Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-04-01
JAPAN WARNED.
Direct Negotiation Is the Only Way
to Settle.

Washington, March Sit is the feel.
ing here that Russia and Japan should
negotiate for peace directly and avoid
an International conference. This opin-
ion also prevails in Berlin.
Indeed, Japan has recently received
an urgent warning from neutral pow
err against offers of mediation and in.
direct negotiations lest they lead to ar
international conference. the results OF
which might prove disastrous to the in
terestS of both belligerents.
There is authority for the statement
that France is diligently striving to enc
the war and for six weeks past negotia-
tons of the most confidential character
have been in progress between Paris
and st. Petersburg. Even diplomats OF
the highest rank have failed to obtain
from NJ. Delcasse, the French foreign
minister. the results of these negotia-
tiOns, but it can be announced on the
same authority that Count Lamsdorff
the Russian minister for foreign affairs
has within a week admitted that he had
in n general way outlined to M. Del
"asse the general terms on which Rus
sia might consent to consider peace.
Advices from Europe tell of the fear
prevalent there in certain quarters tina,
NJ. DeIcasse are directed toward an in
ternational conference to be held in
some neutral European capital. such as
Stockholm, where peace negotiations
might be conducted. 1t is said that this
move has. i'm a measure. been blocked
b., the refusal of Japan to give any in
dication as TO the peace terms she
would accept until positively assured
in the name Of the car himself that
Russia is prepared to negotiate in good
faith for peace. Not only does Japa.
insist upon the assurance, but she pre-
fers to negotiate directly with st. Pet
ersburg.
With the United States, Germany and
Japan opposed to an international con-
ference to end the war, the belief is
strong in Washington that successful
peace negotiations will date from the day
st. Petersburg communicates with Toxic
direct. The Washington government Is
alertly watching for the opportunity to
assist Russia and Japan in getting into
diplomatic communication. An interna-
tional conference would thus be avoided
and the United States would be in bet
ter position to insist upon the mainten-
ance of the integrity and administrative
entity of China. No negotiations involv-
ing an attack upon this principle can be
acquiesced in by the United States.
Neither Russia nor Japan has asked
Pres. Roosevelt to assist in ending the
war. So far as the Washington govern
ment is aware, Emperor Nicholas has not
yet weakened in his announced decision
Ito prosecute the war to the bitter end.
The genuine wish of this government
for peace In the Far East is not based
upon selfish interests. American fnan-
cfers have not overloaded themselves
with the bonds of either of the belliger-
emit nations. Washington believes that II
is to the advantage of both beliigerents
that the Far Eastern war come to a
speedy end, and anything that this gov
eminent can do to bring that about will
be done gladly.
From the outset Of the war the Presi-
dent has taken the position, as has bee,
repeatedly announced by Sec. Hay tina;
he will do anything in his power to assist
Russia and Japan to a peace basis wher
his services shall be acceptable to the
he,lligcrents. But 1t is authoritatively
stated that no official of the Washington
government is ambitious to pose as the
Mediator between the Car and the Mika
J do. -..-.-..