The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-24
NO PEACE PROPOSALS
WASHINGTON KNOWS NOTHING OF
 ANY OVERTURES.
Secretary Hay So Informs Diplomats Who Are Anxious C0ncekning Probability of the Eastern
 War Ending.

feD. Eo.--<At thS w hAeN House and at the State Department, at the Russian, French. German, Brit ish and Italian Embassies and the Japanese legation today, where in- quirIes were made regarding the ru- mors of-~peace between Russia and Japan, the most positive statements were made that if either of the bel ligerents were thinking of proposing peace. 1t was a secret securely locked in the foreign office at St. Peters, burg or at Tokio The President has heard absolutely nothing of an avowed intention on the part of Russia or much less of an actual proposal. Sec retaFy Hay today assured the three ambassadors that while this govern ment continued ever hopeful for peace and watchfu1 of the opportunity to be of assistance whenever assistance might be asked by the beliigerents, there were no indications here that the time for peace was near.
 Sir Mortimer pnrand, the British Ambassador, is she close personal friend Of Lord LanAdowne and Is in close touch therefore with the British foreign office. The Ambassador had a long talk with Secretary Hay, calling at the State Department soon after his return from Philadelphia. He placed not the slightest confidence in the rumors of peace; that Japan had asked anybody to propose peace he said he did not believe, and the Lon don government had not cabled here concerning the reports. Baron von Eternberg has heard nothing from nis government, and neither he nor the President in their conversation yes- terday could find anything of peace. This much can be stated on the best authority, that the President. Emperor Williams sand King Edward will scrup- ulously Savoid intervening until it is certain their services are desired by the belligerents.
 Baron Mayor des Planches, the Italian Ambassador, lead with much interest the Associated Press dispatch from Ber- lin telling of the Russian Emperor's de- cision to continue the war. It coin- cided precisely with the Ambassadors own information.
 In a long talk with a correspondent of the Associated Press today, Count Cassini, the Russian Ambassador, said talk of peace was never more absurd than now. The Ambassador has had positive information from the very highest officials in St. Petersburg that the war would be prosecuted with in- creasing vigor. It is expected that General Kuropatkin at the opening of tho spring campaign will accomplish much in view of the endorsements he has received. The ENperor has every confidence in his military ability.
 The peace talk can have but one object" said Ambassador Cassini today, "the assistance of a Japanese loan, It is about time for Japan to raise another loan. and these rumors of peace gener- ally begin at such a time. I can re- iterate, in the light of recent advices I have received, in the most emphatic manner that the war in the Far East will end when Russia Is victorious, and not a moment before. The recent dis turbances in Russia, while annoying. cannot in the slightest degree affect the Governments foreign policy. The war will go on to the end. as have been saying ever since It began. The talk of peace is ridiculous. as will be proven by the activities by General Ku- ropatkin when the spring campaign opens in earnest"
 Equally positive statements are made at the Japanese Legation that Japan, while of course ready for peace on her terms, as she has been since the war