The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-06-16
Though the Situation There Is
Still Very Delicate.
Not Improbable That BeIIiger-
ents May Agree on Terms.
Take Public Into Their Conf
dence at Russia.

Washington, June IA note of
pessimism was discernible at night in
the tone of the discussion of the ne
gotiations for peace in the far East.
AS far as is ascertainable, at this
time, no permanent ground exists for
the supposition that the negotiations
are not proceeding favorably. 1t is
realized in both governmental and
diplomatic quarters that until the two
belligerents actually are brought to-
gether on a common basis of under
standing, the possibility of hitch
must be taken into account.
Among members of the diplomatic
corps the formal response of the Rus
sian government to the presidents APP
peal for cessation of hostilities was
received with keen interest. 1t was
made the subject of a conference at
the White House between the presi-
dent and Minister Takahira. The de-
tails of the conference were not dis
closed, but at night Minister Takahira
intimated strongly that the negotiations
diplomatic quarters it was suggested
that possibly too optimistic view of
the situation generally was being
taken. This idea, coupled with call
of NJ. Jesserand. the French ambas-
sador, at the White House at night,
led to the rumor, extensively cirCulat-
ed, that something akin to a hitch in
the peace proceedings actually had
occurred.
Conferred With Roosevelt.
Ambassador Jusserand returned at
night from West Point, where he went
to deliver an address. At the en-
bassy he found a note from President
Roosevelt, requesting him to call at
the White House. He reached the
presidents home at $50 p. m. and re-
NAMED with the president until II
o'clock. Ambassador Jusserand was
very reticent but said he had heard of
no hitch in the peace. negotia tons;
adding that the question of peace was
not the principal subject of consid-
Grafton at the conference. As far as
he was aware, he said, there had been
no change in the favorable status of
the negotiations. When it was sug..
gested that the Moroccan question
might have been under consideration
he declined either to affirm or deny
the accuracy of the suggestion.
Notwithstanding the lateness of the
hour of Ambassador Jusserands de-
parture from the White House, in
of IL
president excited lively interest, es-
pecially among members of the diplo-
matte corps. In well informed quar-
ter it was said that a difference had
arisen in the progress of negotiations
which, it was considered, could be
smoothed over with tact and earnest
persistence on the part of the presi-
dent
Not Yet Established.
Direct communication between ST.
Petersburg and Toxic has not yet been
established. The White House is yet
the medium for all communications
between the two capitals. Important
details remain to be agreed upon be-
fore the plenipotentaries of the bel
ligerentS can meet to discuss the
means of ending the war There is
adequate authority for the statement
that there is no actual hitch in the
preliminary negotiations Progress is
being made, but it may be several days
Or even longer. before all details for
The meeting can be definitely fixed
The negotiations have progressed
far enough for the belligerents to be
discussing through the president as
the channel of communication. suit
able place, the number of the nego-
tiators and what is more important
than either of these, a common basis
upon which the plenipotentaries may