The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-06
RUSSIA DOUBTFUL OF PEACE.
CAR NAY REJECT JAPANS
TERMS As PATRIOTIC MOVE.


ciai situatisn-Witte Said 10 Have
Reported Inability to Secure Loans
Here or In Paris uniess War Ends.
sp,eiai Cable Dsspatehss 10 TIE srS
sr. PETERSBURG, Aug. s.--Russia awaits
,hs Portsmouth conference with moro
,uriosity than interest. There is little
e,pectation in official and unofficial circles
that peace will be the outcome. One natu-
rally seeks motives OF bluh In this attitude
NJ indifference aud skepticism and pre-
yailinr war talk, but these are entirely
absent.
The idea that Russia is under any neces-
s;ty TO seek peace a. the unsuccessful
Le'ligerent simply does not exist anywhere.
/Ths national habit Of mind which forgets
or ignores dsagreeable facts Is ono OF the
amazing and important features OF the
situation. 1t has largely changed Russian
opinion since President Roosevelt invited
the negotiations especially since the ques-
ton OF indemnity was mooted.
Some investigation Of peasant opinion In
various parts Of the country has been made
in the last fortnight. This counts for little,
but it is interesting. The ignorant moujik
SAYS: "Yes. the war should be stopped.
japan should pay US TO make peace, because
she has been successful so far. We cannot
both lose and pay"
When it Is suggested that Japan would
demand the payment Of her war expenses
the peasants unanimously repudiate the
idea and declare that the war shall con-
tinue until Russia gains an eventual sue
cess. According to historic precedents
this may seem merely ludicrous, butt repre-
sents the ideas OF the Russian masses.
II, therefore, tho Gar rejects the de-
mands Of the japanese for m indemnity
he will have the country really behind him
for the first time In prosecuting the war.
TALK OF JAPANESE ALLIANCE.
1t should be understood that there is
no anti-Japaness party at present in Russia.
The idea that Mr.. Witte may induce Japan
to make friendly alliance on liberal terms,
but without an indemnity, appeals strongly
to certain section here who So in the
suggestion the only possibility OF peaos.
1t is significant that the Eloco. tho reputed
organ Of Alexander Mikhailovitch. which
was suppressed q fortnight ago for . month,
-eappears to-day and prints an article by
Prof Migouline in which he says that should
Russia consent to pay an indemnity masked
under any other name 1t would mark the
beginning Of the bankruptcy which b
already threatening Russia. He adds:
1T Is no moro q question Of the degrade
tson Of Russia. which has already been
degraded to the utmost extamt, but now
arises tho question Of avertins economical
bankruptcy. Russh wants psacp. but .
solid peaos, which alone could be created
By an alliance with Japan
Tho writer adds that he hopes Whites
Instructions apply to The question Of a.
hancs and Aothins else. One h probably
justined d ascribine considerable Gig
niAcapc0 to thb uttsranoe. r. . D..
THE nsTnANAL SITUATION.
There wore some great surprises In the
attitude talen BY prominent individuals
at the Peterhof conference In regard to the
internal policy u the Empire. Count Ig-
natieR. who, until be wont to Odessa with
full powers from the Car had been strongly
alkocratic. was the strongest advocate In
favor Of granting the popular demands. in
Guiding national assembly. He made an
outspoken speech warning the Gear that
unless he yielded his dynasty was in danger.
Ignatieh 10 the head Of one Of the greatest
and most influential families in Russia, and
has made an important record in the public
service, having been mentioned as pos
sible successor to Count Lamsdorf as Min
lister Of Foreign Affairs.
Tho second surprise at the conference
was tho act Of Gen. Trepot, the Assistant
Minister Of the Interior. in joining the sup
porters Of the national assembly. His
motives are more personal than political.
His advent to power has been resented
by the aristoratic reactioary leaders,
such as Baron Frederick, the Minister Of
the Imperial Household, and he has seissd
ths opportunity to got revenge for social
Sights as well a. to join tho coming sue
cessful party. ID
Count LAmsdorn arrayed himself with
The minority in opposing constitutional
concessions. His only associates were
Pobiedonostsef, the Procurator Osnsrsi Of
Tho Holy Synod, N. Aanukhin, tho Min.
lister Of Justice and three minor func-
tionaries. There were four members Of
the conference who were Indifferent, includ.
ing Gen. Sakharo6. the Minister OF War,
Minister Of Finance KokovtDoff and Gen.
GAzon, the Minister OF Public Instruction,
Those favoring . popular assembly In
cMded Vladimir and the other Grand Dulles
and the Emperor again declared himself
on that side.
The foregoing attitude Is on tho ouss-
ton OF internal reforme. There is no in
dication Of the opinion Of these msn -
regards peace. Count Lamsdor6, for In
stance. advocates peace. but the ma jority
favor a continuation Of the war.
REFoRNEas STAND FOR PEACE.
Gen. Linievitch's campaign Of tele-
grams has made great change Of opinion
among all classes Of prominent persons
on the question Of continuing defensive
war and wearing out the enemy according
10 traditional Russian policy. No people
in The world forget their disasters 20 quickly
as the Russians. Most Of them are fully
persuaded that Gen. Hnievitch can carry
on the defensive campaign with occasional
retreats after heavy fighting to the point
Of the exhaustion Of Japan.
1t was an open seoret that the program
OF the reformers was to wait until the Gov
eminent had declared itself for pesce or
war, and then to take the opposite side.
Their attitude at the present moment In