The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-06-14
NOTE OF PESSIMISM IN THE PEACE DISCUSSION
Continued from First Page.)

Ambassador Jusserand, after the con-
 ference, said it would be discourteous
 to the president for him to discuss for
 publication the nature of his interview.
 Asked the direct question whether a
 hitch had occurred in the peace nego- tiations he replied frankly that he had
 heard of none; adding that the question
 of peace was not the principal subject of consideration at the conference. So
 far as he was aware, he said, there
 had been no change in the favorable status of the negotiations When it was suggested that the Moroccan dues- l ton might have been under considera- tion. he declined either to affirm of deny the accuracy of the suggestion.
 saying, laughingiy that such informa- tion was disclosed concerning his in- i terView with the president mus tcome 1 from the more important of the confer | ees, inclining his head at the same time toward the White house.
 Notwithstanding the Iateness of the | hour of Ambassador Jusserand's de-
 parture from the White house, infor-
 nation concerning his conference with the president excited lively interest es- 1 peclaliy among members of the diplo- nlatic corps. In an important quarter
 the belief was expressed that no diff l fefences had arisen.
 In the progress of the negotiations
 which would amount to a hitch, or which could not be smoothed out with tast and earnest persistence on the part of the president.
 niTsact Petersburg and Tokio has not yet been established. The White house is yet
 the medium for all communications be-
 tween the two capitals.a Independent details remain to be agreed upon before
 the plenipotentiaries of the belligerents can meet to discuss means of ending the war.
 l There is adequate authority for the
 statement that there is no actual hitch
 in the preliminary negotiations. Prog resS Is being made, but it may be sev- ] eraf days, or even longer, before all details for the meeting can be definite l ly fixed. A diplomat explained the sit uatfon tonight when he said certain optimists had succeeded in getting
 ahead of the actual status quo of the
 negotiations. These optinists," he added, naturally become alarmed when they find that the negotiations are not keeping pace with their predic- tions and straightway they announce a hitch in the negotiations"
 Russia regards her consent to appoint Iplenipotentiaries to discuss means of ending the war as a tentative arrange nent. Although the word ''plenipoten- tiaries'' is used in the Russian reply, it lis understood that their appointment does not commit Russia to any pledge | to end the war. Russia's object in ap- pointing these fully-empowered envoys lis to find out whether Russia can ob- 1 tain from Japan peace terms which it l is possible for Emperor Nicholas to &C., cept. Japan is naturally cautious, al- 1 though she, too, has accepted the pres Iident's offer of good will and agreed to appoint plenipotentiaries. The negoti- ations have progressed far enough for 1.-the belligerents to be discussing, 1 through the president as the channel l of communication, suitable place, the number of the negotiators and, what is l more important than either, a common
 basis upon which the plenipotentiaries may meet.
 1 Russia seems thoroughly opposed to l the suggestion of any place in the Far
 East for meeting point, and it is not believed that Japan's opposition to Paris was at all unexpected in St. Pe- tersburg Russia has shown strong
 preference for a European capital. Ja- Ipan's wish is to secure a point free
 from outside influences. Direct negoti-
 ations with Russia has been her de-
 nand 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.