The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1904-11-17
An Unofficial Offer to Talk
II over.
Baron Hayaahi Says Mediation
by United States, England and
France Would be Well Receiv-
ed by His Country After Port
Arthur's Fall.

looking to peace. This action has
resulted In failure, andsuch represent
tations, even privately, probably
will not be repeated bv japan
Although the suggestion Of pa
cific settlement was made unofii.
cially, it actually 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 I'M
officially so that the Japanese gov
eminent would be In a position to
deny any report that it was suing
for peace The failure OF these direct
negotiations, however, resulted In
bringing intervention within a mea'
sureable distance. The British for
eign secretay, Lord Lansdowne's
plea for arbitration yesterday even.
ing at the Guild hall banquet is taken
here to be a pointed suggestion to
the United States and France that
the time is approaching when the
powers must take some action.
1t can be stated definitely that
Lord Lansdowne made his speech
with full knowledge that Japan will
not resent a proposition looking to
peace from the three powers, United
States, France and Great Britain
There ia a definite impression here
that the initiative will come from
President Roosevelt, although the
action would be Joint. II is mooted
that Lord Lansdowne only spoke &C
openly yesterday evening because he
had good reason to believe that Mr.
Roosevelt, il elected, contemplated
making an effort to bring the bellig
erents to discuss terms Vi peace.
Lord Transformers remarks arr
held by those in his confidence tc
mean that whatever the United
States may do in the matter, Grea,
Britain will cooperate, even in thu
event OF France not participating II
is known, however, that the French
ambassador, NJ. Cambon, who con
tinues his work sssiduously to bring
about some arrangement, hopes FOL
joint action by the three powers, Ii
an interview regarding the peac'
proposals. Baron Hayshi, the Jap
anese minister, said:
81 should not be surprised to SCI
the three powers named, or two o
them, take the action suggested. Elk
'actly upon what settlement peac'
could be secured it is at present i'm
possible to see, but there is not th,
slightest doubt that combined repre-
sensations, especially if led by Presi
dent Roosevelt, would have a fal
reaching result between two coun
tries, one OF which was thoroughly
defeated.
1t is comparatively easy to maxi
peace In this case, as neither. side ii
thoroughly defeated yet. The pros
poets for the success on friendly inter
vention have vastly increased. Sine
the commencement Of the war tb'
two nations now respect each Othe
to degree never dreamed Of befor'
they met in battle. Their mutua
respect is the nost hopeful factor TO
peace. Japan does not want to g
ON fighting forever Yet, even will
all the victories won during this wa
her statesmen would render them
selves liable to be most seriousl,
misunderstood, especially in Russia
il they openly suggested in the nam
OF humanity some method whereof.
the war could be stopped.
It would he altogether different
however. at this stage OF the war
should d friendly offer, prompted b.
that eenssof humanity which Japal
cannot vol ,e for fear OF being misun
.lderstood, emanate from the Unite'
States and Great Britain, but moth
ing can be done until the fall OF Por
Arthur.
+ Baron Hayshi minated that h
believed that the fall OF tie iortres
woula not long be delayed and added
"In the meantime, have no doub
i that the powers who are now so will
ing to express their desire for peac
will confidently exchange views 4
the hope Of arriving at some sugget
/, ton practical to both belligerents.