THE WAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1480, 14 June 1905, Page 2

THE WAR.

THE “WAR ABOUT TO TERMINATE.” GENERAL NEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright London, June 12. It ia expected at St. Petersburg that Gorman and French Ambassadors will play a considerable part in the negotiations, but the British Ambassador duriDg the impending stages adopts an expectant attitude, and will intervene if Japanese interests are imperilled. The Times’ Now York correspondent says thot Japan ie profoundly distrustful | of tho Continental Powers. She is aware that Germany and France, though desiring peace, are far likelier to consider Russian interests than hers. She would have been content had President Roosevelt acted alone, but feels that his success at St. Petersburg in that case would have been problematical. _ .*

It is officially admitted that Admiral Roshdestvoneky shot 80 mutineers within a month of the battle of Tsushima. A member of the. Rruazhwiru’s crew declares that the officers lost their heads during the actiom and treated the men like beasts. Finally they held the crew back while they took to the boats themselves. ~

The Times says that if Russia really believes that the acceptance of President Roosevelt’s suggestions merely means Russia’s willingness to receive the Japanese proposals, there is not much hope of a fruitful result. Peace is impossible while Russia affects to treat her victorious]enemy as an inferior. It is useless to talk of an armistice unless accompanied by material guarantees. St. Petersburg, June 12. Though all Russia longs for peace, the war party, headed by the Grand Duke Nicholas, is still powerful. Mobilisation proceeds without interruption. _ , Competent observers at St. Petersburg are hopeful, though not confident, that peace will be secured. Sydney, June 12. Mr Oarruthers has received a cable from the Government Commercial Agent in the East stating* that the war is about to terminate.

OPINION AS TO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. RUSSIAN GENERALS NOT HAD ENOUGH FIGHT.

By Telegraph- I — Press Association—Copyright Received 9.22 p.m., June 13. Rome, June 13.^ The Italian ambassadors have been instructed to use their influence to the utmost to promote peace between Russia and Japan. - St. Petersburg, June 13. It is reported here that the commanders of the front in a joint message on Saturday, protested against the conclusion of peace. General Linevitch declared that he was shortly taking the offensive with a good prospect of success.

Washington, June 13. It is officially stated that Russia’s written reply agroes to the appointment of plenepotentiaries to meet those of Japan to discuss the question of peace. St. Petersburg, June 13. The Novosti declares that it is absurd to enter into peace negotiations before concluding an armistice. Otherwise the Japanese could increase their demands daily and continue military operations. The Novoe Vremya is sceptical of any successful result of President Roosevelt’s efforts.

Received 11.33 p.m., June 13. Washington, June,l3. It is authoritatively stated here that on Monday, unless- Russian representatives are appointed with full powers, Japan will refuse to treat. The text of Russia’s reply will appear in an Official Messenger to-morrow. Then will be known whether it is a full and frank acceptance of President Roosevelt’s suggestion. , Pekin, June 13. The Chinese Minister at St. Petersburg has cabled to Pekin that Russia finally realises that it will not recover the situation if it continues the war. Received 11.26 p.m., June 13. London, June 13.

The Times’ correspondent says that no doubt as to the conference outlook is felt at White House since Russia is pledged to send plenipotentiaries.

A JAPANESE ADVANCE.

■By; Electric Telegraph-Ben Press ■Association.: Received 1.7 a.m., June 14. London, Jane 13. Marshal Oyama reports further advances on the road to Fakumen, Hunite, and Kangping northwards towerds the enemy, tho latter offering feeble resistance. The Russian Foreign Office on Sunday denied the intention to immediately appoint plenipotentiaries. The Times’ St. Petersburg correspondent attributes the denial to the usual manoeuvring for a position owing to the exigencies of the internal situation. It recalls the fact that Russia accepted the British proposal to submit tho Dogger Bank affair to an international inquiry by making an identical counter-proposal, which alone appeared in the Official Messenger,in order to give the people the impression that Bnssia took the initiative. Similarly Russia is again trying to save her face. This does not imply any intention to retreat. -