The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-06-15
PEACE CONFERENCE
NOW ASSURED
Russia and Japan Officially Accept
Presidents Proposition.
DISCUSSING PLACE OF MEETING

Car Suggests One place and MiNado
Another. But No Difficulty In Reach
ing Agreement On That Point Is
Expected - AS Soon AS Arrange
ments Are Completed Armistice
viii Be Agreed On.
Washington, June 49, Official assur-
ance that the presidents efforts 70
bring Russia and Japan together to dis
cuss peace will bee crowned with sue
cess was brought to the White House
by Count Cassini the Russian ambas-
sador. who called by appointment ana
in the name of Emperor Nicholas Tor
mally accepted the presidents "oncr
of good will"
The following official statement re-
gardng the conference was issued al
the White House
Ambassador Cassini has called 20
express the Russian governments as
sent to the presidents proposition. and
TO state that they would appoint pleni-
potentiaries to meet the plenipoteh-
tiaries of Japan to discuss the question
of peace. The place of meeting Is al
present being discussed"
During the past two weeks the presl-
dents efforts have been directed toward
bringing the belligerents into amicable
contact on the basis of a mutual agree
ment 10 consider terms of peace. This
ne finally accomplished. II remains
now for the belligerent powers To name
their plenipotentiaries and agree upon
4 time and place for them 10 meet TO
negotiate treaty of peace These de-
tails are now under consideration with
4 bright prospect that such minor diff
ferences az may exist will be resolved
within a few days.
Conferences OF supreme Importance
were held in Washington. The blue
room of the White House was the scene
and President Roosevelt Count Cas-
SIM. the Russian ambassador and ko-
goro Takahira the japanese minister.
were the principal conferees. Presi-
dent Roosevelt now has unequivocal
assurances from both Russia and Japan
OF the acceptance OF his proposition
that they enter into negotiations for
peace. The president is likewise as
sured of the absolute sincerity Of both
governments in acceding to his sug--
gestiOn.
II can he said that the place OF the
meeting OF the plenipotentiaries OF the
two governments has not been finally
selected. In the arrangement OF this
detail and others of like importance,
President Roosevelt Is acting as an in
termediary between Russia and Japan.
Russia. through Ambassador Cassini'
has indicated her preference for one
place for the holding Of the peace con-
ference. and Japan. through Minister
Takahira. has suggested another. II Is
intimated. officially. that an agreement
on the place Of holding the conference
HAY III Mflfi lilAAth va IA "a ~ 49,
but no suggestion. except Of a negative
character. of the choice Of either Of the
belligerents is obtainable. 1t IS known
that neither Washington nor the battle.
field of Manchuria was the selection OF
either Russia or Japan. 1t is expected
that the two governments principally
interested will have no serious diff
Guilty in reaching an agreement on that
point. as Russia already has indicated
informally that Japan's selection OF a
place probably would be satisfactory
to Emperor Nicholas.
Negotiations between Washington
and st. Petersburg and between Wash
ingtOn and Toxic are in progress. and
the final arrangements for the peace
conference. in its essential details. are
likely to be a question of only fe~
DAYS. As soon as the arrangements are
completed definitely, an armistice will
be agreed upon and the great armies ia
Manchuria will lower their bayOneti
pending the formal negotiation Of a
permanent treaty of peace.
II is understood in a high official
quarter here that Marquis Ito, Baron
Komura, minister for foreign affairs
and General Yamagata. chief OF staff
are the three under consideration by
the japanese emperor as plenipoten
tiaries and that the inclination Of the
belligerents is that each select two
plenipOtentiaries.