The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-12
GROWS MORE DESPERATE France Vita|Iy Interested in Manchurian Developments JOURNALS RECOMMEND PEACE Tenps Says Overwhelming Majority or French Public Opinion Appeals
 to Russia for Pacific
 Solution.
JOURNALS RECOMMEND PEACE

Paris. March 1.-The Temps, which usually reflects the sentiment In official quarters. prints notable leading edi- torial this evening appealing to Russia to ,aocept the inevitable and make the best peace possible. The paper declares that Russia's sacrifice will be less than that Of France at the end of the Franco-German war as France struggled against the dis memberment of her whole country, whereas Russi, struggles to hold Man churia which she has formally promised to return to China. Moreover the battle of Mukden definitely establishes Japanese advantage, and therefore seif-interest oe- mands that Russia recognize her deleae and abandon the struggle.
 The Temps adds:
 .The overwhelming majority of French public opinion resolutely attached 10 the Franco Russian alliance appeals to It's ally for pacific solution. The united in- terests of France and Russia call for such a solution and France wishes her ally that 1t Is necessary for settlement of the crisis as now presented
 Acute Anxiety Prevails.
 
 The governments adviees from St. Petersburg say that the most acute an- xietv prevails in the official quarters on account of the desperate nature or the situation in Manchuria.
 Russian military and political quarters are practically cut off from all detaiis except those contained in the dispatches published in the American, British and French press This absence of official in- formation has heightened the anxiety to an intense pitch and give rise to sinister forebodings concerning General kuropat- Rin's ability to extrlcate his army from It's perilous position.
 Therefore, the official dispatches from s. Petersburg, while failing to give any details of the battle reflect the extreme apprehension felt throughout Russian officialdom There is a similar feeling Of apprehension in official quarters here where attention Is concentrated on the final outcome of the battle. The French officials are inclined to believe that the struggle will continue for three or four days longer before rlsults are attained which may prove decisive upon the whole war.
 May Be Crushing Disaster.
 Until Mukden was captured. it was believed that KuropatKin would succeed in cutting his way northward and con- centrate his troops fo- supreme strug- gle at Harbin. but the latest advices be- gin to incline the officials to take the view that Kuropatkin's defeat may reach the magnitude of a crushing disaster from which his army will be unable to recover. Consequently the events of the next four days will be watched with n- tense interest as likely to lead to the turning point of the war.
 Concerning the peace rumor, semi official denial has been issued relating t, the report of the Daily Graphic of Lcndon. that Emperor Nicholas had ex- pressed his willingness to begin negotla- lions. Notwithstanding this denial. 1t ia gathered that the events of the next few days may have an important inhu- ence upon peace. although an over whelming Japanese victory is considered in the highest quarters as likely to re- tard instead of advance peace This Is based on the theory that the Japanese army, flushed with victory, will not halt urtil the full measure of it's success is attained by reaching Harbin, thus glv- ing A period of intense military activity in which there would be little opportun- ity for the mature consideration of peace.
 Part of Squadron Returns.
 The Frencn BONtfHHtHt Hsis nDt Deth advised that the squadron commanded by Vice Admiral Rojestvensky IS returning to Jibutil. French Somailand. but it is the understanding that part of the squadron is returning for the purpose of conveying the Russian third squadron until the function is affected with Rojestvensky.
 The socialists threaten to raise a debate in the Chamber of Deputies criticising Frances action in permitting the Rus
 4. .t1.< fr, oA Ane fof ofara and at Jubitil. This probably will bring out a declaration from Foreign Minister Deicasse that he is pursuing exactly the same course as during the Spanish-Amer- lean war. It $ maintained that the Rus sian ships remain outside the three-mile limit when off French ports.
 Wished to Honor Davis.
 King Edward intended to bestow dis tinguished consideration upon Rear Ad-
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