River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-03-23
CAR IS URGED
To SEEK PEACE
POWERFUL INFLUENCES ARE AT
WORK TO THIS END.
ONE OF HIS ADVISERS TALKS
Minister Contends That Russia's De-
sire for Peace Upon Reasonable
Terms Should Be Indi-
Gated to Japan.

st. Petersburg, March 20.-While
Emperor Nicholas, whose word is
final, still declines to abandon the
prosecution of the war, and the gov
eminent maintains it's ability to con-
tinue the conflict, it is stated on coed
authority that powerful influences, in
GLIDING several of the emperor's own
that the time has come to indicate
to Japan Russia's desire for peace
upon reasonable basis. Should Japan
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 impos-
Sible terms.
Minister Talks.
One of the emperor's ministers in a
conversation said: 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 of both
were we to fight on until one or the
other is exhausted. Russia has had
hard task fighting the war against
such adversaries, 5000 miles from
home, and | contend she can make
a dignified peace without glory, but not
without honor. AS the victor on land
and sea, Japan can afford to remem-
Der, as Bismarck did at the conclusion
of the Austro-Prussian war, that two
countries which must live through the
long future as neighbors may need
each others friendship. Japan may
consider the time propitious on ac-
count of the situation in European
Russia to try and crush us. Suppose,
for the sake of argument, she sue
ceeded in finally forcing humiliating
peace, it could not be more than an
armed truce. Russia is too big and
powerful to retire permanently from
the field. The clouds at home will
eventually roll away. With the army
and navy reorganized in five, ten or
Is years, there will come inevitably our
revenge. No permanent peace is posi-
BILE now or later unless Japan is rea-
sonable.'
Suggestion as to Terms.
To the suggestion of the possibility
of an alliance between Russia and
Japan, the minister said: "A reason
able peace must first be established"
What" was asked, would be roa-
sonable?"
Broadly speaking, Russia's renun-
citation of her entire Manchurian poi
icy should satisfy Japan's claims. She
could have her protectOrate over
Korea, such privileges on the Kwan-
tung peninsula and at Port Arthur
as the powers would not oppose, and
the Chinese eastern railway be placed
under international control, Russia
maintaining her rights to railway
line through northern Manchuria to
Vladivostok.
What would be Russia's attitude
on the subject Of indemnify"
Russia never yet has paid indem-
nifty, and history practically affords no
precedent for indemnity when terri
tory is not occupied to insure payment,
and Japan holds not foot of Russian
territory. Japan could, however, take
the proceeds of the sale of property
and rights of the Chinese Eastern rail-
way, which was built with Russian
money"