Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-13
For the Peace Negotiation
Being Discussed.
Neither Washington or the
Battlefield Mentioned.
Both Russia and Japan Apparently Willing
to Expedite Matters.

Washington, June 12..-Official assur-
ance that the Presidents efforts to
bring Russia and Japan together to
discuss peace will be crowned with sue
cess. was brought to the White House.
today, by Count Cassini, the Russian
ambassador, who called by appoint
ment and in the name Of Emperor
Nicholas formally accepted the Presi-
dents ''offer Of good will"
The following official statement re-
garding the conference was issued ut
the White House:
Ambassador Cassini has called to
express the Russian governments as
sent to the Presidents proposition and
to state that they would appoint pleni-
pOtentiaries to meet the plenipoten-
tiaries of Japan to discuss the question
OF peace. The place OF meeting Is at
present being discussed"
During the past two weeks the Presi-
dents efforts have been directed to-
ward bringing the be!ligerents into
amicable contact on the basis of a
mutual agreement to consider terms of
peace. This he accomplished finally, to-
uuy II IcIIlstlIIS ilOW loI Tic OclliStE.
ent powers to name their pienipoten-
taries and agree upon time and place
for them to meet to discuss terms AMI
to negotiate treaty of peace. These de-
tails are now under consideration with
a bright prospect that such minor diff
ficulties as may exist will be resolved
within few days.
Conferences of supreme Importance
were held, today. in Washington. The
Blue room of the White House was the
scene and President Roosevelt. Count
Cassini. the Russian ambassador, and
kogOrO Takanira, the Japanese minis
ter, were the principal conierees. Presi-
dent Roosevelt now has unequivocal
assurances from both Iiuasia and Jap
an of the acceptance of his proposition
that they enter on negotiations for
peace. The President likewise is assur-
ed of the absolute sincerity of both
governments in acceding TO his sugges-
ton.
Japan was the first Of the two powers
to indicate it's acceptance of President
ROosevelt's proposition. The formal re-
Spouse to his identical note of Thurs
day last was received from the Japan
csc government. Saturday. Informal
assurances of acceptance of the Presi
dents suggestion We're received from
the Russian government. 4 little later;
but the assurances from st. Petersburg
We're not of the same definite character
as had been received from Toxic. Ear
ly today, Ambassador Meyer, at st.
Petersburg. Informed this government
that Russia had accepted the Presi-
dents proposition and would name rep
resentatives with plenary powers to
meet plenipotentarias of Japan. While
satisfactory, the response Of Russia
was not in the same definite form as
that OF Japan. 1t had been the expecta-
ton of the Presiden. to publish to the
world the replies Of the two govern
mcnts to his identical notes. but under
the circumstances this could not be
done.
A few hours subsequent to the re-
ceipt Of Ambassador Meyers cable
gram. Count Cassini. the Russian am
bassador, made an appointment to see
President Roosevelt at II o'clock, to-
day. The ambassador. in the conference
which followed, presented verbally
Russia's acceptance of the Presidents
proposition for a conference to discuss
peace terms. He had been instructed
by the st. Petersburg government to
convey to the President the willingness
of Emperor Nicholas to appoint pleni-
potentaries to meet like representatives
OF the Emperor Of Japan to negotiate
a treaty of peace. While the response
of the Russian government was not re-
duced to writing. 1t was regarded for
the time, as sufficient for the negotia-
lions. Shortly afterward the official
statement quoted was made public.
In addition to indicating the accept
ance by the Russian government OF
President RoOsevelt's proposition.
Count Casslni informed the President
of Russia's desires as to the place OF
meeting of the plenipotentiaries and
named those who would probably be
delegated to represent the Russian
Emperor. At the conclusion Of the con-
ference Count Cassini declined to dis
cuss for publication the details OF his
interview with President Roosevelt.
Mr.. Takahira had a conference with
President Roosevelt. at o'clock. this
afternoon. The interview lasted As min
utes. After the conference Mr.. Taxa
hira had a brief talk with Secretary
Loeb. The minister, in response to in
quiries, said that the situation was SO
delicate that he did not feel free to
talk about it. He expressed the opinion
that the situation would be resolved
satisfactorily in due time. but declined
to indicate, even in a general way, the
contents Of the japanese response 10
the Presidents indentical note, saying
that such information should come only
from the President.