Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-06-29
SLOW TOWARD PEACE.
Both Parties Are Jockeylng For the
Advantage.

Washington, D. c. (SpeciaD.-Peace
negotiations between Russia and Japan
have come to a dead halt on account o,
the illness of Count Lamsdorff, the Rus
sian minister for foreign affairs. 1t is
explained officially that nothing in the
form of hitch has occurred, but that
the negotiations merely have been sus.
pended temporarily.
Count Cassni, the Russian ambassa
dor, had brief interview with Presi-
dent Roosevelt, but he had no addition
al important advices from his govern
nent to communicate. He called mere
ly to pay his respects to the President
prior to the lattcr's departure for Oyster
Bay for the summer. They discussed
informally the peace situation, the Presi-
dent expressing his earnest hope that
another general engagement on the bat
tie field of Manchuria might be averted
by the negotiations for a permanent
peace now pending.
1t is learned that up to this time sug-
gestions for an arnistice have not been
received with absolute favor by either
Russia or Japan. Quite naturally each
government is seeking an advantage ovet
the other in the diplomatic sparring that
o,,I
touch with the situation it is regarded as
unlikely that definite arrangements for
an armistice will be concluded - even
il they should be concluded at all-be-
fore the formal meeting of the pleni-
potcntiarics of the two powers.
AS heretofore noted, there is serious
apprehension that unless a temporary
suspension of hostilities be arranged, a
great battle may be preciptated, the re-
suit of which might wreck completely
the pending peace negotiations.
1t was expected confidently that an
announcement of the names OF the en-.
voys Of the two pcwers to the Washing
ton conference could be made by the
end of this week; but, as a matter OF
fact, the negotiations have not pro-
gressed in the least since Tuesday. That
both Russia and Japan have decided
upon their representatives at the confer
encc is quite certain, but each govern
ment, for reasons of its own, declines TO
make formal announcement OF them.
1t seems scarcely probable, at this mo-
mcnt, that President Roosevelt will be
in position to authorize further Off
cal statement of the status Of the pend
ing negotiations before he goes to Oyster
Bay for the summer While both Rus
sia aad Japan have indicated that they
may be ready to open the conference
about the first Of August, the belief in
well-informed quarters now is that the
convening of the plenpotcntaries is like
~ to be delayed and that they may not
get together until the middle or latter
part of August.
ST. Petersburg, June 24.-lnformation
from the front is still Scanty. While
the preliminares arc in progress, a gen
eral engagement has not yet begun. Sim
lister rumorS continue 10 circulate that
Lncvitch is surrounded, but apparently
they have no other base than the Lon
don Daily Tclcgram's dispatch from
Toxic An optimistic feeling prevails
at the offices of the general staff.
The negotiations for meeting OF peace
plcnipotcntiaries are proceeding slowly
There were no developments today For
eign Minister Lamsdorff is still i'll and
unable to see Ambassador Meyer.