PEACE COMMISSION.

Feilding Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 30, 29 August 1905, Page 3

PEACE COMMISSION.

1 Russia's Refusal to Divide Sagha ' lien ; Hints at British Influence. British and Russian Interests. Telegraph Press Association Copyright Tokio, August 28. Many evidences of public opinion in Japan show that the nation strongly resents the partition of Sagbalien. Some newspapers urge that if further concessions are attempted negotiations ought to be stopped. Washington, August 28. President Roosevelt's appeal to the Czar is framed on broad, humanitarian lines. The Czar, through Mr Meyer, American Minister at St. Petersburg, conveyed a final and unqualified refusal to entertain any demand for indemnity. Saturday's sitting threatened to be the last. Though the secretaries were excluded to secure the strictest secrecy, one Russian plenipotentiary supplied the New York correspondent of the Times with many details. He said that the Japanese seemed to expect a new proposal. " No," said Russia to this. \" ' Half Saghalien and no indemnity ! ' are our last words." The Russian added that M. de Witte's quiet firvnneas convinced the Japanese of the unalterablenees of Russia's resolution. London, August 29. A Russian plenipotentiary informed the New York correspondent of the Times that if the indemnity is withdrawn "we will rejoice. Peace will then be made ; but it is inconceivable that Japan will withdraw it. if the indemnity is reduced one half we should still decline, as this is a question of principle and not of money. It is understood the Japanese expect the Czar to change his mind. We do not. His answer to President Roosevelt was decisive, but we think a stronger influence is working for peace, viz., England. We have heard that a new treaty alliance was signed by England and Japan not many days ago, and we believe that before it was signed, Great Britain hinted strongly that she desired Japan to make peace We know that British interests in the East are suffering and Britain's political interests may suffer. We understand from motives of delicacy andgenero sity to her ally, Britain refrained from urging any definite course of action. Japan, however, knows what England wishes, and that is why we think a new proposal is forthcoming on Monday. We think British views also have weight at Peterehof." The Russian plenipotentiary added : England, though Japan's ally in Asia, has in Europe other and far weightier interests. She cannot wish to see Russia enfeebled beyond a certain poini". She has made friends with France in order to keep the balance even, especially against Germany, for she knows that Germany's designs are threatening England's place in the European system. Britain's and Russia's common interests clamour for peace. The Times' New York correspondent also elicited from a Japanese authority that the Conference adjourned to enable the Russians to awake from their illusions. "We cannot arrange " (the authority says) " for peace with dreamers, dreaming of Linevitch's next battle — dreaming that the world is on their side. By their 'policy of journalism ' the Czar relies on paid information about our army."