The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-25
PEACE IN 6 WEEKS
Previous Rumors of Pacific Ne
gotiatiOns Are Confirmed.
Early End of the War Now Re-
garded as Certain.
JAPAN'S TERMS KNOWN.
They Are Said to Be Such as
Russia Can Accept.
Cars Ministers Confer With
French Ambassador.

St. Petersburg, March 25-6 p. M
The information contained in these dis
patches for over a week regarding the
change in Emperor Nicholas attitude
concerning the advisability of making a
pacific proposal to Japan is fully con-
firmed and in very high quarters peace
within six weeks is regarded as certain.
The positiveness with which this is af-
drmed would indicate that the govern
ment is already in possession of infor-
nation as to the Japanese terms which
Indicate a basis to which Russia can
agree.
The exact situation is shrouded in
mystery. The secret of what has been
done and what is being done is jealous
Iy guarded. The Associated Press hears,
however, from a source close to the
throne that pour parlers are actually in
progress in Paris, but possibly only of
a preliminary character and that Copen-
hagen may be the scene of the first ex-
changes between representatives of the
two powers.
In this connection Importance is be
ing attached to the visit of NJ. D'Izwol-
sky, Russian minister at Copenhag gen
and Baron Rosen, former Russian min
lister to Japan, to NJ. Bombart, the
French ambassador to Russia on Tues
day. The parties to this conference re-
fuse to admit that significance is at
tached to it. In the meantime the for
eign office is silent.
Japan Is Suspicious.
Washington, March 25.-When the
dispatch from st. Petersburg regarding
peace was shown the diplomat today on
on March 13, announced from Washing
ton that the Russian emperor knew the
general terms on which Japan would
conclude peace he said:
THE source of my original informa-
ton on this subject was high one, but
it is gratifying to receive this confirma-
ton The European powers, notably
France. have for some time been en-
deavOring to find out on what terms
Japan would accept peace. These have
been ascertained in general way and
have been communicated to ST. Peters
burg. When he called his war council
on March IA, the emperor knew these
terms and doubtless communicated
them to his ministers.
THE reason for Japan's apparent re-
ticence regarding the opening of peace
negotiati tions is not due. as far as I can
learn, to a desire to continue the war,
but is because the Toxic government
wishes to be certain that Russia is pro-
ceeding to peace negotiations in good
faith and. is not playing for time as she
did in the negotiations prior to the
war"
A Private Conference.
Paris, March 25.=It is said in quar-
ters having excellent means of infor-
nation that Russia s steps toward
peace have already taken a tentative
form at. d private conference held
within recent days tone of the small
capitals of Northern Europe. The
purpose of this appears to have been
TO bring together. personages repre-
senting both sides. neither having Gre
dentials to discuss formal terms of
peace, but to inform and examine
what each side expects and what ten
4 IL
ture of this exchange does not war
rant its being considered a definite
peace movement. but it is understood
to have given each side an opportunity
to judge the view of the other and it
has clearly shown Russian disposition
towards peace
There is reason to believe that both
st. Petersburg and Toxic know the re-
suits of this conversation and that it
is the basis of the renewed st. Peters
burg reports that peace is imminent
However, the discussion does not seem
to have resulted in much progress as
everything awaits RuSsia'S Willingness
to adopt public and official steps to Sc
cure peace. In this connection it is said
practically all Europe has lately urged
Emperor Nicholas to make peace, the
king of Portugal being the latest to
make an appeal. This pressure from
Europe together with the military and
financial reverses appears to have in
huenced Emperor Nicholas to try to Sc
cure some acceptable settlement. OWlHS
to the growing de1n1teneSS OF the peace
reports officials and diplomats here are
discussing of how st. Petersburg and
Toxic will be able to- treat directly
while the usual channels of communi-
cation are severed. It is said this is
likely to occur by a meeting in a neu-
traI capital similar to the informal
meeting already held. Mention is made
of Stockholm and Copenhagen as ad-
vantageous points Such a method of
direct communication is now consider
ed more likely than through the medi-
uTn of the French minister at Toxic. 1t
is officially asserted that the latter has
not been asked to act in any peace ca
pacity.
Discount on the bourse today went
up 2 per cent in anticipation of heavy
demand for money in connection with
the proposed Russian loan.
KEEPS A MOVING.