Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-03
NO DEFINITE RESULT
YESTERDAYS CONFERENCE AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Count Cassini Says That the Eastern
Situation Was Discussed in
General Manner.

The confer ence yesterday between the
President and Count Cassini, the Russian
ambassador, was fully as important as had
been anticipated.
The President Informed the ambassador
that he earnestly hoped for an early peace
in the far east and that in expressing this
hope he voiced not only his strong per-
sonal sentiments and those of his govern
ment, but he believed these were held by all
of the powers. His opinion was that T.
would be a mistake for Russia to continue
the war. In addition to the suffering en-
tailed by the naval conflict, he did not be-
icve that Russia has anything to win in
prolonging hostiities. The President did
not enter into details, but the persona |
character of the conversation and his long;
acquaintance with Count CaSSlni enabled
him to talk plainly regarding the decisive
character of the Japanese victories.
The Presidents Arguments.
What Japan's probable peace terms would
be the President was wholly unable to say
but he did not hesitate to express the opin-
ion that difficult as these conditions might
prove, in the light of such victory as that
gained in the Korean straits, they would
increase in severity with every day that q
state of war continued. Unless Russia has
substantial hope of administering decisive
defeat to Japan in this war. the President
believed it would inure to the interests OF
the ST. Petersburg government to conclude
peace a once. ;
Briefly in a paraphrased form these Wer,
the arguments used by the President i'll
support of his conviction that, as between
a continuation of the war and immediate;
peace, the latter would be greatly to RuS-
STA s advantage.
Having received no word from his gov
eminent since the annihlation of Rojest-
versky's feet, save the brief official dis
Of In eay,o,a,
Cassini was unable to do more than to
give the President his own personal opin-
ions on the situation. The ambassador wa:
deeply touched by the sincere cordially OF
the reception and the frank and friendly
manner I'm which the President spoke. He
could not see, however that there was any,
thing in the present situation, unfortunate
as it undoubtedly was for his government,
which necessitated Russia s suing for peace.
The Ambassadors Reply.
As to territory, he pointed out that China
and not Russia had been the loser, for even
Port Arthur was held only under lease. On
the sea. Russia had nothing more to lose,
he said 1t was the ambassadors FIRM
opinion that this was not the psychology
ical moment in which to discuss peace
with Japan. Whatever might be the ulti--
mate decision of his government, he took
tn, ground that Russia could lose nothing
eithe by waiting or by continuing the war
on land. There was hope yet of a victory
for the Russian arms, it was suggested. ami
in any event Russia had not yet lost one
foot of territory nor was the Russian from.
tier endangered.
The ambassador pointed out that there
was not the slightest official intmatiotl
from any source to Japan's probable
terms and that these demands, as stated
unofficially, were altogether impossible =
If Japan's terms should prove anything like.
as severe they have been reported, iC
i the ap1baS dOr'S onipiOn that RnSSin
could advantageously continue the war in
definitely and eventually win a victory on
land That his government would SO decide
he did not wish to predict, but at last az
counts the emperor was for continuation
of the war.
Thus the converse ton continued for more
than half hour, being characterized
throughout by frankness and friendlinesS.
Later on when the ambassador has hear,i
from his government, after communicating
the Presidents views and the Presidents
willingness to render Russia any servi,a
possible in initiating peace negotiations with
Japan. he will have another talk with tie
President. i
Count Cassini's Statement
Regarding his visit to the White Houss,,
all that Count Cassini would say was:
81 had most cordial conversation with
| the President this afternoon during which
| the whole situation in the far east was dis
| cussed informally and in general manner.
No peace overtures were received from
| Japan nor were any made. Our talk was
confidential of course, and of a very gen.
eral character
| From the White House the ambassador
went for long drive in the country re-
| turning to his embassy just in time to re-
eeive Baron Mayor des Planches, the Ital-
ian ambassador. who spent some time with
] him. Later in the evening the ambassador