The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-06-14
RumOrs at Washington of Hitch Occurring. NOTHING DEFINITE KNOWN President Holds Conference
 With Takahira. Xs Not Believed That Anything Has Really Occurred to Cause Halt In the Preliminary Nesotia-
 tions Undertaken.
NOTHING DEFINITE KNOWN

pessinIsm was discernible tonight in the tone of the discussion of the ne- gotiations for peace in the Far East. As far as can be ascertained at tnis time no permanent ground exists Tor the suppositions that the negotiations are not proceeding favorably- It is realized in both governmental and diplomatic quarters that until the two belligerents actually are brought to- rether on a common basis of under standing the possibility of a hitch must be taken into account.
 Among members of the diplomatic corps the formal response of the Rus sian government to the Presidents ap- peal for cessation of hostilities was received with keen interest. It was made the subject of a conference at the White House today between the President and Minister Takahira. The details of the conference were not dis- closed but tonight Minister Takahira intimated strongly that the negotia- tions were proceeding smoothly. In other diplomatic quarters 1t was sus- gested that possibly too optimistic view of the situation generally was being taken. This idea coupled with a call of M. Jusserand. the French Ambassador, at the White House to- night led to the rumor extensively cir- aulated that something akin to n niIcn ID the peace UGSOtA3tAohS dCbadA- ly had occurred.
 Jusserand Sees President.
 Ambassador Jusserand returned to- night from West Point where he went to deliver an address. At his embassy he found a note from President Roosc- velt requesting him to call at the White House. He reached the Presl- dents home at s:15 p. m. and remained with him until Il o'clock. After the conference Ambassador Jusserand. when asked the direct question wheth- CT a hitch had occurred in the peace negotiations replied frankly that he had heard of none; adding that the question of peace was not the princi- pal subject of consideration at the conference. As far as he was aware. he said, there had been no change in the favorable status of the negotiA- tions. He also declined either to af-. firm or to deny the accuracy of the suggestion that the Moroccan question was under discussion.
 Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour of Ambassador Jusserand's de- parture from the White House informa- tion concerning his conference with the President excited lively interest, es- pecially among members of the diplo- mattc corps. In an important quarter the belief was expressed that no diffi- culty had arisen in the course of the negotiations which amounted to hitch and which could not be smoothed out with tact and earnest interest on the part of the President.
 There Is adequate authority for the statement that there is no actual hitch In the preliminary negotiations. Prog ress is being made, but 1t may be sev- eral days or even longer before all de- tails for the meeting can be definitely fixed A diplomat explained the situa- frh a timists had succeeded in getting ahead Of the actual status quo of the negotia- tions.
 These optimists," he added, "natur- ally become alarmed when they find that the negotiations are not keeping pace with their predictions and straightway they announce a hitch in the negotiations"
 Merely Tentative.
 Russia regards her consent to ap- point plenipotentiaries to discuss means of ending the war as tentative ar engagement. Although the word pleni- potentiaries is used in the Russian re- ply 1t is understood that their appoint ment does not commit Russia to any pledge to end the war. Russia's object in appointing these fully empowered envoys is to find out whether Russia can obtain from Japan peace terms which it Is possible for Emperor Nich- olas to accept
 Japan is naturally cautious, although she. too, has accepted the Presidents offer of good will and agreed to ap- point plenipotentaries. The negotia- tions have progressed far enough for the belligerents to be discussing, through the President as the channel of communication, a suitable place. the number of negotiators. and, what is more important than either of these. common basis upon which the plenI- potentaries- may meet.
 Russia was thoroughly opposed to the suggestion of any place in the Far East for a meeting and it is not be- lieved that Japan's opposition to Paris was at all unexpected in St. Peters, burg. Russia has shown strong pref erence' for European capital Ja- pans wish is to secure a point free from outside influences. Direct nego- tiations with Russia has been her de- mand throughout and hence her origi- nal preference for A point in the Far East. The Hague, it is believed, would prove fairly acceptable to both.