The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1905-06-16
WASHINGTON SELECTED
RUSso-JAPANEsE PEACE PLENI.
PoTENTIARiEs TO MEET IN
THE UNITED STATES.
PRESIDENT SUGGESTED THE HAGUE
GOVERNMENTS DIRECTLY INTER,
ESTED, HOWEVER, FAVORED
AMERICAN CAPITAL.

Washington, June 16.-.Official an
nouncement is made that Washington
has been selected as the location of
the peace conference. The announce
ment came in the form of an official
statement issued by Secretary Loeb by
direction of the president. The state
ment follows:
When the two governments were
unable TO agree upon either Chinese
soil or Paris the president suggested
The Hague, but both governments
have requested that Washington be
chosen as the place of meeting and
the president has accordingly notified
both governments that Washington
will be SO selected.
1t is suggested at the White House
Informally that after meeting and or
ganizing the plenipotentiaries of the
two governments, If it should be found
to be uncomfortably hot in Washing
ton, might adjourn the meeting 10
some summer resort in the Norlh,
where they may continue their sittings
until such time as the weather in
Washington shall be more comforta-
BILE
Japan Refused to Go to Europe.
Facts made public since the an
nouncement of the selection OF wash
ington as the meeting place of the
Observation-Disclosures show that Japan re-
fused to go TO Europe and Russia was
unwilling TO meet Japan in the Far
East The powerful influence OF
France was exerted to assist Russia
in sending the negotiations to some
European capital, preferably The
Hague, and If not The Hague then
Geneva. For several days 1t has been
known that the three places under
Hague and Geneva. Japan preferred
Washington and Russia hoped that the
influence of the president, who pre-
ferred The Hague. would result In the
selection of that place.
Mr.. Takahira. the Japanese minis
ter, brought to the president during
the morning Japans refusal TO go 10
Europe and this was formally COM
municated TO Count Cassini, the Rus
sian ambassador, when he called by
appointment at the White House in
the afternoon. Upon learning OF Ja-
pans unwillingness to go to Europe
Russia acquiesced and Joined Japan in
the request that Washington be Sc
lected.
President Roosevelt Pleased.
President Roosevelt is gratified
that the arrangements OF prellm-
mary nature have been completed
without undue friction. Ii is known
that he would have preferred that the
sessions Of the conference be held at
The Hague, although the selection OF
Washington naturally is compliment
airy to him personally and to the Amer
ican government.
On leaving the White House In the
afternoon Count Cassini, the Russian
ambassador, said the question OF the
selection OF pltsnipotentiaries had not
been determined and he indicated that
It probably would be several days be-
fore the preliminary negotiations were
concluded
The time of the conference. While
not SO important as the place, Is OF
concern. especially to diplomatists. a
midsummer, conference anywhere Is
not regarded with entirely pleasurable
anticipations. II Is pointed out, how.
ever, that the proposed conference is
scarcely likely to be convened before
the middle Of Annnst and perhaps not