Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-18
PEACE OR WAR 2


The interesting question IN connection
with the war IN Asia now is whether
the agencies that work for peace are
likely 90 prevail, or whether the con-
test must 80 on.
a few days ago a son OF Count Toll
stoi had an interview with the Gear,
and he expressed as his opinion that
Russia could not at this time accept
terms Of peace The war, he said, must
be fought to a finish, And not only
that but Russia must establish herself
on the Pacific coast ana finally bring
india too, under her dominion, This
he modestly admitted, might not be
accomplished In a short time, but ten,
twenty or Atty years hence. II these
were the views Of the Russian govern
ment--and Tolstol evidently meant 10
convey that impresslon-the outlook
for peace Is not bright. For. although
Japan Is anxious for termination Of
hostllltes, she cannot AFFORD 20 con-
sent to peace that would be merely n
truce, OF greatest advantage to her
enemy.
But II II also claimed that there Is
ample evidence for the fact that the
peace party Ia In control at st. Peters
burg It is pointed out for instance,
that contracts for mIntary supplies
have been cancelled by Russian officials,
and all OF the orders for the mobiliza-
ton Of tho reserves Of the army have
been revoked since the news Of General
stoessers surrender OF Port Arthur.
II is claimed that the movement OF
troops and supplies to Manchurla has
been suspended, much to the consterna-
tlon Of the friends and families OF the
military officials. From these and other
facts It is supposed that peace IS really
desired.
Why should It not be an opportune
moment now, for a friendly power TO
suggest that the bellgerents submit
the entire question Of contention TO The
Hague trlbunal2 Some such suggestion
It Ia really the duty Of the slgnatory |
powers 10 make, not only before the |
commencement Of hostllitIes but at any |
time when such propositions are likely |
10 be entertained, and neither Of tho |
belllgerent powers has a right TO regard |
such a suggestion as evidence OF a hos
tile sentiment The quarrel between the
two combatants must finally be set
tied by an agreement, in which AN the
great powers Of the world are interest
ed, and It might az well be referred to
a competent board OF arbitration now
az later.
It is now few days over year since
the Russian squadron at Port Arthur
was attacked and partly destroyed by
the japanese. The Russians do not
have one single victory. either on sea
or land, TO their credit the entire year.
or Russia's once formidable Aslauo
squadron only two cruisers remain, and
they are bottled up at Vladlvostok. The
Baltic squadron Is supposed to be hug
cling the coast Of Madagascar afraid
to proceed to the seat Of war.
Russia has been driven out Of Korea,
and Manchurla has been swept clean
OF Russian forces, as far north as
Mukden. Russia has lost some Of its
most reliable warriors, At Port Arthur
Admirals Makharof ana Wltthoeft and
Gen, Kondratenko were killed and Gen.
Stoessel captured. Gen Keller was
killed at Noting pass and Generals
Mlstchenko ana Kondratovlch are Sc
rlously wounded, Griprnberg IL 10
retire, Kuropatkn himself is said to
be tired OF the struggle, and wants TO
retire.
We would think the time favorable
for suggestions Of arbitration.