Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-06-03
PEACE FARTHER AWAY.
cassini Believes Russian Success
Would Have Brought II Sooner.

cassini Believes Russian Success
Would Have Brought It Sooner.
Washington. the president
has discussed informally the subject
of peace negotiations with members Of
his cabinet and with some representa-
tlves of foreign governments, no deiln-
lite steps looking toward peace yet
have been taken by this government
That concerted effort on the part
Of several powers including the Unit
ed States, to bring about cessation
of hostilities In the far east may be
made soon is reasonably certain It
is regarded as too soon yet, after the
great naval battle, for Russia to deter
mine upon a definite course of action.
Sir Mortimer Durand, British am
bassador, was the guest at luncheon
recently of President Roosevelt at the
White House, where they discussed the
recent developments in the far east
as we'll as some matters involving
the relations of the United States and
Great Britain.
Advices received here indicate that
the Russian government has under
consideration the entire war situation
in the light of the result of the bat
tie Of Tsushima, but the advices do not
convey even a suggestion of the fut-
ure action of the st. Petersburg gov
ernment.
Count Cassini Russian ambassador,
expects to see the president shortly
for a general talk, but he denied to-
night that he would carry any message
from his government and spoke dis
couragingly Of the prospects of peace.
Had the battle in the Korean straits
been fairly even," he said, peace at
this time might be looked for. But
why should Russia seek peace now il
she cannot obtain reasonable terms?
We have a large army in the field
which is constantly being increased
Russia is not threatened by Japanese
invasion. Her resources have never
been at all exhausted by the war.
Without navy she is naturally handl-
capped but that only means that it
will take us the longer to defeat the
Japanese on land. The idea that Rus
sia will be forced to seek peace at this
time or surrender to Japan Is ridicul-
GUS. With the resources at her COM
mand Russia can continue the war for
years do not say that this will be
the final decision of the government.
but my firm personal opinion is that in
this moment Russia cannot think of
suggesting peace to her adversary"
1t had been proposed by American
friends to tender a complimentary din
ner to Count Cassini prior to his re-
tirement from his post here, in recog-
milton of the courteous, hospitable and
faithful services he had rendered in
promoting the friendly relations of the
United States and Russia. In view,
however, of recent events in the far
east, IL has been deemed advisable to
recall the invitations. 90
In a conversation Mr.. Takahira.
the Japanese minister, said Russia
would not have to communicate with
Toxic direct to find out the general
conditions upon which Japan would
open peace negotiations adding that
unless Russia is prepared to accede
forthwith to these terms she had bet
ter fight on. Japan has never init
mated to any power the definite terms
on which she would conclude peace
but Russia knows what Japan is fight
ing for, and if she is ready to discuss
peace she can find out from one of
several neutral powers Japans sine
qua non"
AT the reception of Senor Naduco
the new Brazilian ambassador, to the
diplomatic corps, Count Cassini and
Mr.. Takahira were the centers of two
groups of diplomats with whom they
discussed the momentous events of
the last few days, but the ambassador
and the minister did not come in con-
tact, and neither held out definite hope
of neaca