Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-22
CAR IS URGED
TO STOP WAR
Nicholas Still insists Upon Continu
ing the Great Struggle in Manchu.
ria Despite the Defeats.
MAY YET SEE THE FOLLY OF IT
Strong Influences Are Being Brought
to Induce Him to Act in Accord.
ance With Reason.

st. Petersburg, March 21.-While
Emperor Nicholas, whose word is fin
al, still declines to abandon the pros
ecutlon OF the war, and the govern
ment insists on it's ability to continue
the conflict, the Associated Press is
in position to state that powerful
influences, including several of the
emperors own ministers, are now
strongly urging that the time has
come to indicate to Japan Russia's
desire for peace upon a 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 con-
fiict ended, Russia's position will be
strengthened abroad by the alienation
of the sympathy from Japan; and the
situation at home improved when the
nation is made to understand that the
emperor's pacific proposals nave been
met with impossible terms.
One of the emperor's ministers, in
conversation with the Associated
Press, said:
Can Continue War.
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 unIy 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 s.
900 miles from home; and l contend
she can make dignified peace, with
out glory, but not without honor. AS
the victor on land and sea, Japan can
afford to remember, as Bismarck did
at the conclusion of the Austro- Prus-
sian 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 account of the sit
uation in European Russia, to try and
crush us. Suppose for the sake of ar
gument, she succeeds in finally fore
ing humiliating peace; it could not
be more than an armed truce. Rus
sia is too big and powerful to retire
permanently from the field. The
clouds at home will eventually roll
away. With the army and navy re-
organized in five, ten or fifteen years,
there will come inevitably our re-
venge. No permanent peace is pos
sible now or later unless terms are
agreed upon which are not humiliat-
ing to either country"
To the suggestion of the possibility
of an alliance between Russia and
Japan the minister said:
"A reasonable peace must first be
established"
What would be reasonable?" was
asked.
Broadly speaking, Russia's reor-
ganization of her entire Manchurian
policy 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 un-
der international control, Russia main
tanning her rights to railway line
through northern Manchuria to Vlad.
ivostok."
What would be Russia's attitude on
the subject of indemnify"
Will Pay No Indemnity.
Russia never has paid indemnity
and history practically affords no pre-.
cedent for indemnity when territory
is not occupied to insure payment,
and Japan holds not foot of Rus
sian territory. Japan could. however,
take the proceeds of the sale of the
property and rights OIL the Chinese
eastern railway, which was built with
Russian money"
Proceeding, the minister said the
difficulties of continuing the war was
fully appreciated both from military
and financial standpoint. but neither
was insurmountable. He denied en-
phatically that the negotiations for a
French loan was frustrated because
Russia would not make peace. He ex
pected that these negotiations would
be resumed soon. The success of the
internal loan, he said, is assured. AS
for the question of new army, much
depended upon the exact situation
wien LeIeTdI l-lueNllCu SOl LIlc army
out of danger.
The minister said. further, that
complete details of General kuropat-
kin's losses have not yet reached the
government, but it is already known
that the Japanese reports are greatly
exaggerated. The reports that 60
siege guns and many hundred cars
were left behind is false, as practical
ly no siege guns or rolling stock fell
into the hands of the Japanese. No
new general mobilization has been or
dered, and it may not be necessary.
OF the 100000 reserves mobilized last
fall, lac, 900 and the Fourth army corps
numbering 10000, are now beginning
to arrive in the far east. If, there
fore, Linevitch's army totals 100000
when he reaches Harbin (if that. for
instance. is to be the new base), he
will have an army of about 100000
without summoning additional reserv-
es. Some regular units. like divis-
ion of the guards. might be sent with
out further mobilization.