The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-14
MAY TALK PEACE AT GENEVA.
PRESIDENT SUGGESTS historic
SPOT TO RUSSIA AND JAPAN.
No Decisl on Reached--The Hague Also Pro-
posed-Japan Objects to Paris. Russia
to Far Eastern P0int-Text OF Russia's
Reply to Roosevelt Is Received.

WASHINGTON, June 13,-From present
prospects, Geneva or The Hague will be
the meeting place OF the Russan-Japane se
reace plenipotentiaries. While Japan still
desires that the negotiations be conducted
al Chefoo or some other accessible place
In the Far East, she is open to suggestions
and has shown no disposition to assume
an uncompromisng attitude on this point.
Russia which originally named Paris, Is
anxious to have the plenipot entiaries meet
In Europe, and there is reason to believe
that she will gain her point
Both Russia and Japan are now consider
ing a suggestion transmitted through
President Roosevelt, that place in Switzer-
land he selected with preference for Geneva
over Berne. They have also the selection OF
The Hague in mind. Russia is unwilling
r. accept Chefoo or any Chinese or Far
Eastern place, mainly on the ground OF
iraccessibilty, while Japan does not favor
Paris for the reason that 1t is the capital
Of her enemy's ally. where ro-Russian
continent is rampant. The proposal that
city in one of the smaller European coun-
tries be chosen is favored by the United
States Government. and IL the choice is
left to President Roosevelt he will it is
Understood. name Geneva or The Hague.
The preference OF officials here Is for
Geneva. The Hague, while advantageous
In many ways. is chargeable with the same
objection that was urged against WASH
ington by Japan, that it will he too hot
during the period when the plenipoten-
tiaries are pursuing their arduous duties.
On the other hand, Geneva is delightfully."-
cool and pleasant in summer, and Is his
torically famous as q treaty making seat.
1t is urged also in behalf of Geneva that 1t
j. situated in country which is nonentity
in International politics and for that reason
markedly neutral ground.
President Roosevelt, it is understood, does
not favor Washington or any other place
In the United States, and there has been no
consideration given to American summer
resorts in connection with the choice Of
seat Of negotiations.
The formal Russian response to Presi
cent Roosevehs note OF June has at last
come to hand. 1t reached the State Depart
ment late yest erday, having been trans
mitt ed in cipher by Mr., Meyer, the American
Ambassador at st. Petersburg, to whom
it was communicat ed on the same day by
the Russian Minister OF Foreign Affairs.
President Roosevelt has caused a copy
OF the response to be trans mitted to the
Japanese Government. 1t Ia regarded as
entirely satisfactory. confirming the some
what informal assurances conveyed to the
President before II was received No
doubt now remains in the minds Of officials
who are cognizant OF the notes confer
that peace Is assured, barring always, OF
course that unforeseen differences of
aserioue character should bring the warning
nations to swords points again.
The expect alton that the Russian and
Japaneee answers would b, made public
as soon az both had been received was not
realized to-day. for the st ated reason that
the Russian and Japanese Govern
ments have withdrawn their willingness to
have their notes given to the world. Each
now desires that the publicaton of the
notes he withheld for the present, but 1t
Is believed that this embargo will be lifted
as soon as the Japanese Government has
hadtime to receive and examine the Russian
response.
NJ. Jusserand, the French Ambassador,
returned to Washington from West Point
tonight. He went Immediately to the
White House and was with the President
two hours. When he was leaving he said
that his visit had no connection with the
peace negotiations. He denied that there
had been any hitch, as was rumored. 1t is
understood that the President wanted to
zee him to help straighten out the differ
ences over the arrangements for the re-
moval Of John Paul Joness body from
France to America.
Mr.. Takahira, the Japanese Minister,
said emphatically this evening that there
rad been no hitch in the peace arrange
nents. He had conference with the
President to-day.