The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-16

seal Of confidence, that the failure to gree
definitely sooner upon the place OF meet
ing was due to Japan's desire to study the
Russian response to- President Roosevelt s
note Of June 8 before directly entering
into formal arran cement. For that rea-
son the exchan ges that have been made on
the subject Of electing seat OF the nego-
tiations have been Of a tentative character
Any difficulty that might have arisen over
dissatisfaction at Toxic with the terms OF
Russia's response to President Roosevelt's
petition that peace be made was cleared
away, however, when Mr.. Takahira, the
Minister Of Japan. called at the White
House to-day and notified the President OF
Japan's willingness to treat with Russia on
the basis OF that Governments answer to
the Joint note Of June s.
Japan also was somewhat irritated over
press reports from st, Petersburg that
Foreign Minister Lamsdorf had told the
representatives Of the Powers at the Russian
capital that the statement in the Ofl' IA
Gazette OF the contents of the Russian
response to President Roosevelt did not
mean exactly what it seemed to mean.
and she found another cause of complaint
In the assertions that Russia would not
consent to peace unless the Japanese sub
mitted satisfactory basic conditions
An additional ground for Japanese irri-
tation, 1t il learned, was that the Rus
sian Government had made an oral re-
sponse the Presidents note instead Of
written response as Japan had done.
This last difficulty was got over by the
receipt of a formal written communi-
cation from Russia. President Roosevelt
did much to soothe the spirit Ct Japan
uron the other matters, and TO him
much Of the credit is due for the happy
outcome.
RUSSIA KNOWS WHAT To EXPECT.
Russia, it Ia learned. has already had an
inkling of what Japan's peace terms viii
be- and the neutral Powers have been made
acquainted with this information.
The additional fact disclosed to-
light that the Governments of the United
Statee, Germany and France are COUNSEL
ing Japan not to he too severe in her de-
mands. and there ia hopeful feeling that
these opportunities will be effective as it
has been made plain that Japan desires
to retain the sympathy Of her friends
and to give no cause for criticism
to the Powers which are generally sup
posed to be friendly to Russia.
England was asked to join in this move
ment to persuade Japan to he reasonable,
but declined to do so. holding that Japan
was her diplomatic ally in Far Eastern
affairs and had won the war without Eng
lands assistance and should not be ham
pered by any suggestions from that Gov
eminent in dealing with her vanqushed
enemy
japan, IL was declared tonight, was
particularly anxious to retain the cordial
GOOD will Of the United States, and the
representations which this Government is
making In behalf of moderate treatment
of Russia are expected to bear good fruit
President Roosevet's conversation with
Minister Takahira to-day lasted an hour
and half, and it is understood that much
Of 1t was devoted to the expression by
the President OF reasons why japan should
be moderate. The main worry Of Russia
Ia over Japan's intention to ask cash
indemnity, and strenuous efforts will lie
made to have the victorious Toxic Govern
ment spare Its opponent the humiliation
OF having to pay part or all Of the money
that the war cost Japan.
The intimation this evening is that Japan
unquestionably intends not to go too far
not only for the reason that she may by
so doing offend the neutral Powers, but
becau use she may ultimately be required to
back down. something that she Is e1-
tremely anxious to avoid
ARM1sTICE QUESTION TO WAIT.
II was said tonight in the most authori-
tative quarter that the question of a ces-
eaton Of hostilities might not, and probably
would not, be determined until after the
peace Observation-Disclosures meet in Washing
ton; but it is admitted that an armistce
could be arranged on the field of present
hellieerent activities by Field Marshal
Oyama and Gen. Linievitch.
However, that il detail that will be
determined later For the present the
exchanges will have 10 do with settling the
time when the peace conferees shall meet.
1t was said tonight by reliable source
Of information that the date of the first
meeting might be as PARKWAY as September,
and the opinion was expressed that the per-
sonnet of the joint commission would not
be fully decided for at least two weeks.
The peace ENJOYS OF each Government
must necessarily have considerable time
to secure their instructions and to select
their assistants, and it will be necessary for
them IN bring comics of n,anv rublic C,or