The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-01-12
Emperor Nicholas and the Mem.
bers of the Council of the
Empire Meet.
ARE CONSIDERING the SITUATION.
Nothing Occurred to Indicate that
the Continuation of the War
Would Be Abandoned.
Diplomats Realize That " Japan
II Is Rejected Outright, Nego.
tions Would Be Opened.
Makes Any Sort Of Offer, Unless

New York, Jan. 3.-Port Arthur,
whose hills have for months run red
with the blood of the bravest of two
warlike nations, has at last succumbed
to the fierce tenacity of the Japanese
attack. Gen. Stoessel, most stubborn
in carrying out the will Of his sover.
eigD. has seen the advance of the be.
sieging army gain in momentum and
energy until to hold out longer would
have been crime against humanity.
The Russians estimate that the TAX
ing of the fortress has cost Japan
800 100000.
st. Petersburg. Jan. 6.-Few Incl.
dents of the war have aroused more
bitter criticism than the blunt al.
nouncement, officially issued. that Gen.
Stoessel will have to come home and
stand court-martial for surrendering
the fortress of Port Arthur.
st. Petersburg, Jan. 9.--The confer.
'ences which Emperor Nicholas has
been holding with members Of the
council of the empire, NJ Witte and
other ministers and advisors on the
international and external situation,
have not yet been concluded. but
nothing has occurred which would in.
dicate that the government is prepar-
ed to depart from its present program
of continuing the war to the bitter
end. Nevertheless, talk of peace was
heard in many quarters. the founda.
tion for II being ascribed to Foreign
Minister Lamsdorf's alleged position
In favor of such course on the
ground that aside from the humilia-
tion to military prestige involved, 1t
would only mean the REIMBURSEMENT
of Manchuria to which Russia already
Is formally pledged. There is no con.
firmation of this statement of Count
Lamsdorf's position beyond the gen.
eral knowledge that he always has be-
longed to the peace party.
1t is quite probable that the peace
talk gossip has been produced by the
arrival of foreign papers, as 1t receives
no announcement in responsible quar-
tiers here.
The belief which existed in excep.
tionally well informed diplomatic cir
cles that Japan would follow the fall
of Port Arthur with moderate peace
has not been realized.
Up 20 the present time nothing has
reached the government either through
the United States or other channels.
Diplomats here can not figure out the
general lines of treaty at this juno
ture which both the belligerents could
accept. but realize that II Japan
makes any sort of offer, unless It Is
rejected outright as not entertainable,
negotiations would be opened; and nc
gotiations once entered upon, friends
of both parties could use their good
Offices to bring about terms. This is
the only hope for termination of the
war which diplomats can see.
Washington, Jan 9.-The japanese
legation Sunday received the follow.
ing from the foreign Office at Toxic:
Gen Nogi on Sunday reports de-
livery Of Russian prisoners under ca
pitulation was completed on Satur-
day The total Of the prisoners were
SIS officers and 23491 men, whereof
Al officers and 229 orderlies gave pa
role so far. Gen Smirnoff, Gen. Fock,
Gen. CorbatovslSy and Adm. Wilmann
preferred 10 he sent to Japan as pris-
oners. while Stoessel will leave Dalny
for home on the 18th of January"