Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-06-08
SPEAKS FOR PEACE.
President Roosevelt Holds Important
Conference With Count CaSsini
SAYS THAT RUSSIA CANNOT WIN.
Proclamation of the War Can Only
Increase Japnn's Demands and
Drafting Of Treaty More
DInicu1t.

WuAnlnBLOu, june D. AHo PASSAaSN
Friday struct blow for peace In thu
far east. In conference at the White
house Friday afternoon with Coun'
Cassini the Russian ambassador the
president expressed the earnest wish
that Russia would forthwith conclude
peace with Japan. Prolongation Of
the war he believes will not result In
victory for the Russian arms and can
only serve to increase Japans demands
and render more difficult the drafting
of a treaty of peace which the czar
as well as the mikado can sign. The
president spoke, he said as the friend
of Russia no less than Of Japan and
on behalf not only Of the Washington
government but in the interest Of hui
manity. Until his words have reached
Tsarskoe-Selo and have been commu-
nicated to Emperor Nicholas in the
friendly spirit in which they were ut
tered, the effect cannot be estimated,
soon after reaching his embassy, Count
Cassini began the preparation OF a
dispatch to his government. Neither
at the White house nor at the Russian
embassy could a formal statement re-
garding the conference. be obtained.
Throughout the diplomatic corps there
Is strong hope that Fridays confer
ence marked the first step toward peace
but the general opinion is that weeks
may elapse before even preliminary
negotiations can be begun. Diplomats
express the hope that Emperor Nichols
will receive the presidents words "as
the counsel Of that government which
has for years been Russia's traditional
friend and will weigh 1t accordingly"
Unaccompanied Count Cassini the
Russian ambassador, called by appoint
ment at the White house Friday af-
ternoon at half past two O'Clock. He
was ushered at once into the blue room
where he was Joined Immediately by
the president and conference follow
ed that lasted until after o'clock.
Approaching the natural feelings OF
the ambassador on such an occasion,
the president began the conversation
by frank personal expression OF
sympathy for Connt Cassini, abiding
to the severe strain under which he
has been for the past few days, and
deploring the terrible loss Of life and
consequences caused by the recent
battle In the Sea Of Japan.
Without further prellminarles q gem
eral and entirely informal and personal
conversation on the whole situation
followed. The president informed the
ambassador that he earnestly hoped
for an early peace in the far east and
that in expressing this hope he voiced
not only his strong personal sentiments
and those Of his government, but he
believed they were held by all OF the
powers. His opinion was that It would
be mistake for Russia TO continue the
war. In addition to the suffering en-
tanned by the. naval conflict he did not
believe that Russia has anything to
win in prolongfng hostillties. The
president did not enter into details
but the personal character Of the con-
versation and his long acquaintance
with Count Cassini enabled him to
speak plainly regarding the decisive
character of the Japanese victories.
What Japan's probable peace terms
would be the president was wholly I'M
able to say. but he did not hesitate to
express the opinion that, difficult as
these conditions might prove in the |,
light Of such victory as that gained |
In the Korean straits, they would In
crease in severity with every day that
q state Of war continued. Unless Rus
Ria has substantial hope Of admins
tering a decisive defeat to Japan IN
this war, the president believed II
would inure to the interests OF the st.
Petersburg government to conclude
peace at once.
Regarding his visit to the White
house. all that Count Casslnl would
say was: II had a most cordial con-
versation with the president during
which the whole situation In the Far
East was discussed informally and In
general manner. No peace over
lures were received from Japan, nor
were any made. Our talk was conf
DENTAL. of course. and Of a very Ecn-
eral character"
When Count Cassin leaves Wash
iDgton for St Petersburg early In Ju-
" he will be the nearer # a personal
message from the president to the en-