tho
| government are ready to consider any
| proposals., The Russian ambassador il
| understood To have received word from
| lis government that 10 rredence is to
| be given to the reports that the Carr
| Will consider peace, so long as there IS
| = large army. beaten and baffied
though ii may he in the field. and n
| large fleet yet to make an attempt to
| Wrcst from japan the mastery OF the
| seas
Perhaps the situation may best be il
Illustrated by IN inquiry received by the
|
rCwers whether any movement for
| reace had been started in Washington.
| The head Of this country has been rep
rsnted as advising the Gar to make
terms if he wished to save Russia from
| overwhelming disgrace. which was
sure to follow 4 continuance of HOSTILE
| ties. II there was a genuine movement
| for peace based On reasonable grounds
| IF success this ruler would be almost
| certain to have the first inking of it.
Similar inquiries come ,vcry few days
from other foreign offices.
| The officials of the State department
| have beer told that not only are France
| and Germany ready to use their good
offices. but that these two countries. as
we'll as Austria. have been urging ac-
tion which would shorten the war on
st. Petersburg. But this government
| still fails to find any evidences in the
| chancelleries Of Europe of progress be
| rig made. 1t is said here that Emperor
| Francis Joseph has been very stron,
| in his advice that peace be encourag-
| cd.
| The President and Secretary Hay
| having received q tart reioinder from
| iNtSSid III iNi'iS " VII bH'
| subject OF peace, are not willing to
| make such suggestions 10 ST. Peters
| burg again. although If they were in
| formed that they w0ulG he acceptable
| they would quickly offer them. AT the
same time the President and Secretary
| Hay are losing no opportunity to make
| public their great interest in an early
termination of hcstilities. They are
saying this to all callers and creating
the impression that they earnestly de-
sire the slaughter to stop. The same
| position is being taken by every ma
ton in Europe. whether ii is friendly
With Russia or Japan. THUS as the sit
| Uation stands every nation in the world
| wants peace except Russia.
1t is a significant fact that at tn"
| outbreak Of the war Count Cassini. the
Russian ambassador. was directed by
his government to deny without quail
fcation and IL all times until further
cotice rumors that Russia was ready
to enter into peace regulations. The
ambassadors instructions have not
hcen changed III the slightest degree.
and have lately been reiterated. He has
denied in interviews more than a score
Of times reports that Russia was con-
templating peace.
1t still rests with Russia. Whether
the internal troubles of that country
will hasten negotiations is the subject
most discussed by diplomats here.
Even Mr. Takai1ira, the japanese min
:ster. expresses bins If very doubtful
~ on this subject. as Baron Hayashi.
the japanese n1iniste.' at London. did.
But every diplomat mere is waiting and
listening intently for some tangible
sign. No one would be surprised If
peace should come quickly, and no one
sees the slightest surface indication
that il is near.