Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-17
)YAMA AND LlNEVlTCH TO ACT
Armies Most Directly Affected and Work
Gan Be Done Best There.
WILL SPOIL SOME SUMNER VACATIONS
Diplomats at Washington Look Forward to
Busy Time at Peace Conference.
PRESIDENT HAS SEEN MANY STATESMEN
Interested Parties Cali mt White
House Mt All Hours to Com
fer with Him Regarding
Eastern Situation.

Eastern Situation.
WASHINGTON, d. c., June l6-Alone CA
the plains OF Manchuria, midway between
the two great armies. the Russian and
Japanese commanders will meet TO sign
the armistice which will pave the way for
the Washington conference If the present
tentative program is followed. Exchanges
on these points are now in progress be-
tween Toxic and ST. Petersburg via Wash
ington. but no final conclusion has been
reached. 1t was first thought a prelimln-
airy protocol might be signed a Washing
ton providing for a temporary cessation OF
hostilities, but in view of the fact that
this concerns directly the armies in the
field it is believed that the belligerents will
agree that arrangement or the armistlce
be best entrusted to Linevitch and oyama,
the respective commanders-in-chief, who
in such event would be teiegraphed special
powers to sign. The time limit for the
armistice has not been fixed, but 1t will
be comparatively brief that the progress
of the conference may be assisted as much
as possible.
Prior to the signing of the armlstice, how
ever, will come the official announcement
of the Russian and Japanese plenipoten-
tiaries Russia has indicated that it's mis-
sion will be headed by NJ. Nelidoff, the am
bassador at Paris, and It is understood that
the emperor has requested Marquis Ito to
head the Japanese mission, although the
distinguished president of the Privy Coun-
Gil, far is known here, has not finally
accepted Only his health would cause him
to decline in which event Field Marshal
| Yamagata probably would be selected in
| his place. Neither country has suggested
! the names of the other plenipotentiaries.
nor has the number finally been agreed
upon, though the belief tonight is that there
will be three on a side.
| With Marquis Ito. II is believed will come
one of the great statesmen of Japan. who
! has wide diplomatic experience, and Mr..
! Takahira, the Japanese minister, 1t is sug-
gested here. may be named as the third
plenipotentiary.
Another important detail which has been
the subject of informal conversations at
the White Iouse is the language to be used
| at the conference. Russia will ask that
the French language be used; Japan will
| express a preference for English, and in
recognition of the courtesies to be ex-
tended the plenipotentiaries by the Wash
ington government, diplomats believe the
English language, If not accepted as the
official language, will be used jointly with
the Russian, the proceedings of the con-
ltltilCt bSlllb ltCOlutu III bOli lOnBueS.
"The Washington Conference"
Already the epoch making meeting to be
held between tha plenipotentiaries of Russia
and Japan to discuss means of ending the
war has received name. In dispatches to
Europe from embassies and legations here
it is briefly termed THE Washington con-
ference"
The announcement of the selection of
Washington as the scene of the peace
making has caused practically the entire
diplomatic corps to suspend indefinitely its
program for the summer. Despite the re-
iteration of both belllgerents that they
propose to negotiate directly with one an.
other. the European powers are preparing
to follow each step of the negotiations as
closely and as intelligently as cautious and
reserved plenipotentiaries will permit, and
to do this European ENJOYS must be on
the ground.
I The informal announcement in the White
House that after convening here the
plenipotentiaries were oppressed by the
= heat they would probably adjourn to some
( watering place in New England, has
= aroused the hopes OF the ENJOYS of tn,
neutral powers that such will be the de
e cision Among the diplomats whose plan
: probably will be disarranSed by the com
e ing conference are NJ. Jusserand, tn,
8 French ambassador. who, II he goes Il
France this month he has planned, mus
II return in time for the conference; Barol
g Speck Won Sternberg, who has planned l.
spend his leave in Germany, and Sir Morti
e mer Durand. the British ambassador, VIII
h already had closed his embassy here whe
: the preliminary negotiations necessitate
l. his return from Lenox. If the conferenc
l. does not convene until September some O
the diplomats will make brief visits t
le Europe, mainly for the purpose of gettin
in touch with their respective government.
Lively Days for Diplomats.
y This will not be the first time the diplc
matte corps has been kept In Washingto
in the summer because of important negC
n tiations. The preliminary peace negotia
tions Immediately after the war wit
IL Spain and the Eoxer troubles an
subsequent negotiations in the summt
of 1900 demonstrated to them the mid-suu
mer conditions here.
Diplomatic activity in the last few week
n' has exceeded the record established dul
er ing the Venezuelan negotiations in IL
Is' winter OF 1903 and has recalled vividly ii
ny scenes Immediately following the ending
90 the war with Spain. There has been COZ
Us ferences at the White House morning
hu afternoon and evening, the subject OF pea,
~ negotiations naturally taking precedenC
eh over all other official business at the e.
no ecutive Offices. Not only has the presidel
=" sent frequently for diplomats directly
=, indirectly interested in the controversy, bl
20 small circle of diplomats. including Coul
-. Cassini, tho Russian ambassador and
- Takahira, the japanese minister; Bare
at Won Sternberg, the German ambassado
,,s NJ Jusserand. the French ambassador; S
Mortimer Durand, the British ambassado
and Baron Mayor des Planches. the Italia
o. ambassador, have called at the Viii
rs House az all hours Of the day and until
- o'clock at night TO discuss peace, the pres
dent giving a great deal Of his time TO q
ew question. In this way the White House
,s- informed daily not only of what jap
wishes Russia to know and vice versa. b
Tor OF the views and suggestions of Europe'
pm capitals generally
Next 10 the belligerents themselves. Ge
c" many has shown the most keen Interest