The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-08
Of President Roosevelt in Open
ing the Negotiations.
WILL DEAL DIRECT.
The Belligerents viii Arrange
the Terms Themselves.
An Armistice viii Be First
Sign of Wars Ending.

st. Petersburg, June 8.-President
Roosevelt, striving with excellent
prospects of success to end the bloody
war, is now the central figure of the
worlds stage. One of the main OBJ
stacles, it seems, will be overcome at
once Both Russia and Japan have
agreed to accept his good Offices for
the arrangement of the preliminaries
The belligerents are expected to be
able to arrange the peace terms di-
rect. The president is believed to
share with Emperor William the view
that the belligerents should be allowed
to settle the actual terms without out
side Interference. Evidence also ex-
lists that President Roosevelt has Sc
cured the support of several CONT
mental powers and that at the proper
time they will appear at his back
Exactly what is transpiring at Wash
ington is being carefully guarded. The
diplomats here are still greatly at
sea, not being able to do more than
venture shrewd guess and indulge
in speculation.
The interest with which the moves
on the Washington chess board are
being followed is evidenced by the
manner in which the am bassadOrs and
ministers who learned of Ambassador
Meyers audience of Emperor Nicholas
yesterday focked to the American
embassy today in search of infOrma-
ton. But the situation seems to be
so delicate that the ambassador is
compelled to display the most com
plete reserve. If Japan proves mod
crate in her demands peace seems at
last to be close ahead. An armistice
probably will be the first evidence the
world will have that the two powers
have agreed to shake hands.
Paris Sees Difficulties.
Paris, June S.-The charge of the for
eign Office portfolio from NJ. Delcasse to
Premier ROuvler Will lend strong aid
toward bringing Russia and Japan to
gether This is likely to occur both
through the japanese authorities here
ana indirectly with London as an inter
medlary OF Japan British influences
are chiefly relied upon to move Japan
now that Count LamsdOrf and NJ.
Witte have made the preliminary ap
proaches- The sentiment here is strong
ly against over-Optimism as it is said
that serious obstacles remain. One of
the chief among them is the emperor's s
failure personally to approve Count
Lamsdorhs initiative which leaves
doubt as to whether the movement has
the silent acQuiescence of the emperor
Diplomats here hold the view that
Toxic would prefer to continue the war
until Vladivostok Is taken and all that
territory up to Lake Baikal is under
japanese control. The diplomats also
believe that Toxic will hesitate to lay
down terms until it is clear that En-
peace.
EnQuists Men VIII Be ParOled.
Manila, June SIN the matter Of the
disarmament and internment of the Rus
sian Warships here, Rear Admiral Train
viii probably take the breech locks
from the guns and discOnnect their en-
gines The Russian officers will be pa
rolled within the limits of the islands,
while the crews of the vessels, on the
given word of Rear Admiral Enquist,
will be paroled within the city limits.
Way Is Cleared for Negotiations.
Paris. June st is definitely
known that the Russian foreign min
lister, Count Lamsdorff. seconded by
NJ Witte, president of the committee
of ministers, has initiated overtures
through the Russian representatives
abroad to learn JaDan's disposition
and terms OF peace. These overtures,
it is said here. began three days ago
and were the basis of the decidedly
more hopeful view which the officials
began to have. At the same time it
was then and still is recognized that
Count Lamsdorff and NJ. Witte repre-
sent the peace element and it is not
vet clear how far the movement is
shared by the emperor However
Count Isamsdorff's position gives the
Cvertures the force of coming from de-
sponsibIe quarters whereas the pre-
vious movements lacked official origin.
This clears the way for conversations
between officials and diplomats here
and at other capitals which are now
actively going on. These necessarily
are cfrcllitous owing to Russia's in
ability to approach Japan directly M
NeHdOff, the Russian ambassador here
has already cOnverSed with the French
authorities who are fully aware of the
desires of Count Lamsdorm and NJ
Witte.