Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-12-02
RUSSIA REFUSES
r, Jo;n Peace Conference Until War
Is Ended.

washington, Dec. 1.-Russia is un-
,,;,ling to join the powers in a second
.,sace conference AT The Hague. until
sor war with Japan is ended.
The Russian reply to Secretary Hays
circular note to the powers Of Oct. %.
,ost inviting them in the name of the
president to re-assemble in conference
=, The Hague ito complete the post
.,nned work of the first conference"
voc delivered verbally to Secretary
nav today. by Count Cassini. the Rus
s;an ambassador. Tha ambassador was
contested by his government to say
,ha1 Russia heartily accepted in princi-
Mo the invitation to d second confer
irca at The Hague ana gladly aSsociat-
al herself with the American govern
r,ent in its effort 90 complete the mis-
s;on of the first great assembly con-
sned under the leadership of the Rus
sian Emperor. The ambassador was fur
,he. requested to say that While the
pr.sian government very sincerely
1b.rished these views, it did not con-
cider the moment OppOrtune for the
convening of such a conference and it
therefore must withhold its formal ac-
cantanre of the invitation until the war
il, the Far East was at an end.
SECRETARY Hay and Count, Cassini
..,o in conference for nearly an hour
Thu amba ssador was careful to assure
tho secretary that his government well
canned; the Invitation of the President
az an additional evidence Of the Amer
lean governments appreciation of the
b.r,fcent results of the first confer
src. and regretted the necessity of
suggesting a rOstIon"nent of the work
rbsn b, gun a work in which the Rus
sian government. no less than the
American, was keenly interested.
Secretary Hay thanked the ambassador
for the cordially with which the declara-
lion Of RusSia's adherence in principle to
tne proposition had been conveyed to the
American government and assured him
he would forthwith transmit the reply to
the President.
Although different in form, the Rus
sian reply doc not differ in effect from
thar OF Great Britain. France and the
other European powers. practically all OF
which already have answered the invita-
zion While Russia is the first power spe-
cifcaly 10 suggest postpOnement until
the close Of the war, all the powers In
EXPRESSING their approval of the propo-
sition reserved for future pour parlerS the
time WHEN the conference should be held
Ii can be- stated that this government
IL well pleased with the reception its mote
has received. The powers signatory &c
The Hague convention have been Official
" committed 10 a second conference al
some future time. lr his note Secretar!
Hay purposely omitted suggesting date
Tor the assembling of conference. realiz
ing that certain Lowers might hesitate tf
take up for final definition such com
plicated questions as the rights of Ecu
trails at a time when great war was II
progress. SO far as the Russian govern
meut Is concerned, it is stated that II Il
naturally averse to discussion of the many
important questions which come before
the conference al a time when its atten
ton is devoted to foreign war.
In diplomatic circles the news of Rus
sia's Conditional reply caused some sur
prise The caution which characterized
even the cOnsidera ton of the invitation a
St Petersburg made several amba ssador
here doubtful about the favorable recep
tinn Of the American note. This doub
has been removed. however. by the friend
" terms in which the reply. today. wa!
COuchrd
For the present it Is probable the Amer
lean government will rest on its oars
When the Far Eastern war enters on 1t
final stage this government Will De pre-
pared to follow up its invitation. In tn
meantime should Russia = attitude change
she will find the American government
ready to lead the powers Immediately Z
The Hague for their second conference.