Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-30
ROOSEVELT
Has Not Been Asked to
Assist to End War.
Approached Neither by Russia
or Japan.
Powers Will Deal Directly and Avoid
International Conference.

Washington, March % Neither Rus
STA nor Japan has asked President
Roosevelt TO assist in ending the war.
50 far as the Washington government
is aware. Emperor Nicholas has not
yet weakened IN his announced deci-
sion Ito prosecute the war to the bit
ter end" The genuine wish of this
government for peace in the Far East
is not based upon selfish interests
American linanciers have not over
loaded themselves with the bonds OF
either of the belligerent nations. Wash
ington believes that it is to the advan-
tage of both beligerents that the Far
Eastern WY come to 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
Secretary Hay that he will do any
thing in his power to assist Russia
and Japan to q peace basis when his
services shall he acceptable to the be-
lligerents. But it is authOritatively
stated that no official of the Washing
ton government is ambitions to pose as
the mediator between the Car and Mi
kadO.
1t is the feeling here that Russia and
Japan should negotiate directly and
avoi an International conference. This
opinion also prevails in Berlin. Indeed
Japan has recently received an urgent
warning against indirect negotiations
lest they led to an international con-
prove disastrous to the interests Of
both delligerents. There is authority
for the statement that France is dill
gently striving to end the war and for
six Weeks past negotiations of the
most confidential character have been
inprogress between Paris and st. Pc
tersburg. Even DIPLOMATS of the high
est rank have failed to obtain from NJ.
Delcasse. the French foreign minis
ter. the results of these negotiations.
but it can be announced on the same
authority that Count Lamsdorff. the
Russian minister for foreign affairs.
has within a week admitted that he
had in Il general way outlined to NJ.
Delc;sse the general terms along
Which Russia mingh consent to cOnsid-
or peace.
Adviccs from Europe tell Of the fear
prevalent there in certain quarters that
the activities of I.amSlOrff and Dclcasse
are directed toward an International con-
ference to he held in some neutral Europ-
can capital. such MS Stockholm. where
peace negotiations might he conducted.
1t is said that this move has in a meas
ure been blocked by the refusal of Japan
to give Indications as to the peace terms
she would accept until positively as
surcd in the name of the Gar. himself
that Russia is prepared to negotiate in
an insist upon this assurance. but she
prefers to negotiate directly with ST.
Petersburg.
With the United States. Germany and
ference ITO end the war the belief is
strong in Washington that successful
peace negotiations will date from tine day
St. Petersburg communicates with Toxic
direct. The Washington government is
alcrtly watching for the opportunity to
assist Russia and Japan in getting into
diplomatic communication. Thus would
an imerna tional conference he avoided
and the United States would be in bet
ter position to insist upon the mainten-
ance of the integrity and administrative
entity Of China. No negotiations involving
an attack upon this principle can be
acnuesCcd in by the United States