The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-10
FRANCE CO>OPERATES
IN THE NEGOTIATIONS
Skepticism Is Manifested In ST. Peters
burg as to the Outcome of
Roosevelt's Efforts.

st. Petersburg, June Midnight M.
Boutieron first secretary of the French
embassy, had long conference with
Foreign Minister Lamsdorff this after
noon. and M. Bompard the French am
bassador, is hurrying back from Paris.
France instead of displaying jealousy at
the initiative taken by President Roose-
welt with a view to bringing Russia and
Japan together for peace, has apparently
warmly welcomed it, and will give 1t CO.
operation.
No further definite development is now
expected until President Roosevelt re-
turns to Washington from his trip to
Virginia.
Statements to the effect that the Presi-
dents sole aim is to bring the warning
powers together in direct negotiations
have been confirmed. There has been no
undertaking ON his part to apprise Rus
STA of the Japanese terms. nor it is be-
lieved to find a preliminary basis for
negotiations. The main obstacle to the
Presidents efforts has been removed with
the Emperors acquiescence in his inita-
tive and negotiations are probably now
proceeding at Toxic.
George De StaaI Suggested.
When the question of the naming of
peace plenipotentiaries is raised the name
of George de Staal, who preceded Count
Brenckendorff as Russian ambassador at
London, and who was president of the
peace conference at The Hague in 1899,
at once occurs to every Russian
outstanding the progress already
made, great deal of skepticism is mani
tested in certain quarters as to the result
of President Roosevelt's demarches The
public seems reluctant to believe that
the Emperor could have consented to
anything like a movement toward peace
Some eynics even try to create the inn
preston that Russia is only seeking to
ascertain Japans terms, and then by
Haunting the hard conditions imposed in
the faces of the representatives of the
people when they meet, arousing the
whole nation to resist them. Such talk,
however, is mere irresponsible chatter.
The Emperor has cast the die and will
make peace II Japan's terms be such that
Russia can accept them with dignity
The Emperor 1t must be pointed out,
has not sued for peace He has only as
scented to proposition submitted by the
head of friendly power and the mat
ter officially goes no further than that
Russia now as ever, is ready to see If q
common basis can be reached.
May Avert the Crisis.
Inc commencement or formal peace me-
gotiations, especially If coupled with the
prompt announcement of the convolSing of
national asse 4bly. may avert the
threatened crisis which the liberals are
forcing upon the government, or 1t may
only serve to preclpitate It,
Moscow is now a perfect hotbed of pro-
test against the existing regime. and the
address which the deputation from the
all-Russian zemstvo congress held there
has brought to st. Petersburg 10 present
to the Emperor has fairly stunned the
members of the government. Nothing APP
preaching such language used in the doc
ument from men of such standing as those
who signed 1t has ever before peen heard
in Russia. There is a peremptory ring
about 1t which is minous. Those bearing
the address come to St Petersburg claim
ing to be the plenipotentaries of the
Russian people delivering an ultmatum
not begging terms rights, and almost
threatening the government with civil war
If 1t does not yield. What is more ominous
still is that the body which this deputa-
ton represents has not left Moscow, but
has only adjourned awaiting the EN-
porer's reply.