New-York tribune., 1905-06-05
THE WORK FOR PEACE.
WASHINGTONTHE CENTRE
Beligerents Likely to Ash Presi-
dents Good Offices.
rrnoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAu.J


Washington, June 4.-Washington will be q
centre of interest throughout the coming week,
or longer, as the most probable scene of the
birth of those peace negotiations for which hu-
manity in general ardently hopes Nothing
has as yet occurred which warrants the state
ment that peace negotiations between Russia
and Japan have been actually Instituted in
Washington. but this does not appear to have
discouraged the belief that when the prelimi-
naries are undertaken the belligerent powers will
avail themselves of the good offices of President
Roosevelt.
The impression is strong in diplomatic circles
in Washington that the services of the President
will be utilized whenever both belligerents shall
seek mutual understanding. The reasons ad-
vanced for this impression IN themselves of
interest. 1t is pointed out for instance that
France and Great Britain are eliminated from
the list of possible good friends of both con-
tending powers, because of their relations with
one the other of the belIigerents- Germany.
although unhampered by an alliance with either
OF the contestants. has it is claimed. exhibited
too warm a sympathy for the cause of Russia
to permit of Emperor Williams proving per
soma grata' to Japan in the role of mediator.
The United States, 1t Is declared, stands almost
alone in having maintained a perfectly neutral
attitude throughout the prolonged hostiittes-
This country enjoys. moreover, the entire con-
fdence of China, and President Roosevelt is
regarded as peculiarly adapted to act in the IT.
terest of peace by the Emperor of Germany.
who, of all the foreign rulers, undoubtedly
stands the closest to the Gar.
Great Britain, France and Germany well
understood TO have tacitly recognized that
America occupies an ideal and unique position
toward both contestants, and there is reason to
believe they have from the first impressed that
fact on Russia, and that Japan has always
realized IL.
The reputation of President Roosevelt as the
champion OF the square dear has travelled
far beyond the confines of the United States. and
for that reason the representatives Of foreign
governments in Washington suggest that to
him. perhaps more than to any European sover-
eign would the Czar prefer to intrust the in
terests of Russia In this crisis
Still another point advanced by the diplomats
in Washington is the fact that throughout the
events which have rendered Count Cassirfs po-
sition I'm Washington difficult. President
Roosevelt has sustained the most cordial ana
informal relations with the Ambassador, as also
he has done with the japanese Minister Thus
both have felt free TO call at the White House
at any and all hours and to discuss the interests
of their respective countries with the utmost
freedom and generally with unrestrained frank
ness From the first, both diplomats have clearly
understood that whenever their countries desire
to avail themselves of the good offices OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt he at their service, and for
that reason, 1t may be added. 1t was unneces-
sarv for the President to reiterate any assur-
ance on that score to Count Cassini on the oe-
casion of his visit to the White House Friday
afternoon.
A most thorough search for any foundation
for the recent reports that peace negotiate
we're actually in progress in Washington re-
veals that the foregoing impressions are almost
unanimously entertained in the diplomatic
corps. and little else. Nevertheless, there is so
nearly a consensus Of opinion among the men
trained to Judge of diplomatic probabilities that
all ewes are turned Washington with the
expectation that sooner or later peace nesotia-
tions must be initiated in the capital Of the
United States.
With regard to the proximity of such nego-
tfations opinions differ widely. 1t is generally
understood that japan. flushed with her latest
unprecedented victory. is now disposed to exact
not only difficult terms. but to insist that the
first overture be made by Russia. and even by
the Russian Emperor himself. in order that
there may remain opportunity for the Car
and the grand dukes surrounding him to g-
nore the reply made to any inquiry by his rep
resentatives on the ground that such query had
been propounded precipitately or without suf-
fcient authority.
In some quarters the idea is advanced. there
fore. that the time is not yet ripe for peace ne
gotiations and in support it is maintained that
there is practically no public sentiment in Rus
sia beyond that created in the larger cities by
a press under control Of the war party. There
ere hardly half score of cities in all Russia
which maintain daily papers. and those which
are published are subjected to such sewers cen
sorship as to render the apparent moulding of
public opinion easy of accomplishment by the
dominant party.
Moreover IT is declared by those who claim TO
be familiar with the internal affairs of the Mus
covite Empire that the dominant party regards
with the utmost apprehension the return OF the
troops from the front, where. il is assumeds they
have acquired a knowledge OF affairs and
breadth Of view which would render them
leaven TO be distributed among the
unirnaginative peasants of European
Russia.
That the absence Of a pronounced peace SEN
timent. the apprehension Of trouble a result
Of the returning troops and the exacting char
acter of the terms which Japan is likely to de-
mand may combine TO postpone a realization at
St. Petersburg of the necessity for the ternina-
ton of hostilities, which seems so apparent 10
those removed from the influence of like condi-
tons Is the argument OF those diplomats who
expect considerable time to intervene before