The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-15
Stirred by Danger Of French
Clash With Germany.
HAS Effect ON RUSSIA.
Gar Urged by Ms Ally to Accept
Move for Peace.

Requests Japan .!Qr Eastern strus.
gle- Thus Kaiser's Present AEEres-
siye Game Might he Checkmated
Special Gable Despatch TO THs sun.
PARIS, June 1.-THE question Of peace
negotiations is complicated with certain
features OF what is easiest described as the
European situation which almost over
shadows it In general importance. Peace
may come, but 1t will be neg otiated with
considerable unwillingness on the part OF
both belligerents, who are influenced in
accepting President Roosevelt's invitation
at the present m oment by considerations
quite extraneous to the Far Eastern stu
alton.
II ia necessary to speak with some re-
serve in dealing with the critical problems
which are putting the severest test on di-
plomaoy that it was ever called upon TO
meet Certain bald facts may be stated
without equivocation. -
FRANCE AND GERMANY WERE NEAR WAR.
When NJ. Delcasse resigned the portfolio
Of the Foreign Office Germany and France
were on the verge Of war NJ. Delcasss
thought that Germa ny was bluffing. Prime
Minister Rouvier, remembering 1870, be-
lieved otherwise.
Germany had been for some weeks
st strengthening her garrlsons near the
French frontier. France responded with
q similar move. The Kaiser. ignoring his
own provocation. notified France that il
she did not cease this military movement
Germany would consider 1t an unfriendly
act. This VI course, was equivalent to
an ultimatun, and NJ. Rouver sent con-
ciliatory reply. :.
Within q few hours after NJ. Delcasss's
retirement M. Rouvier made certain repre-
sensations to Russia which had far greater
influence upon the Cars present course
than even Mr.. Roosevelt's letter. NJ. Del
casse had done everything in his power
to support the Russian policy and uphold
the alliance and had refrained from pressing
advice, peaceful or otherwise, upon the
Cars Government.
FRANCES DEMAND oS RUSSIA.
NJ. Rouvier said to Russia In effect that the
vital interests of France required the Car
to do something under the terms OF the
alliance for her protection against German
aggression. IT was imperative that Russia
restore her military strength on her western
frontier and be prepared to take an active
part in the campaign If France were at
tackled He went so far as to intimate
that unless Russia promptly assumed
some of her duties as an ally France would
be unable TO see the advantage Of con-
tinuation Of the alliance. which thus FAR
has been wholly onesided.
In a word he strongly advised the Car
TO make peace Immediately and to give
attention to the grave crisis in Europe.
This plain speaking and additional light
which was thrown upon Gerlnany's plans
for taking advantage Of the present situa-
ton made a considerable change in the
Car. views Of Emperor Williams earlier
advice to press on the war. He has yielded
to the French representations to the ex-
tent the world already knows.
He does not recognize the necessity for
seeking peace SO far as Russia herself is
concerned. He certainly will not accept
terms which the rest of the world would
regard as reasonable. He is still under
the influence of those OF his encourage
who favor an indefinite prolongation of
hostiltiea, but there Is another important
influence at work.
ENaLANDs PART.
England is in full sympathy with France
in the latters embarrassment. 1t is to
Lord I.ansdowne, the British Foreign
Secretary, that credit is largely due for
Japan's prompt acceptance OF President
Roosevelt's peace suggestion. The Euro
pean situation is fully understood at Toxic
and there is every desire there to support
England's interests against German ag-
gression. Japan cannot sacrifice any ma
terial interest in the Ear East, but she is
willing to forego conquests which are
pra ctically within her grasp.
England has asked that her demands
be moderate, and there is reason to believe
that az an nducement to this end Lord
Lansdowne is prepared to supply what
Japan most Of all desires, namely, practi-
cal guarantee against future Russian ag-
gression in the Far East. This Great
Britain can give in the shape of full al
lance for the protection OF Japanese in
terests in the Pacific.
THE CHANCE OF PEACE.
As regards peace, therefore, the situation
is practically this:
Peace will come il Japans terms are
moderate TO the point of magnanimity; not
otherwise. As for the European crisis its
development depends solely upon the will