The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-27
RUSSIAN REFUSAL NO BLUFF,
REAL DESIRE AT ST. PETERSBURG
THAT THE WAR GO on.
with Half . Million Men In the Field tho
Gar Dare Not Buy Peace--Sakhalin
Proposal Could Only BE Accepted n
Accompanied by An Alliance with Japan
Special Cable Despatch 10 THE SUN.

Special Cable Despatch 10 The SUN. al
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. %. 1t seems all
most useless to reiterate that Russia will
not accept Japan's latest terms, which are
described az her ultimatum. kilograms
from abroad indicate that belief still ex-
lists in certain quarters that Russia Will
give way at the last moment. 1t Is even
telegraphed that denial has been given
to Foreign Minister Llmsdorfs emphatic
statement that Russia will never pay a
war contribution or cede territory. This
denial is a technical one only. The state
ment was officially given out at the Foreign
Office by Count Lamsdorff's representative
as originally cabled to THE Sun. 1t repre-
sented and still represents Russia's in-
flexible decision. ...4
The sooner it is recognized that the roal
desire Ct the Russian Government is that
the war shall continue. the sooner the world
will understand the situation from Rus
sian point of view. The Car fesl, tn 1t
with half million men in tho field to givs
battle he cannot buy peace. 1t il not
pride alone that impels him to this o1urse.
The penalty for yielding t. Japanese pre,-
sure would be far moro tangible than tho
sense of disgrace and dishonor. He dara
not make peace. even if he desired to do 30.
The idea of a Russian bluff should finally
be dismissed from consideration. II it &
existed it would, Of course, be accompanied
by the belief that Japan would finally
moderate her terms. No such hope or ex-
pectation exists here. Everybody hero:
now expects the war to go on.
The possibilities of the usefulness Of tho
Portsmouth conference are regarded as
80 completely exhausted that expressions
of impotence are beginning to be heard
for it's definite closure. These come chiefly
from influential quarters which were most
active in framing the terms of the national
assembly manifesto and which have for q
policy the rallying of the orthodox peasantry
to the throne. Their task may seem to
he herculean one under existing con-
ditions but whatever course they adopt
it has this significance, that 1t represents
the minds of those who guide the Gear.
They declare buntly that the maximum
that could be achieved by last attempt.
to hold the conference together could only
be that temporary patched up peace which
both sides desire to avoid. =
1t is notable that the only circumstances
in which they will consent to the loss Of
Sakhalin are il 1t is accompanied by
Russo-Japanese alliance. To buy it back
would be mere deception. One Of the
most influential members Of this party
writes to-day as follows
Either after this war Russia and Japan.
will be allies OF the present war will only
be a prelude to an incomparably greater
struggle. II an alliance Is secured then the
Japanese cannon at Sakhalln facing the
mouth of the Amur would not be dangerous I
to US, but II these cannon are hostile then !
we must fight on to final settlement. The
compromise now offered Of buying back
Sakhalin is nothing but a plaster covering
a sore which would grow deeper and deeper
under it. The Russian nation not having
sought the Manchurian adventure will not
accept rotten peace"
The Emperor's rescrpt issued to-day
thanking Grand Duke Vladimir for the con-
dition OF the troops at Krasnoe-Selo, which
he recently reviewed, is a return to the
Cars habit during the first stages of the
war Of periodically issuing thanks and en-
couragement to commanding officers for
their zeal in effecting mobilization Of tho
troops.
The Russ declares that the payment OF
an indemnity by Russia would be c con-
fession that she had lost all confidence in tho
Russian forces and would signify abandon
ment of the hope Of victory. The Russ
adds: Russia has not yet fallen to the
level OF Byzantium. that she is forced to
pay ransom"