THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12892, 14 June 1905, Page 5

THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

JAPAN'S FIRM ATTITUDE. WILL ONLY MEET PLENIPOTENTIARIES. RUSSIA'S DECISION NOT YET KNOWN By Telegraph. Association.—Copyright. (Received Jane 13, 11.23 p.m.) Washington, June 13. It was authoritatively stated in Washington on Monday morning that Japan had intimated that she would refuse to treat lor peace unless Russia appointed plenipotentiaries with full power to make terms. Russia's reply to the demand of Japan will appear in the Official Messenger at St. Petersburg to-morrow. It will then be known whether she makes full and frank acceptance of President Roosevelt's proposal. (Received Juno 13, 11.23 p.m.) Pkkix, June 13. The Chinese Minister at St, Petersburg has cabled to Pekin that Russia now finally realises that if she continues the war she cannot recover the situation. (Received Jcuie 14, 1.7 a.m.) London", June 13. The Russian Foreign Office on Sunday denied that Russia had any intention of immediately appointing plenipotentiaries. The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Times attributes this denial to the usual manoeuvring for position by Russia owing to the exigencies of the internal situation. It recalls the fact that Russia accepted the British proposal to submit the Dogger Bank affair to an international inquiry, and then made an identical counter proposal which alone appeared in the Official Messenger, in order to give the people the impression that Russia had taken the initiative. Similarly Russia is again trying to " save face," but this does not imply any intention of retreating. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT CONFIDENT, (Received June 13. 11.26 p.m.) London, June 13. The Times' correspondent at Washington says that President Roosevelt has full confidence that peace will be made now, as Russia is pledged to appoint plenipotentiaries.

JAPANESE ARMIES ADVANCING. RUSSIANS OFFERING FEEBLE RESISTANCE. (Received June 14, 1.7 a.m.) London', June 13. Field-Marshal Oyama reports that lie has made further advances along the road from Fakumen. Huxitc. ami Kangping, northwards, towards the enemy, who is !; offering a feeble resistance.

RUSSIA'S REPLY. j 5 I PLENIPOTENTIARIES TO BE APPOINTED. (Received June 13, 10.2 p.m.) Washington, June 13. It is officially stated that the Russian Government has written in reply to President Roosevelt's Note that it will appoint plenipotentiaries to meet representatives of Japan for the discussion of terms of peace. RUSSIAN OPINION. ARMISTICE SHOULD PRECEDE NEGOTIATIONS. (Received June 13, 10.2 p.m.) St. Pi*jperßßUßO, June 13. The Novosti says-it would be absurd for Russia to enter upon peace negotiations before concluding an armistice, otherwise the Japanese j could increase their demands with' successes, and daily continue their military operations. The Novoe Vremya says it is sceptical of any successful result of President Roosevelt's efforts to secure peace. St. Petersburg. June 12. Though the people of Russia long for peace, the war party, which is headed by the Grand Duke Nicholas, is still exercising great influence upon affairs. The War Council is proceeding with the mobilising of troops, as if negotiations for peace had not been initiated. Competent observers at St. Petersburg say they are hopeful, but not confident, that terms of peace will be arranged. A WARNING TO RUSSIA. VIEWS OF THE TIMES. London, June 12. The London Times says that if Russia's acceptance of President' Roosevelt's terms really means only her willingness to receive the proposals of Japan, there cannot be much reason for hoping for a fruitful result of the negotiations. Peace will be impossible while Russia affects to treat a victorious enemy as an inferior. It will be useless, the Times adds, to talk of an armistice unless it is accompanied by a material guarantee that the military interests of Japan will not be prejudiced by it. "DOWN WITH THE TSAR," A CONCERT INCIDENT. (Received' June 13, 10.2 p.m.) St. Petersburg, June 13. During a concert in the Pavlovsk Gardens, last night, there were cries of "Down with the Tsar." These cries brought two factions of the audience into conflict ; but the announcement, " The troops are coming," stopped the fray, aud there was a stampede.

RUSSIAN COMMANDERS AGAINST PEACE. LINEVITCH CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. (Received June 13, 9.22 p.m.) London, June 13. It is reported at St. Petersburg that the Russian commanding officers in Manchuria sent a jointly signed message to the Tsar on Saturday, protesting against the conclusion of peace. General Linevitch also, it is said, has sent a message to the Tsar, in j which he says he will shortly take the offensive with a good prospect of success. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS. RUSSIA EXPECTING FRENCH AND GERMAN HELP. London, June 12. The opinion is generally held at St. Petersburg that in the peace negotiations the Ambassadors for France and Germany will play a considerable part, and that the British Ambassador will adopt.only an "expectant" altitude, and will not intervene unless the interests of Japan are being imperilled. The New York correspondent of the Times says the Japanese are profoundly distrustful of the Continental Powers in connection with the terms of peace. They believe that while France and Germany desire peace in the Far East, they are more likely to be solicitous for the interests of Russia than for those of Japan. Japan would have been content if President Roosevelt had acted alone, but feel that if he had done so, his prospect of success at St. Petersburg would have been doubtful. (Received June 13, 9.22 p.m.) Rome, June 13. The Italian Ambassadors have been instructed to use their influence to the utmost in promoting peace between Russia and Japan.

THE BATTLE OF TSUSHIMA. MUTINY IN RUSSIAN FLEET. COWARDICE OF THE OFFICERS London, June 12. It is admitted by the officials of the Russian Admiralty that during the month prior to the battle of Tsushima, there was disaffection among the Russian crews, and that no less than 80 mutineers were shot after court-martial. A member of the crew of Admiral Roshdestvenski's flagship, the Kniaz Suvarol'f, says that the officers lost their heads during the battle, and treated their men like' beasts. Finally, when it became necessary to leave the ship, the officers kept their men back, while they took to the boats themselves.