Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-03-30

EQUATIONS with 81 FeteFspure'
st. Petersburg, March 20. The AS
ISOLATED Press Is in position to an
nounce that step in the direction OF
peace has actually been taken here.
Russia has directly made known to-
Japan the negative conditions upon
which peace may be concluded;
namely, no cession Of territory and no
Indemnity, leaving Japan to deter
mine whether the negotiations can be
begun on that basis. No reply from
Japan has yet reached the Russian
government.
French Officials Hopeful.
Paris, March 29.-All official in
formation relative to peace is OF a
negative nature but at the same time
the official view is now strongly opti-
mistic that peace is not far distant.
Delcasse not Invited.
However, the foreign Office refuses
to credit the various reports that
France is taking no hand in negotia-
tons or preliminaries and specifically
denies the report from northern cap
& ital that Russia has asked Foreign
Minister Delcasse to act as intermedi-
ary.
Japan's Demands Astounding.
Althoug official information is lack
Ing, it is asserted in well informed
quarters that Japan has permitted
Russia to learn that peace conditions
will be severely rigorous and will not
be responsive to the recent senti-
mental plea to Japan's magnanimity.
In particular it is said Japan's indem-
nifty figure is $S00,0O00O0 and that this
stupendous sum has proved SO stag
gering to Russian diplomacy and that
It is the chief cause why peace prelim-
inaries do not advance to a decisive
stage.
Still Preparing for Fighting.
st. Petersburg, March 29-Russia's
attitude was described today by a
prominent diplomat as follows:
"The governm ent is now for peace
but continues to prepare for war"
Question Is Being Considered.
The whole situation with reference
to the prosecution Of the war is being
carefully considered from every view
point by commission sitting under
the presidency Of Grand Duke Nicholas
Nicholaievitch. Every phase Of the
situation, military, naval financial,
Transportation, Siberian and diplo-
matte, is being covered The commits
sions report Is expected to be com
pleted in ten days for submission to
the emperor.
No Change In Positions.
st. Petersburg, March 29- Chief of
Staff Karkevitch telegraphs from the
front today that no change has taken
place in the position of the armies.
The Russian sharp shooters March
26 were in conflict with force Of jap
anese infantry and cavalry at Khou-
anchiline General Linevitch has in
spected the second army and found the
troops in excellent spirits.
Japs Continue Advance.
A telegram from Gun Shu Pass, dated
March %, says the Russians have
evacuated the railroad below the sta
tion at Chaoumiaodzi, forty miles be-
low Gun Shu Pass, and the Japanese
are advancing.
Russians Going Eastward.
Durbin. Natal, March 30. - The Rus
sian steamer Dart, which arrived here
today reports having passed on March
10, thirty warships and fourteen col
Hers steaming eastward, $50 miles
northeast of the Island of Madagas
car. 1t is thought the vessels com
prise the Russian second squadron.
British Buy Bonds.
London, Eng, March 80. The por
ton of the Japanese loan of $150,000,
900 allotted to- London was oversub
scribed within an hour of the opening
of the banks this morning.
Americans Are Eager.
New York, March 30. Subscrip
tions to the American half of the new
Japanese loan were formally opened
here today. The syndicate managers
found themselves overwhelmed with
applications.
To Aid Poland.
ST. Petersburg, March 49, - EN-
peror Nicholas has instructed M Max
imovitch governor general of Warsaw
to elaborate reforms necessary for the
prosperity of Poland.