The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-03-30
NEGOTIATIONS
 TO BE DIRECT Powerful Opposition to a.
 Conference. WASHINGTON IS WATCHING Its Views Held by Japan and
 Germany. United states Not to Favor Any Plan Involving Attack Upon China's Integrity and Administra-
 tive Entity.

Washington, March 2s--Neither Rus sia nor Japan have asked President Roosevelt to assist them in ending the war So far as the Washington Gov ernment is aware, Emperor Nicholas has not yet weakened in his announced decision ito prosecute the war to the bitter end"
 The genuine wish of this Government for peace in the Far East is not based upon selfish interests. American finan- ciers have not overloaded themselves with the bonds of each of the belliger- ent nations. Washington believes that it Is to the advantage of both bellig- erents that the Far Eastern war come to a speedy end and anything that this Government may 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 an- nounced by Secretary Hay. that he will do anything in his power to assist Russia and Japan to a peace basis when his services shall be acceptable lively stated that the Washington Government is not ambitious to pose as the mediator between the Czar and the Mikado.
 It is the feeling here that Russia and Japan should negotiate directly and avoid an international conference. This opinion also prevails in Berlin. In- deed. Japan has recently received an urgent warning against indirect nego- tiations, lest they lead to an interna- tional conference. the results of which might prove disastrous to the interests of both belligerents.
 France at Work.
 There Is authority for the statement that France is diligently striving to end the war and for six weeks past negotiations of the most confidential character have been in progress be- tween Paris and St. Petersburg. Even diplomats Of the highest rank have failed to obtain from M. Deicasse. the French Foreign Minister, the results of these negotiations. hut t aen lse an. inounced on the sanae aifthafity that Count Lamsdorff, the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, has within a weeh admitted he had In a general way out llined to M. Delcasse the general terms along which Russia might consent to consider peace.
 Advices from Europe tell of the feal prevalent there in certain quarters that the activities of Lamsdorff and Delcasse are directed toward an inter- national conference to be held in soms neutral European capital, such at
 
 might be conducted. It is said that this move has been. in a measure blocked by the refusal of Japan to give an indication as to the peace terms she would accept until posi- lively assured in the name of the Czar himself that Russia has prepared to negotiate in good faith of the peaca Not only does Japan insist on this as- surance but she prefers to negtiate di- rectly with St. Petersburg.
 With the United States, Germany and Japan opposed to an international conference to end the war the belief Is strong in Washington that success full peace negotiations will date from the day s.. Petersburg communicates with Tokio direct The Washington government is alertly watching for the | opportunity to assist Russia and Japan in getting into diplomatic communica- | ton. Thus would an international conference be avoided and the United States would be in a better position l to insist upon the maintenance of the integrity and administrative entity of China. No negotiations involving | an attack upon this principle can be acquiesced in by the United States.