The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-23
The. Peace Talk. il.

4 A St. Petersburg cable discloses a
gravitation of the car toward negotia-
lions for peace, under the influence of
WHITE and the majority of the minis
tiers, who, however, are opposed strenu-
ously by the grand dukes and the minis
ters of war and marine. The car
waivers between the two influences, and,
having three times publicly announced
that he proposes to continue the war
until the last rouble is spent, he hest
tates about eating his own words, es-
pecially as the war party recently and
covertly secured the signatures Of a
majority of the officers at the front
in Manchuria to- strong petition
against any negotiations for peace.
Whether Witte and his co-workers for
peace can overcome the persistence Of
the grand dukes and their following is
problematical. Witte is president of
the council of ministers and heads the
committee considering the proposed adj
ministrative reforms His voice has
been for judicious reforms and he has
had no little influence with the czar,
when the latter gets from under the
direct influence Of the grand dukes.
The car has just set the machinery
! for mobilizing new grand army in mo-
tion, and it is his purpose to raise the
forces remaining from the Mukden dis
aster (supposed to be about $780, 900
men) to 100000, while the dilatory :Ro-
jestvensky has been ordered to turn his
prows eastward and court naval bat
tie with Togo. The combined Pacific
squadrons of the czar comprise eleven
] battleships, eight cruisers and eleven
the Baltic fleet effects a junction with
Rojestvensky' fleet, it will add six bat
fleships and four cruisers. Meanwhile
another squadron has been organized in
the Baltic to go east, consisting Of
seven battleships, five cruisers and
forty torpedo boats. It is possible
that Rojestvensky, will, wait for this
latter auxiliary force. as he has been
afraid to try the experiment Of meet
ing Togo with the large fleet he already
has. ...: 80 : 49,.
The grand dukes, who do not seem
to care rouble for the threatening
domestic conditions in European Russia
and the Caucasus, will not cease their
contention for. indefinite war, but there
is very limited glamor in the war for
the general Russian public, for the ma
jority Of whom the actualization of adj
ministrative reform is Of more inter.
est than mobilization for another grand
army. The reform meeting at Moscow
yesterday, in the interest of peace and
reform, voiced the views of the Moscow
and provincial nobility. The right to
petition the car, forbidden by the Rus.
sian code unless the czar specially per
g mits, is taken at present by the people
as right, and they cannot be de.
prived Of it without deepening the
discomfort and the growing opposition
to the autocratic system.
France, Russia's ally, has indicated
her desire for peace and the Associated
Press dispatches hint that the car ma,
enter upon negotiations thru the French
foreign minister Delcasse, and the Jap
& anese minister. to France at Paris, or
thru the Japanese premier at Toxic anG
the French minister to Japan. Judging
by the tendencies and weaknesses Of
the car, if Linevitch extricates thu
remnant Of the late grand army ana
beats the Japs to Hardin, and Rojest
vensky gets started on his way te
{ meet Togo in Asiatic waters, Nicholas
s will say Let's wait for the outcome
+ : rs Ii go