New-York tribune., 1905-06-16
THE PRESIDENT PLEASED.
Selection of Washington a Comph-
naeaat to This GoUernment.
tgy The Associated Press.)

Washington June 15.-President Roosevelt is
gratifed that the arrangements for peace Of
preliminary nature have been completed with
out undue friction. He would have preferred
that the conference be held at The Hague, al
though the selection of Washington naturally is
complimentary him. personally, and to the
American government
Prior TO the formal assembly of the conference
it is probable. if precedent be followed. that
peace protocol will. be negotiated. The making
of the protocol will take place before the decara-
ton of a formal armistice. 1t has not been
learned yet who will be authorized by the Rus
sian and japanese governments to arrange and
sign the protocol The negotiations regarding 1T
proba bly, Will be conducted in Washington and it
is regarded likely that the respective diplomatic
representatives OF the belligerents will sign the
document on behalf OF their governments. 1t
will be necessary, in accordance with customary
diplomatic procedure, for the Russian and Jap
anese governments to confer special authority
upon those to whom is to be intrusted the duty
of making the protocol. When the protocol was
entered into between the United States and
Spain, in 1898 it was signed in the Office of
President Mckinley in the White House by
Justice Day. then Secretary of State, behalf
of the United States, and by M. Jules Cambon,
then Ambassador of France on behalf of the
Kingdom of Spain. In this instance. il is re-
garded as scarcely likely that the peace protocol
will be signed either in ST Petersburg Toxic.
While it would be practicable to arrange for the
making of the protocol at Paris at some other
European capital it is believed to be certain,
inasmuch as the negotiations for peace, which
seem now to be approaching a conclusion.
initiated by President Roosevelt that the proto-
col will be drafted and signed in Washington.
MODERATE INDEMNITY URGED
Pressure is being brought to bear upon Japan
to induce her to fix the sum which she will
demand as an 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 Presi-
dent Roosevelt, it is intiulated in an important
quarter also has advised the japanese govern
ment that moderation In her demand for cash
indemnity not only would facilitate the negotia-
ton of peace terms, but would be regarded by
the powers with particular favor. The payment
bv Russia Of any such cash indemnity as 81, ,000-
600 900 not only would embarrass seriously the
St Petersburg government. but probably would
disturb the finances Of the entire Western world.
Indeed, it has been suggested that such pay
rnent to all intents and purposes might render
Russia 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.
Such discussion of the question OF cash in
demnity as has occurred has been merely sug-
gestive of conditions likely TO be encountered
by Japan when she shall formulate her peace
terms Thus far the japanese government has
refrained from indicating the precise form of
her terms as it is not her purpose, naturally, to
forearm the shrewd and powerful antagonist
which she is to meet on the field Of diplomacy
1t is cell understood that the japanese gov |
errrnere will not make known prior TO the as |
sembling of the plenipotentiaries the terms on |
which she will be willing to conclude peace.
The japanese Emperor is known TO desire that |
when peace is concluded it shall be coupled with !
reasonable assurances of Dermanency. Among !
well informed diplomatists it is deemed probable
that Japans terms. once they are stated, wiz
be regarded by the world as reasonable and
likely TO be acceptable to Russia.