The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-03-31
Peace Is likely
Within SIX Weeks
STATEMENT FROM ST. PETERS
BURG SAYS END OF WAR
is IN SIGHT.
GAR SAID TO HAVE
TERMS OF JAPANESE

Latter Oh Such Nature That Russia
Caa Agree-Rumor os Private Con-
ferences Already Held-startling
Statement by Army Organ.
81. petersburg, March 27.-The in
formation contained in dispatches for
over a week regarding the change in
Emperor Nicholas attitude concern
ing the advisability of making pacific
proposals to japan is fully confirmed,
and in very high quarters peace with
in Six weeks is regarded as certain.
The positiveness with which this is
affirmed would Indicate that the gov
eminent is already in possession of
information as to the Japanese terms,
which indicate basis to which Russia
can agree. The exact situation is
shrouded in mystery. The secret of
what mas been done and what is being
done is zealously guarded.
Pourparlers in Progress.
IL is reported, however, from a
source close to the throne that pour
parlers are actually in progress in
Paris, but possibly only of a prelim-
mary character, and that Copenhagen
may be the scene of the FIRST exchanges
between representatives of the two
powers. In this connection impor-
lance is being attached to the visit of
M. D'Iswolsky, Russian minister at
Copenhagen, and Baron Rosen, for
mer Russian minister to Japan, to
M. Bompard, the French ambassador
to Russia, on tuesday. The parties
to this conference refuse to admit that
significance is attached to it. In the
meantime the foreign Office is silent.
Private Conferences Held.
Paris, Marcn s7.-It is said in quar-
tiers having excellent means of in
formation that Russia's steps toward
peace have already taken a tentative
form at private conference held with
in recent days at one of the small
capitals of northern Europe. The pur-
pose of this appears to have been to
bring together personages represent
ing both sides, neither having creden-
tials to discuss formal terms of peace,
but to informally examine what each
side expected, ard what tentative basis
seemed possible, The nature of this
exchange does Dot warrant it's being
considered denite peace movement,
but it is understood to nave given
each side an opportunity to judge the
view of the otlti', hand it has clearly
shown Russia disposition towards
~
peace. There isfeakon to believe that
both St. PetersHu5g, and Toxic know
the results of this conversation, and
that it is the basis Of the renewed st.
Petersburg reports that peace is i'm
minent. However, the discussion does
not seem to have resulted in much
progress, as everything awaits Rus
sia's willingness to. adopt public and
official steps to seclre peace.
Powers Urge Gear to End War.
In this connection it is said that
practically all Europe has lately urged
Emperor Nicholas 70 make peace. the
king of Portugal being the latest to
make an appeal. This pressure from
Europe, together with the military and
fiuenced Emperor Nicholas to try to
secure some acceptable settlement.
Owing to the growing defniteness of
the peace reports, officials and diplo-
mats here are discussing how st.
Petersburg and Toxic will be able to
treat directly. while the usual channels
of communication are severed. 1t is
said this is likely to occur by meet
ing in a neutral capital similar to
the informal meeting already held.
Mention is made of Stockholm and
Copenhagen as advantageous points.
ton is now considered more likely
than through the medium of the
French minister at Toxic. 1t is Off
cially asserted that the latter has not
yet been asked to act in any peace
capacity.
Cause of Japan's Reticence.
Washington, March 27.-When the
dispatch from st. Petersburg regard
ing peace was shown the diplomat
Saturday on whose authority the press
on March Ii announced from Wash
ington that the Russian emperor knew
the general terms on which Japan
would conclude peace, he said:
THE source of my original informa-
ton on this subject was high one,
but it is gratifying to receive this con-
firmation. The European powers,
notably France, have for some time
been endeavoring to find out on what
terms Japan would accept peace. These
have been ascertained in general
way, and have been communicated to
st. Petersburg. When he called his
war council on March IA the en-
peror knew these terms, and doubtless
communicated them to his ministers.
The reason for Japan's apparent reti-
cence regarding the opening of peace
negotiations is not due, as far as l
can learn, to desire to continue the
war, but is because the Toxic govern
ment wishes to be certain that Russia
is proceeding to peace negotiations in
good faith, and is not playing for time,
as she did in the negotiations prior to
the war
Predict Lull III Fighting.
st. Petersburg, March N.-Gen.
Linevitch continues the retirement or