The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-06-08

Washington, Specialize President
Friday struck a blow for peace in the
far East In a conference at the
White House this afternoon with
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassa-
dor, the President expressed the earn
est hope that Russia would forthwith
conclude peace with Japan.
Prolongation Of the war, he be-
lieves, will not result in victory for
the Russian arms and can only render
more difficult the drafting of a treaty
Of peace which the Car as we'll as
the Mikado can sign. The President
spoke, he said, as the friend Of Rus
sia no less than of Japan, and on be-
half not only of the Washington gov
eminent, but the interest of humanity.
The President informed the ambas-
sador that in expressing hope for an
early peace 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 en-
tailed by the naval conflict, he did
rot believe that Russia has anything
to win n prolongirg hostilities.
The President did not enter into de-
tails, but the personal nature Of the
conversation and his long acquain.
tanee with Count Cassini enabled him
to talk plainly regarding the decisive
character of Japan's victories. What
Japan's probable peace terms would
be, the President was wholly unable
to say, but he did not hesitate to ex-
press the opinion that difficult as these
conditions might prove in the light
Of such victory as that gained in the
Korean Straits. they would increase
in severity with every day that a
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 Peters.
burg government to conclude peace at
once.
Having received no word from his
government since the annihilation OF
Rojestvensky's fleet save the brief Of
fetal dispatches telling Of the engage.
ment, Count Cassini was unable to do
more than to give the President his
own personal opinions on the situa-
ton. The ambassador was deeply
touched by the, sincere cordiality OF
his reception and the frank and friend
ly manner in which the President
spoke. He could not see, however
that there was anything in the pres
ent situation, unfortunate as it un'
doubtedly was for his government
which necessitated Russia's suing for
peace. AS to territory, he pointed
out that China and not Russia had
been the loser, for even Port Arthur
was held only under lease.
On the sea Russia had nothing more
to lose, he said. 1t was the ambassa
doris firm opinion that this was not
"the psychological moment" in which
to discuss peace with Japan. What
ever might be the ultimate decision
of his government, he took the ground
that Russia could lose nothing BY
waiting or by continuing the war or
land. There was hope yet OF a vic
tory for the Russian arms, it was sug
gested, and in any event Russia had
not yet lost one foot Of territory anc
that there was no Russian frontier en-
dangered.
The ambassador pointed out thai
there was not the slightest official In
timation from any source as to ia
pans probable peace terms, and thai
these demands as stated unofficial!
were altogether impossible" II ia
pans terms should prove anything
like as severe as they have been re
norted, it was the ambassadors opln
ion that Russia could advantageously
continue the war indefinitely, anc
eventually win victory on land
That his government would so decide
he did not wish to predict, but at last
accounts the Emperor was for con
tinuation Of the war.
Count Cassini will transmit an &C
count Of the conference to the Car
TeIesraphie Briefs.