New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-03
PRESIDENT URGES PEACE.
TALKS TO COUNT CASSINI.
Would Be Mistake for Russia to
Fight On, He Says.

White House this afternoon with Count Cas-
sini the Russian Ambassador. President Roose-
welt expressed the earnest hope that Russia
would forthwith conclude peace with Japan.
Prolongation of the war he believes, viii not
result in victory for the Russian arms and can
only serve to increase Japan's demands and
render more difficult the drafting of treaty Of
peace which the Gar as well the Dtikado.
can sign The President spoke. he said, as the
friend of Russia less than Of Japan and on
behalf not only of the Washington government,
but in the interest of humanity. Until his words
have reached Tsarskoe-sclo and have been COM
municated to Emperor Nicholas in the friendly
spirit in which they were uttered. their effect
cannot be estimated. soon after returning to
the Embassy. Count Cassini began the prepa-
ration OF dispatch to his government.
Neither at the White House at the Russian
Embassy could formal statement regarding
the conference be obtained
Throughout the diplomatic corps there 4,
strong hope that to-day's conference marked
the first step toward peace. but the general
opinion is that weeks may elapse before even
preliminary negotiations can begin. Diplomats
express the hope that Emperor Nicholas Will
receive the Presidents words "as the counsel
of that government which for years has been
Russia's traditional friend. and will weigh 1t ac-
cordingly."
THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
Count Cassini called By appointment at the
White House ct 2:3O o'clock this afternoon. He
he was Joined Immediately by tho President.
and a conference followed, lasting until after
o'clock
| Approaching the natural feelings Of tbs Am
bassador on such occasion. the President
began the conversation by frank personal ex-
preston of sympathy for Count cassini. allud-
| ing to the severe strain under which he has been
for the last few days and deplorfng the terrible
| loss of life and consequent sorrow caused by
! the regent battle of the Sea of Japan
Without further preliminaries a general and
| entirely informal and personal conversation
| the whole situation followed. The President in
formed the Ambassador that he earnestly hoped
| for early peace in the Far East. and that in ex-
pressing this hope he voiced not only his strong
| personal sentiments and those of this govern
| rnent. but he believed they were held by all the
| powers. His opinion that it would be
| mistake for Russia 10 continue the He did
not believe. he said that Russia had anything to
! gain in prolongng hostilites He did not go into
| details. but the personal character OF the con-
| versation and his long acquaintance with Court
| Cassini enabled him to talk plainly regarding
| the decisive character of the japanese victories.
| What Japan's probable peace terms would be
! the President unable to say but he did not
hesitate to express the opinion that. difficult as
| these conditions might prove, in the light OF
| such victory as that gained in the Corean
| Strait they would increase in severity with
| every day the war continued. Unless Russia has
| substantial hope OF decisively defeating Japan
| the President believed it would be to the inter
| asts of the St Petersburg government to con-
! clude peace at once
| Briefly and in paraphrased FORM these were
| the arguments used by the President In support
of his conviction that, between continuation
| of the war and immediate peace, the latter
| would be greatly to Russia's advantage
CAss1NI THINKS PEACE FAR OFF
| Having received no word from his government
since the destruction of Rojestvenskys fleet- ex-
cent the brief official dispatches telling OF the
| battle Count Cassini was unable TO 90 more
| than give the President his personal opinions
| m the situation The Ambassador was oeepE
touched by the sincere cordal1ty or MS recePlo"
| .rd the frank and friendly manner In Whieh
49, +,,ars was anything in the present s1tuat1on
| for+una+e as it undoubtedly was for his gov
| ,an+ which made it necessary Tor RUSSIA
| 90 &c for neace He pointed out that China
| - not Prussia had been the loser In territory.
| Co. e,-an Port Arthur was held only under lease
o the sea Russia had nothing more to lose, ne
said. ,, 49,.
7. r-as the Ambassadors firm opinion that
.x; v-as not "the psychological moment IN
which to discuss peace with japan "haleVer
.b+ be the ultimate decision OF his govern
- be took the ground that Russia could lose
.bi,~ bv waiting or by continuing the war ON
1nd There was still hope OF a victory for the
I,,,ssiar arms he said. and. in any event Rus
sia had not yet lost one foot or territory NOT
uas the Russian frontier endangered
The Ambassador pointed out tnar there was
- tbe slightest official intimation from any
source as to Japan's probable terms ana thal
,tesa demands as stated unofcially. were al
e-o+,o- ir,nossible" If Japan's terms should
o,,e ANYTHING like so severe as they have been
a,or+ad il was the Ambassadors opinion tnat
p,,ssfa could advantageously continue the war
| ,5.eniteIv and eventually win victory ON
land That his government would so decide ne
aid NOT wish to predict. but at last accounts the
Eroneror favored continuation OF the war
1,,,,e the conversation continued for more than
baIf an hour being characterized throughout DF
| .o,,,ess and friendliness. Later when the
! A,bas~ador has heard from his government.
aftar communicating the Presidents views and
The Presidents willingness to render Russia any
service possible in initiating peace negotiations
! With Janan he will have another talk with the
President From the White House the Amoas-
sadar went for a long drive in the country re-
turnine to his embassy just In time TO receive