The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-23
Russia VIII Probably Start the
 Ball Rolling
VITTE IN FAVOR OF PEACE
Russia Will Conduct All Negotiations Through France-Emperor VII. Ham Has Offered Ills serv-
 Ices to the czar.

St. Petersburg. March 2s 12:32 a. m.-- The party in the government which is urging the Emperor to indicate to Ja- pan Russia's willingness to end the war; if a reasonable basis can be reached, as related in these dispatches on March 20 has been greatly encouraged the last few days, and an actual specific propo- sal may be just ahead. The subject has occupied much of the attention of the conferences at the Tsarslxo-Selo.
 Certain grand dukes supported by Gen. eral Sakharoff, the minister of war, Ad- miral Avellan, the head of the admiralty, and what is known as the war party are still bitterly opposed to the idea of peace under present circumstances but with the exception of the ministers of war and the marine, the Emperor's min isters. backed by M. Witte. solidly favor this course, and the convincing argu- nents they offer arc telling. French in- huences in the same direction are now being supported by German opinion.
 France VIII Be Intermediary.
 The rumor noted by the Associated Press last week that Emperor William had rendered his good offices, now seems to be confirmed. The Associated Press is in a position to assert, however, that If Emperor Nicholas decides to approach Japan, it will be through France and that negotiations vii be conducted either through M. Delcasse, the French for eign minister and Dr. Montono, the Jap anese minister at Paris, or M. Haranda, the French minister to Japan, and Count
 Japan Will Not Make First Move.
 The Russian government now feels eer- tain that Japan will not make the first move, nor disclose her position until over lures are made authoritativeiy in the Russian Emperor's name. on the ground that he alone is capable of binding Rus sia. It is quite possible that Japans at titude in this regard has been exposed through unofficial attempts to ascertain terms. Japan, 1t will be remembered. took the same position when Herr Detring. the German commissioner of customs at Tien Tsin without plenary powers, sought to obtain Japan's terms for ending the Chino-Japanese war. de- clinng to treat until u Hung Chang. ac- companied by Gen. John w. Foster, went to Tokio clothed with full powers.
 Furthermore, in view of the possibility that no basis of agreement might result even should the Emperor now approach Japan with pacific proposals, 1t is regard ed as entirely likely that hostilities would continue, following the precedent of the Chino-Japanese war, until negotiations ended. The Chino-Japanese negotiations were begun in December and peace was concluded in the following April Mean while the Japanese made winter cam paign in Manchuria. In the conferences concerning the question whether Russia should now indicate her willingness for peace all agree, firstly, that preparations to continue the war shall not be relaxed.
 Might Offer Liberal Concessions.
 It is pointed out that If Japan seriously desires enduring peace on collateral ques- tions, Russia might be ready to offer lib- eral compensatory considerations. For instance. in lieu of direct indemnity she might turn over to Japan the proceeds of the sale of all the rights and property of the Port Arthur and Dalny and the Chinese Eastern railroads and liberally pay for the maintenance of Russian pris- oners in Japan and while refusing to cede Saghalen, might grant rights to the fisheries there, or even relinquish all the valuable seal fishers on the Commander islands It is possible, also, that satis- factory arrangeemnts might be made re- garding Russian naval strength in eastern waters for a period of years.~