The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-06
RUSSIA DOUBTFUL OF PEACE.
CZAR MAY REJECT JAPAN'S
TERMS AS PATRIOTIC MOVE.

TERMS AS PATRIOTIC MOVE.
strongest Influence Tor Peaoe Is tho Finsn.
ciai situatiou-Witte Said TO Have
Reported Inability TO secure Loans
Here o. In Parts Unless War Ends.
: Special Cable Dsspaiehss 10 TIE SUN.
ST. PETERSBURG, Aug. 6.-Russia awaits
the Portsmouth conference with moro
curiosity than interest. There IL little
expectation In official and unofiicial circles
that peace will be the outcome. One natu-
rally seeks motives Of bluff In this attitude
Of indifference and skepticism and pre-
vailing war talk. but these are entirely
absent.
The idea that Russia Is under any neces-
sity to seek peace as the unsuccessful
belgerent simply does not exist anywhere.
This national habit Of mind which forgets
or ignores disagreeable facts Ii one Of the
amazing and important features Of the
situation. 1t has largely changed Russian
opinion since President Roosevelt invited
the negotiations, especially since the ques-
ton OF indemnity was mooted.
Some investigation Of peasant opinion In
various parts Of the country has been made
in the last fortnight. This counts for little.
but it Is interesting. The ignorant moujik
says: -Yes, the war should be stopped.
Japan should pay US to make peace, because
she has been successful so far. We cannot
both lose and pay"
When 1t is suggested that Japan would
demand the payment Of her war expenses
the peasants unanimously repudiate the
Idea and declare that the war shall con-
tnue until Russia gains an eventual sue
cess. According to historic precedents
this may seem merely ludicrous, butt repre-
sents the ideas Of the Russian masses.
II, therefore. the Gar rejects the de-
mands Of the Japanese for an indemnity
he will have the country really behind him
for tho first time in prosecuting the war.
TALK OF JAPANESE ALLIANCE. =.
II should be understood that there Is
no anti-Japanese party at present In Russia.
The idea that Mr.. Witte may induce Japan
to make friendly alliance on liberal terms,
but without an indemnity, appeals strongly
to a certain section here who see In the
suggestion the only possibility Of peace.
It is significant that the Sloro. the reputed
organ Of Alexander Mikhaiiovitch. which
was suppressed fortnight ago for a month,
reappears to-day and prints an article by
Prof Migouline in which he says that should
Russia consent to pay an indemnity masked
under any other name it would mark the
beginning Of the bankruptcy which is
already threatening Russia. He adds:
1T il no more a question Of the degrade
ton OF Russia. which has already been
DEGRADED to tho utmost extent, but now
arises tho question Of avertng economical
bankruptcy. Russia wants peace, but .
oplA .peaossayhach alone could b. created
by an alliance WITH Japan.
The writer adds that he hopes Whites
instructions apply to the question Of al
lance and nothing else. One Is probably
justified In sscribinG considerable sig
ni6cance to this utterance.
IL THE INTERNAL srrUArIoN.
There wore some great surprises in the
attitude taken by prominent individuals
at the Peterhof conference in regard to the
. internal policy Of the Empire. Count Ig-
natieff, who. until he went to Odessa with
full powers from tho Gar had been strongly
a,itocratic, was the strongest advocate in
favor Of granting the popular demands, in
Guiding q national assembly. He made an
outspoken speech warning the Gar that
unless he yielded his dynasty was In danger.
Ignatieif Is the head Of one Of the greatest
and most influential families In Russia, and
has made an important record In the public
service, having been mentioned as pos
sible SUCCESSOR to Count Lamsdorf as Min
kter Of Foreign Affair.".
The second surprise at the conference
was the act Of Gen. Trepon, the Assistant
Minister Of the Interior. In joining the sup
porters OF the national assembly. His
motives are more personal than political.
His advent to power has been resented
by the aristocratic reactioary leaders,
such as Baron Freedericks, the Minister Of
the Imperial Household, and he has seized
the opportunity to get revenge for social
Sights as we'll as to join the coming sue
ceesful party.
Count LAmsdorff arrayed himself with
the minority in opposing constitutional
concessions. His only associates we're
Pobiedonostser, the Procurator General Of
the Holy Synod, M. Manukhin, the Min
lister Of Justice and three minor func-
tionaries. There were four members Of
the conference who were Indifferent, includ-
Ing Gen. Sakharon. the Minister Of War,
Minister OF Finance Kokovtsoff, and Gen.
OhzofY, the Minister Of Public Instruction.
AnOso IdVOIhhS pOpuinI oeeofuhy u-
cluded Vladimir and the other Grand Dukes
and the Emperor again declared himself
on that side.
The foregoing attitude is on the ques-
ton OF internal reforms. There is no in
dioetion OF the opinion Of these men "a
regards peace. Count LAmsdorff, for in
stance advocates peaoe, but the ma jority
favor q continuation OF the war.
REroHMHRs STAND FOR PEACE.
Gen. Hnisvitch's campaign Of tele-
gram. has made q great change OF opinion
among all classes Of prominent persons
on the question Of continuing . defensive
war and wearing out the enemy according
10 traditional Russian policy. No people
in the world forget their disasters 30 quickly
as the Russians. Most Of them are fully
persuaded that Gen. Linievitch can carry
on the defensive campaign with occasional
retreats after heavy fighting to the point
Of the exhaustion OF Japan.