The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-01
HAS ENOUGH ON HER HANDS Russia Will Not Join Other Powers. NEGOTIATIONS ARE OFF
  Hague Peace Conference May Follow Wars End. United states Pleased wltA Receptiea of Note by Powers, and wnI
 Rest oa Its Oars for
 . Time.
NEGOTIATIONS ARE OFr

Washington. Nov. S0.--Hussia is un- willing to join the powers in second peace conference at The Hague until 1er War with Japan is ended The Russian reply to Secretary Hay's circular note to the powers or October 23 last. inviting them in, the name Of the President to reassemb1e in confer ence at The Hague to complete tho. postponed work of the first confer ence." was delivered verbally to Sec retary Hay by Count Cassini. the Rus sian Ambassador. \ The Ambassador was requested by his Government to say thlt Russia heartily accepted in principle tho fnvi- tation to q second conference and glad ly associated herself with the Amert-: can Government in It's effort to com plete the mission of the first great assembly convened under the leader ship of the Russian Emperor. Tue Ambassador was further requested to say that while the Russian Govsfnment very sincerely cherished these views. 1t did not consider the moment oppor-l tune for the convening of such con- ference and 1t must therefore withhold It's formal acceptable of the invitation until the war in the Far East was at an end.
 Hay and Cassinf.
 
 were in conference for nearly an hour. The Ambassador was careful to assure the Secretary that his Government well comed the invitation of the President as an additional indication of the American's appreciation of the bene- ficial results of the first conference. and regretted tho necessity of suggest ing postponement of the work then begun. a work in which the Russian Al>z .f<~<<~ Government Is keenly interested.
 Secretary Hay thanked the ambas- sador for the cordiality with which Russia's adherence in principle to the proposition has been conveyed and as- sured him he would forthwith transmit tas reply to the President.
 Although different in form, the Rus sian reply does not differ in effect from E that of Great Britain, France and the other European powers, practically all of which already have answered the i'm vitation. While Russia is the first power specially to suggest postpone ment until the close of the war, all the powers in expressing their approval of the proposition reserved for future pour parlers the time when the con- ference should be held.
 Committed to Conference.
 It can be said that this government IS well peased with the reception its note has received. The powers sigma tory to The Hague convention have been officially committed to a second conference at some future time. Tn his note Secretary Hay purposely omit ted suggesting a date for the assem- ling of the conference, realizing that certain powers might hesitate taking up for final definition of such questions as the right of neutrais at time when a great war is in progress. So far as the Russian Government is concerned. 1t is stated that 1t is naturally ayerse to discussion of the many important questions which would come before the convention at time when It's atten- tion is devoted to foreign war.
 In diplomatic circles the news of Rus- stas action caused some surnrfsa The caution which characterized even the consideration of the invitation at St. Petersburg made several Ambassa- dors here doubtful of the favorable re- ception of the American note. This doubt has been removed. however. by the friendly terms In which the reply today was couched.
 For the present 1t is probable the American government will rest on it's oars. When the far eastern war en- ters upon its final stage, this govern ment will be prepared to follow up it's invitation. In the meantime should Russia's attitude change she will find the American government ready to lead the powers immediately to The Hague for the second conference. hf