The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-30
Holds Long Conference.
With Japanese Minister
At White House.
OTHER .41AlMBA BASSADORSi
ALSO INTERESTED.
Sir Mortimer Durand Will See
President To-Day and Cas-
sir1i and Sternburg Are in
Close Touch With
White House
Situation.

(Fron1 Our Regular Correspondent)
WASHINGTON. May 29.-Quick to real
ize. the far-reaching effect Of Admiral
Rojestvensky's. disastrous defeat in the
Korean Straits. and In keeping with his
promise, announced a long time ago. to
do all In his power to bring the belliger-
ents in the Far East to direct negotia-
tions at the proper time, President Roose-
Yelt tonight received by special appoint
ment Mr.. Takahra. the Japanese minis
ter, and a conference followed for the
greater. part Of the evening, Mr.. Taxa
hira called at the White House shortly
after 8 O'Clock this evening, and was
Immediately received. Sir Mortimer Du-
rand, the British ambassador. said to-
night that he expected to see the Presl-
dent before the week Is over, and Baron
Sternburg, the German ambassador, who
was early at the Russian embassy to-day.
where he remained for somc time in con-
ference with the ambassador is constant
ly In touch with the White House.
On returning to tho legation from the
White House. Minister Takahira declined
to discuss in any particular his confer
ence with the President. Regarding the
possible effect OF the outcome Of the
battle on peace negotiations, the minister
said:
alone can be held responsible for a pro-
longation Of the war"
At the Russian embassy tonight. Count
Cassini said:
Talk Of peace Is premature. II the
victory bo as stupendous as the Japanese
would have the world believe the neutral
powers can scarcely wish for Japan to be
allowed to remain without O taste OF de-
feat Much as should welcome an end
! Por raO no az
Is that the effect OF Rojestvensky's defeat
Will be. the indefinite prolongation Of the
war. Russia must fight on perhaps for
years, but until the tables are turned"
What Military Men Think.
The sentiment In military circles In this
city is virtually unanimous that the VIC
tory Of tho Japanese navy yesterday
means the end of the war. 1t WIS pointed
cut to-day by military officer at the
Department OF War that there was no.
thing for Russia to do but to mako the
best terms possible He said he was
aware thut there were many people who
Efaiu It was not like q Russian to yield
until he had been worse whipped than he
( Is now, but he pointed out the Gear was
not nearly SO badly whipped by the Eng
Slish and French and Turks and 6ardinians
at the close of the Crimean war. Japan
has fought them to standstill, at least.
on land and she has entirely destroyed
the sea power OF the Muscoyito empire,
"It may be said that Russia Is building
another navy, with which she will be
able to renew the fight at sea-" he said.
"but Vt takes u lot Of time to build n
navy. The laps would not be idle while
tho navy was building Her army would
be reinforced to the limit Of the power or
empire, for 1t would not be necessary to
keep an army at home. Her navy would
also be free to come eyon to Europe. and
there Is no saying that 1t would not
do so. I believe It would be Impossible for
Russia to get into Manchuria, and main
tain In the field there an army equal to
the task of overcoming the army Japan