Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-20
GEAR FOR PEACE
PROMINENT RUSSIANS IN FAVOR
OF ovERTUREs TO JAPAN.
Demand Favorable Terms and REGARD
Conditions Ripe for Dignifed
Closing of War.

While Emperor Nicholas, whose word is
fnal, still declines to abandon the urose
cution OF the war. and the government
maintains Its ability to continue the con-
met, the Associated Press is In a position
10 state that powerful influences at St Pet
erspurg, including several Of the emperor's
own ministers, are now strongly urging that
the time has come to indicate to Japan
Russia's desire for peace upon a reasonable
basis Should Japan then ATTEMPT to i'm
pose too onerous conditions these inau
ences argue that in view of the universal
wish to see the bloody conflict ended Rus
sias position will be strengthened abroad
by the alienation of sympathy from Japau.
and the situation at home improved. when
the nation is made to understand that the
emperors pacific proposals have been met
with impossible terms.
Favor Dignifed Peace.
One of the emperor's ministers said:
We have suffered bitter defeat on land
ana sea- We can, however, still continue
the war But both countries have suffersa
great losses in blood and treasure. and it
would only profit the rivals of both wers
we to fight on until one or the other Ia ex
hausted. Russia has hard task fighting fba
war against such adversarIes. 6OOO niles
away from home, and 1 contend she can
make dignified peace, without glory. but
not without honor.
AS the victor on land and sea Janan ran
aHoru 10 remember, as Bismarck did at the
conclusion OF the Austro-Prussian war that
two countries which must live through tho
long future as neighbors may need each
others friendship.
Japan may consider the time propitious.
on account OF the situation in European
Russia, to try and crush us. Suppose for
the sake of argument she succeeded in
nnaily Forcing humiliating peace. it could
not be more than an armed truce Russia liz
LOOT 700 pig ana powerful to retire permanently
eventually roll away With the army and
navy reorganized, In five. ten or fifteen
years there will come inevitably our re-
venge No permanent peace is possible now
or later, unless Japan is reasonable
To the suggestion of the possibility of an
aliiance between Russia and Japan, the min
lister said:
"A reasonable peace must first be estab-
lished.''
Reasonable Terms Suggested.
What" was asked. would be reason-
abie?"
Broadly speaking. Russia's remuneration
of her entire Manchurian policy should sat
isfy Japan's claims. She could have her
protectorate over Korea. such privileges on
the Kwantung peninsula and at Port Ar
the Chinese eastern railway be placed I'M
der international control. Russia maintain
ing her rights to a railway line through
northern Manchuria to Vladiyostok.
What would be Russia's attitude on the
subject of indemnify?
Russia never yet has paid indemnity,
and history practically affords no prece-
dent for indemnity when territory is not
holds not foot of Russian territory. Japan
could however, take the proceeds of the
sale Of the property and rights OF the
Chinese eastern railway, which was built
with Russian money"
Able to Continue the War.
Proceeding, the minister said the diff
culties of continuing the war were fully
appreciated. both from military and
financial standpoint but neither was insur-
mountable. He denied emphatically that
the negotiations for a French loan were
adjourned because Russia would not make
peace He expected that these negotiations
would be resumed soon. The success OF
the internal loan, the minister said, Is as
sured. As for the question Of a new army.
much depended upon the exact situation
when Gen. Linevitch got the army out of
danger.
The minister said further that com
plete details of Gen. Kuropatkins losses
have not yet reached the government: but
1t is already known that the japanese re-
ports are greatly exaggerated The reports
tnat Sixty siege guns ana many HunuTeo
cars were left behind is false, as pracfic-
ally no siege guns or rolling stock fell into
the hands of the Japanese. No new general
has ben ordered, and 1t mny
not be necessary. OF the 100000 reservfsts
last fall. 10000. and the Fourth
Army corps. numbering 10000, are now be-
ginning to arrive in the far east. II, there
fore. Linevitch's army totals 100000 when
he reaches Hardin az that. for instance. 10
to be the new basel, he will have an army
Of about 100000, without summoning addi-
tional reserves. Some regular untta, IKE
> divssion Of guards. might be sent without