The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-09

A prominent diplomat said tonight tina
the developments Of the past two day
put peace within the pale OF possibilitie.
or even probabilities, He would not divulgt
just what has happened in that time, but
he did say that the prospects have beer
greatly improved.
JAPAN's TERMS WILL GROW HARDER,
The diplomat mentioned said that he
Rad every reason to believe that Japan
terms would be moderate. II the war does
not 20 much further. He added that II
Jaran was forced to fight on. her terms
would grow much harder. The ownership
Ct Vladivostok is likely lie said. TO be IN
cuded in peace terms II Japan Is forced
to keep up the war for any great length
OF time. Thus far it has not appeared
that Japan would insist upon the ownership
of Vladivostok.
That President Roosevelt has decided to
take active measures in bringing the two
belgerents together is gratifying to all
of the Powers. He is considered the
only man who could take any such steps.
A movement on the part OF Great Britain
would inf,riate Russia; any steps by the
French Government would not meet with
.Japan's favor, and Russia's distrust OF
Germany puts the Kaiser out OF the question
as mediator.
Accordingly there il scarcely any one
else who might take the steps which the
President has undoubtedly taken without
running the risk Of displeasing either OF
the belliger ntI.
Z DIDN'T TENDER oU,. GOOD OFFICERS.
ore fact stands out boldly in all this
rrcfound -ecrec" which is Icing ina lnta med
~ those who Ina q Wedge Of what is
cling done to bring Russia and Japan
together and that is that TIE United States
Government did not make tender .of
good offices either to Russia or Japan
To this may lie added that Russia. in her
response to the representations OK the
lrited States has not asked that the good
Offices Of this country lie extended.
How far he Car or his Ministers have
&c ne in heir exchanges with he American
Embassy a. st. Pet ersburg is not now ap-
parent but it was minated to-day that
this Government understand that an
effort on its part to oht ain Japan's pre-
liminary peace terms will not be unwel-
come to Russia. That in itself is decidedly
encouraging, and must he construed AS
a distinct forward step.
A long despatch in cipher from Mr..
Meyer. the American Ambassador at st.
Petersburg. who vest erday had an audience
wit h the Cur. was translated at the State
Depart ment this morning and the plain
copy sent to tn President. This message
l. supposed to cont ain narrative of Mr..
Meyers conversatio n with the Gar. Moth
ing rs to its cont ents has been disclosed.
and there is no indication or intimation
that MIR. Meyers report will he made public
in the near future.
Count Cassini, the Russian Ambassador,
who is supposed also to have had impor-
tant dispatches from his Government, de-
clares that he knows nothing" He. too.
is following the example set by the Pres-
dent and his advisers in maintaining a
discreet silencs.
CONFIDENCE 90 on
President Roosevelt to-day continued
his conferences with the representatives
of foreign Governments who have assisted
him in his desire to ascertain what course
S most advisable to pursue in the direction
OF peace overtures. One OF those whom
he has consulted declared to-day that the
President now knows that every neutral
Power Of Europe is anxious to see Russia
and Japan brought together for the purpose
OF arranging a settlement
Those whom the President saw to-day
ere Sir Mortimer Durand, the British Am
bassador. who had not had conversation
with Mr.. Roosevelt since Sir Mortimer's
unexpected return to Washington from
Leno1, three days ago; M. Jusserand. the
French Ambassador. who has been fire.
quently to the White House recently, and
MIR. Takahira, the Japanese Minister, whose
dsily and nightly ais on the President have
attracted much attention and caused great
speculation
Se>retary Taft ami Arting Secretary Of
State Loomis were present during the Presi-
dents conference with the French Ambas-
tador who is credited by rlmor with hav-
ing received dispatches from his Govern
ment similar to those sent to Washington
by the American Ambassador at St. Peters,
burg. No intimation even Of the character
of the conversation was obtainable, but it
must have had an important bearing on the
peace situation, or Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Loomis
would not have been called in
GERMAN AMBASSADOR HOPEFUL.
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, the German
Ambassador, who has been more active
in the efforts to bring about peace than any
OF 1.-THE other foreign representatives in Wash
ington, went to the White House tonight
When leaving he said that the situation was
decidedly hopeful, but he would not tell
what the President has done or the results
which have been obtained.
He indicated also that Germany and the