Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-17

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chases OF national bonds have of
cancelled large blocks of obli-
eha a. discount. but these pur-
speedily exhaust the cash.
, nmust ne recouped by fresh
me terms for these loans are
7hS becoming more onerous and
'ne process threatens to be endless
Mi'' an Increased loss Oh each repeti-
| ton.
II loilows that Russian credit which
Is sun declining. is more or less fict;-
tious at present prices Nevertheless
1t would quickly improve if a sane noI.
ICY OF peace in the Far East and ra-
form at home We're adopted. The era,t
hnanclers of Europe have begun "a
fear that such policy will not he
adopted except under such compelline
pressure as they and they alone will
be able to bring to bear.
| IL may now be said plainly that they
VIII not hesitate to apply that pres
sure IN the near future remorselessl,,
II necessary. They have already init
mated in the clearest terms their re-
fusal to finance nation whose present
rolicy Will lead to certain disaster
lheli' advice is immediate peace with
| Japan on the best terms obtainahla
They are willing to supply the funds
FOR the payment of any reasonable in
| demnity that may be included i'm the
peace terms.
1t is known that the Car is strongly
aVerse at the present moment to sac
| rifice his pride to this extent He ar
CUES that Russia will be no worse off
| h..r, ..I,< -,
Eaika and spends few years in pre-
| pairing for revenge while a nominal
state of war is still continued. Japan
could never seriously threaten the old
| Russian empire, while her resources
would be rapidly exhausted. The men
who must supply the enormous sums
| necessary for such program reply
that such a thing is possible only if
Russia is united and patriotic and is
willing to make the great sacrifices IN
| volved
| Harmony can be restored only by
sweeping concessions to the popular
| demand, and this transformation could
only be accomplished with the greatest
difficulty in time of peace. 1t is imper-
| ative to attempt it even now if the war
| is to be continued. and it must be done
| quickly, thoroughly and unErudgingly.
1t is impossible to know hich of these
views and suggestions are most dista ste
full to the Car. This much. however. the
correspondent is able to say: They
| have been put before the Emperor in the
plainest terms. He knows now in Il MAN.
| ner that must be convincing even to his
| intelligence that he will lind himself fac"
| TO face with bankruptcy few months
| a
| either with mis- own subjects or with the
Mikado. His decision so far as known ha
rot yet been made. 1T is the knowledge
| of his dilemma which has caused the ap-
pearance of definite rumorS of the open
| ing of peace pOurparlerS through France.
| If he hesitateS or VacillateS as he has
| done in all other critical emergencies the
| consequences to Russia will be appalling.
| European dlplOmatiStS anticipate al
most with despair the difficulties OF reach
| ing a successful issue when the negotia-
tions for peace have actually begun. No
| body outside OF Russia believes it possible
| to deal successfully with the internal cri-
| sis without first making peace with Jap
I an. 1t is assumed, therefore. on all sides
| that in the face of the present financial
| ultimatum the Gar will srudgingly con-
| sent to ask terms from the Mik:do.
1t is 81 cG1rS ,b 10 EuEgnt
| but there is only one opinion in European
| diplomatic circles. Japan should decline
to enter into detailed negotiations, for no
l
| direction in dealing with man of the
Cars character. The MikadO's govern
| ment should submit an irreducihle mini
mum of its demands with a REQUEST for
| their acceptance or rejection WITHIN Il
| brief interval. 1t would not be surprising
il matters reached this stage within il
| few days.
| On the other hand the amazing inapti-
tude of the man at Tsarkoe- Selo may
postpone action until he pays the penalty
with his crown if not with his lif'..
All European critics now concede that
| the engagement which history will de-
scribe as the battle of Mukden is tn.
greatest of modern times in every posi-
bic aspect. Attempts to analyZe the sit
uation with the information available
are not altogether satisfactory. but it is
| generally agreed that Gen. Kuropatkin
has suffered not merely defeat: but com T.
plcte disaster. The latest details give tn"
| IMPRESSION that some sections of the Rus
| sian army may escape. nut the military
view is best described by an eminent crit
ic. who writes:
"A Russian army IS 4 solid machine. as
many war-famous generals have found to
their cost, but the situation of i\uroplt-
Kin hcc;,me horrible once Nogis army
was practically established at his rear
and when the pressure from all sides
| probably allowed neither leisure nor Oc-
casipn for the assembly of force cap
able of passing over the bodies Of the
| heroes of Port Arthur With his troops
! all intcrminglcd and exhausted. his stores
| lost or burned. his cavalry useless. his
| transport blocked. his guns to Il large
| extent out of action and his army bur
dened with "A vast array Of wounded. new
or since Leipzig has the command of IN
army in the field found himself Involved
| in such imminent danger OF a great ana
| APPALLING catastrophe"
| The Berlin Vossische Zoitung says,
probably on the authority of the Russ ian
embassy. with reference to the assertion
Of the London Graphic that the Car WAS
ready to entertain peace negotiations.
| that while presumably the Russian am
| bassadors in London ard Paris have taxi
en- steps to pave the way for peace. their
efforts have beer rendered nugItory by
the personal opposition of the Car and
the court party.
The paper adds: "'rhe bankers of Paris
will grant a new loan to RuSSi, only
when they arc sure that peace negotia-
| tons have reached Il promising stage.