New-York tribune., 1905-01-04
INDIGNANT AT PEACE TALK
Russian Officials Declare Offer Could
Come from Japan OnIy.

St Petersburg, Jan. T. 2:4O a. m.-The hoodKof
kilograms from abroad bringing talk Of peace
arouses only resentment in official circles here.
and even many Liberals. who urgently
pressing the government for reforms. aroused
by the story of heroism and suffering OF the
Port Arthur garrison, declare emphatically
against any cessation Of hostnties until Rus
sia's honor is vindicated by a victory In Man
churia. Equal resentment is aroused by for
eign criticism of General stoessel for blowing
up the ships in the harbor and destroying the
town Of Port Arthur when he could no longer
defend them.
Accounts received from Port Arthur refugees
of the straits to which the garrison was re-
duced before it surrendered are almost unex-
ampled 1t is quite true that some explosives
were left wherewith the ships and some houses
were destroyed. but the ammunition of many of
the forts was absolutely exhausted Some had
not fired shot for two days before the negotia-
tions opened. The men had been living solely
on rice for month. and many were suffering
from scurvy Even the effective soldiers were
the Japanese bombardment beside their own
useless guns.
One midshipman who passed through the
siege has turned a white haired. prematurely
aged man.
Admiration here for the heroic defence is
mingled win wonder row General stoesseI con-
tinued to hide the true condition from the world.
Emperor Nicholas has already granted Cen
eral stoessers request that his officers be al
lowed to give their parole.
In Russia. for the moment. the people seem
to have forgotten all their differences in the
common grief. The revolutionists. who had in
tended to mark the event with demonstrations.
evidently found the moment inopportune. and
no disturbance is reported anywhere in Russia
to-day Nevertheless. that the revolutionists
tress later is not doubted.
The governments position is difficult one
1t has enemies ready to take advantage of what
ever course it adopts. and peace under present
conditions would probably compromise the
dynasty more than the determination to con-
tinue the war to the bitter END
The Emperor will arrive here to-day. and a
council of his advisers will be held Immediately.
Much as the situation is complicated by agita-
ton at home. the war party seems still COM
pletely in the ascendant and the indications are
the Emperor's advisers are practically unani-
nous that Russia's prestige abroad and the
security of the dynasty at home make it i'm
possible for Russia TO accept a humiliating
reace dictated by Japan as the conqueror. Still.
there is every evidence that japan would proffer
moderate terms and ii is possible offer of
generous terms would make a good impression
and nave the way for the reception of proposals
IN I conCilatory spirit
While the general impression Is that peace at
this stage is impossible, there always is the
possibility in an autocratic government that the
unexpected may happen. The suggestion that
President Roosevelt would he willing to tender
the good offices of the American government in
case Russia intimated that it would be accept
able has aroused a most friendly feeling.
At the War Office and the Admiralty all talk
of the possibility of peace at this time meets
with nothing but expressions of indignation.
In spite of this diplomatIcalIy the situation is
extremely interesting and in diplomatic circles
# is regarded as certain that Japan has awaited
this moment to submit proposals for peace ana
that she intends to do so through the United
States Intervention even the offer Of good
offices BY the United States without the request
of Russia is not admitted 20 be possible. and II
is known that France viii not act in such
capacity But direct proposals from japan will
be considered
The general opinion, however, Is that. coming
.on tho heels of succession OF disasters and
with the present situation in the Interior. it Is
innosIbIe for Russia to bow 10 terms. even mod
crate ones. offered by Japan as a conquerOr.
A diplomat who holds exceptionally close reia-
tions with Russia said that he did not believe
peace was possible, adding;
II the war Is to end it must be more than
neace II must be a complete understanding
between Russia and Japan. almost in the nature
of an alliance covering the Far East An ordl-
nary peace which might be rUptured In a few
wears would not be sufficient. Upon the basis
of an equitable alliance Russia possibly could
yield.
The report circulated here that armistice
10 assured before the end Of the week is not
confirmed in official circles. where there is no IN
timation that such thing Is contemplated.
While II was said that any proposals Japan
might make would receive due consideration, the
oficials we're unable to imagine how it could be
POSSIBLE for Japan To offer conditions which /
Russia could accept
N Is denied that the Emperor return is IN (
any way due 70 the reported attempt on his hte (
at wilma to-day II Is declared that no such |
attempt as is reported has 5>en made.