The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-31
PEACE TALK IN WASHINGTON
Russia Believed to Have Reached End Of
Her Resources.

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WASHINGTON, May aO-While no definite
steps toward arranging a peace between
Russia and Japan have been taken in
Washington, the opinion Is expressed
generally in Government and diplomatic
circles that Russia has reached the end
of her military resources and must now
agree to make terms with her victorious
enemy. Heretofore the Japanese have let
it be known that they would be only too
glad to treat with Russia at any time the
two nations could be brought together,
but the Japanese position now Is that Rus
STA must make the first move for an ending
Of hostiities.
President Roosevelt is willing to act as
a mediator IL he can become convinced
that tender Of his services will not be
dist asst eful to either beligerent and will
not serve to embarrass the Government
of the United States. He has felt, how
ever, that he went as far as prudence and
policy permitted when he transmitted to
the American Embassy In St. Petersburg
information impaired to him personally
by the Japanese Minister in Washington
as to the terms upon which Japan would
agree to conclude an arrangement with
Russia for the resumption Of relations.
The terms which the Japanese we're then
willing to make were regarded at the time
az exceedingly liberal, considering the
success which had fallen to the Jnpanc'e
arms throughout the first year Of the var.
1t now appears to be certain that the
Japanese will not be content with an ar
rangement upon the basis of the suggestions
tentatively made at that time, and Russia,
If she desires to conclude peace treaty,
must pay much more heavily for that
privilege
RUMoRs OF PEACE PLANS.
Nothing has developed to-day to throw
any light upon the conversation that took
place at the White House last night between
President Roosevelt and the Japanese
Minister other than that the purpose OF
the Minister in seeking an interview with
the President was to show him number
of semi-confidential dispatches from Toxic
and not to make any peace overtures in
behalf of the Japanese Government.
There was an active revival Of peace talk
to-day based on visit to the State Depart
ment made by Baron Speok Won Sternburg,
the German Ambassador Baron Stern
burg had long talk with Acting Secretary
of State LOOMS and upon its conclusion
they left the department together. After
ward both declined to talk in any detail
about the subject OF their conversation.
but it was intimated that the purpose OF
the Ambassad or's call was to say goooby
to Mr.. Loomis prior to an out Of town visit
of several weeks.
There Is no reason to suppose that the
Government of the United States has any
defnite plans for bringing about conclusion
of hostilities between Russia and Japan.
Officials of the Administration, however
are unanimously of the view that for Rus
sia' own sake II is high time that something
should be done, but they realize that 1t would
be an exceedingly delicate undert aking
for President Roosevelt to assume the initi-
alive in matter Of this great importance.
DIPLOMATS FOR PEACE.
Among prominent members OF the diplo-
matte corps, even some of those whose gov
ernments are regarded as friendlyto the
Russian cause, there is vehement expression
Of the hope that Russia will lose no time in
seeking terms from Japan. These diplo-
mats now make no secret Of their belief
that Russia should have attempted to ar
range peace Immediately after the thrashing
given her military forces at Liaoyang.
1t became definitely known to-day in
connection with the peace talk that several
European nations repeatedly implored the
Imperial Government at st. Petersburg
to regard the outcome of the I.iaoyang
battle as the conclusion Of active hostilities
and to permit her friends in the family OF
nations to make overtures to Japan which
would eliminate In an arrangement that
would doubtless he fairly satisfactory to
Russia. No monetary indemnity would
then have been asked by Japan, but it is
now certain that Japan will demand that
Russia share heavily in the expenses in
Cured by the Toxic Government in prose-
cutting the war.
| One of the most prominent European
diplomatic representatives in Washington
whose Government certainly cannot be &C.
cused of being friendly to the Japanese
cause declared to-day in an indignant
manner that II Russia did not seek peace
Immediately her whole governmental
structure was threatened. He said II was