Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-10
Representatives of Belliger-
ents Will Meet.
SESSIONS IN THIS CITY
A LONG STEP FORWARD IN THE
DIRECTION OF PEACE.
Efforts of the Chief Executive, Support
ed by the European Rulers, Appar-
entity Crowned With Success.

1t is known that both the Russian
and japanese governments have ac-
cepted President Roosevelt's sug-
gestlon, and that a meeting of rep
resentatives of the two contendi,l2
powers is assured.
FROM an authoritative official
source it is learned today that it has
been practically determined that the
plenipotentiaries of Japan and Rus
sla for the determination of peace
terms will hold their sessions in
Washington.
Inasmuch as the efforts which have been
successful in the bringing of the two bel
Hgerent governments into contact were ini-
tiated by President Roosevelt and fur
ther. that most amicabe relations exist be-
tween the United States and-both Russia
and Japan, this city is regarded as the
logical place" for the institution of the
practical peace negotiations between the
warning governments
For obvious reasons London. II was
pointed out, would be out of the question.
and for similar reasons Paris would not be
considered.
Objections to the holding of the confer
ence in Berlin also have been made.
Vienna was suggested as a desirable
place, but, under all the circumstances
Washington was deemed by both St Pc
tersburg and Tokyo to be the most favor
able place for the holding of the peace con-
ference.
On June the following dispatch was
sent by President Roosevelt. through din
lomatic channels to the japanese and Rus
sian governments:
The President feels that the time has
come when, in the interest of all mankind
he must endeavor to see If it is not possible
10 bring to end the terrible and lament
able conflict now being waged. With both
Russia and Japan the United States has
inherited ties OF friendship and good will.
1t hopes for the prosperity and welfare of
each, and it feels that the progress of the
world is set back by the war between these
two great nations. The President, accord
ingly. urges the Russian and japanese gov
ernments. not only for their own sakes but
in the interest of the whole civilized world
TO. open direct negotiations for peace with
one another. The President suggests that
these peace negotiations be conducted di-
rectly and exclusively between the belIfp-
N of fIary
meeting OF Russian and japanese pleni-
potentiaries or delegates without any inter
mediary, in order to see II 1t is not possible
for these representatives of the two powers
TO agree to terms of peace. The President
earnestly asks that the (Russian-Japanese)
government do now agree to such a meet
ing and in asking the apanese-Russian)
government likewise TO agree While the
President does not feel that any interme-
diary should be called IN in respect to the
peace negotiations themselves he is entirely
willing to do what he properly can If the
TWO powers concerned feel that his services
will be of aid in arranging the preliminaries
as TO the time and place of meeting. But
II even these prellminaries can be arranged
directly between the two powers or in any
other way, the President Will be glad. as his
sole purpose is to bring about a meeting
which the whole civilized world will prav
may result in peace"
Assurances From Belligerents.
The foregoing Identical note, forwarded to
the Russian and Japanese governments
Thursday afternoon. is rendered especially
significant by the fact that it was prepared
and sent only after assurances had been re-
ceived both from Tokyo and ST. Petersburg
that such proposition would be welcomed
While both Count Cassini. the Russian am
bassador, and Minister Takahira of Japan
were cognizant of the nature of the note. IT
was not sent to their respective govern
ments through them. 1t was cabled by di-
rection of the President to ST Petersburg
and Tokyo, and there delivered directly to
the Russian and Japanese governments. re-
spectiyely, by Ambassador Never and Min
lister Griscom.
In addition to the assurances received
by President Roosevelt from Amtas assa dor
Meyer, after his audience with the czar and
with the mikado's government the President
had indicated to the representative of the
two governments at this capital his inten-
tion. He also discussed the subject with
representatives of other important powers
accredited to this capital While no intf-
nation of the attitude assumed toward the
proposition by either Ambassador Cassini
or Minister Takahira is obtainable 1t is
known that other diplomats with whom the