The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-03-30
WASHINGTON OPINION.
international Conference to Be
Avoided.


Washington. March 29.-The genuine
wish OF this government FOR peace in
the far east is not based upon selfish
interests. American financierS haze not
overloaded themselves with bonds of
either of the belligerent nations.
Washington believes that it Is TO the
advantage OF both belligerents that the
far east war come to a speedy end,
and anything that this government can
do to bring that about will be done
gladly From the outset of the war
the president has taken the position, as
has been repeatedly announced by Sec
rotary Hay, that he will do anything in
his power to assist Russia and Japan TO
d peace basis when his services shall
be acceptable to the belligerents.
But it is authoritatively stated that no
official of the Washington government
is ambitious TO pose as the mediator
between the car and mikddo.
Should Deal Directly.
1t is the feeling here that Russia and
Japan should negotiate directly and
avoid an international conference This
opinion also prevails in Berlin. Indeed,
Japan has recently received an urgent
warning against indirect negotiations
lest they lead to an international con-
ference, the results of which might
prove disastrous to the interests of
both belligerentS.
There is authority for the statement
that France is diligently striving to end
the war and for six weeks past nego-
tiatiOns of the most confidential char
acter have been in progress between
Paris and St. Petersburg Even dipIO-
mats of the highest rank have failed
to obtain from NJ. DeIcasse, the French
minister, the results of the negotiations,
but it can be announced on the same
authority that Count LamSdOrff, the
Russian minister for foreign affairs
hi l. Il
in general way outlined to NJ. Del
casse the general terms along which
Russia might consent to consider peace.
Fears OF Diplomats.
.Advices from Europe tell of the fear
prevalent there in certain quarters that
the activities of LamsdOrff and Del
casSe are directed toward an internal
tiOnal- conference to be held in some
neutral European capital such as
Stockholm, where peace negotiations
might be conducted. 1t is said that this
move has been in a measure blocked
by the refusal of Japan to give any
Indication as to the peace terms she
would accept until positively assured in
the name of the car himself that Rus
STA is prepared to negotiate in good
faith for peace. Not only does Japan
insist upon this assurance. but she pre-
fers TO negotiate directly with st.
Petersburg
With the United States, Germany and
japan opposed to an international con-
ference to end the war, the belief is
strong in Washington that successful
peace negotiations viii date from the
day St Petersburg communicates with
Toxic direct The Washington gov
eminent is alertly watching for the
opportunity to assist Russia and Japan
in getting into diplomatic communica-
ton. Thus would an international con-
ference avoided and the United
States would be in a better position to
insist upon the maintenance Of integ-
Tity and administrative entity of China.
No negotiations involving an attack
upon this principle can be acquiesced
in by the United States.