The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-24
TALK NOT FOUNDED ON FACT All Sources Deny Any Definite
 Proposals CASSINI IS VERY POSITIVE Says War Will Not End Until Russia Has Be.a Victorious-The Pres
 idcnt Has Heard
 Nothing.
CASSINI IS VERY POSITIVE


 House and at the state department, at the Russian, French, German, British and Italian embassies and the Japanese lega- ton today, where inquiries were made re- garding the rumors of peace between Russia and Japan, the most positive statements were made that If either of the belligerents were thinking of propos- ing peace, it was secret securely locked in the foreign office at St Petersburg or at Tolxio
 The President has heard absolutely nothing of an avowed intention on the part of Russia or Japan to sue for peace at this time, much less of an actual pro- posal. Secretary Hay today assured the members that while thls government con- tinued ever hopeful for peace, ana watch full of the opportunity to be of assistance whenever assistance might be asked by the beliegerents, there were no indica- ton here that the time for peace was near.
 Sir Mortimer Durand. the British ann bassador, Is the close personal friend or Lord Lansdowne, and is in close touch therefore with the British foreign of- flee. The British ambassador had a long talk with Secretary Hay, calling at the state department soon after his return from Philadelphia. He placed not the slightest confidence in the rumors Of peace; that Japan had asked anybody to propose peace, he said, he did not be- lieve, and that the London government had not cabled here concerning the re- ports.
 Sternberg Hears Nothing.
 Baron Spec von Sternberg, the German ambassador, has heard nothing from his foreign office on the subject and neither he nor the President In their conyersa- ton yesterday could find favorable sign of peace at this time. This much can be stated on the best authority, that the President Emperor William and King Edward will scrupulously avoid interven- ing until it is certain their services are desired by the belligerents.
 Baron Mayor des Ranches, the Italian ambassador, read with much interest the Associated Press dispatch from Berlin telling of the Russian Emperors decision to continue the war. II eoncided pre- cisely with the ambassadors own in formatio
  the Associated Press today, Count Cas- slni, the Russian ambassador, said talk of peace was never more absurd than now. The ambassador has had positive information from the very highest of hcials in St Petersburg that the war would be prosecuted with increasing vigor. It is expected that General Kuro- patxin at the opening Of the spring cam paign will accomplish much fin view of k.1 atnfn afy ha huu Emperor has every confidence in his military ability.
 Cassini Is Positive. '"rhe peace talk can have but one obs Ject," said Ambassador Cassini today, 'the assistance of Japanese loan. It is about time for Japan to raise another loan. and these rumors of peace generally begin at such a time. l can reiterate .n the light of recent adviees. I have rc- ceived in the most emphatic manner, that the war in the far east will end when Russia is victorious and not n mo- ment before. The recent disturbances in Russia while annoying. cannot in the slightest affect the governments foreign policy. The war will go on to the end, as l have been saying ever since 1t be- gan. The talk of peace is ridiculous. as will be proven by the activities by Gen eral Kuropatkin when the spring cam paign opens in earnest"
 Equally positive statements are made at the Japanese legation that Japan while of course ready for peace on her terms. as she has been since the war began. sees no outlook for a cessation of hos tilities yet, and Is preparing to follow up the victories of last autumn with even more. decisive battles in the spring, now that the fall of Port Arthur has released the besieging army there, and 1t is avail able for operations in the north. Sir Chentung Liang cheng, the Chinese minister, was another diplomat who call ed at the state department. but could hear nothing of peace.