Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-13
MEETING PLACE
Continued from Page One.)

Continued from Page One.)
1t can be said that the place of meet
ing of the plenipOtentiaries of the two
governments has not been finally Sc
lected. Russia, through Ambassador
Cassini, has indicated her preference
for one place for the holding of the
peace conference; and Japan, through
Minister Takahira, has suggested an
other. 1t is intimated, officially, that an
agreement on the place of holding the
conference may be determined on in a
few days. but no suggestion except of
a negative character of the choice of
either of the belligcrents is obtainable.
1t is known that neither Washington
nor the battlefield Of Manchuria was
the selection of either Russia or Japan.
Further than that, information of a
definite nature was withheld. There is
no suggestion that in the question of
location of the peace conference, Pres
ident Roosevelt shall act as an arbiter.
1t is expected that the two govern
ments principally Interested will have
no serious difficulty in reaching an
agreement on that point. as Russia al
ready has indicated informally that
Japan's selection of a place probably
would be satisfactory to Emperor Mich
olaS.
Official assurance is given that, at
present the response made by Japan
to the Presidents official note will not
be made public from Washington in
precise form, inasmuch as the Russian
lnl in
Negotiations between Washington and
St. Petersburg and between Washing
ton and Toxic are in progress and the
final arrangements for the peace con-
ference in it's essential details are like
ly to be u question OF only a few days.
AS soon as the arrangements are COM
Dleted definitely, an armistice will be
agreed upon and the great armies in
Mancnuria will lower their bayOnetS
pending the final negotiations Of the
permanent treaty Of peace.
Count Cassini. the Russian ambassa-
dor, called at the White House. tonight,
by appointment to discuss with the
President the selection of a place for
the peace conference. This subject had
been discussed by the President in his
conference with the Japanese minister
during the afternoon. Count CaSsini
learned from the President, tonight.
Japan's views about this and also as
to the number of plenipOtentiaries. Up
on his return to the embassy, the am
bassadOr, it is understood, commune
Gated this information to the govern
ment.
on one point Count Cassini and Mr..
Takahira are agreed, and that is the
undesirablity of Washington for a
midsummer conference. What else was
talked about at the conference is not
known. Count Cassini not feeling at lib
erty to discuss his visit i'm any partic-
ular. Nor is it known whether the am
bassadors verbal, though official
assurances, delivered. this morning,
were presented in writing. tonight.
1t is understood in a. high official
quarter here, that Marquis Ito, Baron
komura, minister for foreign affairs,
and General Yamagata. chief of staff,
are the three under consideration by
the Emperor as plenipOtentiaries and
that the inclination of the belliger-
ents is that each select two plenipOten-
tiarics. NJ. NelidOff is understood to
have been tentatively selected by Rus
STA and it is suggested as possible that
he may be assisted by Baron Rosen,
though this lacks official confirmation.
Elimination of Washington as the
probable choice of the belligerents for
their place of peacemaking would not
preclude the selection of an American
city Briefly the situation is this:
Japan does not wish Paris and Rus
STA is unfavOrable to Mukdcn or Chefoo.
Both are opposed to Washington for
climatic reasons. though neither would
oppose the selection of an American
watering place and among those al
ready mentioned are Newport and
Manchester by -the-Sea. This idea is es-
pecially favored among the representa-
tives of the neutral powers, who estab-
liSh their embassies and legations in
New England for the summer. OF the
places under consideration i'll Europe,
it is said, Russia might accept The
Hague.
Geneva is also considered and it
would not be Objectionable to Japan.
A long conference at the Russian en-
bassy, this evening. between Mr.. Van
Swinderin the Netherlands minister,
and Count Cassini strengthened the
belief that Russia was seriously con-
sidcring the selection of The Hague for
the scene of the negotiations.
A point realized by the representa-
tives of both belligerents here. and
which had been emphasized in their
dispatches is, that in order to take adj
vantage of the Presidents offer to give
any advice or assistance that might be
solicited. the selection of an American
city for the conference would facilitate
the negotiations in keeping in close
touch with the President.
PRAISE FOR ROOSEVELT