The Laclede blade. (Laclede, Mo.) 1890-1945, 1905-06-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Our Regular Correspondent Writes From the
National Capitol.

peace negotiations which have for the
past week had their centre in Wash
ington, by addressing to Russia and
Japan a duplicate note, in which he
appeals to both belligerents to bring
to a close the s'terrible and lamentable
conflict now being waged." 1t isl gen.
orally believed that the president did
not take this step without first ascer-
tanning that it would prove acceptable
to both powers and it is generally ac-
cepted as long stridein the direction
of peace. Should peace be accom-
plished as the direct result of the init
iatory steps which the president has
taken, it will add one to the many tri-
umphs which have crowned his ad-
ministration.
Summing up the general situation
in the light of the best information
obtainable, it may be said that follow
ing the presidents frank presentation
of the situation to the Russian ambas
sador, which occurred week ago, the
czar finally sent for Ambassador Mey-
er, who, it will be rendered, is a
member of the republican national
committee from Massachusetts,, and
close friend of the president. Mr..
Meyer served his apprenticeship in
diplomacy at Rome, where he was
ambassador throughout the last ad-
ministration. After his audience
with the czar, the ambassador cabled
a full account to the president, the
character of his communication hav-
ing been as closely withheld as posi-
Bile. He made it clear, however, that
the czar was still unwilling to be plac-
ed in the position of suing for peace,
although he was grateful for the pres
ident's friendly expressions and init
mated that he would be glad to know
something of the peace terms which
Japan would demand.
After careful consideration of
Ambassador Meyers dispatches, the
presiden4 sent for the Japanese min
lister, Kagoro Takihira, who came i'm
mediately to the White House, despite
the fact that he was obliged to leave
a sick bed to do so. What the char.
acter of his interview with the presi-
dent was can only be surmised, but it
is known that Japan still maintains
the position that she cannot define
peace terms until Russia has done
more than express a mild interest in
their character. The mikado believes
that the czar should first frankly de-
clare that he is ready to make peace
if Japan's terms are moderate, and
that then the president, or other in
termediary, should secure from the
czar an acceptance, at least in princi-
pie, of some Of the conditions funda-
mental to permanent peace. For in
stance, Russia should, in the estima-
tion of Japan, recognize the right of
Japan to an indemnity, the propriety
of the permanent evacuation of Man.
churia, the permanepce of Japan's
control of Korea, etc. This much ac-
com plished, protocol could be sign
ed and the actual amount of the in
demnity, the fate of Vladiyostok and
similar more specific questions could
be left for final settlement between
the principals. The czar, on the 9th
er hand, maintains that it is extreme
ly difficult for him to commit Russia
to peace without some appreciation of
all that peace implies.
The rarest tact and diplomacy viii
be required on the part of the presi-
dent to settle these differences and to,
at the same time avoid making any
entangling alliances. For instance,
Japan. prO6ting by the experience of
her war with China, when the fruits
Of victory were wrested from her BY /
the concert of EnrOpe and divided be-
tween Russia, Great Britain, Franosll