The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-31

AMBASSADOR Mccormick to proceed
direct to Paris, where being familiar
with the conditions at st. Petersburg
he could render great assistance II
Ambassador Porter in any negotia
tions, 1t now being known General
Porter viii remain in Paris until the
end of April The fact that the presi-
dents instru rtions were sent to Mr.
Mccormick days ago gives some
color to the i 71rts from abroad that
Japan took the itiative by approach
ing the preside. Z but the idea with
which this is COZ led. that the presi-
ited- The dfrlcmatlsts here generally
believe that the neg .iations once be-
gun Will be conduct directly be-
tween representa- ives sf the warning
countries. One wen IT. eminent diplo-
mat however, expressed to the As
sociated Press the cpinion that all the
powers are likely to be drawn in and
there might be another congress Of
ers interested commercially in China
were vitality concerned in safeguarding
the open door policy to which they
were pledged and must be consulted
as to the future status of Manchuri7
and collateral questions, such as the
possible Observation-Disclosures of the
eastern Chinese railroad. etc. He de-
sired If to be understood. however.
that he did not mean that the powers
would attempt to rob Japan of the
fruits of victory Such a congress
might be held after RUSSIA ana Japan
had concluded peace.
Japan Isn't Thinking of Peace.
Paris, March 31.-The Associated
Press correspondent has talked length
lily with DR.. Melons during the last few
days and the situation heretofore set
forth in these dispatches reflected the
view of DR.. MOlono and others directly
concerned, although with the usual
reservation of not using their names
However. in view of the continued re-
ister Delcasse and Or. AIolono were tax
ing an active part in the negotiations
for peace the correspondent of the As
ISOLATED Press called at the Japanese
legation today and requested DR.. Molono
to furnish a decisive statement which
would put at rest all misunderstand-
ings. Accordingly the minister gave the
Associated Press the following categor-
ical statement which was taken in writ
ing and may be accepted as authorita-
lively clearing the situation:
Il tell you explicitly that there are no
peace negotiations or prelininaries for
Initiating peace negotiations in progress
at this time so far as I am aware and
/ believe my information to be complete.
I am not desirous of discussing the gen.
eral question of peace, for owing to the
liminaries towards negotiations that
question can only be academic and with
out particular bearing.
THE statements that I have confer
TEQ WIFI M D6lCdSSc at MS residence
are false and are calculated to confuse
a situation which is perfectly plain.
There is no representative of Japan
authorized at this time to discuss peace
or foreshadow, in the least, what con-
ditions the Japanese government might
consider if the negotiations assumed a
practical stage On the contrary Japan
is now engaged in conducting a military
campaign and she will resolutely pro-
ceed with that important work
It can be added that the addition of
the foregoing as well as the por-
ton quoted was submitted to DIR. Mo
Iono. who approved every word IT was
similarly submitted to the foreign office, /
where it was approved throughout. !
Therefore the dispatch can be accepted
as being in the highest degree authori- 1
tative.
Peace Outlook Is Poor.
Washington, March 31.-AIr. Jusser-
and. the French ambassador. is of the
opinion that peace is not in immediate !
prospect between Russia and Japan. He
SO expressed himself after a visit to
President Roosevelt today to bid him
goodbye before the president goes on his
southwestern trip and said that both |
combatants at this time appeared to be |
bent on continuing hostilities. He added
that he did not talk with the president |
on the subject of mediation and he did |
not believe that the Washington govern |
ment had yet concerned itself officially |
in any movement looking to a cessation |
of the war. It was learned, however, |
that the prospects of peace were dis |
cussed at length.