The San Francisco call., 1905-05-31
WASHINGTON. May 30.-"Until some
word of peace comes out of Tsarskoe-
Selo, Nippon has but to fight on.'

Selo, NIPPON has but to fight on"
This epigrammatic remark Of Taxa
MIRA, the japanese Minister made to-
night with the details of the victory OF
the Japanese fleet before him, accur-
ately sets forth not only his opinion
but, 1T is believed, that of Washing
ton and other neutral Governments
represented here regarding the effect
of the battle on Russia's policy.
Whether Count Cassini, the Russian
ambassador, will be the bearer of that
fateful word when he sees the Presi-
dent tomorrow or Thursday remains
to be seen, but the ambassador in a
conversation tonight was more en-
phatic than at any time since the
war begun in declaring that it would
go on Indefinitely. While admitting
that he would see the President in the
next few days and have long confer
ence on the general situation, the En-
bassador strongly discouraged any
hopes of an early peace.
perhaps after Liaoyang there wns
a possibility of peace. L will not say
there was not an idea OF peace at that
time i'm certain quarters; but now,
after this crushing defeat, never! The
japanese talk of indemnity. Russia
can better use this money in the
building of another fleet. Certainly
this is not the time when Russia can
afford to take up the question of
peace"
1t is this apparent determination of
Russia to continue in the face of dis
astrous defeats on land and sea which
discourages the Washington Government
at this time from taking any positive
steps toward offering assistance to the
bellfgerents in coming to an understand
ing. 1t is believed here, however that
when Russia, through her own agents,
has learned the full extent of her losses,
she may be approached regarding peace
with some hope that overtures will be
welcomed 1t is such an opportunity for
which this Government is watching
Soon after the President returned from
New York this evening Secretary Taft,
who had been out of the city for about
week, called at the White House and
was in conference with him for several
hours. While the Secretary was there
dispatches arrived from the Japanese le-
cation giving details of the battle, which
the President read with keen interest
The President and Secretary discussed a
number of matters. but the outlook for
peace occupied much of their time 1t is
realized that the crushing character of
the Russian defeat gives to the President
an Opportunity with entire propriety to
offer his services to the ST. Petersburg
Government in establishing communica-
tion with Toxic, but until it can be
learned that such an offer probably would
be successful, this Government is not
inclined to act.
Throughout the diplomatic corps to-day
the keenest interest was taken in the
news of the conference with Takahira,
the Japanese Minister, had with the Pres
ident at the White House last night
THAT marks a step in the direction of
peace" said a prominent diplomat, land
it is to be hoped that Russia will recog-
nize, as does the rest of Europe, the dis
interested earnestness with which the
President wishes for an ending of the
war. Whatever the popular feeling in this
/ think the Russian Government
will readily admit that the attitude of
President Roosevelt, personally and off,
,ially. has been all that Russia or Japan
could ask. If Russia had taken the ad-
vice of the President after the battle of
Lioyang she would now be at peace with
the world, with the greater portion of
her navy intact.
This reference was to conference
which the President had with Count Cas-
;ini soon after the battle of Liaoyang,
when the President expressed the opinion
hat Russia could with dignity and adj
discuss peace terms with Japan
1t that time, and with the certainty that
10 indemnity would be asked While |
.areful to transmit the substance of the I.
to his Government, the only |
answer which the Russian ambassador
.eceived was "the Emperor will continue I
he war to the bitter end i