Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-30
PEACE TALK IS RICE
Deemed Foolhardy for Russia
to Fight On.
GENERAL VIEW HERE
JAPANESE MINISTER'S CALL ON
THE PRESIDENT.
Count Cassini, the Russian Ambassa-
dor, Says That Peace Talk
is Premature.
GENERAL VIEW HERE

Peace talk is rife in all quarters. and with
few notable exceptions the opinion is gen.
eral that 1t would be almost foolhardy for
Russia to prolong the war.
Considerable significance has been. at
tached to a visit paid by Mr. Takahira, the
japanese minister. to the President at the
White House last night. following the re-
ceipt of the news of the practical annihila-
ton of the Russian Baltic fleet. As neither
participant would disclose the subject of
the conference, it became a fair matter of
speculation. and it is regarded as only a
natural inference under the circumstances
that the possibilities of a suspension of
hostilfties formed the principal topic of
conversation. Minister Takahira was nat
urally jubiIant over the success of Japa-
nese arms. and took a personal pleasure in
telling the President the news he had re-
ceived from Tokyo.
On returning to the legation Minister
Takahira declined to discuss in any par
ticular his conference with the President.
Regarding the possible effect of the out
come of the battle on peace negotiations
the minister said;
Minister Takahira's Position.
In the absence of specific instructions
from his government and pending the issue
OF the naval conflict in the Japanese sea,
1t Is regarded as somewhat improbable that
the Japanese minister here would assume
the initiative in soliciting the good offices
Of the President OF the United States in
satisfaction over Togo's great achieSement.
the interest of peace. Mr.. Takahira's po-
sition in the matter was stated by him
last night. when after expressing his keen
ne said:
After this sweeping victory Russia alone
can be held responsible for prolongation
of the war"
Il cannot discuss the effect of this battle
until the final reports are received-unil
know Rojestvensky's fate Ask Russia.
not Japan, If the hour of peace has ar
rived. Our fleet is still pursuing the enemy
II is to Russia. not to Japan, that the in
itiative toward peace is to be looked for
Peace Talk Premature.
Count Cassini the Russian ambassador
here, has so far done nothing looking 20
the ntercession of the United States in
the interests of peace. and it Is generally
conceded that 1t would be premature to dc
so until at least some definite informa ton
regarding the latest developments in the
east has reached the Russian authorities
at St. Petersburg.
Count Cassini, while naturally greatly de
pressed at the loss of life, expressed belief
last night that when fuller details came In
it would be found that Admiral Rojestven-
sky had saved a part of his squadron. and
that his pa ssage of the straits had been ac-
complished not without inficting great dam
age on the opposing fleet.
Talk of peace is premature" the ambas-
sador declared. IF the victory be stu
pendous the Japanese would have the
world believe, the neutral powers can
scarcely wish for Japan to be allowed to
remain without a taste of defeat. Much as
should welcome an end of the war, for
some reasons my belief is that the effect OF
Rojestvenskys defeat will be the indefinite
prolongation of the war Russia must fight
on, perhaps for years, but until the tables
are turned "
Baron Rosen, the newly appointed Rus
sian ambassador to the United States, IS ex-
pected to relieve Count Cassini early in
July, and on him may devolve the conduct
of peace negotiations on the part of Russia
In case course is decided on
Predcated on the impression that the
Presidents conference with the japanese
minister last night indicates desire to In
stitute negotiations which may lead to
peace, 1t IS stated that Count Casslni, the
Russian ambassador. expects to call on the
President before the week is over, and that
calls will also be made by Sir Mortimer
Durand. the British ambassadOr who has
Just returned from London, and possibly by
the French and German ambassadors.