The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-12
time And PLACE.
These Are Next to Be Deter
mined in Peace Movement.
Russia's Reply to Peace Proposal
Reaches Washington.
M. WITTE THE MAN.
President Of the Russian Com
mittee of Ministers
Is Likely to neutrality-suspicious.
for the Czar.
M. WITTE THE MAN.

countries both having formally agreed
to try to conclude peace, the next step,
it is explained here, will be the first di-
rect exchange in which Japan is ex-
pected to take the initiative by indicat-
ing, doubtless through an intermediary
at Washington, her views as to the time
and place of the meeting. Russia will
offer no objections to any reasonable
suggestion in this respect, being pre-
pared to at once issue instructions to
her preliminary plenipotentiary whose
personality for the moment depends
upon the place Japan names.
The statement is now made that NJ
Witte is going to Berlin to meet Prince
Arisugawa, who represented the Jap
anese emperor at the wedding OF Crown
Prince Frederick William, but no con-
| firmatiOn of this can be obtained. In
the public mind M. Wftte stands out
prominently as the one Russian states
man who should direct the peace ne
gOtiatiOns. But an intimate friend of
the Russian statesman assures the AS
sOciated Press that he knows NJ. Witte
has not been approached on the subject
Undoubtedly court influence would be
solid against his selection. NJ. Witte is
thoroughly familiar with the far east
ern question.
He understands the japanese posi-
ton and fully realized before the war
LnaC the aggressive pO1Cy DelnS puI-
sued under the lead of Viceroy Alexien
and NJ. BezObrazoff, president of the
Yalu Tim ber company, and the coterie
| of adventurers connected with them
would drive Japan to take up the
sword.
At one time he talked over the situa-
ton with the Marquis Ito. Practically
it was NJ. Whites disapproval of the
far eastern policy and the creation of
| a vicerOyalty in the far east which
caused his downfall as minister of
finance During his trip to Port Ar
thur in 1903, NJ Witte was invited by
the japanese government to visit
Japan. The Japanese therefore prob
ably would welcome his selection to
conduct the preliminaries in behalf of
Russia, knowing that they would be
dealing with the Russian statesman
who best understands the situation
and who is most likely to reach an
agreement, mutually advantageous
Last summer. while NJ Witte was
Chancellor Won Buelow's guest at
Nordoreny, Hanover, he is said to have
seen NJ. Kurino, former japanese min
lister at St. Petersburg, and it is added
they both agreed that the war should
be succeeded not by peace but by an
alliance.
Cassini at White House.
Washington, June 12.-Count Cassini,
the Russian ambassador, had a half
hour conference with the president to-
day. At it's conclusion Count Cassini
ing to discuss in any way the object Of
his visit
Later it became known officially that
Ambassador Cassini called to express
the Russian gOveEnment's consent to
the presidents PROPOSITION and to state
that Russia would appoint plenipoten-
tiaries to meet the plenipotentiaries of
Japan to discuss the question of peace.
discussed.
Official sReDIy En- TRoute.
St. Petersburg, June 12.-Russia's
official reply is now on its way to
Washington. Foreign Minister Lams-
dorff transmitted it to Ambassador
Meyer and later the ambassador had
an interview with the foreign minister
at the foreign office.
NJ. Witte for Russia.
st. Petersburg, June I'm Witte
president of the committee of minis
terS, is leaving st. Petersburg for
abroad in two weeks. This very
significant announcement is coupled
with the statement that he is going
ION public business. His visit was
instantly associated with the peace ne
gotiations and it is possible that En-
peror Nicholas has decided If a rea-
sonable basis of negotiations is offered
by Japan to make use of the services
of the ablest and strongest personality
in the empire.
It being Monday the papers print
only kilograms today but the Novoe
Vremya makes room for remark
able editorial which may be inspired
deprecating optimism among the dip
lomatists at the present movement,
unless Japan under the slogan of
} Asia for the Asiatics should recog-
5 nize that Russia in her origin, history
and destiny is an Asiatic as well as a
European power and be ready not only
to conclude peace but an alliance
The Novoe Vremya adds that it has
always preached the doctrine that
! fc Io11Iz4 of
against the yellow peril" The edi-
, | torial attracted instant attention. The
paper dWe1ls on the idea that Russia
barred from the west and following
inexorable laws must spread eastward
to reach her natural boundaries. re
fers to the ease of her conquest on her
right flank over the tribes of Turke-
stan and Central Asia, and concludes:
IF Japan can only recognize that
Russia much remain an Asiatic- power
as well as herself, a durable and per-
manent peace is possible"
The reformers breathed sigh of
relief over the announcement in the
Gazette that NJ. Pobedonostse1, pro-
curator general of the holy synod, has
, sufficiently recovered his health to go
abroad and try a course Of treatment
! There Is No Hitch.
st. Petersburg, June 12.-All the at
. tenpts to create an impression that
there is the slightest hitch in the pre-
: Ifninary negotiations are absolutely
without the shadow of foundation. For
: eign Minister Lamsdorff has formally
notified several of the continental pow
ers that a meeting Of plenipotentiaries
; to see whether it is possible to agree
. to terms of peace is assured Now that
r Russia has received formal notification
that Japan has sent an official and IA
= vorable reply to President Roosevelt
2 the Russian official reply will be for
vvarded and the Associated Press feels
st is in a position to state positively