The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1905-03-31
Officially the Authorities Deny
That Any Proposals Have
Been Made to Japan.
ONLY NEGATIVE CONDITIONS SENT
1t Leaves the intermediary to Convey
Peace Conditions on Its Own Re-
spOnsibility to the Japs.
The NoVoe Vreyma Newspaper For
the First Time Wednesday Admit
ted the Possibility of Nego-
tiations For Peace.

st. Petersburg, March 30.-Of1cially
the authorities continue to deny stout
ly that Russia has made any proposals
to Japan. This is literally true, as
Russia has only made known the neg
ative conditions, leaving the interme-
diary to convey these conditions on
its own responsibility to Japan.
Diplomats. in St Petersburg are con-
WINGED that something is in progress,
but none Of those in a position to
know will acknowledge that they are
aware of what actually has been or is
being done The Novoe Vreyma We'd
nesday for the first time admitted the
possibility of negotiations for peace,
commenting on the efforts of the Brit
ish and French press to prove that
peace is advisable both for Russia and
Japan The NOvOe Vreyma declares
that the payment of indemnity by
Russia is utterly out of the question,
as it would be a contribution tending
to build up the strength of Japan, and
that Japan is not in a position to
claim indemnity. The paper asks
whether diplomats "who did nothing
to prevent war" now will turn their
attention to bringing to a close terms
advantageous to both combatants.
Presidents Assistance Not Asked.
Washington, March 80. = Neither
Russia nor Japan have asked Presi-
dent Roosevelt to assist them in end
ing the war. SO far as the Washing
ton government is aware, Emperor
Nicholas has not yet weakened in his
announced decision ''to prosecute the
war to the bitter end"
The genuine wish of this govern
ment for peace in the far east is not
based upon selfish interests. Ameri-
can inanciers have not overloaded
themselves with bonds of either of the
belligerent nations. Washington be-
lieves that it is to the advantage of
both belligerents that the far eastern
war come to a speedy end and any
thing that this government can do to
bring that about will be done gladly.
From the outset of the war the presi-
dent has taken the position, as has
been repeatedly announced by Secre-
tary Hay that he will do anything in
his power to assist Russia or Japan
to a peace basis when his services
shall be acceptable to the belliger-
ents. But ii is authoritatively stated
that no official of the Washington gov
eminent is ambitious to pose as the
mediator between the car and mi
kado
Should Be Direct Negotiations.
1t is the feeling here that Russia
and Japan should negotiate directly
and avoid an international confer
ence. This opinion also prevails in
Berlin. Indeed, Japan has recently
received an urgent warning against
indirect negotiations lest they lead to
an international conference, the re-
suits of which might prove disastrous
to the interests of both parties.
There is authority for the statement
that France is diligently striving to
end the war ard for six weeks past
negotiations of the most confidential
character have been in progress be-
tween Paris and st. Petersburg. Even
diplomats of the highest rank have
failed to obtain from NJ DeIcasse, the
French foreign minister, the results
of these negotiations, but it can be an
nounced on the same authority that
Count Lamsdorff, the Russian minis
ter for foreign affairs, has within a
week admitted that he had in a gen.
eral way outlined to NJ. DelcasSe the
general terms along which Russia
might consent to consider peace.