The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-31
Tho Germ Of tho Peace.

The Germ Of tho Peace.
The battle Of the Sea Of Japan, In
which TOGO destroyed RoJEsTvENsKY's
fleet and Russia's hopes, occurred on
May 81 and May %. The news OF the
decisive character OF the victory reached
here on May 20 and was printed in the
morning papers Of May so. On that
same morning THE Sun said:
FOR PEACE.
There are few Americans, we are sure VINO
would not rejoice 70 learn o-dAy that Presiden'
Roosnvn1f had rendered TO Russia In the nanKos'
manner the friendly onoes Of this Government Win
a view 70 tho termination Of the strife In the Far
Fast.
After tho latest and most overwhelming OF
the disasters which have befallen Russia, IN unin'
,erruptsd succession on sea and land Since tho war
began, tho time has msnifestiy arrived for such
suggestions from Washington. From nowhere
else on earth can the nrss move for peace come %
appropriately so dsinterestedly. and there Is good
reason 10 believe, % gratefully both IN the brave
Zen who are ready 70 night on against hope I'LL
ssnerous foes.
United States can now render 70 the Russian Gov
ernmeut and people that service Is Justly due from
10 70 them. Although there Is no denying that
throughout tho present struggle popular sentiment
In this country has inclined In marked degree
toward the cause Of jspan--a circumstance mainly
explained by past events In Asnchura and the
unfortunate policies OF the Care Alnisters-t 10
equally true that the attitude OF our Government
during the war has been une xceptionablo In point
Of correctness. ,mpartality and frtendliness. Be-
hind that 10 the fact that the people Of America
have never forgotten. and cannot forget. that We
are Russis's debtor whenever opportunity offers
for assistance that sympathy and friendshp may
properly give
So far as we know this was the first
public expression Of a thought that
may have been in many minds that
day. The important fact, however, is
that the mind Of President ROOSEVELT
was moving in the same direction. Two
days later, on June I. he had An interview
at tho White House with the Japanese
Minister, Mr. TAKAHIRA. The next day,
June .. the President was in conference
With Count CAss1NI. then about to depart
forlSt. Petersburg. From that time his
efforts to bring about direct negotia-
tons for peace were as persistent as
they were disinterested, impartial and
tactful. And in just one week, on June 7,
the President was able to address to
both belligerent Governments, with rea-
sonable certainty that his suggestions
would be entertained. the memorable
call to q council Of peace, which is here
reproduced:
"Ths President feels that the time has come
whom In the interest Of all mankind he must en-
deavor TO II 10 not possible TO bring to end
tho terrible and lamentable conflict now being
waged. With both Russia and Japan tho United
States has inherited ties Of friendship and good will.
hopes for the prosperity and welfare Of each and
Il feels that tho progress Of the world ia set back
by the war between those two great nations.
Tho President accordingly urges the Russian
and japanese Governments. not only for their own
sakes. but In the interest OF the whole civilized
world. 70 open direct negotiations for peace with
each other The President suggests that those
peace negotiations DO conducted directly and ex-
clusively between tho bellgerents In other words.
that there may be meeting Of Russian and Japa-
nese pienipotsntiaries or delegates without any In
tormediary. in order 10 see II It Is not possible for
those representatives Of the two Powers to agree
TO terms Of peace. The President earnestly asks
that the Russian Government do now agree to such
Q nesting and 10 asking the Japanese Government
likewise 70 agree.
while the President does not feel that any In.
termediary should be called In In respect to the
pesee negotiations themselves he Is entirely will
Ing 70 DO what he properly can. u the two Powers
concerned tel that bis services will DO OF aid In
srrasgine the preliminaes 70 the time and place
Of meeting. But Il even these preliminar,es can be
arranged directly between the two Powers. or In
any other way. the President will be glad. as his
sole purpose 70 70 bring about meeting which tho
whole civilized world will pray may result In peace
From his first perception Of the oppor-
tunity to the final accomplishment Of his
purpose Mr.. ROCKWELL never wavered
or weakened. never lost hope, never made
a false move or blunder Of any sort,
never once overstepped the proprieties
which his official post and his relations
with the two Governments prescribed.
He has been the Peacemaker in the fullest
sense Of the pleased word. The con-
ference would not have occurred but for
him. But for him it would have gone to
pieces after It had begun. The success
of his noble enterprise is one Of tho most
splendid examples which history can az
ford Of win power, character and straight
forward Jet not unsophisticated altruism
working efficiently and perseveringly in
one individual for the good Of millions.
Tho magnitude of Mr.. RoosEvELr's
achievement will grow in the eyes Of
the world - the years 60 by; what man
by . single seizure Of opportunity, and
the oonsummately skilful use Of it when
seized, ever earned a surer title to the