Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1905 — CONFLICTING RUMORS OF PEACE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CONFLICTING RUMORS OF PEACE.

St. Petersburg dispatches say that' the Czar, alarmed by the prospect of utter disaster which now seems to confront the Russian arms, has put up his hand and turned an unwilling ear to the peace party. The ministers and other court advocates of tentative advances to Japan, looking toward the closing of the war, are jubilant. They believe they have triumphed over the grand dukes and their followers. It is declared on the very highest of authority that an actual move is about to be made; if, indeed, it is not already under way. In the conflicting rumors issuing from St. Petersburg there is little upon which to base an accurate estimate of the situation, but that counsels of peace are now obtaining a more favorable hearing among Russian high offi-

cials than at any previous time since the war opened is manifest. The war party still maintains a threatening front and declares that the idea of seeking a settlement is ridiculous. That the ministry is seriously weighing the possibility of getting an honorable and not too costly settlement, however, cannot be doubted. If it could have definite assurances that the penalties which Japan will exact are not too severe it probably would begin peace overtures at once. Just what price Japan will demand is still wholly a matter of conjecture. The Chicago Daily News says that undoubtedly Japan will require the cession of Port Arthur and the Liaotung peninsula, international control of the Chinese Eastern railway and the permanent withdrawal of Russia from Manchuria. If this is all it requires Russia apparently is likely to strike a bargain. If it adds a cash indemnity or a demand for the cession of any Russian territory, none of which has yet been occupied by Japanese forces, Russia may conclude to continue the war. It has still to consider the possibility that Rojestvenskyl's fleet may accomplish something and it may be that negotiations are now delayed only to see what the result of the approaching naval battle will be. Meantime Japan continues its preparations for further fighting and pays no heed to gossip of peace. The Interviews of Its diplomatic representatives Indicate that Japan means to insist upon a cash indemnity. If that is to be its attitude the probability of an early peace would seem to depend largely upon whether the victor is willing to make the dose less disagreeable by allowing the payment to be made under some other name. In Its present plight Russia might agree to pay a handsome sum ostensibly to reimburse Japan for divers Incidental expenses.

JOHN M. HARLAN.

JUDGE E. F. DUNNE.

RIVAL CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR OF CHICAGO.