Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-09
PROSPECTS OF PEACE
Believed That Russia is Wait
ing for an Opening.
EMANDS OF JAP A N
LIKELY TO INCLUDE THE oCCUPA-
TON OF PORT ARTHUR.
Important Military Achievements of
the Past Year-Russia's Order
Declined by Steel Trust.
DEMANDS OF JAP AN
BY VIM. E. CURTIS.

Written for The Evening Star and the Chcaso
Record Herald.
Leaving the Russian embassy out OF the
Question # is the unanimous opinion of
the officials of the Department of state
and the members of the diplomatic corps at
Washington that the car and his advisors
have had all the war they want and are
only waiting for an opportunity to secure
advantageous terms of peace. This impress
sion is formed upon Intangible evidence,
however though all the signs point that
way, and where there is so much smoke
there must be some fire. There is no
doubt that the tone of the Russian newspd-
pers which usually express the sentiments
of the grand dukes and the ministry Is
much more softened since the internal out
breaks than it has been at any time before;
and it is known from private correspond
ence that since the fall of Port Arthur the
peace party at st. Petersburg has been
gaining rapidly in strength and influence,
while the war party has been in distress.
kilograms to the London papers from cor
respondents who are usually rellapie point
out various straws which show the way
the wind is blowing. Contracts for mil
tary supplies have been Cancelled by Rus-
sian officials and all of the orders for the
mobilization of the reserves of the army
have been revoked since the news of Gen.
Stoessels surrender was received
A letter received by former resident or
st. Petersburg now in Washington dated
January s. states that the movement or
troops and supplies to Manchurla had then
been suspended much to the CONSERVATION
of the friends and families of military Off
cials who are responsible for the success
of the Russian forces in Manchuria. The
writer who is an American doing business
in Russia, describes the government as in
a state of collapse" because of the fall Of
Port Arthur; and he said that there was
strong talk of recalling the Baltic foet
to the Mediterranean.
Up to the present writing there has been
no suggestion or intimation from either
Russia or Japan that the good offices OF
the United States are desired for peace ne
gotiations and it is equally certain that
no other government has been approached.
There has been more or less correspondence
between the foreign ministries of England,
Germany and France, however. and there
seems to be no doubt that the Kaiser of
Germany and the King of England have eX-
changed views on the subject. But further
than that nothing is known here The
Japanese minister at Washington and the
members of his legation do not conceal
their desire for a termination of hostilities.
provided it can be arranged in manner
honorable to Japan, but being victors thus
far it is not possible for them to take the
initiative. The Japanese government at
Tokyo has never hesitated to express its
hopes for an early peace and has fire.
quently declared its willingness to nego-
tate on liberal terms. Russia, however,
being worsted, must be the first to cry
enough
The terms Japan will insist upon are
pretty we'll understood among diplomats
| and have been frequently discussed. The
war has been fought for certain purposes
| and will be continued until those purposes
| are accomplished. Otherwise, the enor-
| nous sacrifices of life and labor and
! money. and the unlimited risk which Japan
! has undertaken would be wasted.