New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-06-11

fhs generation is probably ended not through
a struggle TO exhaustion. or through the apso-
lutte conquest OF one of the belligerents OF
through the Intervention of a concert of the
powers. but at the single benevolent suggestion
of one neutral and friendly nation. The Presi-
dant,s identical note to Russia and Japan,
which we published yesterday was the first
authentic revelation Of the negotiations when
for few days have been in progress. LIZ was
written and dispatched on Thursday II was
divuIged on Friday night, and on SATURDAY us
acceptance and substantial triumph were made
known. In any event 1t would have been an
historic utterance In its swift success 1t as
sumes conspicuous rank among the epoch max
ing documents of the world. Never was the
WAY for peace between two mighty contestants
more quickly and more nobly made. "A diplo-
matte triumph of the first magnitude" Is the
temperate and judicious estimate put upon IL
at St Petersburg. 1t is all Of that, and more
It is q triumph Of the first magnitude, not only
for American diplomacy, but also and equally
for common sense simple Justice and human
ity OF these causes America is glad and proud
to be the spokesman and the exponent
Two features of the Presidents note are es-
pecially worthy of observation at this time as
Indicative of the attitude Of the President-and
of this nation-toward the war and toward the
peacemaking One is the repeated suggestion
In direct negotiations between themselves, with
ont the mediation or Intervention of any other
power or powers Two days ago we expressed
the confident assumption that this was the OBJ
iect of the Presidents action, at least so far as
the final and definitiVe treaty making was con-
cerned That forecast is now confirmed in the
amplest manner The President suggested and
urged upon the belligerents that they should
thus come together, certainly for the final nego-
tiations, and preferably Also If possible for the
preliminary work His suggestion has, we are
told, been accepted TO the fullest extent. both
the belligerents-we might say, the late bellig-
erents-are reported to be about to appoint
plenipotentiaries TO meet and arrange for
final and definitive peacemaking conference.
1t is TO be assumed that they will succeed in
making such arrangements, and that the final
conference will conclude satisfactory treaty
of peace Even should the latter not be the case,
the President would still have attained his end,
which Is to bring the two powers together
again In direct relations and negotiations. But
surely it will be the case. Reason and human
ity forbid TO doubt that when competent rep
resentatves of the two governments meet they
will meet in mind and purpose well as in
body.
It has been understood from the beginning
that each of the belligerents held to the reso-
luton that, in case Of its triumph, it would die
tate peace to the other without the assent or the
intervention Of any other power. We all re-
member General Kuropatkin's vigorous words
to that effect, and know that, though less
outspoken, the japanese leaders have been
equally resolute to the same end. That, doubt
less. is still their determination. 1t is fit
ting that it should be so. The two powers
were competent to begin and to wage the
war their own account, and they must be
deemed competent to end it. Nothing else
indeed. would be compatible with their dig
nifty. Neither, as a victor, would be willing
that others should interfere to rob ii of the
fruits Of victory. Neither, as the vanquished,
would wish to endure the additional humilia-
ton of having others come In to rescue it from
the conqueror. Surely, then, II they come to-
gether for peacemaking without having reached
the extremes Of triumph and defeat, they should
do their own account, without interfer-
ence. 1t is true that the interests Of other
nations are largely involved IN the settlement.
But they were in the making of war, and
It may not unrea sonably be argued that If they
did not Justify Intervention to prevent the war,
they could not Justify intervention TO modify
the terms of peace. If the world was content
to intrust its interests to the two powers in
the making of war; it should surely be con-
tent TO do in the making of peace What
the final terms Of peace will be is matter for
from the terms which Japan sought to impose
upon China ten years ago. and would have
imposed and executed but for Russia's inter
yentien. the welfare of all the world will be
scrupulously regarded and safeguarded.
The other point, which may not have been
expected by some but which is most welcome,
is that the President has moved alone in the
matter. and has won his victory alone. That
his action heartily approved by the Euro
pean powers may be unhesitatingly assumed.
That was probably assured before his action
was fully taken. That he spoke in their inter
est and voiced their desire. well az the in
terest and desire of this country and the whole
civilized world. goes without saying. But the
notion, hitherto prevalent in some quarters,
that concert of the powers was being formed
which should present joint note to the bellig-
erents, is now seen TO have been quite unbound
ed. It America alone that assumed the re-
sponsibility 1t is TO America alone that the
world will give the credit. This was as advisa-
bic from the diplomatic point of view as It is
gratifying TO national pride a joint move
ment Of the powers, however discreet and be-
nevolent could scarcely have avoided the ap-
pearance of an effort to exert pressure or even
TO make menace, while the suggestions and
urgings Of a single entirely impartial power
could not thus be interpreted but must seem
10 be- they were and are, inspired solely by
generous and friendly desire to do good to |
both belligerents and to all nations. 1t is, of |
course. gratifying 10 know that all powers rec |
ognlze the fitness of the United States TO take
such an initiative superior. in some respects |
to that of any other nation 1t is still more |
gra rfying TO possess the consciousness that |
such fitness is based upon genuine dsinterest- /
edness and honest friendship for both parties |
10 the dispute 1t viii be most gratifying of |
all TO record we may now confidently antici- |