The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
AIMING TOWARD PEACE.
ROOSEVELT URGES THE RIVAL
NATIONS TO NAME ENJOYS.
No Hope OF an Armistice At This Time
President Has Conference with the
Russian Observation-Disclosures Likely
to BE One OF Japan's Representatives.


Russian NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Likel.
to BE One OF Japan's Representatives
WASHING TON, June 24.--The peace situa
ton, on the surface, has shown no change
but there is good reason to believe thai
during the last few days President Roose
welt has been very busy in communicating
with st. Petersburg and Toxic, both through
the diplomatic representatives Of Russia
and Japan in Washington and the United
States Governments diplomats in the two
capitals.
The question of an armistice has been the
main subject Of the Presidents represen-
tations. 1t now seems that there will
be no cessation Of hostilities until the pea
penipotentiaries of the belligerent nations
come to Washington.
1t became known tonight that the Presi
dent was informed several days ago by
the Japanese Government that 1t would
not take the initiative in negotiations for
an armistce, and 1t was also indicated very
clearly that an armistice was not desired
until the plenipotentiaries meet.
Japan has no intention Of throwing away
her strategical advantages in the Far East
by agreeing to an armistice. A prominent
diplomat said tonight that he would be
greatly surprised If Japan should acquiesce
to any suggestion for a suspension Of hos
tile movements in Manchuria and ex-
pressed the opinion that II Japan did agree
to anything Of the sort it would only
he because of President Roosevelt's desire
and urging that the fighting end pending
the meeting Of the peace conference.
Count Cassini the Russian Ambassador
to-day called at the White House and had
an extended conference with the President
He discussed the general situation with
President Roosevelt.
There is reason to telieve that Russia
while refusing to ask for an armistice. has
expressed willingness to discuss the quee-
ton with Japan. Japan however. be-
liees that the peace plenipotentiarles
should first lie selected and the date Of the
first meeting set before the discussion Of a
cessation of hostilities is taken up.
The helligerent Governments are now
engaged In the selection of the peace pleni-
potentiarios who will be sent to Wash
ington, The Japanese Government, it ia
said has made good Roadway. although
no announcement has been made Of any
Of the members of the peace commission,
which will come to Washington from Toxic.
II Is probable that an announcement Of the
personnel Of the two commissions will he
forthcoming within week or 40.
1t was stated OF high authority tonight
that kogoro Takahira. the Japanese Min
lister here, mad been decided on as one Of the
Japanese representatives. That he will
be is considered as highly probable in
diplomatic circles, and there is very good
reason to believe that the Toxic Govern
ment has made up it's official mind to have
it's diplomatic representative in Washing
ton act as one Of the plelipotentiaries.
Mr.. Takahira will not be at the head
Of the commission, it being the intention
OF the Japanese Government to select some
one Of much higher rank. and who holds
some position of importance at home.
In one quarter which is friendly to Japan
and close to the Japanese Legation. it was
said tonight that the japanese Govern
ment had about given up its intention Of
sending Marquis Ito. who. 1t has been
understood was practically settled upon
az the head Of the delegation Of peace
makers from japan.
1t is difficult to obtain an official express
sion on the exact status Of the situation
AT the Japanese Legation and the Russian
Embassy, IA well IA in Government Offices
strict secrecy ia being observed. 1t is said
that the movement ia progressing in most
satisfactory manner, but slowly
The Japanese Minister tonight would
say nothing about what il actually being
done. He expressed his satisfaction with
the situation, hut said that it would take
some time to reach further conclusions.
When asked Just how long it would be before
something definite could be said. the Min
lister smiled and remarked:
Peace negotiations are like Journey
across Siberia, where travelling is ard,ious
and slow &C. it is a long journey"