The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-31
MUST COME
 FROM RUSSIA Japan Will Fight on Till Peace is Proposed. CASSNI STILL HOPEFUL Says the Car Cannot Climb
 Down Now. 0mcial Circles at Washington Eagerly Discussing situation--Takahi-
 ra's Conference With
 Roosevelt.

This remark made by MT. Takahlrh tonight, with the details of the yic- tory of the Japanese fleet before him, not only sets forth his opinion, but 1t is believed that of the other Govern ments represented here. Whether Count Cassini, the Russian Ambassador. will be the bearer of that fatefui word when he sees the President tomorrow or Thursday remains to be seen. but the Ambassador in a conversation with correspondent of the Associated Press tonight was more emphatic than at any Tim esince the war in the declaration that the war would go on indennitely. While admitting that he would see the President in the next few days ana have a long conference on the general
 situation, the Ambassador strongly
 disc ouraged any hopes of an early peace.
 "Perhaps after Liaoyang there was
 possibility of peace. I will not say there was not an idea of peace at that time in certain quarters, but now, aIter this crushing defeat? Never. The
 Japanese talk of indemnity. Russia cai, better use this money in the build ing of another fleet. Certainly this IS not the time when Russia can anord to take up the question of peace.
 It is this apparent determination or Russia to continue in the face or dis- astrous defeats on land and sea which
 
 ulent at this time from taking any pos tive steps toward offering assistance to the belligerents in coming to an un- derstanding. It Is believed here, how -eyer that when Russia, through her own agents has learned to the full ex- tent of her losses, she may De ap- preached regarding peace with some hope that overtures will be welcomed. r fs is such an opportunity for which this Government is watching.
 Rooseyeif and Taft.
 Soon after the President returnnu from New Yorak this afternoon. Sec retary Taft. who had been out of toe House and was in conferences with hun for several hours While the Secve- tAry was there despatches arrived rom the Japanese legation giving details of the battle, which the President read with keen interest The President anu the Secretary discussed a number or matters, but the outlook for peace oc- cupied much of their time. IL is real ized that the crushing character of the Russian defeat gives to the President an opportunity with entire propfiety to offer his serVices to the St. Petersburg government in establishing communica- tion with Tokio, but until it can be learned that such an offer would prob ably be successful, thls government is not inclined to act
 Throughout the diplomatic corps to- day the keenest interest was dlslayed in the news of the conference which Mir. Takahira, the Japanese Minister had with the President at the White House last night.
 ''That marks a step in the direction of peace," said a prominent diplomat. and 1t Is to be hoped that Russia will recognize as does the rest of Europe, the disinterested earnestness with which the President wishes for an enc- ing of the war. Whatever the popular feeling in this country. think the Russian government will readily admit | that the attitude of President Rocse- welt, personally and officially, has been | all that Russia or Japan could nsk. II | Russia had taken the advice of tho | President after the battle of LiaoyanE | she weuld now be at peace with the | world. with the greater portion of her navy intact"
 This reference was to a conference | which the President had with Count | Cassini soon after the battle of LiaO- yang, when the President expressed l the opinion that Russia could with dig nifty and advantage discuss peace terms with Japan at that time and with the certainty that no indemnity would be asked While careful to transmit the substance of the conversation ta his Rovernment, the only answer which the Russian ambassador received was that the Emperor will continue the war to the bitter end. ..
 The Conference.
 Regarding last nights conference at the white houst. 1t Is possible now to state that 1t dealt first, with the de- tails of the battle, and, second, with the possible effect of this decisive Jap anese victory upon Russia's previous to prolong the war in- definitely. No one realizes more clear ly than the Mikado that the Czar must be convinced of the overwhelming character of the Russian defeat before he will consider peace. and close as are the relations between Tokio and Wash ington the Japanese government is not inclined through it's minister to discuss even with the president definite peace Czar's name that Russia is prepared seriously and in good faith to discuss peace with Japan.
 Thus far the Washington govern ment has not received the slightest of hcial intimation that peace is under consideration at St. Petersburg but a report to this point Is expected very soon from MT. Meyer, the American who was some time ago instructed to make clear at the proper time to the Russian officials that while neither President Roosevelt nor any official of thls government Is ambitious for the role of peacemaker, Russia would find no power more ready to assist in opening direct negotiations with Japan than her traditional friend the Washington government M. Jus serand, the French Ambassador. called at the Russian embassy this afternoon and spent some time with Count Cas- sini The visit was, however, of an personal character.
 Count Cassini. upon receiving a de- snatch from Baron Rosen that the lat ter expected to be in Washington early in July has cabled his successor, urg- ing that he reach here in June if pos sible.