New-York tribune., 1905-01-03
ROOSEVELT FOR PEACE.
Armistice Erpected-Uar Nay End
Through America's Good Offices.
rFRoM THE TRIBUNE sUREAu.I


Washington Jan. 2.-President Roosevelt is
perfectly willing 70 use his good offices for
storing peace in the Orient. and Russia and
Japan have been made fully aware of the pleas
it would give him to act the friend of
both TO secure a prompt cessation of hostilties.
But. much as he would welcome the task. 1t IA
still felt, as was announced unauthoritatively
in this bureaus dispatches in The Tribune of
January s, 1904. when war at last recog-
nized as inevitable. he is debarred by unbroken
precedent and long established policy from MAX
ing any overtures until approached concurrent
ly by both belligerents.
The Washington government believes to-
highland the view Is shared by the leading
foreign diplomats who have been thrown so
much together this afternoon by the social af-
fairs Of the day-that an armistice is practical
ly assured before the end of this week The
magnanimity to be shown to the gallant stoessel
by his gallant vanquisher is regarded as the
chief element now affecting the Fastening or
delaying of the end of the war With the an
noarncernent Of fae terms Of capttulation. great
events are sure TO follow promptly. and almost
the only question of doubt is whether resort will
be had to the mediation of the United States.
which is most decided in its insistence on pre-
serving the administrative entity of the Chi
nese Empire. or whether the settlement VIII
have to be reached through some European
chancellery.- The impression prevails in the
diplomatic body here tonight that Europe, to
avoid the possibility OF disturbing its existing
concord, would much prefer that Washington
should be made the scene OF final adjustment.
and that united efforts to that end will speedily
be exerted.
A prominent diplomat expressed the belief to-
day that the initiative toward this end would be
taken by France. and would come in the form Of
an informal sounding OF the European powers
as TO whether, in their opinion the time had
suggest to Russia that the good offices Of the
United States be employed at least with view
TO ascertaining on what terms a settlement OF
existing difficulties might be reached. This
opinion was accompanied. however. by the as
sertion that thsre was little probability Of
France taking such a step. unless 1t had first
been ascertained that it would prove agreeable
to Russia The friendly relations existing be-
tween France and Russia would. however. make
II antjreIv possible for the former TO ascertain
the wishes OF ST. Petersburg without publicity
In support Of this theory the informant OF
The Tribune Bureau remarked that the almost
unanimous expression Of the European powers
in favor of peace, elicited by the Presidents
invitation TO reconvene the Hague conference,
had paved the way for more explicit express
sion of hope that the Russo-Japanese war
might be brought to an early close while for
NAL announcement of such sentiments might
prove most grateful to Russia were the Gar
disposed to permit his Ambassador at Washing
ton Count Cassini. to confer with President
Roosevelt regarding the terms which a salts
factory agreement could be reached with Japan
+broueh that country's Minister at Washington.
Kogoro Takahira.
MEANS THE END. OFFICERS THINK.
THAT the fall Of Port Arthur unquestionablv
ards the war. is the opinion of the army experts
II has heeH clear 10 them TOT HlOHthS IAdI mn
nediately upon japanese success at the great
fortress Russia could hardly fail to realize the
,utiIitv of further hostilities. and would be glad
10 accept honorable terms OF peace Hereafter
he military odds against Russia in Manchuria
# least for the next five years. viii be irresisti
HE and there is every reason why the Gar
should make the best OF 1t quickly possi-
ole
The release OF Nogfs army OF 10000 hard
med veterans from the siege OF Port Arthur.
md its quick availability for activity. even at
his inclement season. would turn the balance
before Moukden and in the present condition OF
he line of Russian retreat would be likely 70
.nnihiIate the Cars entire Manchurian force. /
rhe completeness of the japanese triumph, by 7
which the last Russian torpedo boat other /
raft Is removed from consideration. frees the I
fellow Sea and the Corean Gulf OF every menace
Continued n second pa<e