The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-16
WASHINGT
CONFERENCE.
Approaching Peace Negotiations
Have Been Given a Name.
Plans of the Diplomatic Corps
Are Disarranged.
NO SUMMER VACATION.
Is Regarded as Necessary for All
to Hang Around.
White House Has Become an
Unusually Busy Place.
NO SUMMER VACATION.

Washington. June 16.-Already the
epoch-making meeting to be held be-
tween the plenipotentiaries of Russia
and Japan to discuss means of ending
the war has received name. In dis
patches to Europe from the embassies
and legations here it is briefly termed
the Washington conference"
The announcement of the selection of
Washington as the scene of the peace
making caused practically the entire
diplomatic corps to suspend indefinitely
its programme for the summer. De-
spite the reiteratfon OF both belliger-
ents that they propose to negotiate di-
rectly with one another the European
powers are preparing to follow each
step of the negotiations as closely and
as intelligently as cautious and reserv-
ed plenipotentiaries will permit and to
do this the European ENJOYS must be
ON the ground. The informal announce
ment in the White House that after
cOnvening the conference here if the
plenipOtentiaries We're oppressed by
the heat, they probably would adjourn
70 some watering place, has aroused the
hopes Of the ENJOYS to the neutral pow
ers that such viii be the decision.
Among the diplomats whose plans
coming conference are NJ Jusserand,
the French ambassador, who if he goes
to France this month as he had planned
must return in time for the conference;
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, who has
planned to spend his leave in Germany,
and Sir Mortimer Durand, the British
ambassador. who had already closed his
embassy when the preliminary negotia-
tions necessftated his return from Lenox.
IF the conference does not convene un-
Til September some of the diplomats
Will make brief visits to Europe for
the purpose OF getting in touch with the
views or their respectiye governments.
Not the First Time.
This viii not be the first time the iff-
plomatic corps has been kept in Wash
ingtOu in summer sbecause Of important
negotiations The preliminary negotia-
tions Immediately after the war with
Spain and the Boxer troubles and sub
seQuent negotiations in the summer of
1900, demonstrate ted to them the midsum-
mer conditions here.
The diplomatic activity in the last
Few weeks has exceeded the record es-
tablished during the Venezuelan nego-
tiatiOns in the winter of 1903 and has
recalled vividly the scenes Immediate
ly following the ending of the war with
Spain. There have been conferences at
the White House morning, afternoon
and evening, the subject of peace ne
gOtiatiOns naturally taking precedence
over all other official business at the
president sent frequently for various di-
plOmats interested directly or Indirect
ly in the question but small circle of
diplomats, including besides Count Cas-
sini the Russian ambassador and NJ
Takahira. the japanese minister, Baron
Speck Won Sternburg the German am
bassadOr, Mr.. Jusserand, the French
ambassador, Sir Mortimer Durand, the
British ambassador, and Baron Mayor
Des Planches. the Italian ambassador,
have called at the White House at all
hours of the day and until II O'Clock
at night to discuss peace, the president
giving a great deal of his time to the
question. In this way the White House
is informed daily not only of what
Japan wishes Russia to know and vice
versa, but of the views and suggestions
OF European capitals generally.
Next to the belligerents themselves
Germany has shown the most keen in
terest in the selection Of a place for the
negotiations. From the outset she has
both here and at st. Petersburg and
Toxic exercised powerful influence to
get the negotiatOTs to Washington. It
vas the emperor's belief that only in
Washington would the negOtators be
free from the unsolicited interference Of
neutral powers.
Russian Comment.
st. Petersburg, June 16--The an
nouncement that Emperor Nicholas has
accepted the resignation of his uncle
Grand Duke Alexis, as high admiral
g
came known today but the announce
ment came too late for comment in the
morning papers
Commenting on the selection of Wash
ington as the place of meeting of the
peace plenipotentiaries the NovOe
Wremya calls uDOn Russian diplomacy
to prepare to struggle seriously and not
repeat the drifting policy which the
Russian diplomats followed before the
war. to decide what Russia wants and
to act accordingly
The Russ dwells on the necessity for
selecting the ablest men available to
represent Russia at the Washington
meeting since they may have to con-
clude a peace which viii determine for
many years Russia's position in the far
east
The Bourse Gazette demands that men
representing new" and not old Russia
shall be sefst. and adds;
THE other powers are already ex-
pressing fears that Russia and Japan
VIII arrive at rapprochnent which
will decide the destiny of eastern Asia.
These fears should be a powerful in
strument in the hands of the Russian
plenipotentiaries.
The Listok says the world formerly
manifested alarm at "the Russian ad-
vance" eastward but now seems indif-
ferent to "Japan's advance" westward
through Korea and Manchuria-
'sIn 1896 the paper continues, Ger
many, France and Russia protested
against Japan exploiting China Today /
no power comes forward to stay Japan's
victorious march. Russia stands alone
and a peace may be forced upon her
which viii be prejudicia1 to the interests
of Europe"
The latest news from the front fndi- /
Gates that the rainy season is beginning /
sooner than usual Already heavy I
storms have occurred ana If the down /
pours continue tire military operations /
necessarily viii come to a standstill !