The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-06-03
SPECIAL MESSAGE
TO THE EMPEROR
Diplomats Express Strong
Hope That This Is the
First Move Toward Peace
Japanese Terms are Not
Known. 3 !

Washington, June 3.The president
has struck blow for peace in the Far
East. IN conference at the White
House yesterday afternoon with Count
Cassini, the Russian ambassadors the
president expressed TO earnest hope that
Russia would forthwith conclude peace
with Japan. Prolongation Of the war,
ne believes will not result in victory
for the Russian arms and can only serve
to increase Japan's demands and render
more difficult the drafting of treaty
OF peace which the czar as well as the
mikado can sign. The president spoke,
he said, al the friend Of Russia no less
than OF Japan, and on behalf not only
of the Washington government, but in
the interest of humanity. Until his
words have reached Tsarkoe-Selo and
have been communicated to Emperor
Nicholas III the friendly spirit in which
they were uttered, their effect cannot
be estimated.
Soon after reaching the embassy,
Count cassini began the preparation Of
despatch to his government. Through
out the diplomatic corps there is a
strong hope that yesterdays conference
marked the first step toward peace, but
the general opinion is that weeks may
eIapse before even preliminary negotia-
tions can be begun. Diplomats express
the hope that Emperor Nichols viii re-
ceive the presidents words @as the
counsel Of that government which for
years has been Russia's traditional
friend, and win weigh it accordingly"
The president informed the ambassa-
dor that he earnestly hoped for an early
peace in the far East and that in ex-
pressing this hope he voiced not only
his strong personal sentiments and those
OF his government, but he believed these
were held by all of the powers, His
opinion was that it would be a mistake
for Russia to continue the war. In
addition to the suffering entailed by the
naval conflict he did not believe that
Russia has anything to win In prolong-
ing hostiIities. The president did not
enter into details, but the personal char
acter of the conversation and his long
acquaintance with Count Cassini, en-
abled him to talk plainly regarding the
decisive character Of the Japanese VIC
tories.
What Japan's probable peace terms
Al yNSl.4 lty.ll
able to say, but he did not hesitate
to express the opinion that, difficult Al
these conditions might prove in the
light of such a victory as that gained
in the Korean straits, they would in
crease in severity with every day that
state Of war continued. Unless Rus
sia has substantial hope Of administer
ing a decisive defeat To Japan in this
war, the president believed it would
inure to the interests of the st. Peters
burg government to conclude peace al
once.
Briefly and in a paraphased form
these were the arguments used by tn,
president in support of his conviction
that, as between continuation of ths
war and immediate peace, the latter
would be greatly to Russia's adyan
tage.
The conversation was characterizet
throughout by frankness and friendli
ness, Later on, when the ambassador
has heard from his government, aftei
communicating the presidents views ant
the presidents willingness to rende
Russia any service possible in Initial
ing peace negotiations with Japan, HI
will have another talk with the presi
dent.
Regarding his visit to the Whit
House all that Count Cassini would say
II had a most cordial conversation
with the president this afternoon, dur
ing which the whole situation in th
far East was discussed informally an
in general manner. No peace over
lures were received from Japan no
were any made. Our talk was confidcn
tial, of course, and of very genera
character"
When Count Cassini leaves Washing
ton for st. Petersburg early in july
he viii be the bearer of a personal mes