Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-06-08
ASKS JAPAN'S TERMS
Russian Emperor May at Last
 Sue For Peace.
TAKAHIRA TALKS WITH PRESIDENT
RoOsevelt's Efforts to End War In Far East May He Crowned With Success-Meyer's Special Au-
 dience With Cxar.

WASHINGTON, June S.-Prelimina ry negotiations between Russia and Ja pan are generally believed to be undel way, and it is conceded that Presiden
 Roosevelt will in all probability ac not as mediator, but as ''the friendly channel of communication" There is as yet no official admission that Rus sia has accepted what Count Cassin IT his cablegram to Count Lamsdorff de scribed as "the offer of good will of the president" although instructions to the ambassador are believed to have reach ed here last night in long cablegram which arrived at the Russian embassy quite late.
 Washington is aroused to point of expectancy unequaled since the incep- ton of the war In the far east by the news from St. Petersburg of the czara wish to know Japan's peace terms. This interest was heightened by a call which Mir. Takahira, the Japanese min lster, made at the White House by ap- pointment last night He called short ly after 9 o'clock and immediately went Into conference with the presi- dent. When the minister left he de clined to answer, any questions about kis call.
 The efforts that President Roosevelt has been making to bring the beliger- rnts together has entered on distinct ly new phase. Foreign Minister Lams- dorff had an audience of the emperor upon the subject of Ambassador Cas- sini's peace communication. and Am Dassador Meyer called upon Count Lamsdorf at the chancellery and re- mained with the foreign minister for some time.
 Whether this visit was upon the in- vitation of Count Lamsdorff or at the request of the ambassador cannot def nitely be stated. but there is reason to believe that the visit was in obedience to instructions from Washington. con- veying a personal communication from the president to the emperor rendering his good offices.
 The result was that Mir. Meyer went to Tsarskoe-Selo in full uniform and was received in special audience by the emperor.
 Upon his return to St. Petersburg Mir. Meyer hastened to the embassy. whence he sent long cipher dispatch to Washington.
 Half an hour later he was closeted with Sir Charles Hardinge. the British ambassador.
 The present situation is extremely delicate. and the greatest reticence is observed
 In transmitting a faithful report of what occurred at the White House be- tween himself and President Roosevelt. Count Cassini emphasized the sympa- thetie and friendly frsnkness with which the president. speaking informal. ly and personally. expressed his strong desire for peace. It is generally realn- cd here that the importance of such report can scarcely be overestimated.
 To all of his callers the Russian am bsssador. while admitting that ''the moment was full of possibilities. had no news to impart. and this applied to his closest friends among his diplo- mstic confrerees. Personally he was greatly worried by 6 cablegram from Paris telling of the illness of his daugh- ter. the Countess Cessini. who is suf- fering with scarletina.
 With every ambassador representing European sovereign the president now has discussed the subject of peace between Russia and Japan. and there Is permanent ground for the statement