Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-08-12
PEACE PROSPECTS SLIM.


Russia's reply to the japanese terms
of peace were to be delivered By M.
Witte to Baron Komura at $3.50 o'clock
this morning. The reply is written,
there being two texts, one in French,
the other in English. Upon the two
crucial points, indemnity and the cession
of the Island Of Sakhalin, the reply is
an absolute non possumus. Other points
are accepted as bases for discussion,
while still others are accepted condi-
tionally.
The reply is rather long, because in
enumerating the conditions upon which
discussion is admitted aud those upon
which consideration is declined, reasons
and arguments are given. The japanese
plenipotentiaries are expected TO ask for
an immediate adjournment to examine
and prepare their reply. NJ. Witte will
probably intimate that the Russian
plenipotentiaries expect the japanese to
display as much expedition as they (the
Russians) have shown in the preparation
Of their response. Monday, therefore,
is expected to be the day on which the
real discussion will begin. Neither side
wants to indulge in diplomatic sParring.
The time for fencing is over, and less
than a week must decide whether basis
of peace is possible.
A delicate situation has grown out OF
the limitations Of the respective ENJOYS,
NJ. Witie having full power to nego-
tate treaty and Baron Komura being
obliged to refer any agreement to the
Mikado for ratification. NJ. White
threatens to take the same privilege.
Although no official announcement has
yet been made in st. Petersburg, it is
everywhere predicted that Russia will
reject the japanese terms and break off
the negotiations. As for the the terms
themselves, there is only one opinion,
that is that they are severe and drastic
beyond the point that any self-respecting
power could accept or consider. Nobody,
indeed, believes that Japan herself
imagines that Russia will accept them.
1t is therefore assumed that Japan con-
sented to the conference in full knowledge
of its futility.
NJ. Whites dispatch reporting the pro-
posals was not translated from the code
and placed before the Gar az Peterhof
until nearly midnight. 1t is not known
how the terms were received by his
majesty, but wha. he did was most ex-
traordinary. Ordering a carriage and
escorts, he drove during the darkest hours
of the night to KrasnOe Selo, the great
military camp, two hours distant from
Peterhoi The only other occasion on
which lhe has left Peterhof was to meet
the Kaiser.
At late hour last night the Car
visit to Krasnoe Selo was explained, and
il is abundantly significant. His reply
to Japan's demands is a demonstration
of his personal allegiance TO the army.
He invited all the officers OF the imperial
guard to luncheon. He sat at the head
of the table in the barracks and at the
close of the meal he proposed a silent
toast to the Imperial guard.
Every man understood the significance
of the act without word being spoken.
They stood up and drank in impressive
silence. This is the first time since the
war began that the Gar has fraternized
with his officers. The Czarina and the
Dowager Empress accompanied the Car
to Krasnoe Selo.
Il was noted that Japan's demand for
the surrender of the interned warships
and limitation of the Russian forces in
the far East excites even greater resent
ment than the claims for an indemnity
and the session of Sakhalin.
A dispatch from ST. Petersburg at
1865 o'clock this morning says that
Japan's demands have served TO ar
ray the Russian government and
people under the same banner TOR
the first time since the beginning of tn e
war, and it is evidentthat NJ. Witte wi II
find almost solid support at his back in
whatever answer he may make to Baron
Komura's communication.
The government permitted and en-
couraged the publication of the full dis
patches containing the japanese condi-
tons, which like fiery cross rallied Rus
sias disunited clans, reactionary, con-
servatiye, liberal, and radical. With
scarcely an exception every voice Is
raised in urging the governmental hold
out against Japan's principal demands
Many representative Russians now de-
clare that continuance OF the war would
be better than the acceptance of such
terms. The same spirit is manifested in
almost every newspaper, the radical or
gans ranging alongside of the Noyoe
Vremya, while the Russ declares
"1f these are Japan's conditions all
4 fob oA y