Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-13
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
Unpleasant Situation Of the
Gear at This Time.
DILEMMA OVER W AR
PEACE SENTIMENT I'm ST. PETERS
BURG GROWING srsonaHa,
War Party Foresees. Internal Trouble in
Case of Mobilizing q
New Army.
DILEMMA OVER WAR

ST. PETERSBURG, March 13-1:T p.m.-
The announcement made in the name of the
government, in the face of the overwhelm-
ing disaster suffered by General Kuropat-
kin, that fresh army would be raised and
the war proceed, and the naughty attitude
assumed by Japan may, after all, be simply
a sparring for position which is the prelude
of peace. So far as the public here is con-
eerned, peace is the, only thing talked of,
the sentiment being thaa if diplomacy can
now bring the warning pbwers into negotia-
tions peace will follow.
Many diplomatists believe that terms ac-
ceptable to both are only possible on the
basis not of ordinary peace, but more in the
nature of an alliance which would distinctly
define and guarantee the position OF the re-
-spective powers in the far east In the fu-
ture. 1t is certain however, that Russia
as yet has made no move Here confusion
still reigns in the higher circles, and the en-
peror has not yet decided that he must yield.
Nevertheless, the peace party has been
greatly strengthened and is now taking the
position that to attempt to continue the war
will only court additional Complications and
dangers at home, with the chances of sue
cess for the Russian arms on the field of
battle too remote to be worthy of conSidera-
ton. But some of the emperorS advisers
insist that the government is lrrevocably
committed to war; that it would be harder
to stop than to go on, and that il the war
is indefinitely prolonged the financial re-
sources of Japan are sure toHbe exhausted
before Russia's, while Russia's prestige
abroad is irreparably gone If she now bends
the knee.
Might Infame the Csuntry.
The situation is not dissirIfilar to that
which prevailed at the end of the Crimean
war, when Nicholas l took sudden de-
cision to conclude peace on the best terms
obtainable. The effect on the internal
situation of either alternative will probably
govern the final decision
The practical difficulties not only in get
ting new army to the 'front.' but in ac-
tually mobilizing it, are fully, appreciated
even at the war Office, where many officers
reluctantly declare it is idle TO hope for
victory under the present circumstances
Another general mobilization might set the
country in flames. In Poland, whence 1T
is announced another corps will be sent
to the front, the mobilization OF the last
corps ordered to the war had to be aband-
oned owing to the popular opposition to
the governments policy.
AT home the elements which are trying
to force the emperor's hand would employ
either horn of the dilemma selected, whether
peace or a continuation OF the war, to
press forth the granting real constitu-
ton. They declare the government is now
in a corner from which there is no escape
without the support Of the people.
There is reason to believe that some sof
the emperor's advisers share this opinion
and are advocating the bold stroke of SUM
moning a veritasble constituent assembly,
appealing to the patriotism of the people
and allowing them to decide. the question
of peace or war.
Such move, they argue, wpAld confound
Japan IL the decision was war. and If peace
would relieve the -government9o 9of response
bility and insure tranquility at home.
OF course. it is realized that this would
inevitably mean a change in the form of
government to constitutional monarchy.
Newspaper Comment.
The newspapers, with the exception of the
Novoe Vremya and a few others whose
voice is always for war, speak out straight
for peace at almost any price, declaring
that all hopes of Victory are now buried at
Mukden Some papers, like the Novosu.
the Jewish organ, plainly denounce the
whole far eastern policy as q senseiess ad-
venture, which has cost thousands of lives
and milliona OF money, declaring that for
two hundred years the government has
been extending the empire, and that It Is
now time to stop and regenerHte the people.
The Gazeta, a popular paper, goes farther,
affirming the justice Qf Japan's position.
and saying that opportunity on the main
land Is vital to her, whereas Russia,B Nam
churtan adventure ii optbnial dream, in
which the people have NO p4rt.
NOBODY but the gov6rnuaN17t." the paper