Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-12
Russia's Attitude Announced
to Washington.
NO DELAY IS INTENDED
IT WILL FULLY RESPOND TO THE
ROOSEVELT MESSAGE.
Not the Slightest Warrant for Intima-
tions of Ulterior Motives in
Seeking Japan's Terms.


Russias official reply is now on its way to
Washington Foreign Minister Lamsdorff
transmitted 1t to Ambassa dor Meyer and
later the ambassador had an interview with
the foreign minister at the foreign office.
All the attempts to create an impression
that there is the slightest hitch In the pre-
iimnary negotiations are absolutely with
out shadow of foundation. Foreign Minister
Lamsdo1fr las formally notified several of
the continental powers that a meeting OF
plenipotentiaries to see whether it is pos
sible to agree to terms of peace is assured
Now that Russia has received formal noti-
ficatiOn that Japan has sent an official and
favorable reply to President Roosevelt, the
Russian official reply will be forwarded
and the Associated Press feels it is in a po-
sition to state positively that the reply will
fully respond 10 the Presidents message.
There does not seem to be the slightest
warrant for the gratuttous idea that some
correspondents are putting out that Russia
Is only desirous of ascertaining the Japa-
nese conditions. and at the same time gain
better position for her army in Manchu-
ria.
M. Whites Proposed Trip.
NJ. Witte, president of the committee Of
ministers. will leave ST. Petersburg for
~S-NeNN ia wv WOShS. very SiSUlnCant
announcement is coupled with the state
ment that he is going "on public business"
His visit was instantly associated witt the
peace negotiations, and 1t is possible that
Emperor Nicholas has decided if a reason
able basis for negotiations Is offered by
Japan to make use of the services of the
ablest and strongest personality in the en-
pire.
Remarkable Editorial.
1t being Monday the papers print only
telegrams today. but the Novoe Vremya
makes room for remarkable editorial
which may be inspired, deprecia ting optf,n-
Ism among the diplomatists at the present
moment unless japan, under the slogan Of
Asia for the Asiatics,' should recognize that
Russia in her origin, history and destiny
Is an Asiatic as well as European power
and be ready to conclude not peace, but an
alliance" The Noyoe Vremya adds that II
has always preached the doctrine that
Russia is the bulwark of Europe against the
yellow peril"
The editorial attracted instant attention
The paper dwells on the idea tina. Russia
barred from the west and following inexor-
able laws, must spread eastward to reach
her natural boundaries and warm water:
refers to the ease of her conquests on her
right flank over the tribes of Turkestan
and Central Asia, and concludes:
If Japan can only recognize that Rus
as herself. durable and permanent peace
is possible"
The reformers breathed a sigh of relief
over the announcement IN the Gazette that
NJ. Pobedonostseff, procurator general of
the holy synod. has sufficiently recover ed
his health to go abroad and try course of
treatment.
The warring countries both having for
maiIy agreed to try to conclude peace, the
next step, II is explained here will be the
hrst direct exchange, In which Japan is ex-
pected to take the initiative by indicating,
doubtless through an intermediary at
Washington, her views as to the time and
place OF the meeting. Russia will offer no
objections to any reasonable suggestion in
thls respect, being prepared to at once issue
instructions to her preliminary pleniloten-
tiary. whose personality for the moment
depends upon the place Japan names.
The statement is now made that NJ. Witte
is going TO Berlin to meet Prince Arisu-
gawa, who represented the Japanese empe-
TOR al the wedding of Crown Prince Fred
erick William. but no confirmation of this
can be obtained. In the public mind NJ.
Witte stands out prominently as the one
Russian statesman who should direct the
peace negotiations, but an intimate friend
OF the Russian statesman assures the Asso-
ciated Press that ne knows NJ. Witte has
not been approached on the subject Un-
doubtedly court influence would be solid
against his selection. NJ. Witte is thor
oughly familiar with the far eastern ques-
tioD.
and fully realized before the war that the
aggressive policy being pursued under the
lead of Viceroy AleXief and NJ. Bezobrazoff,
president of the Yalu Timber Company,
and the coterie of adventures connected
with them would drive Japan to take up
the sword. At time he talked over
the situation with the Marquis Ito
Practically 1t was NJ. Whites disapprovaI
OF the far eastern policy and the creation
Of a viceroyalty in the far east which
caused his downfall as minister of finance.
During his trip 10 Port Arthur in 1903 NJ
Witte was invited by the Japanese govern
ment TO visit Japan.
The Japanese therefore probably would
welcome his selection to conduct the pre-
liminarles in behalf of Russia knowing
that they would be dealing with the Rus.
sian statesman who best understands the
situation and who is most likely 10 reach
an agreement mutually advantageous
Last summer while NJ. Witte was Chan
cellor Won Buelow's guest at Norderney
Hanover, he is said to have seen NJ Kurino
former japanese minister at ST. Peters
burg. and 1t is added they both agreed that
the war should be succeeded not by peace
but by an alliance.