The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-20
GEAR BALKS AT PEACE
But Ministers Urge Necessity Of Max
ing Terms.

TO statement by nlgh parsonage, the
question Of peace will probably be sub
administrative reorganization is pend
ing by which the council is to absorb
the committee Of ministers and become
a sort OF cabinet under prime mlnls-
ter, who, presumably, will be NJ. White,
the leading peace advocate in Russia.
The car has begged M. Witte to
withdraw his resignation.
struggle is recognized in every quarter.
The financial question becomes more
and more embarrassing for the war
party. The last hope Of French loan
has vanished, for France has refused to
lend a centime till Rusisa signs treaty
Of peace.
It is doubtful if an appeal to Russian
capital would meet with large re-
Spouse, seeing that Russian trade, indus
try and agriculture are impoverished by
the strikes, the agrarian riots and the
inability Of the railways to transport
the accumulations Of grain, which have
reached the enormous figure Of $4,000
carloads.
The Gear Hangs Back.
While Emperor Nicholas, whose word
is final, still declines to abandon the
prosecution Of the war, and the govern
ment maintains it's ability to continue
the conflict, the Associated Press is in a
position to state that powerful in
fluences, including several Of the en-
tperor's own ministers, are now strongly
urging that the time has come. to indi-
| cate to Japan Russia s desire for peace
upon a reasonable basis.
Should Japan then attempt to impose
| too eonrmous conditions, these influences
argue, in view Of the universal wish to
see the bloody conflict ended, Russia Is
mil ho 81 ncrfh oI Oh r NV
the alienation Of sympathy from Japan,
and the situation at home will be i'm
proved when the nation is made to I'M
derstand that the emperor's pacific
proposals have been met with impossi-
Bile terms.
Dtgntfed Peace Possible.
conversation with the Associated Press,
said:
| We have suffered bitter defeat on land
and sea. We can, however, still continue
| the war. - =
Russia has had a hard task fighting the
war against such adversartes, 5000 miles
from home, and contend she can make
a dignided peace without glory, but not
! without honor. AS the victor on land
and sea, Japan can afford to remember
| as Bismarck did at the conclusion Of the
Austro-Prussian war, that two countries
which must live thru the long future as
neighbors may need each others friend
ship.
Japan may consider the time propi-
tious, on account Of the situation In Euro
pean Russia, to try and crush us. Sup
pose, for the sake Of argument, she sue
ceeded In finally forcing 11um1liatine
peace, it could not be more than an armed
| truce.
| Time for Revenge Would Come.
Russia is too big and powerful to re-
tire permanently from the field. The
clouds at home would eventually roll
away. With the army and navy reorgan-
lied, in five, ten or fifteen years, there
would come inevitably our revenge.
No permanent peace is possible now o,
later unless Japan is reasonable.
Broadly speaking.' Russia's Pronunciation
Of her entire Manchurian policy should
satisfy Japan's claims. She could have
her protectorate over Korea, such priv
leges on the Kwan-tung peninsula and al
Port Arthur as the powers would not op-
pose, and the Chinese Eastern railway
could be placed under international con.
troll, Russia maintaining her rights t.
a railway line thru northern Manchuris
to Vladivostok.
Russia Balks at Indemnity.
Russia never yet has paid indemnity
and history practically affords no prece
dent for indemnity when territory is no
occupied to insure payment, and Japar
holds not a foot Of Russian territory. ia
pan could, however, take the proceeds O.
the sale Of property and rights Of the Chi
nese Eastern railway, which was bull
with Russian money.
No new general mobilization has bee,
nd M he
the 100000 reservists modified last fall
100000, and the fourth army corps mum
bering 10000, are now beginning to arriv,
in the far east. ~
If, therefore, 'Linevitch's army totaI
200, 900 when he reaches Hardin III that
for instance, is to be the new base), h,
will have an army Of about 400. 900, with
out sunnoning additional reserves. Som
regular units, like a division Of the guards
might be sent without further rnobiliza
ton.