The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1905-03-24
IiF NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN 1T WILL
BE THROUGH FRANCE.
JAPAN WILL NOT TAKE LEAD
Strong Party in Russia Urging Emper-
or to Indicate Willingness to Be-
gin Preliminaries.

SIT. Petersburg, March %, 1898 a.
m.-Tihe party within the government
which is urging the emperor to indi-
cate to Japan Russiais willingness to
end the war if a reasonable basis can
be reached as related in these dis
patches ON March 20, has been greatly
encouraged the last few days, and an
actual pacific proposal must be JUS
ahead. The subject has occupied
much of the attention of the confer
ences at Tsarskoe-Selo. Certain grand
dukes, supported by General Sakhar-
off, the minister of war; Admiral
Avellan, the head of the admiralty and
still bitterly opposed to the idea of
peace under present circumstances,
but with the exception of the ministers
of war and marine, the emperor's min
isters backed by M. White, solidly ia
vor this course, and the convincing
arguments they offer are telling.
French influences in the same direc-
tion are now being supported by Ger
man opinion. The rumor noted by the
Associated Press last week that EN-
peror William had rendered his good
offices now seems to be confirmed The
Associated Press is in a position to as
sert, however, that if Emperor Nicho-
las decides to approach Japan it will
be through France and that negotia-
tions will be conducted either between
M. Delcasse, the French foreign min
lister, and Doctor Montono, the Japan
ese minister at Paris, or M. Harmand,
the French minister to Japan, and
Count Katsura, the Japanese premier
at Toxic.
Japan Will Not Move First.
The Russian government now feels
certain that Japan will not make the
first move nor disclose her position
until overtures are made authorita-
lively in the emperor's name, on the
ground that he alone is capable of
binding Russia. 1t is quite possible
that Japan's attitude in this regard
has been exposed through unothcial at
tempts to ascertain terms.
Japan, it will be remembered took
the same position when Herr Detring,
the German ambassador of customs at
Tien Tsin, without plenary powers,
sought to obtain Japan's terms for end
ing the Chino-Japanese war, declining
to treat until Ii Hung Chang, accom-
panied by John w. Foster, went to
Toxic clothed with full powers.
Furthermore, in view OF the possi-
,bility that no basis of agreement
might result even should the emperor
now approach Japan, with pacific pro-
posals, it is regarded as entirely likely
that hostilitles would continue, again
following the proceedings OF the Chino
Japanese war, unth negotiations end
ed. The Chino-Japanese negotiations
were begun in December and peace
was concluded in the following April.
Meanwhile the Japanese made win
ter campaign in Manchuria.
In the conference concerning the
question whether Russia should now
indicate her willingness for peace, all
agree, firstly, that preparations to COLI
tinue the war should not be relaxed,
and, secondly, to reject humiliating
terms. There would probably be two
points on which Russia would be
found implacable, namely, cessation of
territory and indemnity, to neither of
which, it is said, would Emperor Mich
olas ever agree.
Possible Terms.
1t is pointed out, however, that il
Japan seriously desires enduring peace
on collateral questions, Russia might
be ready to offer liberal compensatory
considerations. For instance, In lieu
of direct indemnity she might turn
over to Japan the proceeds of the sale
of adj the rights and property of the
Port Arthur and Dalny and the Chi
nese Eastern railways and literally
pay for the maintenance of Russian
prisoners in Japan, and, while refus'
ing to cede Sakhalien, might grant
rights TO the fisheries there or even
relinQuish all the valuable seal fisher
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