The San Francisco call., 1905-05-29
COMMAND OF THE SEA
is RETAINED BY JAPAN
Strength Of the Foes Equalized
by Heavy Losses Inflicted
Upon Rojestvensky.

only have meant the destruction of the
I Japanese army. but Japan would have
been called upon to pay an enormous
indemnity.
RUSSIA TO KEEP ON FIGHTING.
With Russia the loss of the naval
engagement is not so serious a mat
ter. and while such an outcome might
! tend to shorten the war, there would
I be nothing to prevent the Russians
carrying on operations with their
army indefinitely, as it would not be
cut off from its base of supplies.
There is no indication in the authen-
tic advices that the entire Russian
fleet has been destroyed, but in the
event of such an occurrence naval
experts don't believe that Russia would
sue for peace. Count CaSsini, the Rus
sian Embassador; and other high Rus
sian officials declared repeatedly that
/ their Government would carry the war
to the bitter end. It is the belief here
that this will be done, as Russia has
intimated to the powers that she
would not brook any interference and
that she proposed to conduct the war
IN her own way and carry on hostile
operations until she could dictate the
terms of peace.
On the other hand, Japan is not so
anxious to continue, and official inti-
nations have been given repeatedly
that she would consent to peace In
fact. Japan would welcome peace now.
especially as she could make liberal
terms, following a series of great VIC
tories.
There has been little or no peace
talk here tonight especially as the
belief is general that Russia would not
consent to accept peace in the face of
a long series of disastrous defeats. and
he L T.
any suggestion coming from any of
the first class powers
For some time 1T has been known that
President Roosevelt would gladly act as
peacemaker II the two hostile powers
should require, or even intimate, that his
good offices in this direction would be
acceptable. OF course, he would not take
the Initiative. in view Of the official dec
laration of Russia on this subject
NIGHT VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE.
In view Of the fact that 1t is so well
known that Japan would welcome peace.
the hurried visit Of Takahira. the Japan
csc Minister, to the White House tonight
is rather significant. 1t is not the custom
OF diplomats to call at the White House
on Sunday except by especial permission
or on extremely pressing or important
business.
There has been much speculation as to
the purport Of this visit. The Japanese
Minister walked to the White House. but
when he reached there he found that
President Roosevelt had gone out for a
short drive. Takahira did not wait for
the President and when he returned to
the legation he would not discuss the rea-
son for his unusual visit to the Execu-
tive Mansion. When asked II his errand
was for the purpose of discussing the
question of peace and securing the good
offices of President Roosevelt he dismiss
ed the subject in diplomatic manner by
inquiring for news Of the battle. The
Japanese Minister, as well as the Rus
sian ambassador, are in the dark. as to
what has occurred, as they have received
no official advices whatever from their
governments.
In the absence of details Of the battle.
army and navy officers decline tonight
TO express their views. They declared it
would be useless to enter Into discussion
until they knew what had occurred.