The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-06-20

Indemnity at as Low a Cash Figure
rs is Possible.
Washington, June 15.-Americas
national capital has been selected as
the seat of negotiations between the
plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan
for a treaty of peace. The choice of
Washington as the location Of The
peace conference marks another for
ward step in the negotiations toward
ultimate peace in the Far East insd-
tuted by President Roosevelt.
Official announcement of the seiec-
ton of Washington was made at the
White House as follows:
When the Two governments were
unable to agree upon either Chefoo or
Paris, the President suggested The
Hague, but both governments IA re
now requested that Washington be
chosen as the place of meeting and the
President has accordingly formally not
flied both governments that Washing
ton will be SO selected"
This statement was supplemented
shortly afterward by a semi-oficial an
nOuncemeIt that after meeting and
organizing the plenipotentiaries OF the
two governments, if it should be found
to be uncomfortably hot in Washington,
may adjourn the meeting to some sum-
mer resort in the north and there con-
tinue the sittinGe until such time as
the weather in Washington shall be
nor comfortable"
WASHINGTON THE LOGICAL
PLACE.
Now that some of the details Of the
negotiations which have been pending
for more than two weeks, are known,
the selection of Washington is regard
ed as the only logical solution of the
problem presented to the belligerent
governments. After the acceptance by
Russia and Japan of President Roose-
velt's proposition that they consent 10
consider the question of peace, Russia
indicated Paris as the most desirable
place for the meeting to arbitraIe a
treaty, and japan indicated Chefoo.
There the subject rested for forty-eight
hours. Finally Japan declined to con-
slider Paris. for obvious reasons, and.
Russia objected to the holding Of the
conference in any Oriental city. Wash
ington was then suggested as a place at
which the belligcrents could meet on
common ground, undisturbed by either
political Or personal influences. As q
means of facilitating the negotiations,
the President suggested that the con-
ference be held at The Hague, the seat
Of the international arbitration tribunal
and the location of the first general
arbitration conference called at the IT.
stance of Emperor Nicholas, of Russia.
He indicated that for both practical
and sentimental reasons, The Hague
would be a most desirable place OF
meeting for the plenipotentiaries.
JAPAN OBJECTED TO ANY EURO,
PEAN CAPITAL.
Further consideration of the subject
developed the practically unalterable
objection of Japan to any European
capital as a seat for the conference.
She objected particularly to The Hague,
believing that it was too far within
the sphere of Russian influence; and
for a similar reason she declined fav-
orably to consider Geneva. Until to-
day, however, Japan's i~rreconcilatie
opposition to the selection of any Eu-
ropean capital vas not known def
nitely. At a conference which KogCIo
Takahira, the Japanese minister, a
with President Roosevelt today he con-
veyed to the President the Japanese
governments final refusal to consent
to the holding of the conference in Eu-
rope.
The refusal of Japan to agree TO the
holding of the conference in Europe
was communicated by President Roose-
Welt to the Russian ambassador, n
likewise cabled t St. Petersburg. While
the President did not act in the caDac-
ity of arbiter between Russia and ia
pan, he was in position, after the con-
ference with Minister Takahira and his
communication % Ambassador CASH
nj, to formally announce the selection
of Washington as the seat of the on
ference.
Ambassador Cassini called at the
White House this afternoon. The Pr ISL
dent explained to him the nature OF his
interview with Minister Takahira and
conveyed the personal assurance that
the American government would do all
in its power, which it properly might
do. to afford plenipotentiaries OF the
two governments comfortable and con :
venient facilities for the transaction
of their supremacy important duties.