The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-11
WEST 12STH ST., 9TH AND 8TH AYES.

present results OF President Roosevelt's
good offices that peace Is in aght.
The question that first arises is that Of
Russia's good faith in oonsenting to open
negotiations. That Russia should desire
an immediate and prolonged arnnistioe Is
sufficiently obvious. On the other hand,
II IL equally certain that Japan's interests
are opposed to any cessation Of hostilities
unless permanent peace Is reasonably sure
to follow.
1t IL the consensus OF European opinion
regarding the war situation that President
Roosevelt's Intervention at the present
moment Is distinctly favorable to Russia,
while II 1t succeeds it will out short Japan a
assured triumph. Another two months
OF military operations would place Japan in
occupation Of important Russian territory.
II not Of Yladivostok itself. Her position
In peace negotiations would then be I'M
mensely stronger than to-day. Full credit
must be given Japan, therefore. for her
great magnanimity in consenttng to ne
gotiate at the present moment.
1t must not be inferred that there Is any
criticism In Europe Of President Roosevelt
for acting at this ,uncture. Such criticism
| II II existed would come from Great Britain,
which desires the complete success OF her
ally. British opinion, like that Of the Con-
tinent, heartily commends and congratu-
lates the President on his skilful and sue.
oessful initiative. There is unfortunately
nothing in st. Petersburg advices. either
public or private to confirm the belief that
the Car IL genuinely DESTROYS OF peace.
There has been no change in his attitude
toward the personal advisers who have
dominated his policy for a long time past.
His Ministers unanimously favor a speedy
end to the war, but they have no longer any
function, not even In an advisory capacity,
In shaping the national policy. break
occurred on March s. the day Of tho issue
Of the two famous imperial manifestoes.
II Is interesting to recount briefly the
true story Of how the Gar finally cut loose
from his liberal advisers and committed
himself to the reactionaries who still con-
troll him. The Council Of Ministers was
accustomed to meet the Gar every Fri
day. The famous reactionary ukase ap-
peared on tho morning OF March j. The
Ministers, who previously had no knowl-
edge OF it, discussed it on the train going
to Tsarskoe-Selo. They had no means
Of coming to an agreement in regard to
the internal policy, but, recognizing the I'M
mense revolutionary peril created by the
manifesto, they hastily agreed to urge the
Car to issue a liberal supplementary proc
lamation.
The Car greeted them with document
in his hand. saying: Il know your views
regarding popular concessions, gentlemen.
and have embodied them in this rescript.
which leave with you to discuss during
luncheon. Give me your ideas afterward,
The Ministers when left alone read the
paper and found that 1t had been skilfully
drawn. The draft was designed to en-
phasize the known differences Of opinion
among them. 1t was clear that the En-
peror desired to throw them into hopeless
dissension.
The same Minister who proposed the
agreement on the train now said: Gentle
men, the purpose Of this document is fully
apparent, but to save the country from
being plunged into anarchy move that we
bury our differences and accept this re-
script. II We do not we will get nothing
This suggestion prevailed.
The Car entered the room, after lunch
con, smiling: We'll, gentlemen he said.
What do you think Of my rescript?'
Tho reply was: Sire, We unanimously
consider it an admirable document. It will
do much to pacify the country. 1t only
remains for your Majesty to sign 1t and
We will issue 1t Immediately
The Emperor's face was the picture Of
ANA cement. He did not speak for q mo-
ment. Then he turned from ono to another
| of the Ministers. whose views he knew were
strongly opposed to features Of the paper.
and asked them II they approved all OF
them. They answered in the affirmative.
Inc CZAr Cn0n bllehtly bl8uou lio oocuihoAe
and left the room. No council Of the Min
listers was summoned to Tsarskoe-Selo after
that day.
This bit OF inside history demonstrates
the complete separation Of the Cars own
Ministers from the actual policy Of the
autocracy. This policy and the individuals
who frame 1t are still unalterably opposed
to peace. They would like to secure q
respite in the military operations in Man
cAuria.
They are curious to know what sort Of
terms Japan would impose II Russia aban-
doned the conflict. They are quite capable
Of accomplishing both objects by a trick
similar to that which the Gar, under their
insti CATION. attempted on the Ministers
last March. They have no intention Of per-
hitting the Emperor to accept terms which
Japan reasonably may ask il they oan
prevent his doing so. They are always
at the Emperor's elbow. Their influence
NAV he etrop Uer than that NJ an oooa siono I