The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-02
MINISTER TAKAhlRA SAYS JAPAN
MUST FIGHT INSTEAD OF
TALKING OF PEACE.
RUSSIA WILL BE SLOW TO ACT
IDEA OF SUING FOR PEACE APP.
PEARS DISTASTEFUL TO THE
CARS GOVERNMENT.

Washington, May 31.-"Until some
word OF peace comes out of Tsarskoe
Selo, Nippon has but to fight on"
This epigrammatic remark of Mr..
Takahira, the Japanese minister,
made with the details of the victory of
the Japanese fleet before him, accu-
rately sets forth not only his opinion
but, it is believed, that of the Wash
| ingtOn and other neutral governments
represented here regarding the effect
of the battle upon Russia's policy.
ambassador, will be the bearer of that
fateful word when he sees the presi-
dent during the day or on Thursday
| remains to be seen, but the ambassador
in conversation with a corresponds
ent of the Associated Press Tuesday
night was more emphatic than at any
time since the war in the declaration
that the war would go on indefinitely.
While admitting that he would see the
president in the next few days and
have long conference on the general
situation, the ambassador strongly
discouraged any hope of an early
peace.
perhaps after Liaoyang there was
possibility of peace" said Count
Cassini 81 will not say there was
not an idea of peace at that time in
certain quarters, but now, after this
crushing defeat? Never! The Japa-
nese talk of indemnity. Russia can
better use this money in the building
of another fleet. Certainly this is not
the time when Russia can afford to
take up the question of peace"
Discourages Washington Government.
1t is this apparent determination of
Russia to continue in the face of dis
astrous defeats on land and sea which
discourages the Washington govern
ment at this time from taking any
positive steps toward offering assist
ance to the belligerents in coming to
an understanding. 1t is believed here,
however, that when Russia through
her own agents has learned the full
extent of her losses she may be ap-
preached regarding peace with some
hope that overtures will be welcomed.
1t is such an opportunity for which
this government is watching
Soon after the president returned
from New York Secretary Taft called
at the White House and was in con-
ference with him for several hours.
While the secretary was there dis
patches arrived from the Japanese le-
cation giving details of the battle
which the president read with keen
interest. The president and the Sec
rotary discussed number of matters,
but the outlook for peace occupied
much of their time. 1t is realized that
the crushing character of the Russian
defeat gives to the president an OPP
portunity with entire propriety to Of
fer his services to the ST. Petersburg
government in establishing cOmmuni
cation with Toxic, but until it can be
learned that such an offer would prob
ably be successful this government is
not inclined to act.
Throughout the diplomatic corps the
keenest interest is displayed in the
news of the conference which Mr..
Takahira, the Japanese minister, had
with the president at the White House
Monday evening.
Step in the Direction of Peace.
'That marks a step in the direction
of peace" said prominent diplomat,
land it is to be hoped that Russia will
recognize as does the rest of Europe
the disinterested earnestness with
which the president wishes for an end
ing of the war. If Russia had taken
the advice of the president after the
battle of Liaoyang she would now be
at peace with the world with the
greater portion of her navy intact"
Regarding Monday nights confer
ence at the White House it is posi-
BILE now to state that it dealt first,
with the details of the battle, and, Sec
ondly, with the possible effect of this
decisive Japanese victory upon Rus
sia's previous determination to pro-
long the war indefinitely No one
realizes more clearly than the mikado
that the czar must be convinced of
the overwhelming character of the
Russian defeat before he will con-
slider peace and close as are the rela-
lions between Toxic and Washington,
the Japanese government is not in
clined through it's minister to discuss
even with the president definite peace
terms until officially assured 'in the
cZar's name that Russia is prepared
seriously and in good faith to discuss
peace with Japan"
Thus far the Washington govern
ment has not received the slightest
official intimation that peace is under
consideration at st. Petersburg, but a
report on this point is expected very
soon from Mr.. Meyer, the American
ambassador.
Prizes in Japanese Ports.
Toxic, May 31.-The captured bat
tleship Orel arrived at the Mazirui