The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1905-03-15
LIBERAL PEACE TERMS.
Belief Among Diplomats That
End of War Is Near.

Authority For the Statement That ia
pan Would Respond Promptly If AS
sured That Russia Would Consider
-RoIestvensky's Second
Pacific Squadron Recalled.
Washington, March 14.-When the
car calls his war council today he Will
be able to inform the m that Japan
will welcome peace on reasonable
terms and will promptly name her con-
ditions, provided she receives trust
worthy assurances that they will be
leriously considered
This the emperor has learned from
friendly chancelleries in Europe, as
well as the general terms acceptable
to Japan. These, it 10 said include the
retention by Japan Of Port Arthur, a
Japanese protectorate over Corea and
an indemnity.
From high official sources it Is
learned that Russia has recalled her
second Pacific squadron.
An attache of a Russian embassy
in Europe is quoted as expressing the
belief that Kuropatkin's recent de-
feat will force Russia to ask for peace.
Briefly, these were reports cur
rent in the diplomatic corps and as a
result of this important information
official Washington believes that Rus
sia and Japan are on the verge OF
peace. If it be true that the second
Pacific squadron has been recalled,
even the most optimistic of Russia's
friends admit that this is a strong in
dication that Oyama's mighty blow
has made for peace.
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassa-
dor, is the notable exception in the
group of foreign envoys here.
However generous the terms which
Japan might offer" the ambassador
said, Russian prestige is not among
them. That is one thing for which
the war will be fought to the end
Victory for the Russian arms will
alone make for peace. If not at Tie
pass, then at Harbin, Russia will as
semble another army mightier than
before and with that army she will
settle the issue. 1t may be six months
year or perhaps two years. Time
will be no consideration"
At the Japanese legation it is de
clared that St. Petersburg and not To
| kio is the capital from which the
world must hope for peace proposals
Mr.. Takahira, the jar anese minister
said in the most emphatic manner
that Japan had not directly proposed
peace. He did not Geny that neutral
powers through their ENJOYS from
time to time had sounded Japan as tC
the terms on which she would accept
peace, but those, he said, necessarily
changed with the progress of hostili
ties, the intimat'on beng that Russia
could have obtained better terms aftel
the fall of Port Arthur than after the
capture OF Mukden.
If the Japanese government were
assured that peace proposals would
be considered by Russia there is au
thority for the statement that Japan
would respond immeG ately. But she
will insist that these assurances shall
be of the most positive character
Japan's experience in the negotiations
preceding the war, it is said, will
make her exceedingly cautious in the
future. She will Insist that such as
surances shall come from the Russian
government and not from this or that
party, or this or that friend of the
emperor.
Officials here expect that by tomor
row st. Petersburg will have fully
comprehended tie extent of Oyama's
victory and then will make known Its
decision regarding the continuance o.
the war in the face of Mukden's fall.