The San Francisco call., 1905-06-03
Confery With
EnOoy of
Czaa.
Does NOt Think
Russia Can
Succeed.
Acts as Friend
of PozUefs
MU0ked.

WASHINGTON. June 1-The President
today struck blow for peace in the Far
East In conference at the White HOUSE
THIS afternoon with Count Cassini. the
Russian ambassador. the President ex-
pressed the earnest wish that Russia
would forthwith conclude peace with ia
pan Prolongation OF the war. he believes.
VIII not result in victory for the Russian
arms and can only serve TO increase Ja-
pans demands and render more dfffcult
the drafting OF treaty Of peace which
the Car. as we'll as the Mikado. can sign.
The President spoke. he said, as the
friend OF Russia no less than OF Japan.
and on behalf not only OF the Washing
ton Government, but In the interest OF
humanity. Until his words have reached
Isarskoe-Selo and have been copmuni-
Gated to Emperor Nicholas IN the friend
" spirit In which tFey were uttered the
effect cannot be estimated Soon after
reaching his embassy Count Cassfnf be-
gan the preparation OF dispatch TO his
Government.
Neither at the White House nor at the
Russian embassy could a formal state
ment regarding the conference be OBJ
tatned- Throughout the diplomatic corps
there Is strong hope that to-day's con-
ference marked the first step toward
peace. but the general opinion is that
weeks may elapse before even primary
press the hope that Emperor Nicholas
will receive the Presidents words as the
counsel Of that Government which has
for years been Russia's traditional friend,
and WIN weigh 1t accordingly.
Unaccomparied, Count Cassini the
Russian Embassador. called by appoint
ment at the White House. He was ush-
cred at once into the blue room. where hs
was Joined Immediately by the President,
and conference followed that lasted for
nearly an hour.
HOPES FOR AN EARLY PEACE.
Approaching the natural feelings OF the
ambassador on such an occasion, the
President began the conversation by a
frank personal expression Of sympathy
for Count Cassini. alluding to the severe
strain under which he has been for the
past few days and deploring the terrible
loss OF life and consequent sorrow caused
by the recent battle in the sea OF Japan
Without further preliminaries general
and entirely informal and personal con-
versation on the whole situation followed.
The President informed the Embassa-
dor that he earnestly hoped for an early
peace In the Far East. and that IN ex-
pressing this hope he voiced not only his
strong personal sentiments and those OF
his Government, but ne believed they
were held by all OF the powers. His opin-
ion was that II would be q mistake for
Russia TO continue the war. In addition
to the suffering entailed by the naval con-
hict be did not believe that Russia has
anything TO win IN prolongtng hostilities.
The President did not enter into details.
but the personal character OF the ccnver-
sation and his long acquaintance with
Count Cassini enabled him to speak
plainly regarding the decisive character
Of the japanese Victories
What Japan's probable peace tenns
would be the President was wholly un-
able to say, but he ala not hesitate 70
express the opinion that. difficult as these
conditions might prove IN the light OF
such q victory as that gained In the Ko-
rean Straits. they would increase IN Sc
verify with every day that state OF war
continued Unless Russia has substantial
hope OF administering decisive defeat to
Japan in this war. the President believed,
Il would inure TO the interests OF the St
Government TO conclude peace
at once
AGAINST CONTINUING WAR
Briefly and IN paraphrased form these
were the arguments used by the Presi-
dent In support Of his conviction that as
between a continuation OF the war and
Immediate peace. the latter would be
greatly to Russia's advantage
Having received no word from his Gov
ernment since the humiliation OF Ro-
feet save the brief Official
dispatches telling OF the engagement
Count Cassini was unable to do more
than to give the President his own per-
sonal opinions on the situation The En-
bassador was deeply touched by the sin
cere cordiality of his reception and the
frank and friendly manner in which the
President spoke He could not see. how
ever, that there was anything in the
present situation. unfortunate as II un-
was. for his Government. which
Russia's suing for peace. As
TO territory. he pointed out that China
and not Russia had been the loser. for
even Port Arthur was held only under
lease On the sea. Russia had nothing
more to lose, he said.
It was the ambassadors firm opinion
that this was not "the Psychological mo-
ment'' In which to discuss peace with
Japan
whatever might be the ultimate deci-