Arizona republican., 1905-06-03
A PEACE MOVE
President Roosevelt Talks
 to Count CdSSili
NOTHING FOR RUSSIA
In a Continuance of the Conflict, the Japanese Victories Being Regarded
 as Decisive A Plea in Behalf of i, All Humanity.

Washington June 2.-The president today struck blow for peace in the far east. In conference at the White House this afternoon with Count Cas- sini, the Russian ambassador, the pres ident expressed the earnest wish that Russia would forthwith conclude peace with Japan. A prolongation of the war, he believes will not result in victory for the Russian army and can only serve to increase Japan's demands and render more difficult the drafting of a treaty of peace, which the czar as well as the mikado can sign. The president spoke, he said, as the friend Of Russia no lass than of Japan. and on behalf not only of the Washington govern ment. but in the interest of humanity. Until his words have reached Tsars- koe Selo and have been communicated to the czar in the friendly spirit in which they were uttered they cannot be estimated. Soon after reaching the embassy. Count Cassini began the pre- paration of a dispatch to his govern ment. Neither at the White House nor at the Russian embassy could a forma1 statement regarding the conference be obtained. Throughout the diplomatic corps lneIe IS SlIOHB nope lildl IOudy , conference marked the first step toward peace. but the general opinion is that weeks may elapse before even the pre- liminary negotiations can be begun. Diplomats express the hope that Nicho las will receive the presidents words as the counsel of that government which has for years been Russia's tra- ditional friend and will weigh it ac i cordingly.
 Unaccompanied, Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador. called by appoint mcnt at tl-e White House this after noon at half past two o'clock. He was escorted into the Blue Room where he was joined immediately by the pres ident and 2 conference followed that lasted untn after 3 o'clock. Without further preliminaries. a general and en- t:rely informal and personal conversa- tion on the whole situation followed. The president informed the ambas- sador that he earnestly hoped for an early peace in the far east, and that in expressing this hope he voiced not only his strong personal sentiments and those of his government but he believed that they were held by all powers. His opinion was that it would be a mistake for Russia to continue the war. In ad dition to the suffering entailed by the naval conflict he did not believe that Russia has anything to win in pro- longing hostilities. The president did not enter into details, but the personal character of the conversation and his long acquaintance with Count Cassini enabled him to speak plainly regarding the decisive character of the Japanese victories Unless Russia has sub stantial hope of administering a de-
 sr, hi fI1o president believed it would inure to the interests of the St. Petersburg govern
 ment to conclude peace.
 ! Having received no word from his : government since the annihilatiOn of Rojestvensky's fleet save brief official | dispatches telling of the engagement | Count Cassini was unable to do more than give the president his own per sonal opinions on the situation. The ambassador was deeply touched by the sincere cordiality of his reception and the frank and friendly manner in which the president spoke.
 He could not see, however, that there was anything in the present situation unfortunate as it undoubtedly was, for his own government, which necessi- ' tated Russia's suing for peace. As to territory he pointed out that China ana not 16uSSld NdO DG1il NllS lOSSlf lpA even Port Arthur was held only under lease.
 Than this, Russia had nothing more to lose he said. It was the ambassa- dors firm opinion that this was not "the psychological moment" in which to discuss peace with Japan.
 ! If Japans terms should prove any thing like as severe as they have been reported, it was the ambassadors Opin- ion that Russia could advantageOusly continue the war indefinitely ard eventually win victory on land. That his government would so decide he did not wish to predict, but at last ac- counts the emperor was for a contin- uatiOn of the war.
 Regarding his visit to the White House all that Count Cassini would say was
 "I had a most cordial conversation with the president this afternoon dur ing which the whole situation of the far east was discussed informally and ] in general manner. No peace over lures were received from Japan, nor were any made.
 "Our talk was confidential of course and of 9 very general character" When Count Cassini leaves Wash ington for St. Petersburg early in July he will be the bearer of a personal message from the president to the em- peror.