Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-06-27
WASHINGTON is CHOSEN.
Selected as Place of Russo- apanese
Peace Negotiations.

Peace Negotiations.
Washington, and not The Hague,
has been selected by Japan and Rus
STA as the official meeting place for
their peace plenipotentiarieS. Japan
csc diplomacy thus gained a victory,
and international recognition of the
commanding influence of the United
States in inducing the belllgerents to
enter into negotiations for the termi-
nation of the war. The Russian en-
voys Will be able to increase their
knowledge of American institutions,
which the Japanese consider will be
of future advantage to their country !;
and the Japanese agents, by getting
in touch with the American people,
will convey to Japan the idea of
friendliness which prevails here for
the Far Eastern empire.
The meeting of the plenipotentiaries
in Washington will mean absolute free
dom for the peace commission from all
political pressure such as would have
been exerted by the Ola World had
the conferences been held at any point
in Europe. Russia, which is aware Of
the pro-Japanese sentiment existing in
this country, depends upon the histor-
ic friendship of America for the Rus
sian people to prevent the exercise Of
any extraneous influence to hamper
the negotiatOrs in their delicate task.
This also is Japan's wish.
The selection of Washington as the
place for holding the peace negotia-
tons is a logical choice 1t is logical
because the United States has no po-
liticai interest in the objects or the
prizes of the war With China, Man
churia and Corea the United States
hes and desires nothing but friendly
commercial relations.
On the Asiatic mainland we desire
no territory. SO that it be a govern
ment capable of observing its inter
national obligations and willing to give
our country a fair and equal oppor-
tunity, we care not who or what the
government there is.
Furthermore, with both Russia and
Japan our relations have always been
most amicable We have received
friendly services from both. and most
notably from Russia. In Japan's prog
ress we have taken a peculiar interest
because we were the means of in
ducing her to emerge from her ancient
seclusion and start upon the road
which she has so successfully pur-
sued.
We could not urge Russia and Japan
to make our capital the scene of their
peace negotiations. Ali we could do
was to suggest that they try to adj
just their quarrel. Their agreement
upon Washington is a concrete recog-
milton of our benevolent disposition to-
ward them.
SO far as the President is concerned,
it may be stated authoritatively that
it is his purpose to observe a strictly
neutral attitude. He will interfere only
upon the request of the two belliger-
entS to facilitate an agreement, or in
case American interests are threatened
by any proposal that may be made.
The selection of the United States
was not in accordance with the ex-
pressed desire of the President. He
would have preferred some other couns
try as the scene of negotiations. He
feared it might be said that, having
initiated the negotiations, he was at
tempting to put the United States I'M
duly forward as a peacemaker. The
objection which the President enter
tanned, however, was swept aside by
belligerents.