The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-11-10
Japan Makes OVertures to
Russia Which Are Rejected.
Her Failure May Result In Out.
side Intervention.
LOOK TO ROOSEVELT.
England and France Expect
Him to Take the Lead.
Both Might Join Him In At
tempt at PacificatlOn.

London, Nov. 10.-4:55 p. m.-Japan,
unofficially, has made representations
to Russia looking to peace. This ac-
ton has resulted in failure and such
representations, even privately, are not
likely to be repeated by Japan.
Although the suggestion of a pacific
settlement was made unofficially it had
behind it all the weight of an offer by
the Japanese government. 1t was made
direct to Russia. No power acted as an
intermediary. The proposition was put
forward tentatively and unofficially so
that the Japanese government would
be in position to deny any report that
it was suing for peace. The failure of
these negotiations, however, resulted
in bringing intervention within Il
measurable distance. Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne's plea for arbitration yes
terday evening at the Guild hall ban
Quet is taken here to be a pointed sug-
gestion to the United States and
France, that the time is approaching
when the powers must take some ac-
tion. 1t can be definitely stated that
Lord Lansdowne made his speech with
full knowledge that the Japanese will
not resent a proposition looking to
peace from these powers (the United
States, France and Great Britain).
There is a definite impression here that
the initiative will come from President
Roosevelt, though the action would be
joint. 1t is mooted that Lord Lans-
doVne only spoke so openly yesterday
evening because he had good reason to
believe that Mr.. Roosevelt if elected
contemplated making an effort to
bringing the belligerents to discuss
terms of peace.
Lord Lansdowne'S remarks are held
by those in his confidence to mean that
whatever the United States may do in
the matter Great Britain will coop
crate in even in the event of France
not participating. 1t is known, however,
that Ambassador Cambon who contin-
ues his work aSSiduously to bring
about some arrangement hopes for
joint action by the three powers
In an interview regarding the fore
going Baron Hayashi, the japanese
minister, said:
81 shouldn't be surprised to see
the three powers named, or two OF
them, take the action suggested. Ex-
actly upon what basis of a settlement
peace could be secured it is at pres
ent impossible to see, but there is not
the slightest doubt that combined rep
resentations, especially if led by Pres
ident Roosevelt, would have a far
reaching result between the two
countries, one of which was thor
oughly defeated. 1t is comparatively
easy to make peace in this case, as
neither side is thoroughly defeated
yet. The prospects for the success OF
friendly Intervention have vastly in
the war the two nations now respect
each other to a degree never dreamed
of before they met in battle. Their
mutual respect is the most hopeful
factor for peace. Japan does not
want to go fighting forever. Yet. even
with all the victories won during this
war, her statesmen would render
themselves liable to be seriously mis-
understood, especially in Russia. If
they openly suggested in the name of
humanity some method whereby the
war could be stopped. 1t would be
altogether different, however, at this
stage of the war. should friendly Of
fer, prompted by that sense of hu-
manity which Japan cannot voice. for
fear of being misunderstood, emanate
from the United States and Great
Britain, but nothing can be done un-
til the fall of Port Arthur
Baron Hayashi intimated that he
thought the fall of the fortress would
not long be delayed, and added:
In the meantime 1 have no doubt
that the powers who are now so will
ing to express their desire for peace
will confdentially exchange views in
the hope of arriving at some sugges-
ton practical to both belligerents.''