The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-23
First Direct Move Toward
Ending tho War.
OUR GOVERNMENTS PART.
ENJOYS May Meet In Washington
to Agree on Final Treaty.

Japan 10 Insist on Her suzerainty Over
Corea ana on the Integrity OF Man.
churla-To Hold Port Arthur and
Demand the CeSsion OF the LAO.
tung PenInsula-Bcicf In Washing.
ton That the Warning Nations Have
Already Begun Int erchang es-Rus.
sia Anxious Only to Escape With
Honor-No Direct Communication
From Toxic to Washington Yet Made.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22-The first direct
peace move by one of the warning nations in
the Far East has been made and according
TO high authority in Washington, II emanated
/ from Japan and not from Russia. Little
! Information az to the character and extent
of the Japanese proposal is obtainable,
/ but enough has come TO light to Indicate
that 1t is not mere repetition of Japan's
I informal assurances to the Powers that
she would be ready to consider overtures
for a settlement whenever Russia was ready,
/ but Is in direct and positive form
! THE SUNS informant, whose standing
justifies attaching Importance to his state-
ment, said that the Japanese proposal,
while made in quiet way was none tho
less serious and he added that RUSSIA had
now the opportunity Of bringing about
an ending Of the Far Eastern conflict with
honor TO herself
From the same source of authority
THE Sun learns that Japan has stipulated
as a basis for treaty Of amity and friend
ship that Russia shall permit japanese
suzeratnty over COrea and acknowledge
the integrity OF Manohura
Japan will. OF COURSE. insist upon the
possession Of Port Arthur, and there is no
reason to doubt thu suggestions from
/ St Petersburg and other European CAPT
| tails that the proposed settlement will
embrace the transfer Of the LiaotunR PENN
sua TO Japanese authority. the opening
OF Vladivostok to neutral trade and placing
the administration of the Chinese Eastern
Railway In the hands Of an international
committee.
The press dispatches from Europe
printed to-day all indicate that these pro-
posals emanated from Russia, but Wash
ington's information that the peace sug-
gestion came from Japan appears to be
carried out by the very character of the
terms mentioned as q basis for a settle
ment. Russia, it is commended would hardly
have offered so many important oonces-
sions as a preliminary TO negotiations for
bringing the war TO an end.
While officials here profess to be ignorant
of the exact status of the peace situation,
they admit that they would not he surprised
If information came that exchanges between
Japan and Russia through some neutral
medium were already in progress.
These officials express the opinion that
Japan realizing Russas light at home
aud abroad. does not wish to impose con
ditions upon her that would be regarded
as humiliating. There has been very
general idea in Washington that Russia
has been willing for long time 10 arrange
q cessation Of hostilties if she could do so
without loss of pride or what she con-
ceived to he loss of honor, but was re-
strained from taking the first step through
the fear that such a course might be re-
garded as a confession Of weakness.
With Japan assuming the initiative.
however, Russia would find no cause for
further hesitation and 1t is asserted here
that the Gar and his Ministers will show
good sense and perform valuable service
to their country by meeting japan half
way.
Intense interest prevails throughout
official circles over the prospect Of peace.
and already it is being assumed that the
United States will have some voice in tho
ultimate settlement OF the territorial ques-
tons involved. The correct attitude which
this Government has maintained as a neutral
throughout the war and the peculiar geo.
graphical position of America lead many to
believe that peace negotiations will be con-
Quoted in Washington.
In connection with the discussion Of these
phases OF the situation 1t should be said
that the Japanese move for peace has not
been directly communicated to this Govern
nent from Toxic for the purpose Of making
t q party TO the preliminary negotiations.
The exact shape in which the information
zane to Washington is still an official secret.
cut the impression was given that the
,yertures from Japan have been brought
o Russia's attention through some neutral
service.
1t is not now possible 20 say what, IL
my. nation is acting as an intermediary,
nut it may not be out Of placs TO recall for
What it il worth that the care OF Japanes,
interests in the Cars possessions was
ntn,sted by Japan, for tho period of the
var. 20 the diplomatic and consular agents
4 the United States stationed in Russian
While responding in the negative to a
question to whether he had been in
ormed Of any direct movement for peace
n the part OF either Japan or Russia,
logoro Takahira, the japanese Minister.
aid emphatically tonight that his Gov
rnment was for peaos and always had
cen.
Japan Ia ready for peace, he declared.
We have long been ready for peace. but
course II must be on our own terms.
nd ! think my Government would not
AXE the initiative in bringing about an
nd Of the war.
1t is Of interest, in connection with Mr.
akahiras statement, that the informa-