The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-27
RUSSIAN REFUSAL NO BLUM
REAL DESIRE AT ST. PETERSBUl|
THAT THE WAR GO on. I;
with Half . Million Men in, the F1eld thoS
Gar Dare Not Buy Peaos- sakhsIia
Proposal Could Only DO Accepted ~
Accompanied by an Alliance WIN Japaas

FTOpOSA SOuu OuIt no ACCUVvCU -
Accompanied by an Alliance Win Japeas
Special Cable Despatch to TIE sun.
ST.. PETERSBURG, Aug. 20 1t seems al
most useless TO reiterate that Russia wall
not accept Japan's latest forms, which are
described az her ultimatum. Telegrsma
from abroad indicate that belief still exc.
lists In certain quarters that Russia win
give way at the last moment. Il b even
telegraphed that denial has been given
to Foreign Minister Lamsdorff's emphstio:
statement that Russia will never pay .
war contribution or oede territory. This
denial is technical one only. Tho state-
ment was officially given out at the Foreign
Office by Count Lamsdorff's representative.
as originally cabled to THE Sun. It repre-
sented and still represents Russia's In
flexible decision. ff
The sooner it Is recognized that the real
desire Of the Russian Government IL that
the war shall continue the sooner the world
will understand the situation from Rus
sian point Of view. The Gear feels that
with half million men in the field to give
battle he cannot buy peace. II is NOT
pride alone that impels him to this oourse.
The penalty for yielding to Japanese prose-
sure would be far more tangible than ~.
sense Of disgrace and dishonor. He dafUt
not make peace, even IL he desired to do %. u
The idea Of Russian blum should finally
be dismissed from consideration. II ~
existed it would. Of course, be accompanied
by the belief that Japan would finally
moderate her terms. No such hope or ex1'
pectation exists here. Everybody hcr0i
now expects the war to 60 on.
Tho roo.uaih;litioc NJ tho ft,1na ~ kt>xtf
Portsmouth conference are regarded ~
30 completely exhausted that expressionS'
Of impotence are beginning to be heard
for its definite closure. These come chienyj
from influential quarters which were mos!
active in framing the terms Of the NATIONAL
assembly manifesto and which have for =
policy the rallying Of the orthodox peaaantryl
to the throne. Thri- task may seem to-
be a herculean one under existing CONF
ditions, but whatever course they adopt
it has this significance. that 1t representa-
the minds Of those who guide tho Cxar.S
They declare bluntly that the maximum
that could be achieved by a last attempta
to hold the conference together could only
be that temporary patched up peace which,
both sides desire to avoid. M
It is notable that the only circumstancea
in which they will consent to the loss a.
Sakhalin are II 1t Is accompanied by u;
Russo-Japanese alliance. To buy It back
would be a mere deception. Ono. Of The
most influential members Of this party
writes to-day as follows:
"Nither after this war Russia and JapaAll
will be allies or the present war will only
be 9 prelude to an inoomparat!y greater,
struggle. II an alliance Is secured then th4g
Japanese 01hhon at Sakhalin facing tho
mouth Of the Amur would not be dangerous,
to US, but IL these cannon are hostile then
We must fight on to q final settlement. The
compromise now offered Of buying baoifI
Sakhalin is nothing but plaster covering:
. sore which would grow deeper and deepse
under it. The Russian nation not having
sought the Manchurian adventure will not IS
accept rotten peace" W.
The Emperor's rsscript issued to-day
thanking Grand Duke Vladimir for tho CON-
dition Of the troops at Krasnoe-Selo, which i
he recently reviewed. is q return to tho
Cars habit during the first stages Of the
war Of periodically issuing thanks and en1t
enlargement to commanding officers foItI
their zeal in effecting mobilization Of th<I1
troops. II
The Russ declares that the payment D 4
an indemnity by Russia would be corr
fession that she had lost all confidence in II q
Russian forces and would signify abandol }J
ment Of the hope Of victory. Tho Ri
adds: Russia has not yet fallen to w
level OF Byzantium. that she is forusd.4
pay ransom" AsN