Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-06-03

-, =
President today struck blow for
W,a'c I'm the fan cast. In conferences
at the White House this afternoon
with Cent Cassini. The Russian am
hasSador. the Pr, sidcnt expressed the
earnest hope that Russia would forth
with conclude peace with Japan. Pro.
lcngai!on Of the war, he believes.
Will not result i'll victory for the Rus
sian arI:s end can only serve 10 i'll
crease Japans demands and render
more difficult the drafting Of treaty
Of peace which the Gar, as we'll as
the Mikado Gun sign.
Tho President spoke. lie said, rs the
friend IF Russia no less than as the
friend cf japan and on behalf not only
of the Washington government, but IN
the interest of humanity The prcSi-
dent informed the ambassador that in
expressing hope for an early peace he
voiced not only his strong personal
sentiments and those of his govern.
nlcnt. but he believed those which
were held by all Of the powers.
Mistake to Continue War.
His opinion was that it would be q
mistake for Russia to continue the
war. Iii addition to the suffering CHI
tailc,l by the naval conflict. he did not
believe tLat Russia las anything to
win i'll prolonging hostililies. Thc
President did not enter into details.
but the personal character of the con-
verSatiOn ana his long acquaintance
with Count Cassini enabled him to talk
plainly regarding the decisive char
acter of the Japanese histories.
What Japan's probable peace terms
would lie tic President was wholly um
allie 10 say. but he did not hesitate
these conditions might prove in the
light of such victory as that gained
in the kurcan Straits. they would in
crease in severity with every day that
Il state of war continues unless Rus
STA has substantial hope of administer
ing Il decisive defeat to Japan in this
war. the President believed it would
inure to the interests of the Peters
burg government to conclude peace
al once.
No Word From Government.
Having received no word from his
government since the annihilalion Of
Rojestvcnsky fleet save the brief Of
fetal dispatches telling of The engage
ment. Count Cassini was unable To do
niurc than to give the President his
own personal opinions on the sit,ia-
lion = he ambassador was. deeply
touched by the sincere cortliality of
his reception and the frank and fricnh-
~ manner in which the President
spoke lie could not see. however,
that there was anything in the pres,
cnt situation. unfortunate as ii un.
,.uuLledly was for his government.
which ncccssilatcI Russia's SUNG for
FIR peace
AS to territory, he pointed cut that
China and not Russia hal been the los
CT. for even Port Arthur was held only
under lease On the sea. Russia hal
nothing moro to lose, hr said, and 1t
WAS The ambassadors firm opinion that
this was not 'thc psychological mo-
mcnL" in which to discuss peace with
Japan.
Nothing to Lose.
Whatever might lie the ultimate &C.
cision Of his government. he took The
ground that Russia could lose moth
Ing either by waiting or by continuing
he war on land. There WAS hope yet
of Il victory for the Russian arms. IL
WAS suggested that in any event That
Russia has not lest one foot OF terri
tory nor was the Russian frontier en-
'lanSered
rho ambassador pointed out that
there was not the slightest Official IN
limaiion from any source MS to Japans
probable .crms and that these de-
n,anls as stated uncflicial)y were al
together ;uCcss lille" If ,JapanS terms