The San Francisco call., 1905-04-01
NO HOPE OF PEACE.
Official Denial That Russia Asked
Uncle Sam to Mediate.


WASHINGTON, March S1.-Of con-
siderable interest because of French
activity in the cause of peace was the
call upon President Roosevelt to-day
OF M. Jusserand, the French Embas-
sador. The purpose of the call was
announced as his desire to say good
by to the President before he leaves
Washington on Monday. But M. JUS
serand sees no present hope of peace.
Said he: Although it seems to be the
wish everywhere, certainly In TINS
country and my country, that peace
be declared, there appears to be no dis
position on the part of Russia and
Japan TO end hostilities at this time.
AT all events, | do not think the
Government of the United States Is
considering as yet any official move
toward Intervention. The President.
however. did not mention this, and [
did not broach 1t to him."
1t was officially denied at the White
House to-day that Russia had asked
the United States to mediate for the
purpose of ending the war;
PARIS, March 31.-Whatever hope
fulness the peace situation may nave
had some days ago the situation has
now completely changed, and there is
every prospect that the war will drag
on again, Consequently dispatches ap-
pearing in America saying that For
eign Minister Delcasse and DIR. Mo-
tono, the Japanese Minister to France,
have been comforting at the former
house relative to peace are inaccurate.
The foregoing view of the, situation is
taken by the parties Immediately con-
cerned, and il is asserted with the au-
thority of the Foreign Office and the
Japanese legation.
A press correspondent has talked
lengthiIy with DIR. Motono during the
last few days and the situation here
tofore set forth in these dispatches re-
fiected the view of DR.. MotOno and
others directly concerned, although
with the usual reservation or not US
ing their names. However, in view OF
the continued reports that there were
indications that Minister Delcasse and
d. Motono were taking an active
part in the negotiations the corre-
spondent called at the Japanese lega-
ton to-day and requested DR.. Motono
to furnish a decisive statement which
would put at rest all misunderstand-
ings. Accordingly the Minister gave
the following categorical statement,
which was taken in writing and may
be accepted as authoritatively clear
ing the situation:
Il tell you explicitly that there are
TO peace negotiations or preliminaries
for initiating peace in progress at this
time so far as / am aware, and l be-
lieve my information to be complete.
L am not desirous of discussing the
general question of peace, for owing
to the complete absence of negotia-
tions or preliminaries toward nego-
tiations that question can only be
academic and without political bear
ing.
The statements that have con-
ferred with NJ Delcasse at his resi-
dence are false and are calculated to
confuse situation which is perfectly
plain. There is no representative of
Japan authorized at this time to dis
cuss peace or foreshadow in the least
what conditions the Japanese Gov
ernment might consider if the nego-
tiations assumed a practical stage. On
the contrary, Japan is now engaged
in conducting military campaign,
and she will resolutely proceed with
that important work.