The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-04
DIPLOMATS ARE RUSILY
WORKING TO SAME END
st. Petersburg Is Doubtful About sue.
cess of Roosevelt's Plan Because
of Big Indemnity Japan
VIII Demand.

Washington. June 3.-Shortly after
o'clock tonight Mr.. Kogoro Taxahira. the
japanese minister, called at The White
House by appointment. lie was imme-
diately received by the President and a
conference ensued. Following so closely
the visit of Count Cassini it was natur-
ally inferred that the President took oc-
casion to communicate to Mr.. Takahra
the views of Russia as presented by
Count Cassini at the conference with
him yesterday. Whether the visits had
to do with the appearance of the three
Russian ships at Manila could not be
learned The minister returned from New
York only this afternoon
Diplomatic activity in Washington to-
day indicates that the European powers
are prepared actively to assist the Pres
ident In any efforts he may make in the
interest of peace in tho far east and
1t is learned tonight on high authority
that the German Emperor heartily shares
the earnest wish of President Roosevelt
for an early ending of the war. Neither
the President nor the Emperor, however,
Is ambitious to assume the role of peace
maker although anNious TO do what is
possible TO assist Russia and Japan to
enter upon peaec negotiations as soon as
practicable. From information received
here it is believed that the King of Italy
can be relied upon to cas- his influence
for peace and the long conference of Ba-
ron des Planches. the Italian ambassa-
dor, yesterday afternoon with Count Cas-
sini. after the latter's call at the White
/ House, is but one of several evidences
of the activity of the Kings envoy at
! Washington in the interest Of peace. Sir
Mortimer Durand. the British ambassa-
dor In n recent visit to the White House
placed the President In possession Of the
views of King Edward. who would wei
come an early peace. The views Of the
French government are wen known to be
| of a similar character.
Several of the more prominent diplo-
mats We're enabled to cable their govern
ments last night the general features Of
the conference between the President and
i Count Cassini and by today the whole
| diplomatic corps was aware of the i'm
portant words uttered by the President
and was Specializing upon their effect In
ST. Petersburg.
For an hour this afternoon Baron von
Sternberg, the German ambassador. was
at the Russian embassy discussing the
situation with Count cassni. Thus far
the latter has not heard from his govern
ment
Except to intimate that he and the
President had a general talk on the whole
! situation Minister Takahira had nothing
to say about his conference tonight. lie
did not appear to be concerned about tho
presence of the Russian ships at Manila.
American Embassy Center of Interest.
st. Petersburg. June 4-da4 a. M
The American embassy was the center
of interest yesterday on account o. Presi-
dent RooseVelt's tender Of his good offices
in the direction Of peace.
Ambassador Meyer was besieged by
members Of the diplomatic corps, who
desired light on the Presidents plan and
intention. and the chances of its accept
anace was a topic of general interest in
st. Petersburg, the public having been
made acquainted with President Roose-
velt's talk with Count Cassini through
the afternoon papers. Foreign Minister
Iamsdorff did not lay the matter before
the Emperor yesterday. but probably Will
visit Tsarskoe-Selo Monday instead OF
Tuesday, his regular audience day, for
this purpose.
OFFICIALS of the foreign office. though
expressing gratitude for the peace tender
by the United States. adopted a nom
committal tone regarding the prospects
Of action on il, saying the decision resteA
solely with the Emperor VINO up to the
present is firm for, war.
Indemnity Is Stumblineblock
ON al sides 1t Is realized that the ques-
tlun OF indemnity will be the grea test
stumbling block in the way OF the efforts
Of the peace party. The war faction urges
that II Russia is obliged 10 pay an enor-
nous indemnity she might as well spend
the same amount In continuing the war a
year or two longer. and trust 10 financial
pressure to do its work in japan. They
say that Russias situation could not be
made much worse
In Manchurla the renforcements of
Lieutenant General Linevitch has been
going on without a pause. A traveller re-
turning from Harbin reports passing train
after train filed entirely with troops and
with apparently no rcseryists.
Yesterday it was reported that wide-
spread mobilization was contemplated
in order to give General Linevtch the
necessary numerical superiority over the
Japanese.