The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-02-27
PARIS LOOKS TO
GAR FOR PEACE
Russian Rulers Influence Sought
as the Best to Turn the
Kaiser.
Diplomat Declares War Is newt
able-New Alliances
Forming.

st. Petersburg, Feb. 27.-Russia is
using all her influence at Berlin to pro,
vent rupture between France and
Germany. Her action has been taken
at the instance of Paris, where the
Rouvier government is apparently con-
WINGED that Germany proposes to persist
in her attitude, even to the point of
provoking war.
On account of the close relations ex-
listing between the courts of Berlin and
st. Petersburg, it is believed in France
that Russia will have more influence
upon Emperor William than any other
power
Earnest representations in favor Of
concessions to insure avoidance of an
appeal to arms were accordingly being
made, to which Germany replied that
she had no desire to provoke war. New
ertheless, she gave no indication that
she. proposed to modify her attitude.
and Russia's latest advices from Alge-
clras Indicate that practically all hope
of an agreement has been abandoned.
Altho Count Cassini. head Of the Rus
sian mission, reports that the confer
ence will be fruitless, he expresses a
decided opinion that hostilities will
not result.
Russia Deeply Concerned.
Russia is much concerned about the
situation, as war between France and
Germany would greatly embarrass her.
Not only is the Russian government so
engrossed with the interior situation as
not to be in position to offer aid =,
her ally, but war would end the pOssl-
bility Of contracting another loan in
Paris, of which Russia is in urgent
need.
Premier Witte has now become dis
tinct advocate of an Anglo-Russia m
derstanding and it is understood that
negotiations are or are about to be
reopened in London to determine the
status ofsthis agreement. If they are
successful, new grouping Of the pow
sers will undoubtedly check Germany s
Outstanding is the dispute regarding
the respective spheres of influence of
Russia and Great Britain in Persia, as
| the Russians are loath to abandon their
plans for reaching the Persian gulf.
Says War Is Certain.
! Most alarming views with reference
! to the relations between Germany and
France prevail in diplomatic quarters,
where the situation is considered to be
extremely tense, and a conflict by no
means unlikely. The ambassador of
one great European power declares that
war, in his opinion, is inevitable and
! has, in fact, already been decided
/ upon.
"It is said," added the diplomat,
| who is not ranked among the admir-
ers of Emperor William, tsthat for the
whims Of one man Europe must be
plunged into the horrors of wal"
At the French embassy opinion as to
| the situation is frankly pessimistic, and
! the outlook at present is regarded as
| extremely serious, the view being that
there is no telling what may be in store
France and Germany be left face to
face in incorporating opposition. The
abandonment of the French position is
+ regarded as impossible.
4 At Seat of Trouble.
! Algeciras, Spain, Feb. 27.-The
French officials who are attending the
4 Moroccan conference do not look ia
vorably upon the Berlin report that
Germany will make concessions if
q France will also yield something. The
French say it will be time enough for
Germany to ask for further French con-
cessions when Germany has responded
to those already made. Until this is
. done the indications are that France
will not move.
! Sid Mohammed Ell Mokhri, the sec
ond Moroccan delegate, has caused
considerable excitement by the disclos
ure that concessions for harbor i'm
provements at Casablanca and Saffi
two leading Atlantic ports of Morocco
were given to the Cruesot company
(French) at the same time the Germans
secured a concession for harbor i'm
provements at Tangier.
.