The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1905-06-29
RUSSIANS ARE FALLING BACK
BATTLE MORE BLOODY THAN
MUkDEN is LIKELY TO
TAKE PLACE.
NELlD0FF is CHOSEN ENVOY
CRAFTY DIPLOMAT APPOINTED
; ONE OF RUssIA's PLENl-
POTENTlARlES.

st. Petersburg, June 23.-The public,
which has nc idea that negotiations
for an armistice are on foot, believes
that a great battle in Manchuria is
| now beginning, and official dispatches
| from both sides bear out the idea that
| the Japanese have commenced their
main advance, though as yet there
| have been no heavy collisions.
The Japanese, following the check
| ing of the movement to the west, are
| now pushing forward in force along
the railway and Mandarin and Main
| aka roads, their front now stretching
| from Singlungchuan to a point fifteen
| miles north of Changtufu, and east
| through Shuanmiaotzu station to
| Yaona pass, on the Mandarin road.
SIavs Are Retiring.
The Russians retired their advance
| posts without serious resistance. and
| are evidently retiring to their first
line of intrenchments, which is be-
lleved to cross the railroad at Siping-
| hal, fourteen miles further north.
|. Lieut.. Gen. Linevitch evidently has
imposed an embargo on press mes
sages, indicating that hostilities have
entered on a serious phase.
If negotiations for an armistice are
on foot they must bear immediate
fruit in order to prevent a battle per-
hsrs. greater in its casualties than that
of Mukden.
Envoy Is Named.
M. Nelidoff, Russian ambassador to
Paris, has been definitely appointed
one of the Russian peace plenipoten-
tiaries.
M. Nelidoff is a skillful Russian dip
lomat, who, as ambassador at Constan-
tinople for a number of years, handled
some of the most delicate problems
connected with Russia's near Eastern
policy.
New Step by Roosevelt.
President Roosevelt evidently has
taken a new and important step in the
negotiations between the gelligerents.
While there are collateral reasons for
believing that it relates to an armistice
which will prevent the impending bat.
tie in Manchuria, this cannot be posi-
lively affirmed. All that can be stated
definitely is that Ambassador Meyer
vent suddenly to the foreign office late
Tuesday night and had an interview
with Foreign Minister Lansdorff, at
which it is believed the ambassador
communicated an important message
from President Roosevelt, but at nei
Their the foreign Office nor the Ameri
can embassy is the slightest light
thrown on what TRANSFERRED.
From the extreme secrecy observed
the matter beyond doubt is one of the
greatest d~elicacy, but as the statement
is ~vouchsafed at the foreign office
that the negotiations are proceeding
without a hitch, the inference follows
that it relates to a new phase in which
the president has again taken the mi
tiative.
Armistice Rumors AfIoat.
Washington, June 23.-It is intima
ted in official circles here that negotia
tons are proceeding looking to an ar
mistice between Japan and Russia.
The stumbling block in the way O.
armistice appears to be that neither
belligerent is willing to take the i1itia
tive. The present negotiations. it is
understood, consist of an effort tt
sound n or both governments as tt
their willingness to agree to an arms
tice.
There will be no official announce
ment here regarding the probabilitie.
of an armistice before the presiden
returns, o is it certain that there
will be anything to make public. TIL,
feeling in official circles here is strong
ly in favor of a cessation Of hostilities
as it is believed that a clash before tn,
converting of the peace conferenc,
would hamper the work of the plenipo
! tentiaries and might prove a seriou,
! menace to their efforts for peace.
Russ to Pray for Victory.
: Moscow, June ga great open.ai
prayer service for a victory for tn,
! Russian arms will take place on tn
5 Red Square" under the walls of tn,
Kremlin June 20.