Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-14
We May Have Been E1-
pecting Too Much.
No Hitch Known IN the ncgoN.
atIOns for Peace
But II VIII Be Many a Long Day Before Il
Is Accomplished.

/ washington, June ia note OF
pessimism was discernable tonight, in
the tone Of the discussion of negotia-
| lions for peace in the Far East. So far
| as ascertainable at this time no
| grounds exist for the snpposition that
the negotiations are rot proceeding
| favorably. 1t Is realized in both gov
| ernmental and diplomatic quarters that
| until the two belligerents actually are
| brought together on Il common basis
| of understanding. the possibility Of
hitch must be taken into account.
Among members of the diplomatic
corps the formal response of the Rus
sian government to the Presidents ap-
peal for a cessation of hostilities was
received with keen interest. It was
made the subject of n conference at the
White House, today, between the
President and Minister Takahira. The
details of the conference were not dis
closed, but Minister Takahira intimat-
ed strongly that the negotiations were
proceedingly smoothly.
In other diplomatic quarters 1t was
suggested that possibly too optimis-
tic view of the situation generally was
being taken. This idea coupled with a
call Of NJ. Jusserand. the French am
hassador. at the White House, tonight,
led to the rumor. extensively circulated,
that something akin to a hitch in the
peace negotiations actually had occur
red
Amba ssador Jusserand returned, to-
night, from West Point, where he went
to deliver an address. At his embassy
he found note from President Roose-
welt requesting him to call at the
White House. He reached the Presi-
dents home at 9.15 p. NJ. and remained
with the President until II o'clock. To
a representative of The Associated
Press Ambassador Jusserand. after the
Rfefenes,,-sa$d~it-w be discount
Gus to the President for him to discuss
for publication the nature Of his inter-
view.
Asked the direct question whether 4
hitch mad occurred in the peace nego-
tiations, he replied frankly that he had
heard of none; adding that the ques-
ton of peace was not the principal
subject at the conference. So far as
he was aware, he said, there had been
no change in the favorable status OF
the negotiations.
When it was suggested that the
Moroccan question might have been
discussed, he declined to either affirm
or deny the accuracy Ct the sugges-
ton, saying laughingly that such in
formation as was disclosed concerning
his interview with the President must
come from the more important Of the
conferees, inclining his head at tho
same time toward the White House.
Direct communications between st.
Petersburg and Toxic has not yet been
established. The White House is yet
the medium for all communications be-
tween the two capitals. Important de-
tails remain to be agreed upon before
the plenipotentiaries of the belligcrents
can meet There is adequate authority
fol- the statement that there is no act
ual hitch in the preliminary negotia-
lions. Progress Is being made. but 1t
may be several days or even longer be-
fore all details for the meeting can be
definitely fixed.
Russia regards her consent to ap-
point plenipOtentiaries to discuss means |
of ending the war as a tentative ar
rangement. Although the word "plen- |
ipotentiaries'' is used in the Russian !
deply, it is understood that their ap- |
pOintment does not commit Russia to |
any pledge to end the war. Russia's |
object in appointing these fully-em-
powered ENJOYS is to find out whether |
Russia can obtain from Japan peace |
terms which It Is possible for Emperor |
Nicholas to accept Japan Is naturally |
cautious. although she. too, has accept
ed the Presidents offer Of good will
and agreed to appoint plenipotentia-
ries. The negotiations have progressed
far enough for the belligerents to be
discussing through the President as the
channel of communication. suitable
place, the number Of the negotiators
and, what Is more important than
CONTINUED on Page Three.)