Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-12
WOULD WELCOME ARMlsTlcE
Russia Would Move Troops and MunI-
tlons During Period

the Japanese terms will he placed in
the hands Of Russia's Representatives
The foreign Office expects that the de-
lay will be brief.
The emperors government would
prefer that Paris should be the scene
of the initial step, but it is explained
that neither the place nor the person.
ality of the Russian representatives
matters greatly. The Russian repre-
sentative will not be a plenipotentiary
with full power to negotiate.
His duty will practically be confined
to the reception and transmission to
his government of the japanese terms
for decision as to whether they afford
a basis for actual peace negotiations.
He will be clothed with power to effect
an agreement for the suspension of hos
tilities, which suspension will probably
be for a very limited period, during
which Russia must decide the mo-
mentnous question of peace or a pro-
longatbon of the war.
During this temporary armistice both
countries probably will be free to con-
tinue the movement of troops and mu-
nitions of war within prescribed limits,
although nothing definite on this point
will be Sknown until the meeting takes
place.
Mention Baron Rosen
If Russia finds in the terms a basis
under which negotiations can proceed,
regular plenipotentiaries will be APP
pointed, the number being decided by
the belligerents themselves. and then
it is not impossible that the negotia-
tions might be transferred to Man
churia. as President Roosevelt is be-
lieved to have suggested.
It is stated at the foreign office that
the question of plenipotentiaries has
not yet been officially considered, but it
is regarded as almost certain that
Baron Rosen, the ambassador to the
United States, on account of his long
and intimate acquaintance with far
eastern affairs, besides his familiarity
with Japanese, will be selected.
George de Staal, who preceded Count
Benkendorf as Russian ambassador at
London and who was president of the
peace conference at The Hague in 1899,
vanced age and the fact that he has
been for some years out of touch with
active diplomacy might initiate
against him. The number of plenipo-
tentiaries would be matter of mutual
agreement, though Russian precedents
lean to two.
Would Reject Harsh Terms
In diplomatic circles here it is felt
that Great Britain can now play great
role in seconding the presidents initia-
tive by restraining her ally and coun-
selling moderate terms. Harsh and
terms would not be ac-
cepted, and for that reason diplomatic
circles express the greatest skepticism
as to whether Japan, elated by her
wonderful victories, will be reasonable
enough to offer basis which Russia
can possibly accept.
If at the end Russia were forced to
humble herself in the dust her ig-
would spur her to seek revenge
as Alsace and Lorraine did France for
many years
There is an indefinite amount of
gossip here about Japan's terms, but
il is almost altogether irresponsible, the
best informed members of the diploma
tic corps, even the British embassy,
being convinced that, while the main
outlines are matter of common knowl-
edge in America and in the chancel-
lories of Europe, Japan has not re-
vealed her exact terms even to her
ally. Russia is not likely to prove re-
calcitrant. According to the best
opinion she is prepared to abandon the
whole of her Manchurian adventure
and give guarantees.
Will Not Disarm
The rub will come upon the question
of an indemnity, which it is the con-
census in diplomatic circles Japan will
exact, but if it should be made moder-
dlc anu sugar tOdlSu 81 that IL COulu ,
be liquidated by the sale of the Chinese
Eastern railroad and the cessation of
Russian property and leases in the
Kwantung peninsula it might be over
with.
Russia will probably insist on hold
ing the railroad to Vladivostok through
northern Manchuria, and will never
submit to the humiliation of disarma-
ment In her only port on the Pacific,
nor the inhibition against having war
ships in those waters. Considering the
situation of the two countries, members
Of the, diplomatic corps feel that
Japan's status in the Pacific is SO
firmly established that she can afford
to dispense with the exaction of SO ]
bitter a condition.. !
The radical papers continue their I
tactics, insisting that. although the
of hostilities is desirable.
peace would be intolerable I
and that only a national assembly
ahO1IId dapida tha n1astiOn Of war or