The semi-weekly messenger., 1905-09-05
The Wlessengrr.
PHEss PEACE COMMENTS.

Roosevelt for having brought the con-
ference to a successful termination.
With very few exceptions the newspa-
pers declare that it was through his
exertions alone that peace has been
made.
The News and Courier of Charleston,
while giving him high praise for the
course he pursued, is of the opinion
that his work was not necessary; that
the same results would have followed
had he taken 10 part in the negOtia-
tions 1t says it has maintained from
the beginning that the two hostile
powers understood each other-that
the proceedings at Portsmouth were a
cut-and-dried affair between the prin-
cipals who only carried out their pre-
arranged programme. The News and
Courier is in this in about as small
minority as that drummer who drop
ped into Il church while revival was
going on.
The News Leader of Richmond, Va,
in it's editorial on the results Of the
peace conference omits all reference to
the part played by President RoOse-
welt and suggests the idea that ia
pan in the course she pursued there
was acting treacherously toward her
friends and that the latters' friendly
offices have been projected in the
wrong direction. The editorial closes
with:
arise and be permanent Until there is
Derfecs explanation whether the jap
anese have not evolved duplicltr out
of their veneering and proved treach-
trous to their allies.
Speculation will be rife until nil this
Is known. Considering all that has
LasSed. il looks very much as if in this
whole transaction cur friendly offices
have been projected In a wrong direc
tion and the Urited States Great Dri-
tain and Germany-We eliminate the
other great powers-have not been
cnchered and in future will nave 10
c0"tend in the far east with a con;bi-
nation of MuscOy:te and the jar.
The Evening Journal of Richmond,
Va, in it's comments on the results
of the conference, takes very differ
ent view from it's evening contempor-
ary of the part Mr.. Roosevelt played
in the matter. 1t says:
The war developed two heroic fig
nfcs-Togo and Kuropatkin: the |
peace. one far seeing statesman and |
profound dip!omatist. M. Je Wirte. |
But The one colossal figures that in the |
eyes of the world at present towers |
above all others. and the one to whom |
is given prestige and credit of having |
brought to a conclusion a mighty war !
AID restored the pea,e of 1he world. |
is Roosevelt.
The same paper is of opinion that
Japan has gained a great deal by the
results of the war. In speaking of her
abandonment Of the demand for in !
demnity and of the other three in
pOrtant items it thus sums up what |
she has gained:
What Japan has really gained by
the war is-frst. immense prestige. |
and second. a preponderant influence.
at least for ths present. in the affairs |
OF the far last. She is today The DOM |
lnant power in Asia.
Whether or not she will be able to |
maintain the position she has won at |
AS fer her material gains. she has
probably paid for them all they are !
worth. She is irrevocabv committed |
10 the surrender of Mancil. ria to
China. SC what she gets is Liz Tung.
includEg Pert Arthur and Dalnv. with |
the Chinese Eastern railway. south |
of Chautafu. one half Of SakhaIin. |
fishing rights. and recognition of her !
SDZeraintv over Korea.
These have cost her. according to !
her own estimate. SIX hundred millions
IF dollars. Her national debt amounts
to upwards of seven hundred millions
of dollars.
=, Of the many editorials in praise of /
Mr.. Roosevelt's action as peacemaker
and Of his brilliant success we will !,
make one extract from a leading DEM |
Ccratic paper of his own state. The i
following is from the New York |
Worlds editorial on the subject:
In eftecting an agreement between
japan and Russia President Roosevelt
has won a srler did victory. His Lart
as Deaeemaker at Portsmouth is the
crownfng chievement of his brilliant
career. 1t promises to stand record
ed as the most notable work OF a
crowded political life. History cher
ishrS few specta cles so extraordinary
rs his summorning Japan and Russia
from, the bloody battle-f eld Of Man.
churia and bringing them face to face
in the duet Portsmouth conference
hall to settle their savage auarrel.
Every American whether he he d-ln-
Ccrat or republican. has lust reason
for pride and patriotism in Mr..
Rocscvelt's triumph over tremendous
obstacles. Full credit is his for his
Lnnrac ented audacity. for his delhi
b.
the warning naticns. He had the sa-
eaiety to seize the psychologit III mo-
melt and the pc:s:$ tence to nress his
roint hcne If he had Observed the
usual diplomatic caution the dead
lock Of ten DAYS ago would sur. lv have
terminated in cEen rrptur". He set
asid.. the conventions and went
stl aicht To ST PetnrShnre and Tnkin