The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-16

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Japan of Pg $jlept lRooseveitI bgssffion
that they corFenT to consider tM d6sstien
of peace Russia indicated Paris as the
most desirable place for the meeting TO
negotiate treaty. and Japan indicated
Chefoo. There the subject rested for
forty-eight hours. Finally japan declined
to consider Paris for obvious reasons.
and Russia objected to the holding of
the conference In any oriental city Wash
ington was then suggested as place at
which the belligerents could meet on COM
mon ground undisturbed by either polti-
cal or personal influences. IS n means
Of facilitating the negotiations the Presi-
dent suggested that the conference be
held at The Hague, the seat of the in
terna tional arbitration tribunal. and the
location of the first general peace con-
ference called at the instance Of the En-
peror of Russia.
Japan Opposed tc Paris.
lie indicated that both for practical and
sentimental reasons The I.ague would
be a most desirable place OF meeting for
the plenlpotentiaries Further considera-
ton of the subject developed the prac-
tcally unaterabe objection OF Japan 10
any European capital as a place. She
objected to The Hague saying 1t was too
far within Russian influence. and for
similar reason she declined favorably TO
cinsider Geneva.
Until today. however, Japan's irreconcil-
able opposition to the selection of any Eu-
ropean capital was not known definitely.
At conference which Kogoro Takahira.
the japanese minister, had with President
Roosevelt today. he conveyed to the Pres
ident the japanese refusal to consent to
holding the conference In Paris.
Mipi IA Ira q rrit-pH N he
House at 1916 a. m. and was ushered az
once into President Roosevelt's private
office They remained In conference for
q hour and twenty-five minutes The con-
ference was not prearranged. but the sig
nihcance of the advices which Takahira
bore from his government induced the
President to deny himself to all callers
until the conclusion of the conference. As
he left the White House. the Minister de-
cllned to discuss the mission. saving that
the negotiations were proceeding satis-
factoriy
Russian Ambassador Notified.
The refusal Of Japan to agree to the
holding of the conference in Europe was
communicated by the President to the
Russian ambassador and likewise cabled
to St Petersburg While the President
did not act In the capacity of arbiter
between Russia and Japan. he was In a
position after the conference with Min-
lister Takahira and his communication to
Ambassador Cassini to formally announce
the selection Of Washington as the seat
of the conference.
Shortly before o'clock this afternoon
Ambassador Cassini called at the White
House by appointment and was received
by the President in the blue room. The
President explained to the Ambassador
the nature OF his interview with Min
lister Takahira. and conveyed to him the
personal assurance that the American
government would do all in its power.
which II properly might do. to afford the
plenipotentiaries of the two governments
comfortabk and convenient facilities for
the transaction Of the extremely import
ant duties other details Of the con-
ference which lasted half an hour were
withheld Neither the President nor Am
bassador Cassinl after the interview cared
TO discuss for publication the nature of
their conference.
In view Of the selection of Washington
as the place for the conference 1t Is ex-
pected that within a few days at most
Russia and Japan will announce formally
the names Of their respective plenipo-
tentiaries. II Is deemed likely also that
concidentally with the announcement of
the plenipotentaries an agreement will be
reached as to the time OF holding the
conference.
While the date Is not so important a
detail as the place. IL is of particular
concern especially at this season. NOT
(cs itinued on Second naqe)