The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-06-06

OF peace winch tne car as wei as INC
mikado can sign The president spoke.
he said. as the friend of Russia no less
than Of Japan. and on behalf not only
Of the Washington government. but in
the interest of humanity. Until his
words have reached TSarskoeSelo and
have been communicated to Emperor
Nicholas in the friendly spirit in which
they were uttered. their effect cannot
be estimated. Soon after reaching his
embassy. Count Cassini began the
preparation of a dispatch to his gov
eminent.
Neither at the White House nor at
the Russian embassy could a formal
statement regarding the conference be
obtained. Throughout the diplomatic
corps there is a strong hope that the
conference marked the first step toward
peace. but the general opinion is thai;
weeks may elapse before even prelimi-
nary negotiations can be begun. Di-
plomats express the hope that Empero:
Nicholas will receive the presidents
words "as the counsel of that govern
ment which has for years been Rus
sias traditional friend and will weigh
it accordingly"
What Japan's probable peace terms
would be the president was wholly UNI
able to say. but he did not hesitate to
express the opinion that difficult as
these conditions might prove in the
light Of such a victory a. that gained
in the Korean Straits, they would in
crease in severity with every day that
a state Of war continued. Unless Rus
STA has substantial hope of admins
tering a decisive defeat to Japan in
this war. the president believed Il
would inure TO the interests Of the st.
Petersburg government to conclude
peace at once.
Having received no word from his
government since the humiliation Of
Rojestvenskys feet save the brief off,
cial dispatches telling of the engage
ment. Count Cassini was unable to do
more than 10 give the president his
own personal opinions on the situation.
The ambassador was deeply touched
by the sincere cordiality Of his recep-
ton and the frank and friendly man
ner in which the president spoke He
could not see, however. that there was
anything in the present situation, un-
fortunate as Il undoubtedly was for mis-
government. which necessitated Rus
sias suing for peace. As TO territory.
he pointed out that China and not
Russia had been the loser. for even
Port Arthur was held only under lease.
On the sea Russia had nothing more
to lose, he said
II was the ambassadors firm opinion
that this was not the psychological
moment" in which 10 discuss peace
with Japan. Whatever might be the
ultimate decision Of his government.
he took the ground that Russia could
lose nothing either by waiting or by
continuing the war on land There
was hope yet of a victory for the Rus
sian arms. and in any event Russia
had not yet lost one root OF territory,
nor was the Russian frontier endan-
gered.
The ambassador pointed out that
there was not the slightest official in
timalion from any source as to Japan's
probable terms, and that these demands
as stated unoficislly were altogether
Impossible" II Japan's terms should
prove anything like as severe as they
have been reported It was the ambas-
sador's opinion that Russia could ad-
vantageously continue the war indeh-
nitely and eventually win a victory on
land. That his government would so
decide be did not wish TO predict, but
at last accounts the emperor was for a
continuation Of the war.