New-York tribune., 1905-02-26
DENIES PEACE RUM0RS.
Mr. Takahira Says Japan Erpects
to Fight 4nother Year, at Least.

Washington. Feb. 25.-Japau, through her Minis
ter at Washington Mr.. Takahira. has categoricaly
and absolutely denied all rumors and reports that
she was suing for peace. that any act or the
Mikados representative here can be possibly so
construed. The Minister added that 'the peace talk
OF the last few days. you surely believe is not
created in Japan. but emanates from some other
Iano. Japan, it was declared, had made all
rangements to continue the war for at least
other year The japanese Minister had just re-
turned from a trip to Old Point Comfort when he
made these statements. He went at once TO the
state Department and had a long talk with Secre-
laIy hay. He also saw number of diplomats
botp the State Department and the diplomats
learned that overtures for peace, or even indirect
proposals for peace, have not er1anated. and can
not be expected from Toxic
a correspondent for The Associated Press called
py appointment at the Japanese Legation this al
ternoon and had a conversation with Mr.. Takahira
lasting half hour. The Minister spoke deliberate
~ but most emphatically. He said he found that
the real state Of affairs had been correctly rep
resented in many quarters. and finally he consented
that portions of his conversation should be pub
hshed word for word as they came from his lips.
Mr.. TAKAHIRAs STATEMENT.
on such matters of great Importance" the Min
lister began, and of dacacy it is my opinion that
as rule IT is not easy 10 obtain accurate infora-
ton regarding the actual situation and therefore it
IS not unnatural that the public is misled more or
less through misrepresentation and misstatement in
the press. Moreover. it has been clearly under
stood from the outset that Japan has not been
fighting for the sake of fighting but that she was
forced TO war for the sake of principle, and the re
suit has been thus far in favor Of Japan. She has
fortunately been the victor in every battle on land
and sea. This seems to have led to the general
impression. that Japan make overtures for peace
without SO much inconvenience as otherwise would
be the case, and that 1t must be Japan which is
in position to take the initiative in ending the
var. Consequently. this impression appears to
fa5 he 1I11o- hat
through to a desire for peace
But there is not bit OF truth in this runor
You deny it my authority absolutely and
without reservation Japan has not given any
such expression through me, I repeat most en-
phaticaIy.
You viii readily understand whether Japan can
make such overtures not if you Stve little con-
sideration 10 the actual circumstances. While 1t
IS true that Japan has been honored with success
of her arms so far. it is equally that it has
made no apparent effect upon Russia. Through
her representatives Russia has been constantly de-
claring that she will fight to the end or until she
wins one or more decisive battles We tllhk II Is
country with such enormous strength of men and
think Of 4 fnaI success in the war with US. We
have iheref0Ts PREPARED TO aen[ @ Us Ins 9 s rba9
the Imperial Diet voted for the war budget TO run
from April 1905 until March, 1895 and all necessary
measures are being taken in Japan 70 conduct the
war at least for another year
Under the circumstances. you can sflsIS say
that although Japan is ready Tor peace on such
4
which has been the from the commencement
Of hostilities, she knows she cannot make it with
nation which is Of the same frame OF mind, and
it Is unreasonable 20 expect us 10 make any Such
suggestion in that direction and even more out OF
the question FOR formulate the terms OF peace,
which are in great measure to depend on the
progress and result Of the war.
Suppose you and make a quarrel the Minis
ter laughngly suggest ed. and succeed in throw
will say in spite Of your youth and superior
physical condition Naturally. YOU much Of
Tended that YOU think you will want revenge DO
You think I car make overtures TO you to cCme TO
good terms Of friendship No: decidedly not
NO PEACE TALK IN JAPAN
Tn the same way. # Japan proposed peace at the
present tuucture it is more than certain that she
would not. get it EXCEPT by = sacrifice of the adj
vantage Of position which she has gained at
enormous loss Of life and treasure Put it down,
Therefore certain that the peace talk of the last
few DAYS. YOU can surely believe, was not created
in Japan, but in some. other land.
Although the British and German Ambassadors
we're at the State Department to-day they so
we'll Convinced by the assurances received from
Secretary Hay Thursday that Japan had made
no move toward peace that the subject was not
mentioned in the conferences.
The Japanese Minister is constantly asked BY
diplomats and officials regarding the progress of
the war the stUa ton in Japan and the likelihood
Of an early end He has had many conversations
on the subject for months past. But he has been
unable even in unofficial way. it is stated to
say TO any one Just what terms japan would
cept. for, ne pointed out this afternoon that
he rr0r 1f +Ln Trarr