New-York tribune., 1905-08-06
AMERICA AND THE ENJOYS.

Yesterday was marked day in the history
of the world. 1t was made so by the meeting of
five men in q yachts cabin. They were the
plenipotentiary ENJOYS of Russia and Japan and
the President of the United States. The four
met as representatives of warning powers de-
string peace while the fifth was their host and
the sincere friend of both parties, through
whose benevolent mediation the meeting had
been effected. 1t was an occasion comparable
in interest and in significance to the welfare of
the world with any such meetings of which
history bears record at Tisit Versailles or else
where and. despite persistent forebodings, we
must regard it as the peer of any in its auguries
of success and of beneficence So much, in Its
aspect 10 all the world. From the purely Amerl-
can point of view it was invested with spe-
cial interest and with special causes for national
satisfaction. We have already dWelt upon lhe
pleas sure Americans are entitled to feei at thelr
governments thus having brought ABOUT the
negotiations for peace and at this country
being for the first time, the scene OF sucn heso-
tiations between two great foreign powers. But
there Is another consideration, not unworthy 10
be ranked with these.
The manner in which Il thing is done is no
less noteworthy than the thing itself. great
act NAV be much marred by being meanly done,
while minor act may be much magnifed by
is in doing great act in a great way, and that
is the distinction which we believe the world
will to-day ungrudgingly accord to the President
of the United States. The ceremony OF yester-
dav simple In form but most august In purport,
was the appropriate elimination of a process
marked throughout with taste and dignity and
with unerring appreciation OF the ntness OF
things There has been no false note NO once
could have been more delicate than that OF IN
tervening between the two proud and sensitive
belligerents but on neither side has there been
the slightest intimation of anything other than
the perfect acceptability of the Presidents
overtures. In all the subsequent negotiations 1t
was essential that the same high standard or
discretion should be maintained. The world is
agreed that it was maintained. Finally, the cul
minating scene enacted with manly sim
plicity appropriate TO a republican land and gov
ernment{ and yet with a dignity and an i'm
pression of power that must have been grateful
10 imperial minds
1t is profoundly gratifying that it was so.
Having invited the two belligerent powers to
come together in direct conference. and having
been chosen the scene of their meeting
America has worthiy discharged the duties of
an international host 1t was fitting that the
President should receive the ENJOYS and should
personally present them, each to each, not in
some hole-and-corner or in haphazard way, nor
even in his own private home, but rather upon
the deck of a vessel Of the American navy, sur
rounded by those embems of national majesty
which are most significant in international af
fairs 1t was fitting that after that memorable
meeting the ENJOYS should be conveyed to their
place of conference as the nations guests upon
the nations ships. 1t will be fitting that during
their deliberations the plenipotentiaries shall
have the plenipotentiary guard of a squadron Of
the American navy, whose guns, though ready
and competent for any service, are eager only to
speak the salutes of friendship and benevolent
congratulations upon work well done. Graft
flying indeed above conceivable victories in
war, is the victory this nation has already won
for peace; gratifying will it be if that victory
shall presently be made complete in the con-
clusion of just honorable and lasting conven-
tion between lately begerent powers; and
gratifying in commensurate degree is the re
fection that America has done all it has had to
do in a manner worthy Of Il great power play
ing great part among the other great powers
of the world