— „5 —
there are some points which :offer some dificulty to agreement. Before yon
take your final decision for peace or contänuation of war—latter: will be .of far
reaching consequenee, difficult to foresee to the utmost result, and will cost
unlimited lives, blood and money—] should fancy it an excellent: procedure if
you were to submit this question to the ‘Great Duma” first. As it represents
the people of Russia its answer would be tlıc voice of Russia. Should it. deside
for peace, You are empowered bythe nation to conclude peace.on
the proposals submitted to your delegates at Washington; and ifthus Russia
itself thinks that its honour is not impaired, You can return your sword to
its scabbard with the werd of Franeis I “tout est.perdu hors l’'honneur.”
Nobody in your arny or country or in the rest of the world has a right to blame
you for this act. If on other hanıl the ‘“Duma” thiuks the proposal unacceptable,
and the Japanese. governement refuse to treat on other basis, then again
it is Russia that through the voice of the “Duma” invites you its Emperor
to eontinue the fight; tus taking the full responsability for the whole
of the consequence on itself shielding you once for all before the world and
history in the future from the reproash that you have sacrified thousands of
Russia’s sons without. asking the country or even against their wishes. This
will lend your personal action a grand stimulus and strength, as you will feel
yourself borne by the will of the whole::of' your. people deeided fight to the
bitter end, regardless of time, losses and privations, which is the only possible
way to proceed, if the: war is to continue. I-would in,your place not miss this
first and best opportunity to deeide into-to close touch with your country’s
feelings and wishes about peace or war, giving the Russian people the long
wished for opportunity to decide or take part in the decision relating to its
future— which it has a positive right to--and also of giving the “Duma”
immediatly a fine oppotunity to work and to show what is able to do, and
wether it comes up to the expectation everybody puts into it. The deeisions
which are to be taken are so terribly earnest in their consequences and so far
reaching that it is quite impossible for any mortal sovereign to take the responsability
for them alone on his shouklers without help of his people! May God be
with you! Do not. forget the line avancement vis-A-vis of the Guard.
winy.
41.
Wilhelmshöhe.—Sa Majeste l’Empereur.
Accept my warmest thanks for your kind telegram which toucheıd me
deeply. 1 could not answer you before being ocoupied with manoeuvres
in the neigbbourhoad of Krasmoe Selo. The interest You take in the
future convocation of the “Duma” gives me great pleasure. I believe that
the loyalty and good sense of my people will be a serious help for the development
of Russia in this consultative body. Fer the last three months I have
thonght much ahout the question of peace or war, I receive dailv telegrams,
