New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-26
PEACE SIGNS INCREASE.
zcTTON REpORTED-TA
Grouing Belief IN VarTous Capitals
That War Is Near End.

Paris March 26.-Inquiry late last, nighfaenos
strongly TO confirm the statement tnat ap-
proaches toward peace between Russia ana
Japan have already begun at a private CONFER
ence in a Northern European capital. In view
OF the statement from st. Petersburg that IN
formal conferences were going on in Paris Inc
Associated Press last night called at the Rus
sian Embassy and the japanese Legation. Ann
nassador Nelidon stated specifically that he
knew nothing about such negotiations hero, and
Minister Motono while declining TO discuss the
general question Of peace. authorized the state
raent that no conferences were going on in Paris.
AT the Foreign Office it was also stated that Of
fcials there were not aware of steps toward
peace.
The foregoing statements by Count Nehdon
and DR.. Motono do not alter the main statement
that peace preliminaries are being carried on
elsewhere The real explanation is probably to
be found in the report that a preliminary con-
ference had been held at a northern capital.
There are strong indications that this capital is
Stockholm and that the negotiations viii be
conducted at Stockholm If the preliminaries
prove successful Copenhagen also is mentioned.
bit Il is understood that the point raised
that a large and influential British element is
at that capital. whose sympathies might be hos
tile to Russia.
The person acting for Russia in the prelimi-
leading general The person acting for Japan
is not disclosed but he is believed to be one who
has heretofore taken no prominent part in Jap
anese affairs.
There is reason to believe that st. Petersburg
and Toxic are aware Of the results of the meet
ing and that similar information is in the pos
session of certain diplomatic circles in Paris.
This simultaneous receipt Of identical inforna-
ton in ST. Petersburg and Paris probably &C
counts for St Petersburg's view that the pre-
liminaries took place here
The results seem TO hinge less upon the actual
terms than upon Japans willingness to pause
in the course OF her successful campaign. Japan
Is proceeding on the theory that. once in pos
session Of Vladivostok, she dictate her own
terms, including indemnity. which Russia thus
far has strongly resisted.
London. March 25-oflcials and diplomats in
London preserve a sphinxlike silence on the sub
feet Of peace prospects in the Far East Baron
Hayashi the japanese Minister to Great Brit
ain, disclaimed all knowledge Of negotiations,
and repeated his former statements that Japan
intended TO continue the war until Russia
pressed a desire to make terms.
While naturally it is impossible to obtain any
direct confirmation, the manner in which officials
received the news OF negotiations conveys the
! impression that there is cognizance OF tenta-
tive proceedings at least and that much more
is known than viii be admitted.
In well informed circles in London il has
been known for time that peace in the
near future is not only possible. but probable.
All movements leading up to the beginning of
negotiations have been concealed under such a
successful show OF ignorance and incredulity
that even those in the closest confidence of the
highest officials have been deceived. A British
official said to-day:
Even il I knew # were true that these nego-
tiatlons were going on. would consider It little
LEGS than a crime to give out even a hint of
their nature. much hangs in the balance
ana so much might be lost by premature dis
closures.
st. Petersburg, March % = The reported
change in Emperor Nicholass attitude concern
Eng the advissbilty Of making pacific proposal
TO Japan is fully confirmed, and in very high
quarters peace within six weeks is regarded as
certain. The positiveness with which this is
affirmed would indicate that the government is
already in possession Of information regard
ing the Japanese terms
The secret Of what has been done and what is
being done IS zeaously guarded. The Asso-
ciated Press hears, however, from a source close
TO the throne. that informal conferences are 60
ing at Paris It is added that possibly they
are only Of a preliminary character, and that
Copenhagen may be the scene OF the first ex-
changes between representatives. of the two
powers. Importance is attached to the visit of
NJ d'Iswolsky the Russian Minister at Copen-
hagen, and Baron Rosen, the former Russian
Minister to Japan, to NJ. Bompard. the French
Ambassador to Russia, on Tuesday. Those
present at this conference refuse to admit that
Significance is attached to it. In the mean time
the Foreign Office is silent.