Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-15
Sessions May Be Transferred.


for the meeting. 1t has practically been
agreed that II the weather here becomes
too hot the pIenipotentiaries will transfer
their sessions to some summer resort. This
statement was made by Secretary Loeb this
afternoon: After meeting and organizing
tp Washington, If the weather here Is
found to be too warm, an adjournment can
be taken to some resort in the north"
This is believed to mean that the ses-
sions of the plenipotentiaries will not last
long in this city should the weather be at
all warm. II the summer is a cool one al
the work will be done here.
Conference With Takahira.
Minister Takahira's conference with the
President unusually long. 1t took
place in the busiest part of the Presidents
day. Scores of persons were awaiting an
opportunity to see the President. some i'm
portant engagements having been made
previously for the time Minister Takahira
spent with him The minister remained
in the executive offices an hour and twenty
five minutes, passing the greater part of
that time with the President 1t is known
that he presented to the President his lat
est advices from the Tokyo government
regarding the location OF the conference of
plenipotenuaries. No intimation was given,
however, at the close of the conference
of the nature of the advices, except that
to the place of meeting.
Date of the Conference
The time of the conference, while not so
important as the place, is of concern, es-
pecially to diplomatists midsummer
conference anywhere is not regarded with
entirely pleasurable anticipations. 1t IS
pointed out however, that the proposed
conference is scarcely likely to be con-
Yened before the middle of August and
perhaps not until a later date.
1t VIII require at least a month for the
negotiators of the two governments, with
their respective staffs, TO come together,
the distance from Japan, particularly, be-
Ing so great that a shorter time scarcely
could be allowed. In view, therefore of all
the conditions, and including in the equa-
tion the factor of unforeseen delays over
matters Of minor consequence, II seems
quite likely that the conference will not
assemble formally before the middle of
August or the 1st of September.
The Amount of Indemnity.
Pressure is being brought to bear upon
Japan to induce her to fix the sum which
she will demand as indemnity for the
pending war at as low figure in cash as Is
possible in the circumstances. This pressure
is being exerted especially by European
governments, but President Roosevelt, 1t Is
tntimated In an important quarter, also has
advised the japanese government that mod
Grafton in her demand for cash indem-
nifty not only would facilitate the negotia-
ton of peace terms, but would be regarded
by the powers with particular favor
The payment by Russia of any such cash
indemnity as a billion dollars not only
would embarrass seriously the ST. Peters
burg government. but probably would dis
turb the finances of the entire western
world. Indeed, II has been suggested that
such payment to all intentS and pur
poses, might render Russia a practical
bankrupt. The opinions and views of the
United States and other powers on this
subject have been permitted to reach the
principal advisers of the Japanese emperor.
Conferences With Kaneko.
During the past ten days President
Roosevelt has had conferences with Baron
Kaneko the Japanese financial agent In the
United States. Baron Kaneko s one OF the
most eminent OF oriental financiers. Both
in this country and in Europe, since the
war began he has been of ineStimabl bic serv-
ice TO his emperor In the negotiation of
loans and in watching all of the financial
phases of the conflict In him Japan re-
poses Implicit confidence in all matters per-
tanning to the fiscal policy of the empire.
He is competent TO speak by authority on
all subjects relating to Japan's finances.
For this reason he was consulted by the
President. His conference with the Presi-
dent at the White House yesterday, there
IS reason to believe, concerned the subject
OF Japan's cash demands upon Russia. Such
advice as he might give to his government
as TO the cash indemnity undoubtedly
would receive the deepest consideration
and. very likely. might be followed.
How the Choice Was Made.
Japan refused to go to Europe, and Rus
sia was unwilling to meet Japan in the far
east The powerful influence of France was
exerted to assist Russia in sending the ne