Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-10
A. Building. Corner Sixteenth and Douglas Streets

which both Russia and Japan have now
assumed, It is regarded in official and dip
lomatio circles as the first firm and decisive
step toward ultimate peace.
AT a late hear tonight Mr.. Takahra
japanese minister. had not been advised
from Toxic Of the delivery of the presi-
dents message to the emperor, but he was
expecting a cable dispatch to that effect at
any moment The minister was able yester-
day TO transmit to the president mes
sage from the mikado that Japan was, with
Russia, desirous of peace provided II
could be obtained under proper conditions.
Baron Speck Won Sternberg, German am
bassador has throughout been the presi-
dents right bower in the negotiations and
as the personal envoy of Emperor William
has been able from the outset to assure the
president absolute and hearty support of
the German emperor in any effort to bring
about peace 1t can now be said that for
days the German emperor has been sup
plementing the efforts of the president by
communication with the czar urging peace
Through the Grand Duke Michael who
attended the wedding OF the crown prince
In Berlin, the emperor sent the most urgent
advice to the czar that peace in the In
terests of Russia be concluded without
personal
friendship between the president and the
German ambassador has been an important
factor in the premliminaries.
Aware Of the preference of Japan to COM
municate its peace terms to Russia di-
rect, the president in the last few days
has been active in counselllng moderation
to Japan rather than endeavoring to draw
from Toxic some statement of probable
terms. At the Russian embassy tonight
Count Cassini remained without advices
from st. Petersburg and he was unwilling
TO comment on any phase of the situation
France Aids in Negotiations.
ST, PETERSBURG. June S-Midnight-M
soutiron, first secretary of the French
embassy, had a long conference with For
eign Minister Lamsdorff this afternoon and
M, Bompard the French ambassador, is
hurrying back from Parts. France in
stead of displaying jealousy at the initiative
taken by President Roosevelt with a view
to bringing Russia and Japan together for
peace, has apparently warmly welcomed it
and will give II cooperation.
No further definite development is now
expected until President Roosevelt returns
to Washington from his trip to Virginia
Statements in the dispatches that the
presidents sole aim is to bring the warning
powers together in direct negotiations have
been confirmed. There has been no under
taking on his part to apprise Russia of the
japanese terms, nor, It is believed, to find
preliminary basis for negotiation The
main obstacle to the presidents efforts has
oeen removed with the emperor's acuui-
escence In his initiative and negotiations
are probably now proceeding at Toxic
When the question OF naming peace pleni-
potentiaries was mentioned the name of
george de Staal, who preceded Count
Benkendorff as Russian ambassador at
London and who was president of the peace
conference at The Hague in 1898, at once
occurs to every Russian. Notwithstanding
the progress already made a great deal
of skepticism is manifested In certain quar-
ters as to the result of President Roose-
Velts demarches, The public seems re-
luetant TO believe that the emperor could
have assented to anything like a movement
toward peace. Some cynics even try TO
create the impression that Russia only
seeks TO ascertain Japans terms and there
ny haunt the hard conditions imposed in
the faces OF the representatives OF the peo
PIE when they meet TO arouse the whole
nauon TO resist them, Such talk. however,
Is mere irresponsible chatter. The en-
peror mas cast the die and will make peace
II Japan's terms be such that Russia can
accept them with dignity
The emperor It must be pointed ont
mas not sued for peace. He has only as
sented to proposition submitted by the
head OF a friendly government and the
matter oficially goes no further than that
Russia now, as ever, is ready to see IL a
common basis can be reached.
Ambassador Meyer was In constant COM