Omaha daily bee., 1905-06-09

ence between the ambassador and the For
eign office here resulted in the president
and emperor finding that they had Identical
views on the subject Of peace and were
nearly of the same opinion as to the method
of drawing Russia and Japan into negotia-
tions. The joint view appeared to be that
others, including France and Great Britain,
ought to be left out because to be sure of
community of views among all would be a
slow and cumbersome business and would
imprcsH Russia as taking on the character
OF outside pressure. This is precisely what,
as tho Associated Press is informed, Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Emperor William wish
to avoid They wanted the emperor of Rus
sa to take the initiative and sought only
that he should avail himself of the Amer
ican and German governments as instru-
ments for making the first step toward
peace easier.
Czar Prepared for showing.
The Russian government was informed
through Count Cassini, the Russian am
bassador at Washington, through Count
Alvensleben, the German ambassador at
st. Petersburg, through Mr.. Myer, the
American ambassador at St. Petersburg
and through Count Won Osten-S -Sacken, the
Russian ambassador at Berlin, of what the
United States and Germany were seeking
so that Ambassador Myers audience by
Emperor Nicholas was prepared for in the
fullest manner. The understanding here is
that Emperor Nicholas went far to
say to Ambassador Myer that he would like
to know what Japans terms would be. This
inquiry was not to be construed as asking
for peace, but only as telling friends that
before taking so grave a step on their ad-
vice the Russian government might prop
r1v I1y IN oh
those friends how Japan regarded peace
Japan, it is believed in government quar-
t,rs here, will be reluctant to lay down
apecific peace conditions-far more reluc-
tant than at any stage of the war, because
preparation has been made to carry the
campaign to Russian territory, take Viadi-
vostok and Harbin and then exclude Russia
from the Pacific. Unless it's high conditions
are complied with this is a crude expression
of what is thought to be Japans immediate
policy.
Witte and LamsdOrfH Inquire.
PARIS, June S.-II is definitely known
that the Russian foreign minister, Count
Lamsdorff, seconded by M Witte, president
of the committee of ministers, has initiated
overtures through the Russian representa-
tives abroad to learn Japan's disposition
and terms of peace. These overtures it 1.
the basis Of the decidedly more hopeful
view which the officials began to have. A
the same time it was then, and still is rec
ognized that Count Lamsdorff and NJ. Witt,
represent the peace element, and 1t is no
yet clear how far the movement is shared
by the emperor. However, Count Lams
dorft's position gives the overtures the fore
Of coming from responsible quarters
whereas the previous movements Lacked
official origin. This clears the way for con
versations between officials and diplomat
here and at other capitals which are nov
actively going on. These necessarily ar
circuitous owing to Russia's inability L
appeal to Japan directly. NJ. Nelidoff, tn
Russian ambassador here. has already con
versed with the French authorities, who ar
fully aware of the desires of Count Lams
dorff.
The change in the Foreign office port
folio frorl NJ. Delcasse to Premier Rouvie
will lend aid toward bringing the partie
together. This is likely to occur bot
through the Japanese authorities here an
indirectly with London as an intermediar
of Japan. British and American influence
are chiefly relied on to move Japan no,
that Count Lamsdorfr and NJ. Witte hav
made the preliminary approaches Th
sentiment here is strongly against over
optimism as 1t is said thai serious obsta
ces remain. One of the chief among ther
is the emperors failure personally to ar
prove Count Lamsdorff's initiative, whic
leaves doubt as to whether the movemer
has the silent acquiescence of the en-
peror. Diplomats here hold the view tina
Toxic would prefer TO continue the wa