Ar the time of the departure of the mail just received from the United States there was a large crop of peace rumours, and any number of telegrams predicting the early cessation of hostilities between Russia and Japan. Now that the straggle is being prosecuted with renewed vigour and determination, it makes strange reading to see how cocksure many writers were that the end of the war was in view.
Under the heading of " Peace Seems ed," for instance, the "Detroit Trib-"The government organs in ian capital have been boldly asking for a cessation of the war and the response of the Russian people has been one of approval. All this is very significant. It mattered li disinterested nations viewed the situation in Manchuria will not be permitted further to damage Russian credit, which is already seriously impai leiers will not carry the negoti ion until Rus-la has fairly committed herself to sincere efforts to secure peace."
The "Evening Bulletin" of Philadel-phi not so sanguine in its news in regard to the prospects of peace. It warns its readers that Russia has al ways been slow to confess that she has been beaten; besides it forrs that the terms which Japan will be prepared to offer her will be too unpalatable for her to accept without first making another effort to retrieve her fortunes.
"Tf even preliminary negotiations," it going on for the cessation of their nature is pretty certain to remain a secret until those concerned choose to let them out. Important Powers—for in this rank Japan must unquestionably be considered to stand since the demonstration of military and naval prowess which she has made—are not in the being hopeless, nor how actually habit of taking the world into their hopeless it was, so long as the Imperial confidence regarding their advance moat Council was not ready to swallow its pride. sures either for peace or war. Meanwhile The act of swallowing is now painfully it is to be borne in mind that Russia still taking place and peace seems assured. bassa chance for one desperate throw of The terms will be dictated by Japan. the dice in ordering Rozhdiestvensky's From a score of Russian sources it is fleet to mest the enemy with a view to insisted that Russia will not pay an|destroying or crippling Japan's naval indemnity. It will be strange if that|strongth, even though all the Russian particular piece of pride will not be ships should go to the bottom. swallowed also, for seldom has det The "Chicago Inter Ocean" been more thorough, or ranson for|inclined to believe that Russia is very indemnity more obvious. We have of anxious for peace, that is, if it can be course seen a generous victor pay the secured without her losing too much defeated nation an indemnity for territory "face". The following short extract is taken in the Spanish-American war, but|taken from its leading article on the the terms will still lie with the victor." subject:—The reports from St. Pete:
The "Chicago Chronicle" felt sure|burg that Russia may that the announcement in Paris of the terms for peace may or may not b resumption of negotiations for a Russian fied. The strongest reason for believing, Joan should be accepted as a trustworthy that they are correct is the historical fact indication that the Russian Government of Russia's habit of dealing with similar was at last ready to open more situations in the past. When Sebastopol important negotiations, that it was!fell Russia was not conquered. Her ready, in fact, to sue for ponce "At enemies had merely effected " lodgment. first glance," it says, "it would seem But they did not wish to destroy Russia, to mean that Russia was bent on con-but merely to stop her pressure on tinuing the struggle because it is natural Turkey and toward the Mediterranean. to assume that she would not wish to{This purpose they lad accomplished.
Rassisn people will not Jong continue to permit themselves to be butchered for an inglorious outcome. They ignore, too, the fact that every Russian rout ieans gain to Japan in the form of spoils. The natural frugality of the Japanese, and their willingness to make great patriotic: sacrifices, are also factors in the financial phase of the straggle, But the more immediate answer to the pratal vain-glory of the Czare-government is the action of the French bankers in postponing the Russian loan. It is maectly an indefini postponement, we are told, and not a definite refusal. Yot a stronger leverage could bardly be applied in the interest of Here is the autocrat announcing that he is financially invincible. At the same time he turns to his friend, " By the way, old chap, lend me a fow millions more." "Sorry," replies France, " but you have wasted what I have already lent you, so I can't let you have more at resent." "Oh, it's no matter," replies la. "Sorry to have troubled you." And away off at the other end of the Siberian road the autocrat's "children" are awaiting food and clothing.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.