The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-26
Mt TakahIra Says Japan Has
 Not Suggested Peace
SUPPOSITION UNREASONABLE
If Small Man Downs a Big One at Jiu. Jltsu It Is Not Small Mans Place to Suggest
 Peace.

Washington, February 25,-Japan, through her minister at Washington, MT. Kogoro Takahlra, has categJ-ically and absolutely denied all rumors and reports that she was suing for peace, or that any act of the Mkado's representative here can be possibly so construed
 The minister added that the peace talk of the last few days, you can surely be- lieve, is not created in Japan, but ema- mates from some other land"
 Japan, 1t was declared, has made all arrangements to continue the war for at least another year The Japanese min ister, had just returned from trip to Old Point Comfort, when, in response to inquiries made by an x-ssoclalr.. Press representative, he made the statements. The minister had found talk of peece pre- valent in many newspapers of the coun- try. He went at once to the state de- partment and had long talk with the Secretary of State. He saw number of diplomats today. Both the state depart ment and the diplomats learned that over lures for peace or even Indirect propo- sals for peace, have not amanated, and canot be expected from Tokio.
 Hard to Obtain Information. "on such matters of great importance and delcacy,7 the minister stated to the Associated Press representative, Tt Is my opinion that, as rule, 1t Is not easy ito obtain accurate information regard ing the actual situation. and, therefore, 1t is not unnatural that the public Is idisled ,1ora or less though mlsappre- hensian dfei misatateneHl8 in the press. Nor aas been clearly understood ffca e set that Japan hiis not bces. fighting for the sake of fighting but that she was forreg to war for the sake of principle, and be result thus far has been in favor of Japan. She has for tunately been the sietnr at every battle on land and sea- This seems to have led to the general impression that, Japan can make overtures for peace without so much Inconvenience as otre.~ wise would be the case, and that II must be Japan which Is In a position to take the initiative in ending the war. Cor rectly, this impression appears to have i created tie rumor that Japan gave ex- pression through me to a desire of peace.
 But there Is not one bit of truth in
 
 thority absolutely, and without reserva- ton. Japan, has not given any such expression. through mel repeat emphat- ! ically k..4s s..-.-
 You will readily understand whether Japan can make such oyertures or not. 1 if you give a little consideration to the actual circumstances. While It Is true that Japan has been honored with suc- ] cess of. her arms so far 1t is equally true kI.a ( 1- f-fH- l Russia. Through her representatives Rus sia has been constantly declaring that she will fight to the end or until she wins che or. more decisive battle. We think 1t is not queer for such a large country as Russia. a country with such enormous strength of men and such an extraor- dinary amount of resources, to think of a ] final success in the war with us. We | have therefore prepared 10 fight as long as 1t is necessary. and it was only some weeks ago that the imperial diet voted for the war budget to run from April 1905. until March 1906. and all necessary measures are being taken in Japan to conduct the war at least for another year Under these circumstances you can safely say that although Japan is ready for peace on such reasonable terms as would insure a lasting peace. which has i been the case from the commencement oi 1 hostilities. she knows she cannot make 1t with a nation which is not of the same frame of mind. and 1t Is unreasonable tc 1 expect us to make any such suggestion ir that direction, and even. more out of the 1 question for us to formulate the terms oi peace which are in . great measurel tc depend on the progress and result of the ! war"
 Minister Crows Facetious.
 Suppose you and make a quarrel. l the minister laushingiy suggested, "an6 l I succeed in throwing you down once oi 1 twice by means of juti pitsu, we will say in spite of your youth and superior phy- ], sical condition. Naturally you are SC much offended that you think you want l revenge. Do you think I can make l ,------------S.--1
 l (continued on Ninth Psge)