The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1905-03-20
GENERAL LINEvITCH.

railroad about twenty-five miles north
Of Tie pass, and their cavalry has oc-
cupled Fakoman. Our armies continue
their concentration"
A dispatch from Gunshu pass, about
l65 miles north of Mukden, says: The
first army, which has been covering the
retreat of the Russian forces from the
south, is Withdrawing slowly, check
Ing comparatively light attacks by the
japanese. The japanese are conduct
ing a flanking operation on the right,
and from the Russian column japanese
batteries are visible keeping pace
with it."
Ii is stated ON high authority at st.
Petersburg that at General Linevitch's
request the emperor has appointed
General Kuropatkn commander of
the first army and that he has assumed
command.
While Emperor Nicholas, whose word
Is final, still declines TO abandon the
prosecution of the war; and the gov
eminent maintains its ability TO con
tnue the conflict, 1t is stated on good
authority that powerful influences, in
Guiding 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 One of the en-
peror's ministers in conversation
said.
We have suffered bitter defeat on
land and sea. We can, however, still
continue the war. But both countries
awe suffered great losses in blood and
treasure, and it would only profit the
rivals of both were we to fight ON until
one or the other is exhausted. Russia
has hard task fighting the war
against such adversaries, 5000 miles
from home, and | contend she can
make a dignfed peace without glory,
but not without honor. Russia is too
big and powerful to retire permanently
from the field The clouds ut home
will eventually roll away. With the
army and navy recognized, in five, ten
or fifteen years there will come in
evitably our revenge. No permanent
peace is possible now or later unless
Japan Is reasonable"
To the suggestion of the possibility
of an alliance between Russia and
Japan, the minister said, "A reason
able peace must first be established 4"
What" was asked, would be rea-
sonabeT
Broadly speaking, Russians renun-
citation of her entire Manchurian policy
should satisfy Japans claims. She
| could have her protectorate over Ko-
rea, such privileges on the Kwantung
peninsula and at Port Arthur as the
powers would not oppose and the Chi
nese Eastern railway be placed under
international control, Russia maintain
ing her rights to railway line through
northern Manchuria to. Vladivostok. /"
What would be Russla's attitude on
the subject Of indemnify"
Russia never yet has paid indem-
nifty and history practically affords no
precedent for indemnity when territory
Is not occupied to insure payment, and
Japan holds not foot Of Russian ter
ritory. Japan could, however, take the
proceeds Of the sale of the property
and righ.s of the Chinese Eastern rail-
way, which was built with Russian
money"
Dispatches from japanese headquar
tiers in the field says that General Ku
roki's army continues to lead the Jap
anese forces which have now been en-
gagged for nine days in a hard pursuit
In which they have covered distance
OF more than ninety.6ve miles, with
| frannant a ohtinu