Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-29
Peace Terms in Formulation.

The fiutterings of the wings of peace are
sounding louder each day. The talk of
negotiations, vague for week or more,
has become more specific. There Is less
random gossip from the European capitals
and more serious attention to the details
of the situation. This change in both the
length and the character of the dispatches
is significant.
Today the Associated Press declares in
St. Petersburg dispatch that 1t Is in po-
s.tion to announce that a step in the direc-
ton of peace has actually been taken by
Russia. Coupled with this statement is the
following interesting explanation:
Russia has indirectly made known to
Japan the negative conditions upon which
peace may be concluded. namely, no ces-
sion of territory and no indemnity, leaving
Japan to determine whether negotiations
can be begun on that basis. No reply from
Japan has reached the Russian govern
ment."
This sounds more like a note from con-
queror than from virtually vanquished
contestant Russia is in no position to die
tate terms, even negative ones. But 1t Is
of course necessary to draw sharp line at
first in order that there may be later re-
cessions and concessions. 1t would be i'm
polite for Russia to broaden the peace
basis at this stage.
1t has been asserted positively that Rus
STA has placed the preliminary negotiations
more or less distinctly in the hands of M.
Delcasse. the French minister for foreign
affairs This, however, is not confirmed.
although it bears the mark of probability.
Delcasse stands for France, which Is Rus
sia's best friend in the world today po-
litical ally and until very lately a bounti-
full and accomplishing provider of war
funds. Furthermore Delcasse has scored
high in the diplomatic world. He has
stood the stress of three ministerial crises
and is distinctly the strong man of the
French government today. He would I'M
doubtedly serve both Russia and Japan ad-
mirably in the delicate role of preliminary
negotiator, and it is to his credit that he
has suggested, according to report, that
Lord Lansdowne be invited to participate
in the overtures
20 Russia's negative terms to Japan require
explanation before their likelihood of re-
lection acceptance can be considered
Just what is meant by mo cession of terri
tory" is not plain. One of the most COM
monty accepted points of the whole situa-
tlon is that there will be no peace, as far
as Japan'S wish goes until Russia agrees
to move out of Manchuria and to surrender
the end of the Lao Tung peninsula to the
Japanese. There has been, indeed no other
territorial proposition. 1t is altogether I'M
wise for Russia at this stage with Japan
victorious on land and sea and in posi-
ton to continue the victorious campaign
for many months seriously to expect to
conclude peace on basis which involves
no territorial cession whatever If Port Ar
thur is held in mind. For Japan virtually
went to war to regain the land which she
considers to have been wrested from her by
Russia after the conflict with China.
The question of indemnity is likely to
prove the most serious obstacle. VIII ia
pan waive the usual benefits of the success
full litigant? VIII she agree to assume the
costs of her victorious suit at arms to GUST
from her close vicinity a squatter without
title whose presence she conceives to have
been dangerous TO her welfare and her in
dependence?