HOW THE INITIATIVE FOR PEACE WAS TAKEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1479, 13 June 1905, Page 2

HOW THE INITIATIVE FOR PEACE WAS TAKEN.

JAPAN DISTRUSTFUL. By Telegraph—Press Assooiation —Copyright Received 12.29 a.m., June 13. London, June 12. The Times’ St. Petersburg correspondent reports that after certain Russian statesmen’s abortive attempts to stop the war after the battle of Mukden President Roosevelt decided on the first favorable opportunity to take the initiative for peace. He sounded Great Britain, France, and Germany. The letter’s assent was readily giveD. France and Great Britain, as allies of the belligerents, were precluded from a prominent part. President Roosevelt’s opportunity cams after the battle of Tsushima. Mr Meyer, by virtue of clause 3 of the Hague Convention, submitted informally to the Czar President Roosevelt’s friendly counsel to negotiate for peace. There and then he agreed to meet President Roosevelt’s wishes. A significant Japanese reply repeats the language of the proposal, which expresses readiness to appoint plenipotentiaries for the purpose of discussing terms of peace directly and exclusively with Russia, adding the stipulation for peace.upon terms fully guaranteeing it 3 stability. Received 1.12 a.m., Junß 13.

Advices from Tokio state that the general opinion is distrustful of Russia’s sincerity. The situation is considered favorable to Russia, inasmuch as the war is confined to the territory of a neutral Power. Russian dominions aro intact.